Bavaria 46 vs Dufour 470 — Comparison
Bavaria 46
Dufour 470
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 46 | Dufour 470 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Dufour |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | J&J Design | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) | 14.23 m (46.7 ft) |
| LWL | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) | 4.39 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 94.0 m² (1,012 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 440 L (116.2 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 10 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 46 and Dufour 470 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 46 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Dufour 470 is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The Bavaria 46 was penned by J&J Design. The Dufour 470 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 470 at 14.23m (46.7ft) with a 4.39m beam. The Bavaria 46 is 0.04m longer than the Dufour 470.
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 470, with an SA/D of 19.07 and 94.0 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 470 has a comfort ratio of 13.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 31.3% for the Bavaria 46 and 31.3% for the Dufour 470, 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 470 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 440L water and 220L 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 470