Bavaria Cruiser 37 vs Hunter 280 — Comparison
Bavaria Cruiser 37
Hunter 280
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Cruiser 37 | Hunter 280 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Hunter |
| Year | 2014–2020 | 1998–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.90 m (32.5 ft) | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.67 m (12.0 ft) | 2.82 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) | 2,585 kg (5,699 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 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 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria Cruiser 37 and Hunter 280 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Hunter 280 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Hunter 280 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 280 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.82m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 is 2.77m longer than the Hunter 280. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 displaces approximately 167% 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 280, with an SA/D of 18.35 and 34.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 280 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 280 has a comfort ratio of 16.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 30.4% for the Bavaria Cruiser 37 and 38.6% for the Hunter 280, 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 280 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L 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 280 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.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: Bavaria Cruiser 37 · Hunter 280