Bavaria Cruiser 34 vs 2017 Leopard 40 — Comparison
Bavaria Cruiser 34
2017 Leopard 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Cruiser 34 | 2017 Leopard 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Leopard |
| Year | 2010–2017 | 2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Catamaran |
| Country | Germany | South Africa |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Simonis Voogd |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.25 m (33.6 ft) | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) | 6.56 m (21.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.12 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 8,400 kg (18,519 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | — |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 70.0 m² (754 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Mini Keel |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 2 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 90 L (23.8 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 600 L (158.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria Cruiser 34 and 2017 Leopard 40 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 2017 Leopard 40 is a modern offering from Leopard from South Africa. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2017 Leopard 40 was designed by Simonis Voogd.
In terms of size, the Bavaria Cruiser 34 measures 10.25m (33.6ft) overall with a beam of 3.42m, compared to the 2017 Leopard 40 at 11.73m (38.5ft) with a 6.56m beam. The 2017 Leopard 40 is 1.48m longer than the Bavaria Cruiser 34. The 2017 Leopard 40 displaces approximately 53% 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 2017 Leopard 40, with an SA/D of 17.21 and 70.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2017 Leopard 40 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 2017 Leopard 40 has a comfort ratio of 8.4 and a capsize screening value of 1.29. The ballast ratios are 30.9% for the Bavaria Cruiser 34 and 0.0% for the 2017 Leopard 40, 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 2017 Leopard 40 offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 600L water and 340L 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 2017 Leopard 40 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2017 Leopard 40 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 · 2017 Leopard 40