Bavaria 42 vs 2004 Oyster 46 — Comparison
Bavaria 42
2004 Oyster 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 42 | 2004 Oyster 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Oyster |
| Year | 2003–2008 | 2004–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | United Kingdom |
| Designer | J&J Design | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.99 m (42.6 ft) | 14.02 m (46.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.29 m (37.0 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 4.06 m (13.3 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,300 kg (20,503 lbs) | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 75 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 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 42 and 2004 Oyster 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 42 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 2004 Oyster 46 is a 2000s offering from Oyster from United Kingdom. The Bavaria 42 was penned by J&J Design. The 2004 Oyster 46 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 42 measures 12.99m (42.6ft) overall with a beam of 4.06m, compared to the 2004 Oyster 46 at 14.02m (46.0ft) with a 4.20m beam. The 2004 Oyster 46 is 1.03m longer than the Bavaria 42. The 2004 Oyster 46 displaces approximately 34% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria 42 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.15 and 79.0 m² of sail area. The 2004 Oyster 46, with an SA/D of 16.97 and 90.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Bavaria 42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria 42 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 2004 Oyster 46 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 31.2% for the Bavaria 42 and 38.4% for the 2004 Oyster 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria 42 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The 2004 Oyster 46 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2004 Oyster 46 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 42 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 42 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 42 · 2004 Oyster 46