Bavaria 44 vs 2005 Contest 46CS — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 44 | 2005 Contest 46CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Contest |
| Year | 2002–2007 | 2005–2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Netherlands |
| Designer | J&J Design | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.55 m (44.5 ft) | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) |
| LWL | 11.82 m (38.8 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 4.18 m (13.7 ft) | 4.15 m (13.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,200 kg (22,487 lbs) | 13,500 kg (29,762 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 86.0 m² (926 ft²) | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 44 and 2005 Contest 46CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 44 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 2005 Contest 46CS is a 2000s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Bavaria 44 was penned by J&J Design. The 2005 Contest 46CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 44 measures 13.55m (44.5ft) overall with a beam of 4.18m, compared to the 2005 Contest 46CS at 14.10m (46.3ft) with a 4.15m beam. The 2005 Contest 46CS is 0.55m longer than the Bavaria 44. The 2005 Contest 46CS displaces approximately 32% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria 44 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.57 and 86.0 m² of sail area. The 2005 Contest 46CS, with an SA/D of 16.66 and 93.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Bavaria 44 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria 44 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 2005 Contest 46CS has a comfort ratio of 20.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.70. The ballast ratios are 31.4% for the Bavaria 44 and 38.5% for the 2005 Contest 46CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria 44 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 400L of water capacity and 230L of fuel. The 2005 Contest 46CS offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L water and 350L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2005 Contest 46CS 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 44 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 44 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: Bavaria 44 · 2005 Contest 46CS