Bavaria Cruiser 37 vs Hunter 36 — Comparison
Bavaria Cruiser 37
Hunter 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Cruiser 37 | Hunter 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Hunter |
| Year | 2014–2020 | 1996–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.90 m (32.5 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.67 m (12.0 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) | 56.0 m² (603 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria Cruiser 37 and Hunter 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Hunter 36 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Hunter 36 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Bavaria Cruiser 37 measures 11.30m (37.1ft) overall with a beam of 3.67m, compared to the Hunter 36 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.56m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 is 0.48m longer than the Hunter 36. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 displaces approximately 17% 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 Hunter 36, with an SA/D of 17.43 and 56.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 36 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 Hunter 36 has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 30.4% for the Bavaria Cruiser 37 and 39.2% for the Hunter 36, 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 Hunter 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria Cruiser 37 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 36 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.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: Bavaria Cruiser 37 · Hunter 36