2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser vs 1979 Westerly Fulmar — Comparison
1979 Westerly Fulmar
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser | 1979 Westerly Fulmar |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Westerly |
| Year | 2012–2016 | 1979–1986 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | UK |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.99 m (32.8 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.95 m (29.4 ft) | 8.00 m (26.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,400 kg (11,905 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 65 L (17.2 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 136 L (35.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser and 1979 Westerly Fulmar represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1979 Westerly Fulmar is a 1970s offering from Westerly from UK. The 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser measures 9.99m (32.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.42m, compared to the 1979 Westerly Fulmar at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser is 0.24m longer than the 1979 Westerly Fulmar. The 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser displaces approximately 8% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.17 and 52.0 m² of sail area. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar, with an SA/D of 12.53 and 36.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1979 Westerly Fulmar has a comfort ratio of 22.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 29.6% for the 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser and 36.4% for the 1979 Westerly Fulmar, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 120L of water capacity and 65L of fuel. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 136L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Westerly Fulmar 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 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser 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.
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Or view individual specs: 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser · 1979 Westerly Fulmar