Bavaria 46 vs Bavaria 50 Cruiser — Comparison
Bavaria 46
Bavaria 50 Cruiser
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 46 | Bavaria 50 Cruiser |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Bavaria |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Germany |
| Designer | J&J Design | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) | 15.40 m (50.5 ft) |
| LWL | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) | 13.50 m (44.3 ft) |
| Beam | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) | 4.55 m (14.9 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) | 14,000 kg (30,865 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 530 L (140.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 10 |
| Cabins | 4 | 5 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 46 and Bavaria 50 Cruiser represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 46 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Bavaria 50 Cruiser is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Bavaria 46 was penned by J&J Design. The Bavaria 50 Cruiser was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 46 measures 14.27m (46.8ft) overall with a beam of 4.35m, compared to the Bavaria 50 Cruiser at 15.40m (50.5ft) with a 4.55m beam. The Bavaria 50 Cruiser is 1.13m longer than the Bavaria 46. The Bavaria 50 Cruiser displaces approximately 25% 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 Bavaria 50 Cruiser, with an SA/D of 18.89 and 108.0 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 Bavaria 50 Cruiser has a comfort ratio of 14.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 31.3% for the Bavaria 46 and 32.1% for the Bavaria 50 Cruiser, 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 Bavaria 50 Cruiser offers 10 berths in 5 cabins with 530L water and 300L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria 50 Cruiser 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: 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: Bavaria 46 · Bavaria 50 Cruiser