Bavaria 46 vs Catalina 390 — Comparison
Bavaria 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 46 | Catalina 390 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Catalina |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 1997–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | J&J Design | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) | 8,256 kg (18,201 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 65.5 m² (705 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 265 L (70.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 46 and Catalina 390 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 46 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Catalina 390 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The Bavaria 46 was penned by J&J Design. The Catalina 390 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 46 measures 14.27m (46.8ft) overall with a beam of 4.35m, compared to the Catalina 390 at 11.89m (39.0ft) with a 3.76m beam. The Bavaria 46 is 2.38m longer than the Catalina 390. The Bavaria 46 displaces approximately 36% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria 46 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.28 and 95.0 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 46 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria 46 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Catalina 390 has a comfort ratio of 18.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 31.3% for the Bavaria 46 and 39.6% for the Catalina 390, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria 46 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 450L of water capacity and 250L 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 46 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 46 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 46 · Catalina 390