Bavaria Cruiser 36 vs Catalina 270 — Comparison
Catalina 270
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Cruiser 36 | Catalina 270 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Catalina |
| Year | 2012–2018 | 1992–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) | 8.31 m (27.3 ft) |
| LWL | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) | 7.24 m (23.8 ft) |
| Beam | 3.57 m (11.7 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.47 m (4.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,400 kg (14,110 lbs) | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 110 L (29.1 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 210 L (55.5 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria Cruiser 36 and Catalina 270 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Catalina 270 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Catalina 270 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 measures 11.30m (37.1ft) overall with a beam of 3.57m, compared to the Catalina 270 at 8.31m (27.3ft) with a 2.74m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 is 2.99m longer than the Catalina 270. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 displaces approximately 177% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.10 and 58.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 270, with an SA/D of 18.01 and 31.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 270 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Catalina 270 has a comfort ratio of 16.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 36 and 39.2% for the Catalina 270, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 210L of water capacity and 110L of fuel. The Catalina 270 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria Cruiser 36 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 270 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 Cruiser 36 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 36 · Catalina 270