Bavaria Cruiser 36 vs 1984 Pearson 34 — Comparison
Bavaria Cruiser 36
1984 Pearson 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Cruiser 36 | 1984 Pearson 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Pearson |
| Year | 2012–2018 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.57 m (11.7 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,400 kg (14,110 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 20 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 110 L (29.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 210 L (55.5 gal) | 152 L (40.2 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria Cruiser 36 and 1984 Pearson 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1984 Pearson 34 is a 1980s offering from Pearson from USA. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1984 Pearson 34 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 measures 11.30m (37.1ft) overall with a beam of 3.57m, compared to the 1984 Pearson 34 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 is 0.94m longer than the 1984 Pearson 34. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 displaces approximately 18% 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 1984 Pearson 34, with an SA/D of 15.11 and 46.0 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 1984 Pearson 34 has a comfort ratio of 20.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 36 and 41.7% for the 1984 Pearson 34, 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 1984 Pearson 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 152L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Pearson 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 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.