1985 Catalina 30 vs Bavaria 34 — Comparison
1985 Catalina 30
Bavaria 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Catalina 30 | Bavaria 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Bavaria |
| Year | 1985–1996 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Frank Butler | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.35 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.10 m (29.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) | 3.38 m (11.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.2 m² (433 ft²) | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Catalina 30 and Bavaria 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Catalina 30 is a 1980s design by Catalina from USA, while the Bavaria 34 is a 1990s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1985 Catalina 30 was penned by Frank Butler. The Bavaria 34 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the 1985 Catalina 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.25m, compared to the Bavaria 34 at 10.35m (34.0ft) with a 3.38m beam. The Bavaria 34 is 1.21m longer than the 1985 Catalina 30. The Bavaria 34 displaces approximately 15% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Catalina 30 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.91 and 40.2 m² of sail area. The Bavaria 34, with an SA/D of 17.60 and 52.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1985 Catalina 30 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Bavaria 34 has a comfort ratio of 17.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1985 Catalina 30 and 32.7% for the Bavaria 34, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Catalina 30 provides 7 berths in 1 cabin with 114L of water capacity and 68L of fuel. The Bavaria 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1985 Catalina 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 34 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1985 Catalina 30 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.