Bavaria Cruiser 36 vs 1976 Ericson 29 — Comparison
1976 Ericson 29
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Cruiser 36 | 1976 Ericson 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Ericson |
| Year | 2012–2018 | 1976–1983 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Bruce King |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.57 m (11.7 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,400 kg (14,110 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 13 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 110 L (29.1 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 210 L (55.5 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria Cruiser 36 and 1976 Ericson 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1976 Ericson 29 is a 1970s offering from Ericson from USA. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1976 Ericson 29 was designed by Bruce King.
In terms of size, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 measures 11.30m (37.1ft) overall with a beam of 3.57m, compared to the 1976 Ericson 29 at 8.84m (29.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 is 2.46m longer than the 1976 Ericson 29. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 displaces approximately 102% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.10 and 58.0 m² of sail area. The 1976 Ericson 29, with an SA/D of 15.99 and 34.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1976 Ericson 29 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 36 and 42.9% for the 1976 Ericson 29, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 210L of water capacity and 110L of fuel. The 1976 Ericson 29 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1976 Ericson 29 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 Bavaria Cruiser 36 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Bavaria Cruiser 36 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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Or view individual specs: Bavaria Cruiser 36 · 1976 Ericson 29