Beneteau First 44.7 vs Bavaria 46 — Comparison
Bavaria 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 44.7 | Bavaria 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 1999–2004 | 2004–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.48 m (44.2 ft) | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.12 m (13.5 ft) | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 44.7 and Bavaria 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 44.7 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria 46 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Beneteau First 44.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Bavaria 46 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 44.7 measures 13.48m (44.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.12m, compared to the Bavaria 46 at 14.27m (46.8ft) with a 4.35m beam. The Bavaria 46 is 0.79m longer than the Beneteau First 44.7. The Bavaria 46 displaces approximately 22% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 44.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.82 and 90.0 m² of sail area. The Bavaria 46, with an SA/D of 19.28 and 95.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 44.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 44.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Bavaria 46 has a comfort ratio of 14.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 35.9% for the Beneteau First 44.7 and 31.3% for the Bavaria 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 44.7 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The Bavaria 46 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 44.7 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 Beneteau First 44.7 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.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 44.7 · Bavaria 46