Bavaria Cruiser 36 vs Hunter 31 — Comparison
Bavaria Cruiser 36
Hunter 31
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Cruiser 36 | Hunter 31 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Hunter |
| Year | 2012–2018 | 2000–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.57 m (11.7 ft) | 3.12 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,400 kg (14,110 lbs) | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 110 L (29.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 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 Hunter 31 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Hunter 31 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Hunter 31 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 measures 11.30m (37.1ft) overall with a beam of 3.57m, compared to the Hunter 31 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.12m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 is 1.85m longer than the Hunter 31. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 displaces approximately 57% 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 Hunter 31, with an SA/D of 17.51 and 44.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 31 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 Hunter 31 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 36 and 38.9% for the Hunter 31, 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 Hunter 31 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 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 Hunter 31 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.