Bavaria Cruiser 36 vs 1977 Cal 33 — Comparison
Bavaria Cruiser 36
1977 Cal 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Cruiser 36 | 1977 Cal 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Cal |
| Year | 2012–2018 | 1977–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.57 m (11.7 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,400 kg (14,110 lbs) | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 110 L (29.1 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 210 L (55.5 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria Cruiser 36 and 1977 Cal 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1977 Cal 33 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1977 Cal 33 was designed by Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 measures 11.30m (37.1ft) overall with a beam of 3.57m, compared to the 1977 Cal 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 is 1.24m longer than the 1977 Cal 33. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 displaces approximately 23% 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 1977 Cal 33, with an SA/D of 14.53 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. 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 1977 Cal 33 has a comfort ratio of 22.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 36 and 41.7% for the 1977 Cal 33, 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 1977 Cal 33 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Cal 33 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.