Bavaria Cruiser 36 vs 1991 Westerly Seahawk — Comparison
Bavaria Cruiser 36
1991 Westerly Seahawk
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Cruiser 36 | 1991 Westerly Seahawk |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Westerly |
| Year | 2012–2018 | 1991–1997 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | UK |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Ed Dubois |
| 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) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,400 kg (14,110 lbs) | 6,123 kg (13,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 110 L (29.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 210 L (55.5 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria Cruiser 36 and 1991 Westerly Seahawk represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1991 Westerly Seahawk is a 1990s offering from Westerly from UK. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 measures 11.30m (37.1ft) overall with a beam of 3.57m, compared to the 1991 Westerly Seahawk at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 is 0.94m longer than the 1991 Westerly Seahawk. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 displaces approximately 5% 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 1991 Westerly Seahawk, with an SA/D of 14.57 and 48.0 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 1991 Westerly Seahawk has a comfort ratio of 22.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 36 and 40.8% for the 1991 Westerly Seahawk, 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 1991 Westerly Seahawk offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 220L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1991 Westerly Seahawk 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 1991 Westerly Seahawk offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.