Bavaria Cruiser 37 vs 1978 Sabre 30 — Comparison
Bavaria Cruiser 37
1978 Sabre 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Cruiser 37 | 1978 Sabre 30 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Sabre |
| Year | 2014–2020 | 1978–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Roger Hewson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.90 m (32.5 ft) | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.67 m (12.0 ft) | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 1,451 kg (3,199 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) | 37.0 m² (398 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria Cruiser 37 and 1978 Sabre 30 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1978 Sabre 30 is a 1970s offering from Sabre from USA. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1978 Sabre 30 was designed by Roger Hewson.
In terms of size, the Bavaria Cruiser 37 measures 11.30m (37.1ft) overall with a beam of 3.67m, compared to the 1978 Sabre 30 at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 2.97m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 is 2.16m longer than the 1978 Sabre 30. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 displaces approximately 90% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria Cruiser 37 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.82 and 60.0 m² of sail area. The 1978 Sabre 30, with an SA/D of 15.92 and 37.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria Cruiser 37 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1978 Sabre 30 has a comfort ratio of 20.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 30.4% for the Bavaria Cruiser 37 and 40.0% for the 1978 Sabre 30, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria Cruiser 37 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L of water capacity and 140L of fuel. The 1978 Sabre 30 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Sabre 30 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 37 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Bavaria Cruiser 37 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Bavaria Cruiser 37 · 1978 Sabre 30