1998 Catalina 42 vs Bavaria Cruiser 36 — Comparison
1998 Catalina 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1998 Catalina 42 | Bavaria Cruiser 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Bavaria |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 2012–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) |
| LWL | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 3.57 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) | 6,400 kg (14,110 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 72.5 m² (780 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 303 L (80.0 gal) | 210 L (55.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1998 Catalina 42 and Bavaria Cruiser 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1998 Catalina 42 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Bavaria Cruiser 36 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1998 Catalina 42 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1998 Catalina 42 measures 12.80m (42.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the Bavaria Cruiser 36 at 11.30m (37.1ft) with a 3.57m beam. The 1998 Catalina 42 is 1.50m longer than the Bavaria Cruiser 36. The 1998 Catalina 42 displaces approximately 49% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1998 Catalina 42 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.39 and 72.5 m² of sail area. The Bavaria Cruiser 36, with an SA/D of 17.10 and 58.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1998 Catalina 42 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The Bavaria Cruiser 36 has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.5% for the 1998 Catalina 42 and 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1998 Catalina 42 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 303L of water capacity and 151L of fuel. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 210L water and 110L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1998 Catalina 42 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 Cruiser 36 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1998 Catalina 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: 1998 Catalina 42 · Bavaria Cruiser 36