Bavaria Cruiser 34 vs Dufour 375 Grand Large — Comparison
Bavaria Cruiser 34
Dufour 375 Grand Large
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Cruiser 34 | Dufour 375 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Dufour |
| Year | 2010–2017 | 2009–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.25 m (33.6 ft) | 11.38 m (37.3 ft) |
| LWL | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) | 10.05 m (33.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) | 3.65 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 6,800 kg (14,991 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 90 L (23.8 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 240 L (63.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria Cruiser 34 and Dufour 375 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Dufour 375 Grand Large is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Dufour 375 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Bavaria Cruiser 34 measures 10.25m (33.6ft) overall with a beam of 3.42m, compared to the Dufour 375 Grand Large at 11.38m (37.3ft) with a 3.65m beam. The Dufour 375 Grand Large is 1.13m longer than the Bavaria Cruiser 34. The Dufour 375 Grand Large displaces approximately 24% 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 Dufour 375 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 17.27 and 61.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 375 Grand Large 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 Dufour 375 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 30.9% for the Bavaria Cruiser 34 and 30.9% for the Dufour 375 Grand Large, 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 Dufour 375 Grand Large offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 240L water and 130L 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 Dufour 375 Grand Large 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.