Bavaria 46 vs Catalina 545 — Comparison
Bavaria 46
Catalina 545
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 46 | Catalina 545 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Catalina |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | J&J Design | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) | 16.46 m (54.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) | 4.72 m (15.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.18 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) | 18,144 kg (40,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) | 6,804 kg (15,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 120.0 m² (1,292 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 605 L (159.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 46 and Catalina 545 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 46 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Catalina 545 is a modern offering from Catalina from USA. The Bavaria 46 was penned by J&J Design. The Catalina 545 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 46 measures 14.27m (46.8ft) overall with a beam of 4.35m, compared to the Catalina 545 at 16.46m (54.0ft) with a 4.72m beam. The Catalina 545 is 2.19m longer than the Bavaria 46. The Catalina 545 displaces approximately 62% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria 46 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.28 and 95.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 545, with an SA/D of 17.65 and 120.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 46 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria 46 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Catalina 545 has a comfort ratio of 15.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 31.3% for the Bavaria 46 and 37.5% for the Catalina 545, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria 46 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 450L of water capacity and 250L of fuel. The Catalina 545 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 605L water and 340L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 545 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 46 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 46 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 46 · Catalina 545