Bavaria C42 vs Hunter 356 — Comparison
Bavaria C42
Hunter 356
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria C42 | Hunter 356 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Hunter |
| Year | 2018 | 2000–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | cossutti yacht design | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.88 m (42.3 ft) | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) |
| LWL | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) | 3.53 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,900 kg (19,621 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,750 kg (6,063 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 45 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria C42 and Hunter 356 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria C42 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Hunter 356 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The Bavaria C42 was penned by cossutti yacht design. The Hunter 356 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Bavaria C42 measures 12.88m (42.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.09m, compared to the Hunter 356 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.53m beam. The Bavaria C42 is 2.06m longer than the Hunter 356. The Bavaria C42 displaces approximately 64% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria C42 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.98 and 76.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 356, with an SA/D of 17.40 and 53.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria C42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria C42 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Hunter 356 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 30.9% for the Bavaria C42 and 40.0% for the Hunter 356, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria C42 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 340L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The Hunter 356 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 356 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 C42 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 C42 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Bavaria C42 · Hunter 356