Bavaria 34 vs Catalina 323 — Comparison
Bavaria 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 34 | Catalina 323 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Catalina |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 2004–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | J&J Design | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.35 m (34.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.10 m (29.9 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.38 m (11.1 ft) | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 170 L (44.9 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 34 and Catalina 323 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 34 is a 1990s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Catalina 323 is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The Bavaria 34 was penned by J&J Design. The Catalina 323 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 34 measures 10.35m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.38m, compared to the Catalina 323 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.25m beam. The Bavaria 34 is 0.60m longer than the Catalina 323. The Bavaria 34 displaces approximately 9% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria 34 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.60 and 52.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 323, with an SA/D of 16.51 and 46.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Bavaria 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Catalina 323 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the Bavaria 34 and 38.1% for the Catalina 323, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The Catalina 323 offers 6 berths in 1 cabin with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 323 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: Bavaria 34 · Catalina 323