Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 vs Bavaria Cruiser 36 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 34.1
Bavaria Cruiser 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 | Bavaria Cruiser 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 2016 | 2012–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.34 m (33.9 ft) | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) |
| LWL | 9.35 m (30.7 ft) | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.39 m (11.1 ft) | 3.57 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 6,400 kg (14,110 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 210 L (55.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 and Bavaria Cruiser 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria Cruiser 36 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 measures 10.34m (33.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.39m, compared to the Bavaria Cruiser 36 at 11.30m (37.1ft) with a 3.57m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 is 0.96m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 displaces approximately 23% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.60 and 52.0 m² of sail area. The Bavaria Cruiser 36, with an SA/D of 17.10 and 58.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Bavaria Cruiser 36 has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 and 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 210L water and 110L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria Cruiser 36 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 Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 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.