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

CategoryNajad 390Bavaria 36 Cruiser
Length overall11.75 m11.4 m
Beam3.5 m3.6 m
Production years1984–19952002–2004
OverviewOn 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.You stand on the pier with a tape measure at the stern of a Bavaria 36, and the numbers do not match. The listing says "36", but the tape along the topsides reads about 11.40 m - almost 37.5 feet.
Typical issuesQ: 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).