bavaria 46 sailboat

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BAVARIA CRUISER 46

Friends. family. and lots of freedom., clever concept..

The jury said: “European Yacht of the Year 2015”. We say: that comes as no surprise! That is because you would be hard pressed to find another sailing yacht in its class that offers more space, more comfort, more luxury if you want it, and is also this easy to handle. One special feature: if you would like to make 4 cabins out of the 3-cabin version, the huge forward cabin can be transformed into two smaller cabins in just a few steps. Clever and innovative – like everything from BAVARIA.

The yacht of your dreams with many possibilities and an unbelievable spaciousness. No matter if 3 or 4 cabins, the CRUISER 46 is a bestseller.

Relax together with the family or cruise over the sea with friends. The CRUISER 46 has the perfect dimensions for short or long trips.

On the CRUISER 46 you have the pleasure of the utmost spaciousness – and in addition, all the modern conveniences to meet your every need.

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BAVARIA CRUISER 46

Friends. family. and lots of freedom., clever concept..

The jury said: “European Yacht of the Year 2015”. We say: that comes as no surprise! That is because you would be hard pressed to find another sailing yacht in its class that offers more space, more comfort, more luxury if you want it, and is also this easy to handle. One special feature: if you would like to make 4 cabins out of the 3-cabin version, the huge forward cabin can be transformed into two smaller cabins in just a few steps. Clever and innovative – like everything from BAVARIA.

Very big and very fast.

The BAVARIA CRUISER 46 offers nothing but pure sailing pleasure, shared with close friends or family. In addition to all the comforts on board, the CRUISER 46 offers yet another big plus: a healthy dose of performance, coupled with safety. This is ensured by the boat’s double rudder blades. With these you can experience the pleasure of sailing in all conditions and on all courses. In the huge cockpit area you can sometimes also let the wind blow your hair back at higher speeds. The CRUISER 46 is stable in the water.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRUISER 46

On the official bavaria yachts website.

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Bavaria 46 Cruiser

• By Mark Pillsbury
• Updated: January 20, 2007

Whether you’re sitting topside and beating to windward or relaxing below at anchor, the Bavaria 46 Cruiser offers a skipper and guests room to stretch out. The 46 has three- and four-cabin layouts; we tested the three-cabin version last October in fairly light Chesapeake Bay conditions.

Below, aft cabins with double berths and hanging lockers give way to a head and shower to port and a forward-facing nav station to starboard at the bottom of the companionway. The nav-station desk is shallow if you have a lot of charts to store, but the top has good fiddles, and there’s plenty of room to mount electronics. The use of faux wood in this area is annoying, though.

Forward of the head is an in-line galley designed to let crew pass by while the cook’s at work, which is a nice arrangement while in port but will be a challenge when cooking in a seaway. To starboard is a large table with a U-shaped settee and a couch seat/cabinet amidships. The forward cabin is nothing short of spacious, with a queen-size berth with seats at each side plus two hanging lockers, a shower and sink to port, and a head, shower, and sink to starboard. While the overall workmanship below appeared good, the production-line application of varnish wasn’t impressive.

Topside, the cockpit has ample seating around a solid, fixed-mount table, which unfortunately extends a bit too far astern so that when open, it’s tough to move forward from the twin helms.

Visibility from the wheels is good while standing and sitting outboard. The model we sailed had in-mast furling and a battenless main. Some skippers would likely want to spend a little more to have full vertical battens to improve sailing performance.

Bavaria 46 Cruiser Specs

LOA: 46′ 7″ LWL: 40′ 0″ Beam: 14′ 3″ Draft (standard): 6′ 1″ Sail Area: 1,009 sq. ft. Displacement: 24,250 lb. Water: 120 gal. Fuel: 55 gal. Engine: 75-hp. Volvo Designer: J&J Yacht Design Price: $275,000 Bavaria Yachts, (410) 990-0007, www.bavariayachts.com

• More: 2001 - 2010 , 41 - 50 ft , bavaria , Coastal Cruising , keelboat , monohull , Sailboat Reviews , Sailboats
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Bavaria Cruiser 46 Standard

Sailboat specifications.

• Last update: 19th March 2020

Bavaria Cruiser 46's main features

• 2015: European Yacht of the Year: Family Cruiser

Bavaria Cruiser 46's main dimensions

Bavaria cruiser 46's rig and sails, bavaria cruiser 46's performances, bavaria cruiser 46's auxiliary engine, bavaria cruiser 46's accommodations and layout.

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The Bavaria 46 Cruiser Sailboat Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Bavaria 46 is a popular cruising sailboat that was designed by J&J Design and built by Bavaria Yachts, a German company that has been producing yachts since 1978.

It was first launched in 2000 and has undergone several modifications and upgrades over the years, resulting in different versions such as the Cruiser 46 and the C46. It is known for its spacious and comfortable interior, its easy handling and performance under sail, and its versatility and customization options.

