1990 Catalina 34 vs Bavaria C42 — Comparison
1990 Catalina 34
Bavaria C42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Catalina 34 | Bavaria C42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Bavaria |
| Year | 1990–2004 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Frank Butler | cossutti yacht design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 12.88 m (42.3 ft) |
| LWL | 9.02 m (29.6 ft) | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,670 kg (12,500 lbs) | 8,900 kg (19,621 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 2,750 kg (6,063 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 49.8 m² (536 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 45 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Catalina 34 and Bavaria C42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Catalina 34 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Bavaria C42 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1990 Catalina 34 was penned by Frank Butler. The Bavaria C42 was designed by cossutti yacht design.
In terms of size, the 1990 Catalina 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.45m, compared to the Bavaria C42 at 12.88m (42.3ft) with a 4.09m beam. The Bavaria C42 is 2.52m longer than the 1990 Catalina 34. The Bavaria C42 displaces approximately 57% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1990 Catalina 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.91 and 49.8 m² of sail area. The Bavaria C42, with an SA/D of 17.98 and 76.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria C42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1990 Catalina 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Bavaria C42 has a comfort ratio of 15.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Catalina 34 and 30.9% for the Bavaria C42, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1990 Catalina 34 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 152L of water capacity and 95L of fuel. The Bavaria C42 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 340L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Catalina 34 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 C42 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 C42 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: 1990 Catalina 34 · Bavaria C42