Bavaria 44 vs Catalina 385 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 44 | Catalina 385 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Catalina |
| Year | 2002–2007 | 2006–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | J&J Design | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.55 m (44.5 ft) | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) |
| LWL | 11.82 m (38.8 ft) | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.18 m (13.7 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,200 kg (22,487 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 86.0 m² (926 ft²) | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 242 L (63.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 44 and Catalina 385 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 44 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Catalina 385 is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The Bavaria 44 was penned by J&J Design. The Catalina 385 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 44 measures 13.55m (44.5ft) overall with a beam of 4.18m, compared to the Catalina 385 at 11.73m (38.5ft) with a 3.76m beam. The Bavaria 44 is 1.82m longer than the Catalina 385. The Bavaria 44 displaces approximately 25% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria 44 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.57 and 86.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 385, with an SA/D of 16.29 and 65.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Bavaria 44 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria 44 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Catalina 385 has a comfort ratio of 18.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 31.4% for the Bavaria 44 and 38.9% for the Catalina 385, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria 44 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 400L of water capacity and 230L of fuel. The Catalina 385 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 242L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 385 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 44 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 44 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: Bavaria 44 · Catalina 385