2004 Bavaria 38 vs Bavaria Cruiser 46 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2004 Bavaria 38 | Bavaria Cruiser 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Bavaria |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2015–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Germany |
| Designer | J&J Design | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.72 m (38.5 ft) | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) |
| LWL | 10.40 m (34.1 ft) | 12.60 m (41.3 ft) |
| Beam | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 30 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2004 Bavaria 38 and Bavaria Cruiser 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2004 Bavaria 38 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Bavaria Cruiser 46 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 2004 Bavaria 38 was penned by J&J Design. The Bavaria Cruiser 46 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 2004 Bavaria 38 measures 11.72m (38.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.76m, compared to the Bavaria Cruiser 46 at 14.27m (46.8ft) with a 4.35m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 46 is 2.55m longer than the 2004 Bavaria 38. The Bavaria Cruiser 46 displaces approximately 53% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2004 Bavaria 38 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.70 and 63.0 m² of sail area. The Bavaria Cruiser 46, with an SA/D of 18.34 and 92.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria Cruiser 46 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2004 Bavaria 38 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Bavaria Cruiser 46 has a comfort ratio of 14.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 33.3% for the 2004 Bavaria 38 and 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2004 Bavaria 38 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 100L of fuel. The Bavaria Cruiser 46 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2004 Bavaria 38 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 Cruiser 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 Cruiser 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: 2004 Bavaria 38 · Bavaria Cruiser 46