1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 vs Bavaria 42 — Comparison
1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461
Bavaria 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 | Bavaria 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 2003–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Groupe Finot | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.02 m (46.0 ft) | 12.99 m (42.6 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 11.29 m (37.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.37 m (14.3 ft) | 4.06 m (13.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) | 9,300 kg (20,503 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 88.3 m² (951 ft²) | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 and Bavaria 42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria 42 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 was penned by Groupe Finot. The Bavaria 42 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 measures 14.02m (46.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.37m, compared to the Bavaria 42 at 12.99m (42.6ft) with a 4.06m beam. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 is 1.03m longer than the Bavaria 42. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 displaces approximately 22% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.77 and 88.3 m² of sail area. The Bavaria 42, with an SA/D of 18.15 and 79.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Bavaria 42 has a comfort ratio of 15.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 32.0% for the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 and 31.2% for the Bavaria 42, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 provides 8 berths in 4 cabins with 400L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The Bavaria 42 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria 42 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 42 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.