Bavaria Cruiser 36 vs 2005 Contest 46CS — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Cruiser 36 | 2005 Contest 46CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Contest |
| Year | 2012–2018 | 2005–2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Netherlands |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) |
| LWL | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.57 m (11.7 ft) | 4.15 m (13.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,400 kg (14,110 lbs) | 13,500 kg (29,762 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 110 L (29.1 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 210 L (55.5 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria Cruiser 36 and 2005 Contest 46CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 2005 Contest 46CS is a 2000s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2005 Contest 46CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 measures 11.30m (37.1ft) overall with a beam of 3.57m, compared to the 2005 Contest 46CS at 14.10m (46.3ft) with a 4.15m beam. The 2005 Contest 46CS is 2.80m longer than the Bavaria Cruiser 36. The 2005 Contest 46CS displaces approximately 111% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.10 and 58.0 m² of sail area. The 2005 Contest 46CS, with an SA/D of 16.66 and 93.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 2005 Contest 46CS has a comfort ratio of 20.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.70. The ballast ratios are 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 36 and 38.5% for the 2005 Contest 46CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 210L of water capacity and 110L of fuel. The 2005 Contest 46CS offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L water and 350L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2005 Contest 46CS 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 36 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2005 Contest 46CS 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: Bavaria Cruiser 36 · 2005 Contest 46CS