1989 Catalina 36 vs Bavaria Vision 42 — Comparison
1989 Catalina 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1989 Catalina 36 | Bavaria Vision 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Bavaria |
| Year | 1989–1994 | 2013–2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Frank Butler | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 12.99 m (42.6 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 11.20 m (36.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.65 m (12.0 ft) | 4.06 m (13.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,804 kg (15,000 lbs) | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 56.3 m² (606 ft²) | 80.0 m² (861 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1989 Catalina 36 and Bavaria Vision 42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1989 Catalina 36 is a 1980s design by Catalina from USA, while the Bavaria Vision 42 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1989 Catalina 36 was penned by Frank Butler. The Bavaria Vision 42 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1989 Catalina 36 measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.65m, compared to the Bavaria Vision 42 at 12.99m (42.6ft) with a 4.06m beam. The Bavaria Vision 42 is 2.02m longer than the 1989 Catalina 36. The Bavaria Vision 42 displaces approximately 40% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1989 Catalina 36 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.93 and 56.3 m² of sail area. The Bavaria Vision 42, with an SA/D of 18.12 and 80.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria Vision 42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1989 Catalina 36 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Bavaria Vision 42 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1989 Catalina 36 and 31.6% for the Bavaria Vision 42, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1989 Catalina 36 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The Bavaria Vision 42 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1989 Catalina 36 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 Vision 42 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Bavaria Vision 42 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: 1989 Catalina 36 · Bavaria Vision 42