2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser vs 1983 Pearson 31 — Comparison
1983 Pearson 31
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser | 1983 Pearson 31 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Pearson |
| Year | 2012–2016 | 1983–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.99 m (32.8 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.95 m (29.4 ft) | 7.77 m (25.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,400 kg (11,905 lbs) | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| 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) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser and 1983 Pearson 31 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1983 Pearson 31 is a 1980s offering from Pearson from USA. The 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1983 Pearson 31 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser measures 9.99m (32.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.42m, compared to the 1983 Pearson 31 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.10m beam. The 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser is 0.54m longer than the 1983 Pearson 31. The 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser displaces approximately 25% 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 1983 Pearson 31, with an SA/D of 15.35 and 40.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 1983 Pearson 31 has a comfort ratio of 21.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 29.6% for the 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser and 42.1% for the 1983 Pearson 31, 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 1983 Pearson 31 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1983 Pearson 31 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 · 1983 Pearson 31