Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 vs Bavaria 46 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 40.1
Bavaria 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 | Bavaria 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 2020 | 2004–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.28 m (40.3 ft) | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) |
| LWL | 10.78 m (35.4 ft) | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.99 m (13.1 ft) | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 70.2 m² (756 ft²) | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 and Bavaria 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria 46 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The Bavaria 46 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 measures 12.28m (40.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.99m, compared to the Bavaria 46 at 14.27m (46.8ft) with a 4.35m beam. The Bavaria 46 is 1.99m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1. The Bavaria 46 displaces approximately 32% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.12 and 70.2 m² of sail area. The Bavaria 46, with an SA/D of 19.28 and 95.0 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 Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Bavaria 46 has a comfort ratio of 14.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 30.6% for the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 and 31.3% for the Bavaria 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The Bavaria 46 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 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: The Bavaria 46 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: Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 · Bavaria 46