2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser vs Catalina 387 — Comparison
Catalina 387
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser | Catalina 387 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Catalina |
| Year | 2008–2013 | 1996–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.70 m (41.7 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) | 1.96 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser and Catalina 387 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Catalina 387 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Catalina 387 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser measures 14.27m (46.8ft) overall with a beam of 4.35m, compared to the Catalina 387 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser is 2.69m longer than the Catalina 387. The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser displaces approximately 54% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.34 and 92.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 387, with an SA/D of 16.73 and 63.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Catalina 387 has a comfort ratio of 18.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 30.4% for the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser and 39.4% for the Catalina 387, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 340L of water capacity and 180L of fuel. The Catalina 387 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 387 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 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser 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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