Bavaria Cruiser 36 vs 2010 Elan 340 — Comparison
Bavaria Cruiser 36
2010 Elan 340
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Cruiser 36 | 2010 Elan 340 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Elan |
| Year | 2012–2018 | 2010–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Slovenia |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) | 9.00 m (29.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.57 m (11.7 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,400 kg (14,110 lbs) | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 1,750 kg (3,858 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 110 L (29.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 210 L (55.5 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria Cruiser 36 and 2010 Elan 340 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 2010 Elan 340 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2010 Elan 340 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 measures 11.30m (37.1ft) overall with a beam of 3.57m, compared to the 2010 Elan 340 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 is 0.94m longer than the 2010 Elan 340. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 displaces approximately 10% 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 2010 Elan 340, with an SA/D of 17.31 and 55.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2010 Elan 340 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 2010 Elan 340 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 36 and 30.2% for the 2010 Elan 340, 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 2010 Elan 340 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 160L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2010 Elan 340 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 2010 Elan 340 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.