Bavaria Cruiser 46 vs 2004 Oyster 46 — Comparison
Bavaria Cruiser 46
2004 Oyster 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Cruiser 46 | 2004 Oyster 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Oyster |
| Year | 2015–2020 | 2004–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | United Kingdom |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) | 14.02 m (46.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.60 m (41.3 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 57 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria Cruiser 46 and 2004 Oyster 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Cruiser 46 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 2004 Oyster 46 is a 2000s offering from Oyster from United Kingdom. The Bavaria Cruiser 46 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2004 Oyster 46 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Bavaria Cruiser 46 measures 14.27m (46.8ft) overall with a beam of 4.35m, compared to the 2004 Oyster 46 at 14.02m (46.0ft) with a 4.20m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 46 is 0.25m longer than the 2004 Oyster 46. The 2004 Oyster 46 displaces approximately 9% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria Cruiser 46 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.34 and 92.0 m² of sail area. The 2004 Oyster 46, with an SA/D of 16.97 and 90.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Bavaria Cruiser 46 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria Cruiser 46 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 2004 Oyster 46 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 46 and 38.4% for the 2004 Oyster 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria Cruiser 46 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 450L of water capacity and 250L of fuel. The 2004 Oyster 46 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2004 Oyster 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 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.