Bavaria Cruiser 37 vs Catalina 270 — Comparison
Bavaria Cruiser 37
Catalina 270
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Cruiser 37 | Catalina 270 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Catalina |
| Year | 2014–2020 | 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 | 9.90 m (32.5 ft) | 7.24 m (23.8 ft) |
| Beam | 3.67 m (12.0 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 1.47 m (4.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria Cruiser 37 and Catalina 270 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Catalina 270 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Catalina 270 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Bavaria Cruiser 37 measures 11.30m (37.1ft) overall with a beam of 3.67m, compared to the Catalina 270 at 8.31m (27.3ft) with a 2.74m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 is 2.99m longer than the Catalina 270. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 displaces approximately 198% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria Cruiser 37 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.82 and 60.0 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 37 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.6) 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 30.4% for the Bavaria Cruiser 37 and 39.2% for the Catalina 270, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria Cruiser 37 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L of water capacity and 140L of fuel. The Catalina 270 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria Cruiser 37 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 37 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 37 · Catalina 270