Bavaria Cruiser 34 vs 1975 Cal 29 — Comparison
Bavaria Cruiser 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Cruiser 34 | 1975 Cal 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Cal |
| Year | 2010–2017 | 1975–1981 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Bill Lapworth |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.25 m (33.6 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 13 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 90 L (23.8 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria Cruiser 34 and 1975 Cal 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1975 Cal 29 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1975 Cal 29 was designed by Bill Lapworth.
In terms of size, the Bavaria Cruiser 34 measures 10.25m (33.6ft) overall with a beam of 3.42m, compared to the 1975 Cal 29 at 8.84m (29.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 is 1.41m longer than the 1975 Cal 29. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 displaces approximately 73% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria Cruiser 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.30 and 50.0 m² of sail area. The 1975 Cal 29, with an SA/D of 15.99 and 34.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria Cruiser 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1975 Cal 29 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 30.9% for the Bavaria Cruiser 34 and 42.9% for the 1975 Cal 29, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria Cruiser 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L of water capacity and 90L of fuel. The 1975 Cal 29 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Cal 29 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 Cruiser 34 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 34 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 Cruiser 34 · 1975 Cal 29