Bavaria Cruiser 36 vs Hunter 30 — Comparison
Hunter 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Cruiser 36 | Hunter 30 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Hunter |
| Year | 2012–2018 | 1991–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.57 m (11.7 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,400 kg (14,110 lbs) | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) | 41.0 m² (441 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 110 L (29.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 210 L (55.5 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria Cruiser 36 and Hunter 30 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Hunter 30 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Hunter 30 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 measures 11.30m (37.1ft) overall with a beam of 3.57m, compared to the Hunter 30 at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 is 2.16m longer than the Hunter 30. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 displaces approximately 66% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.10 and 58.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 30, with an SA/D of 16.94 and 41.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Hunter 30 has a comfort ratio of 19.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 36 and 41.2% for the Hunter 30, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 210L of water capacity and 110L of fuel. The Hunter 30 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 30 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 36 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.
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Or view individual specs: Bavaria Cruiser 36 · Hunter 30