Bavaria 46 vs 2017 Dehler 46 — Comparison
Bavaria 46
2017 Dehler 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 46 | 2017 Dehler 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Dehler |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Germany |
| Designer | J&J Design | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) |
| LWL | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 96.0 m² (1,033 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 46 and 2017 Dehler 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 46 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 2017 Dehler 46 is a modern offering from Dehler from Germany. The Bavaria 46 was penned by J&J Design. The 2017 Dehler 46 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 46 measures 14.27m (46.8ft) overall with a beam of 4.35m, compared to the 2017 Dehler 46 at 14.10m (46.3ft) with a 4.20m beam. The Bavaria 46 is 0.17m longer than the 2017 Dehler 46. The Bavaria 46 displaces approximately 7% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria 46 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.28 and 95.0 m² of sail area. The 2017 Dehler 46, with an SA/D of 20.34 and 96.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The 2017 Dehler 46 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria 46 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 2017 Dehler 46 has a comfort ratio of 13.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 31.3% for the Bavaria 46 and 33.3% for the 2017 Dehler 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria 46 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 450L of water capacity and 250L of fuel. The 2017 Dehler 46 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 250L water and 130L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria 46 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 2017 Dehler 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.