Bavaria Cruiser 34 vs 2003 Sabre 402 — Comparison
Bavaria Cruiser 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Cruiser 34 | 2003 Sabre 402 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Sabre |
| Year | 2010–2017 | 2003–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Jim Taylor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.25 m (33.6 ft) | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 66.0 m² (710 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 90 L (23.8 gal) | 151 L (39.9 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 2003 Sabre 402 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 2003 Sabre 402 is a 2000s offering from Sabre from USA. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2003 Sabre 402 was designed by Jim Taylor.
In terms of size, the Bavaria Cruiser 34 measures 10.25m (33.6ft) overall with a beam of 3.42m, compared to the 2003 Sabre 402 at 12.19m (40.0ft) with a 3.72m beam. The 2003 Sabre 402 is 1.94m longer than the Bavaria Cruiser 34. The 2003 Sabre 402 displaces approximately 48% 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 2003 Sabre 402, with an SA/D of 16.54 and 66.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2003 Sabre 402 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 2003 Sabre 402 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 30.9% for the Bavaria Cruiser 34 and 40.0% for the 2003 Sabre 402, 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 2003 Sabre 402 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 151L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2003 Sabre 402 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 2003 Sabre 402 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2003 Sabre 402 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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