2020 Bavaria C45 vs Catalina 385 — Comparison
2020 Bavaria C45
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2020 Bavaria C45 | Catalina 385 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Catalina |
| Year | 2020 | 2006–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Cossutti Yacht Design | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) |
| LWL | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,000 kg (24,251 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 57 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 242 L (63.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2020 Bavaria C45 and Catalina 385 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2020 Bavaria C45 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Catalina 385 is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The 2020 Bavaria C45 was penned by Cossutti Yacht Design. The Catalina 385 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 2020 Bavaria C45 measures 14.27m (46.8ft) overall with a beam of 4.35m, compared to the Catalina 385 at 11.73m (38.5ft) with a 3.76m beam. The 2020 Bavaria C45 is 2.54m longer than the Catalina 385. The 2020 Bavaria C45 displaces approximately 35% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2020 Bavaria C45 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.89 and 92.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 385, with an SA/D of 16.29 and 65.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2020 Bavaria C45 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2020 Bavaria C45 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Catalina 385 has a comfort ratio of 18.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 30.0% for the 2020 Bavaria C45 and 38.9% for the Catalina 385, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2020 Bavaria C45 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 180L of fuel. The Catalina 385 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 242L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 385 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 2020 Bavaria C45 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2020 Bavaria C45 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: 2020 Bavaria C45 · Catalina 385