Bavaria 50 Cruiser vs Catalina 545 — Comparison
Bavaria 50 Cruiser
Catalina 545
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 50 Cruiser | Catalina 545 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Catalina |
| Year | 2007–2012 | 2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.40 m (50.5 ft) | 16.46 m (54.0 ft) |
| LWL | 13.50 m (44.3 ft) | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.55 m (14.9 ft) | 4.72 m (15.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) | 2.18 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,000 kg (30,865 lbs) | 18,144 kg (40,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) | 6,804 kg (15,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) | 120.0 m² (1,292 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 530 L (140.0 gal) | 605 L (159.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 8 |
| Cabins | 5 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 50 Cruiser and Catalina 545 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 50 Cruiser is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Catalina 545 is a modern offering from Catalina from USA. The Bavaria 50 Cruiser was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Catalina 545 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 50 Cruiser measures 15.40m (50.5ft) overall with a beam of 4.55m, compared to the Catalina 545 at 16.46m (54.0ft) with a 4.72m beam. The Catalina 545 is 1.06m longer than the Bavaria 50 Cruiser. The Catalina 545 displaces approximately 30% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria 50 Cruiser has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.89 and 108.0 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 50 Cruiser has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria 50 Cruiser offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Catalina 545 has a comfort ratio of 15.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 32.1% for the Bavaria 50 Cruiser and 37.5% for the Catalina 545, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria 50 Cruiser provides 10 berths in 5 cabins with 530L of water capacity and 300L 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 50 Cruiser 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 50 Cruiser offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: Bavaria 50 Cruiser · Catalina 545