Bavaria 49 vs 2004 Oyster 46 — Comparison
Bavaria 49
2004 Oyster 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 49 | 2004 Oyster 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Oyster |
| Year | 2005–2009 | 2004–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | United Kingdom |
| Designer | J&J Design | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.98 m (49.1 ft) | 14.02 m (46.0 ft) |
| LWL | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,000 kg (28,660 lbs) | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 102.0 m² (1,098 ft²) | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 500 L (132.1 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 49 and 2004 Oyster 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 49 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 2004 Oyster 46 is a 2000s offering from Oyster from United Kingdom. The Bavaria 49 was penned by J&J Design. The 2004 Oyster 46 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 49 measures 14.98m (49.1ft) overall with a beam of 4.49m, compared to the 2004 Oyster 46 at 14.02m (46.0ft) with a 4.20m beam. The Bavaria 49 is 0.96m longer than the 2004 Oyster 46. The Bavaria 49 displaces approximately 4% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria 49 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.74 and 102.0 m² of sail area. The 2004 Oyster 46, with an SA/D of 16.97 and 90.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Bavaria 49 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria 49 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 2004 Oyster 46 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 32.3% for the Bavaria 49 and 38.4% for the 2004 Oyster 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria 49 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 500L of water capacity and 280L of fuel. The 2004 Oyster 46 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2004 Oyster 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 49 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 49 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 49 · 2004 Oyster 46