2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser vs 2014 Amel 55 — Comparison
2014 Amel 55
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser | 2014 Amel 55 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Amel |
| Year | 2008–2013 | 2014–2021 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Olivier Racoupeau |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) |
| LWL | 12.70 m (41.7 ft) | 14.20 m (46.6 ft) |
| Beam | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) | 4.75 m (15.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) | 19,500 kg (42,990 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) | 6,800 kg (14,991 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) | 120.0 m² (1,292 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 580 L (153.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 780 L (206.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser and 2014 Amel 55 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 2014 Amel 55 is a modern offering from Amel from France. The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2014 Amel 55 was designed by Olivier Racoupeau.
In terms of size, the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser measures 14.27m (46.8ft) overall with a beam of 4.35m, compared to the 2014 Amel 55 at 16.80m (55.1ft) with a 4.75m beam. The 2014 Amel 55 is 2.53m longer than the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser. The 2014 Amel 55 displaces approximately 70% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.34 and 92.0 m² of sail area. The 2014 Amel 55, with an SA/D of 16.82 and 120.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 2014 Amel 55 has a comfort ratio of 16.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 30.4% for the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser and 34.9% for the 2014 Amel 55, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 340L of water capacity and 180L of fuel. The 2014 Amel 55 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 780L water and 580L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2014 Amel 55 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 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser 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: 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser · 2014 Amel 55