Bavaria Cruiser 34 vs 1985 Irwin 38 — Comparison
Bavaria Cruiser 34
1985 Irwin 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Cruiser 34 | 1985 Irwin 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Irwin |
| Year | 2010–2017 | 1985–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.25 m (33.6 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 90 L (23.8 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria Cruiser 34 and 1985 Irwin 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1985 Irwin 38 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1985 Irwin 38 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the Bavaria Cruiser 34 measures 10.25m (33.6ft) overall with a beam of 3.42m, compared to the 1985 Irwin 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1985 Irwin 38 is 1.33m longer than the Bavaria Cruiser 34. The 1985 Irwin 38 displaces approximately 36% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria Cruiser 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.30 and 50.0 m² of sail area. The 1985 Irwin 38, with an SA/D of 15.93 and 60.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria Cruiser 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1985 Irwin 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 30.9% for the Bavaria Cruiser 34 and 42.4% for the 1985 Irwin 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria Cruiser 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L of water capacity and 90L of fuel. The 1985 Irwin 38 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1985 Irwin 38 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The Bavaria Cruiser 34 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1985 Irwin 38 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.