Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs Bavaria Cruiser 34 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Bavaria Cruiser 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | Bavaria Cruiser 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 2017 | 2010–2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 10.25 m (33.6 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and Bavaria Cruiser 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria Cruiser 34 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 measures 11.50m (37.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Bavaria Cruiser 34 at 10.25m (33.6ft) with a 3.42m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is 1.25m longer than the Bavaria Cruiser 34. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 displaces approximately 30% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.11 and 62.5 m² of sail area. The Bavaria Cruiser 34, with an SA/D of 16.30 and 50.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Bavaria Cruiser 34 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 30.9% for the Bavaria Cruiser 34, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 140L of fuel. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 90L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria Cruiser 34 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 38.1 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.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 · Bavaria Cruiser 34