2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 vs Bavaria Cruiser 46 — Comparison
2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1
Bavaria Cruiser 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 | Bavaria Cruiser 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 2019 | 2015–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Groupe Finot-Conq | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.94 m (52.3 ft) | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) |
| LWL | 14.30 m (46.9 ft) | 12.60 m (41.3 ft) |
| Beam | 4.80 m (15.7 ft) | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,500 kg (29,762 lbs) | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 10 |
| Cabins | 5 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 and Bavaria Cruiser 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria Cruiser 46 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 was penned by Groupe Finot-Conq. The Bavaria Cruiser 46 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 Cruiser 46 at 14.27m (46.8ft) with a 4.35m beam. The 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 is 1.67m longer than the Bavaria Cruiser 46. The 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 displaces approximately 17% 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 Cruiser 46, with an SA/D of 18.34 and 92.0 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 Cruiser 46 has a comfort ratio of 14.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 28.2% for the 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 and 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 46, 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 Cruiser 46 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria Cruiser 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 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.