2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 vs Bavaria 50 Cruiser — Comparison
2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1
Bavaria 50 Cruiser
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 | Bavaria 50 Cruiser |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 2019 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Groupe Finot-Conq | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.94 m (52.3 ft) | 15.40 m (50.5 ft) |
| LWL | 14.30 m (46.9 ft) | 13.50 m (44.3 ft) |
| Beam | 4.80 m (15.7 ft) | 4.55 m (14.9 ft) |
| Draft | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,500 kg (29,762 lbs) | 14,000 kg (30,865 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 530 L (140.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 10 |
| Cabins | 5 | 5 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 and Bavaria 50 Cruiser represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria 50 Cruiser is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 was penned by Groupe Finot-Conq. The Bavaria 50 Cruiser was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 measures 15.94m (52.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.80m, compared to the Bavaria 50 Cruiser at 15.40m (50.5ft) with a 4.55m beam. The 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 is 0.54m longer than the Bavaria 50 Cruiser. The Bavaria 50 Cruiser displaces approximately 4% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.35 and 108.0 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 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 11.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The Bavaria 50 Cruiser has a comfort ratio of 14.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 28.2% for the 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 and 32.1% for the Bavaria 50 Cruiser, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 provides 10 berths in 5 cabins with 400L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The Bavaria 50 Cruiser offers 10 berths in 5 cabins with 530L water and 300L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria 50 Cruiser 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 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 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.