Beneteau First 47.7 vs Bavaria Cruiser 46 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 47.7 | Bavaria Cruiser 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 2003–2008 | 2015–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.69 m (48.2 ft) | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) |
| LWL | 12.90 m (42.3 ft) | 12.60 m (41.3 ft) |
| Beam | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 105.0 m² (1,130 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 47.7 and Bavaria Cruiser 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 47.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria Cruiser 46 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Beneteau First 47.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Bavaria Cruiser 46 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 47.7 measures 14.69m (48.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.30m, compared to the Bavaria Cruiser 46 at 14.27m (46.8ft) with a 4.35m beam. The Beneteau First 47.7 is 0.42m longer than the Bavaria Cruiser 46.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 47.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.93 and 105.0 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 Beneteau First 47.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 47.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Bavaria Cruiser 46 has a comfort ratio of 14.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 36.5% for the Beneteau First 47.7 and 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 47.7 provides 10 berths in 3 cabins with 450L of water capacity and 250L of fuel. The Bavaria Cruiser 46 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria Cruiser 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 Beneteau First 47.7 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 47.7 · Bavaria Cruiser 46