Bavaria Cruiser 37 vs 1986 Westerly Oceanlord — Comparison
Bavaria Cruiser 37
1986 Westerly Oceanlord
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Cruiser 37 | 1986 Westerly Oceanlord |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Westerly |
| Year | 2014–2020 | 1986–1992 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | UK |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) | 12.04 m (39.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.90 m (32.5 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.67 m (12.0 ft) | 3.81 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) | 9,980 kg (22,002 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 50 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 182 L (48.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria Cruiser 37 and 1986 Westerly Oceanlord represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord is a 1980s offering from Westerly from UK. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the Bavaria Cruiser 37 measures 11.30m (37.1ft) overall with a beam of 3.67m, compared to the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord at 12.04m (39.5ft) with a 3.81m beam. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord is 0.74m longer than the Bavaria Cruiser 37. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord displaces approximately 45% 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 1986 Westerly Oceanlord, with an SA/D of 14.90 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. 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 1986 Westerly Oceanlord has a comfort ratio of 23.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 30.4% for the Bavaria Cruiser 37 and 36.4% for the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord, 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 1986 Westerly Oceanlord offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 340L water and 182L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord 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 1986 Westerly Oceanlord offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.