Bavaria Cruiser 34 vs Catalina 387 — Comparison
Bavaria Cruiser 34
Catalina 387
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Cruiser 34 | Catalina 387 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Catalina |
| Year | 2010–2017 | 1996–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.25 m (33.6 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.96 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 90 L (23.8 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria Cruiser 34 and Catalina 387 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Catalina 387 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Catalina 387 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Bavaria Cruiser 34 measures 10.25m (33.6ft) overall with a beam of 3.42m, compared to the Catalina 387 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The Catalina 387 is 1.33m longer than the Bavaria Cruiser 34. The Catalina 387 displaces approximately 36% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria Cruiser 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.30 and 50.0 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 Catalina 387 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria Cruiser 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Catalina 387 has a comfort ratio of 18.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 30.9% for the Bavaria Cruiser 34 and 39.4% for the Catalina 387, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria Cruiser 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L of water capacity and 90L 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 Catalina 387 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 387 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 Cruiser 34 · Catalina 387