Bavaria 46 vs Dufour 460 Grand Large — Comparison
Bavaria 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 46 | Dufour 460 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Dufour |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2016–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | J&J Design | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) | 14.15 m (46.4 ft) |
| LWL | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) | 12.65 m (41.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) | 11,000 kg (24,251 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) | 3,400 kg (7,496 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 430 L (113.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 10 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 46 and Dufour 460 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 46 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Dufour 460 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The Bavaria 46 was penned by J&J Design. The Dufour 460 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 46 measures 14.27m (46.8ft) overall with a beam of 4.35m, compared to the Dufour 460 Grand Large at 14.15m (46.4ft) with a 4.35m beam. The Bavaria 46 is 0.12m longer than the Dufour 460 Grand Large. The Bavaria 46 displaces approximately 2% 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 Dufour 460 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 18.89 and 92.0 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 Dufour 460 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 13.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 31.3% for the Bavaria 46 and 30.9% for the Dufour 460 Grand Large, 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 Dufour 460 Grand Large offers 10 berths in 3 cabins with 430L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria 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 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 · Dufour 460 Grand Large