Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS vs Bavaria 50 Cruiser — Comparison

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS
VS
Bavaria 50 Cruiser Bavaria 50 Cruiser

Specifications Side by Side

Specification Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS Bavaria 50 Cruiser
General
Manufacturer Jeanneau Bavaria
Year 2005–2010 2007–2012
Type Sloop Sloop
Country France Germany
Designer Philippe Briand Farr Yacht Design
Dimensions
LOA 15.38 m (50.5 ft) 15.40 m (50.5 ft)
LWL 13.45 m (44.1 ft) 13.50 m (44.3 ft)
Beam 4.58 m (15.0 ft) 4.55 m (14.9 ft)
Draft 2.05 m (6.7 ft) 2.25 m (7.4 ft)
Weight
Displacement 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) 14,000 kg (30,865 lbs)
Ballast 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs)
Sailing
Sail Area 104.0 m² (1,119 ft²) 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²)
Hull Material Fiberglass Fiberglass
Keel Type Fin Fin
Engine & Tanks
Engine 75 HP 75 HP
Fuel Capacity 250 L (66.0 gal) 300 L (79.3 gal)
Water Capacity 500 L (132.1 gal) 530 L (140.0 gal)
Accommodation
Berths 8 10
Cabins 3 5

Performance Comparison

SA/D Ratio (Higher = more sail power per displacement)
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS
17.77
Bavaria 50 Cruiser
18.89
Ballast Ratio (Higher = more stability)
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS
28.97
Bavaria 50 Cruiser
32.14
Capsize Ratio (Lower = safer offshore)
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS
0.75
Bavaria 50 Cruiser
0.76
Comfort Ratio (Higher = gentler motion)
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS
14.91
Bavaria 50 Cruiser
14.44

Detailed Comparison

The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS and Bavaria 50 Cruiser represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS is a 2000s design by Jeanneau from France, while the Bavaria 50 Cruiser is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS was penned by Philippe Briand. The Bavaria 50 Cruiser was designed by Farr Yacht Design.

In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS measures 15.38m (50.5ft) overall with a beam of 4.58m, compared to the Bavaria 50 Cruiser at 15.40m (50.5ft) with a 4.55m beam. The Bavaria 50 Cruiser is 0.02m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS displaces approximately 4% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.

Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.77 and 104.0 m² of sail area. The Bavaria 50 Cruiser, with an SA/D of 18.89 and 108.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 50 Cruiser has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.

For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The Bavaria 50 Cruiser has a comfort ratio of 14.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 29.0% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS and 32.1% for the Bavaria 50 Cruiser, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.

Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 500L of water capacity and 250L of fuel. The Bavaria 50 Cruiser offers 10 berths in 5 cabins with 530L water and 300L fuel capacity.

Verdict

For cruising: The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS 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 50 Cruiser 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 50 Cruiser offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.

Compare Different Boats

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