Bavaria Cruiser 37 vs Catalina 390 — Comparison
Bavaria Cruiser 37
Catalina 390
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Cruiser 37 | Catalina 390 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Catalina |
| Year | 2014–2020 | 1997–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.90 m (32.5 ft) | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.67 m (12.0 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) | 8,256 kg (18,201 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) | 65.5 m² (705 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 265 L (70.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria Cruiser 37 and Catalina 390 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Catalina 390 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Catalina 390 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 390 at 11.89m (39.0ft) with a 3.76m beam. The Catalina 390 is 0.59m longer than the Bavaria Cruiser 37. The Catalina 390 displaces approximately 20% 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 390, with an SA/D of 16.29 and 65.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 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 390 has a comfort ratio of 18.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 30.4% for the Bavaria Cruiser 37 and 39.6% for the Catalina 390, 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 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 Cruiser 37 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 390 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.