Bavaria C42 vs Catalina 42 MkII — Comparison
Bavaria C42
Catalina 42 MkII
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria C42 | Catalina 42 MkII |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Catalina |
| Year | 2018 | 2003–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | cossutti yacht design | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.88 m (42.3 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) | 11.10 m (36.4 ft) |
| Beam | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,900 kg (19,621 lbs) | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,750 kg (6,063 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 45 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 152 L (40.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 303 L (80.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria C42 and Catalina 42 MkII represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria C42 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Catalina 42 MkII is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The Bavaria C42 was penned by cossutti yacht design. The Catalina 42 MkII was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Bavaria C42 measures 12.88m (42.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.09m, compared to the Catalina 42 MkII at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.96m beam. The Bavaria C42 is 0.08m longer than the Catalina 42 MkII. The Catalina 42 MkII displaces approximately 7% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria C42 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.98 and 76.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 42 MkII, with an SA/D of 17.18 and 76.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria C42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria C42 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Catalina 42 MkII has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 30.9% for the Bavaria C42 and 38.1% for the Catalina 42 MkII, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria C42 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 340L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The Catalina 42 MkII offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 303L water and 152L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 42 MkII 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 C42 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 C42 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.