Bavaria Cruiser 34 vs Hunter 240 — Comparison
Bavaria Cruiser 34
Hunter 240
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Cruiser 34 | Hunter 240 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Hunter |
| Year | 2010–2017 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.25 m (33.6 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) | 6.17 m (20.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 476 kg (1,049 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 22.5 m² (242 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 8 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 90 L (23.8 gal) | 19 L (5.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria Cruiser 34 and Hunter 240 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Hunter 240 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Hunter 240 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Bavaria Cruiser 34 measures 10.25m (33.6ft) overall with a beam of 3.42m, compared to the Hunter 240 at 7.32m (24.0ft) with a 2.44m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 is 2.93m longer than the Hunter 240. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 displaces approximately 304% 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 Hunter 240, with an SA/D of 18.62 and 22.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 240 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 Hunter 240 has a comfort ratio of 15.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.88. The ballast ratios are 30.9% for the Bavaria Cruiser 34 and 35.0% for the Hunter 240, 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 Hunter 240 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 30L water and 19L 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 Hunter 240 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 · Hunter 240