2004 Bavaria 38 vs Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 46.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2004 Bavaria 38 | Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Beneteau |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | J&J Design | Berret-Racoupeau |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.72 m (38.5 ft) | 14.60 m (47.9 ft) |
| LWL | 10.40 m (34.1 ft) | 13.14 m (43.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) | 11,000 kg (24,251 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 30 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 420 L (111.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2004 Bavaria 38 and Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2004 Bavaria 38 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 2004 Bavaria 38 was penned by J&J Design. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 was designed by Berret-Racoupeau.
In terms of size, the 2004 Bavaria 38 measures 11.72m (38.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.76m, compared to the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 at 14.60m (47.9ft) with a 4.49m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 is 2.88m longer than the 2004 Bavaria 38. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 displaces approximately 47% 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 Beneteau Oceanis 46.1, with an SA/D of 19.10 and 93.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 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 Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 has a comfort ratio of 12.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 33.3% for the 2004 Bavaria 38 and 30.0% for the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1, 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 Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 420L water and 200L 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 Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 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 · Beneteau Oceanis 46.1