Bavaria vs Catanina?

[pwilletts]

Is the 40' Bavaria a way better boat than a 40 Catalina..say 10 yrs old??..

[minaret]

No.

[DDabs]

oh boy...

[Polux]

Assuming you are talking about a new Bavaria 40 versus a 10 year old Catalina, otherwise it does not make sense because the Bavaria is way cheaper.

Catalina is a more expensive boat and you would expect a better built quality but you have to take into account that all systems on the Catalina are 10 years old. I would be time for a new standing rigging, for new electronics and for new sails.

All the rest depends on the use but if the boat has a "normal" use the engine would have 2000 hours and would need the first small overhaul, the pumps aboard will start needing changing, the through the hulls will need a good inspection, the rudder should be dismounted and inspected the refrigerateur may need a new engine, the batteries may need substitution and so on.

In what regards sailing the Bavaria will sail better and in what regards seaworthiness there will not be a big difference.

Only you can decide if you want a boat with a better quality but needing more maintenance or a new boat that will not need any significant maintenance on the 4 or 5 first years, and very little till 8 years old.

Regarding money probably you will lose less with the Catalina if you want to stay with both boats for 5 years and then sell them again, but you have to take into account that on those 5 years you would spend a lot more on the Catalina.

Probably the Catalina 30 years from now it will be in better shape than the Bavaria. It is up to you if that is important to you as all other disadvantages and advantages.

Chose what you like more....but try to test sail both boats first. I believe you will find a difference but again is up to you to decide what you like best or what you want.

[SofiaB]

Sailed both and they are good sailing boats. While the Catalina is a higher price I would not consider it a better build quality. Bav is built more efficiently with greater automation. Both factories can have videos online and it is clear that the Catalina has more man hours. Both feel solid sailing and the quality and detail is high on both. In my opinion the Bav is more modern, beamier and a larger and heavier feeling boat. Style is subjective. Many more Cats on the market in the US but Bavs seem to be moving up in numbers. Maybe price is the reason.