Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 vs Bavaria 46 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 46.1
Bavaria 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 | Bavaria 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 2018 | 2004–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Berret-Racoupeau | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.60 m (47.9 ft) | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) |
| LWL | 13.14 m (43.1 ft) | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,000 kg (24,251 lbs) | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 57 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 420 L (111.0 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 10 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 and Bavaria 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria 46 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 was penned by Berret-Racoupeau. The Bavaria 46 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 measures 14.60m (47.9ft) overall with a beam of 4.49m, compared to the Bavaria 46 at 14.27m (46.8ft) with a 4.35m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 is 0.33m longer than the Bavaria 46. The Bavaria 46 displaces approximately 2% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.10 and 93.0 m² of sail area. The Bavaria 46, with an SA/D of 19.28 and 95.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 46 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 12.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The Bavaria 46 has a comfort ratio of 14.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 30.0% for the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 and 31.3% for the Bavaria 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 420L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The Bavaria 46 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 450L water and 250L 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 Bavaria 46 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.