Bavaria C42 vs Catalina 440 — Comparison
Bavaria C42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria C42 | Catalina 440 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Catalina |
| Year | 2018 | 2010–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | cossutti yacht design | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.88 m (42.3 ft) | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) | 4.14 m (13.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.96 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,900 kg (19,621 lbs) | 10,886 kg (23,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,750 kg (6,063 lbs) | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 45 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 379 L (100.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria C42 and Catalina 440 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria C42 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Catalina 440 is a modern offering from Catalina from USA. The Bavaria C42 was penned by cossutti yacht design. The Catalina 440 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 440 at 13.41m (44.0ft) with a 4.14m beam. The Catalina 440 is 0.53m longer than the Bavaria C42. The Catalina 440 displaces approximately 22% 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 440, with an SA/D of 16.96 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 440 has a comfort ratio of 16.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 30.9% for the Bavaria C42 and 37.5% for the Catalina 440, 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 440 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 379L water and 189L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 440 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.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: Bavaria C42 · Catalina 440