Najad 390 vs Bavaria 36 Cruiser
Two staples on Nordic buyer shortlists: Najad 390's premium Swedish build versus Bavaria 36's volume-production value and refit ecosystem. Side-by-side specs from published model data.
Two Nordic staples — advisory focuses on rigging invoices and deck moisture, not brochure layout photos. Buyer advisory
Comparison table
| Category | Najad 390 | Bavaria 36 Cruiser |
|---|---|---|
| Length overall | 11.75 m | 11.4 m |
| Beam | 3.5 m | 3.6 m |
| L/B | 3.36 | 3.17 |
| LWL | 10 m | 9.4 m |
| Draft | unknown | 1.65 m |
| Displacement | 9,500 kg | 5,500 kg |
| Ballast | 4,000 kg | 1,500 kg |
| Hull material | unknown | grp |
| Keel | fin | fin |
| Rig | masthead | unknown |
| Designer | Thorwald Karlsson | J&J Design |
| Production years | 1984-1995 | 2002-2004 |
| Overview | On Swedish Blocket and on international YachtWorld, two listings can share the same model name. One matches Thorwald Karlsson’s Najadvarvet boat: built 1984–1995, LOA about 11.75 m. | This page is the J&J Bavaria 36 of 2002-2004, not the Farr Cruiser and not a later Cruiser under the same name. You stand on the pier with a tape measure at the stern of a Bavaria 36, and the numbers do not match. |
| Typical issues | Q: Which years and which designer should you check first on a Najad 390? A: Production 1984–1995 at Najadvarvet, designer Thorwald Karlsson. Reject ads or catalogues that give 1997–2005 or Olle Enderlein for this model; that is the wrong era and the wrong designer. Q: Which dimensions should match the yard-era record? A: LOA about 11.75 m and beam about 3.50 m with displacement about 9.5 t. | Q: Why is the bare name «Bavaria 36» not enough for a shortlist? A: The used market holds an early 1998-2000 boat (later sold as 37), the J&J 2002-2004 form, and a later Cruiser. Read year and designer on the plate. Q: Where does the ~10.96 m length come from? A: It is often length on deck (LOD). |