1979 Peterson 44 vs Bavaria Cruiser 46 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Peterson 44 | Bavaria Cruiser 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Peterson | Bavaria |
| Year | 1979–1986 | 2015–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Doug Peterson | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 12.60 m (41.3 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,979 kg (22,000 lbs) | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 265 L (70.0 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Peterson 44 and Bavaria Cruiser 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Peterson 44 is a 1970s design by Peterson from USA, while the Bavaria Cruiser 46 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1979 Peterson 44 was penned by Doug Peterson. The Bavaria Cruiser 46 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1979 Peterson 44 measures 13.41m (44.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the Bavaria Cruiser 46 at 14.27m (46.8ft) with a 4.35m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 46 is 0.86m longer than the 1979 Peterson 44. The Bavaria Cruiser 46 displaces approximately 15% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Peterson 44 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.31 and 79.0 m² of sail area. The Bavaria Cruiser 46, with an SA/D of 18.34 and 92.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria Cruiser 46 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 Peterson 44 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The Bavaria Cruiser 46 has a comfort ratio of 14.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 1979 Peterson 44 and 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Peterson 44 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 265L of water capacity and 151L of fuel. The Bavaria Cruiser 46 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Peterson 44 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 Cruiser 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 Cruiser 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: 1979 Peterson 44 · Bavaria Cruiser 46