Bavaria 46 vs 2003 Dehler 42 DS — Comparison
Bavaria 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 46 | 2003 Dehler 42 DS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Dehler |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2003–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Germany |
| Designer | J&J Design | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) | 12.77 m (41.9 ft) |
| LWL | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) | 11.20 m (36.7 ft) |
| Beam | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) | 3.93 m (12.9 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) | 8,800 kg (19,401 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 46 and 2003 Dehler 42 DS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 46 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 2003 Dehler 42 DS is a 2000s offering from Dehler from Germany. The Bavaria 46 was penned by J&J Design. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 46 measures 14.27m (46.8ft) overall with a beam of 4.35m, compared to the 2003 Dehler 42 DS at 12.77m (41.9ft) with a 3.93m beam. The Bavaria 46 is 1.50m longer than the 2003 Dehler 42 DS. The Bavaria 46 displaces approximately 27% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria 46 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.28 and 95.0 m² of sail area. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS, with an SA/D of 18.59 and 78.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 46 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria 46 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 2003 Dehler 42 DS has a comfort ratio of 16.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 31.3% for the Bavaria 46 and 34.1% for the 2003 Dehler 42 DS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria 46 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 450L of water capacity and 250L of fuel. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 200L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2003 Dehler 42 DS 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 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 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: Bavaria 46 · 2003 Dehler 42 DS