Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs Bavaria Vision 46 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | Bavaria Vision 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 2017 | 2015–2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 4.38 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 12,000 kg (26,455 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and Bavaria Vision 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria Vision 46 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The Bavaria Vision 46 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 measures 11.50m (37.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Bavaria Vision 46 at 14.27m (46.8ft) with a 4.38m beam. The Bavaria Vision 46 is 2.77m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1. The Bavaria Vision 46 displaces approximately 68% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.11 and 62.5 m² of sail area. The Bavaria Vision 46, with an SA/D of 18.41 and 95.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria Vision 46 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Bavaria Vision 46 has a comfort ratio of 15.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 31.7% for the Bavaria Vision 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 140L of fuel. The Bavaria Vision 46 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 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 Vision 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 Vision 46 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
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 · Bavaria Vision 46