Bavaria 37 vs Catalina 390 — Comparison
Bavaria 37
Catalina 390
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 37 | Catalina 390 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Catalina |
| Year | 2000–2006 | 1997–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | J&J Design | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.38 m (37.3 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.86 m (32.3 ft) | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.61 m (11.8 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) | 8,256 kg (18,201 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 65.5 m² (705 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 130 L (34.3 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 265 L (70.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 37 and Catalina 390 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 37 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Catalina 390 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The Bavaria 37 was penned by J&J Design. The Catalina 390 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 37 measures 11.38m (37.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.61m, compared to the Catalina 390 at 11.89m (39.0ft) with a 3.76m beam. The Catalina 390 is 0.51m longer than the Bavaria 37. The Catalina 390 displaces approximately 20% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria 37 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.10 and 61.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 390, with an SA/D of 16.29 and 65.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Bavaria 37 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria 37 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Catalina 390 has a comfort ratio of 18.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 31.9% for the Bavaria 37 and 39.6% for the Catalina 390, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria 37 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L of water capacity and 130L of fuel. The Catalina 390 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 265L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 390 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 37 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Catalina 390 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.