Bavaria Cruiser 34 vs Hanse 342 — Comparison
Bavaria Cruiser 34
Hanse 342
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Cruiser 34 | Hanse 342 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Hanse |
| Year | 2010–2017 | 2006–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Germany |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.25 m (33.6 ft) | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) |
| LWL | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) | 9.20 m (30.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 5,300 kg (11,684 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 1,650 kg (3,638 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 90 L (23.8 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria Cruiser 34 and Hanse 342 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Hanse 342 is a 2000s offering from Hanse from Germany. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Hanse 342 was designed by judel/vrolijk & co.
In terms of size, the Bavaria Cruiser 34 measures 10.25m (33.6ft) overall with a beam of 3.42m, compared to the Hanse 342 at 10.30m (33.8ft) with a 3.40m beam. The Hanse 342 is 0.05m longer than the Bavaria Cruiser 34. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 displaces approximately 4% 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 Hanse 342, with an SA/D of 17.38 and 52.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hanse 342 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 Hanse 342 has a comfort ratio of 17.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 30.9% for the Bavaria Cruiser 34 and 31.1% for the Hanse 342, 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 Hanse 342 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria Cruiser 34 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 Hanse 342 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.