Published Specification for the Bavaria 46 Cruiser

Underwater Profile:  Bulb fin keel & spade rudder

Hull Material:  GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall:  46'7"  ( 14.2m)

Waterline Length:  40'1"  ( 12.2m)

Beam:  14'3"  ( 4.4m)

Draft:  6'9"  ( 2.1m)

Rig Type:  Fractional sloop

Displacement:  23,148lb (10,500kg)

Designer:  J&J Design

Builder:  Bavaria Yachts (Germany)

Year First Built:  2000

Published Design Ratios for the Bavaria 46 Cruiser

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 16.7

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio:  29.5

3. Displacement/Length Ratio:  166

4. Comfort Ratio:  25.9

5. Capsize Screening Formula:   2.0

The Bavaria 46: A Few FAQs...

What are the published design ratios for the Bavaria 46 and, based on those ratios, how is the boat likely to perform under sail?

The design ratios of a sailboat are numerical values that indicate its speed potential, stability, seaworthiness, comfort, and sailing characteristics. Some of the common design ratios for the Bavaria 46 are:

• Sail Area to Displacement (SA/D) : This ratio measures the power of the sail plan relative to the weight of the boat. A higher SA/D means more speed potential, but also more heeling and weather helm. The SA/D of the Bavaria 46 ranges from 16.7 for the standard version to 18.6 for the C46 version, which are moderate to high values for a cruising sailboat.
• Ballast to Displacement (B/D) : This ratio measures the stability of the boat against heeling and capsizing. A higher B/D means more stiffness and resistance to heeling, but also more weight and drag. The B/D of the Bavaria 46 ranges from 29.5% for the standard version to 32.4% for the C46 version, which are average to high values for a cruising sailboat.
• Displacement to Length (D/L) : This ratio measures the heaviness of the boat relative to its waterline length. A lower D/L means less resistance and more speed potential, but also less carrying capacity and comfort. The D/L of the Bavaria 46 ranges from 166 for the standard version to 145 for the C46 version, which are moderate values for a cruising sailboat.
• Comfort Ratio (CR) : This ratio measures the motion comfort of the boat in rough seas. A higher CR means less pitching and rolling, but also more weight and drag. The CR of the Bavaria 46 ranges from 25.9 for the standard version to 23.5 for the C46 version, which are low to moderate values for a cruising sailboat.

Based on these ratios, we can expect that the Bavaria 46 will perform well under sail, with good speed potential, stability, and manoeuvrability, but also some heeling and weather helm. The boat will be suitable for coastal and offshore cruising, but may not be very comfortable in rough seas.

Is the Bavaria 46 still in production and, if not, when did production end and how many of these sailboats were built?

The original Bavaria 46 was discontinued in 2005 after five years of production. However, Bavaria Yachts has continued to produce new versions of the Bavaria 46 with different names and features. The current versions are:

• Cruiser 46: This version was introduced in 2014 and is still in production as of 2023. It is a modernized version of the original Bavaria 46 with a larger cockpit, a twin rudder system, a fold-down transom platform, and an improved interior layout with three or four cabins. It has also won several awards, including the European Yacht of the Year in 2015.
• C46: This version was introduced in 2023 and is also still in production as of 2023. It is a further evolution of the Cruiser 46 with a more streamlined hull shape, a V-shaped bow, a taller mast, a larger sail area, and a more luxurious interior with three to five cabins.

The exact number of Bavaria 46 sailboats built is not publicly available, but it is estimated that there are over 1,000 units worldwide.

What, if any, alternative versions of the Bavaria 46 were built and what are the differences between them?

Besides the original Bavaria 46, the Cruiser 46, and the C46, there were also some alternative versions of the Bavaria 46 that were built for specific markets or purposes. Some of these versions are:

• Bavaria 46 Holiday : This version was a charter version of the original Bavaria 46 with a simpler interior and equipment, and a five-cabin layout.
• Bavaria 46 Vision : This version was a premium version of the original Bavaria 46 with a higher quality interior and equipment, and a two or three-cabin layout.
• Bavaria 46 Cruiser Exclusive : This version was a special edition of the Cruiser 46 with a teak deck, a bow thruster, an electric winch, and other extras.
• Bavaria 46 Cruiser Style : This version was another special edition of the Cruiser 46 with a light oak interior, leather upholstery, an electric toilet, and other extras.

The differences between these versions are mainly in the interior design, equipment, and cabin configuration, while the hull shape, rigging, and performance are similar.

How many people can sleep on board a Bavaria 46?

The number of people that can sleep on board a Bavaria 46 depends on the cabin layout and the use of the saloon.

The original Bavaria 46 had three or four cabins, each with a double berth, and the saloon could also be converted into a double berth.

The Cruiser 46 has three or four cabins as well, but with larger berths and more storage space.

The C46 has three to five cabins, with the option of having a master cabin in the bow or in the stern.

Therefore, the maximum number of people that can sleep on board a Bavaria 46 ranges from six to twelve, depending on the version and the layout.

How did the sailing press review the Bavaria 46?

The sailing press generally gave positive reviews to the Bavaria 46, praising its spaciousness, comfort, performance, and value for money. Some of the quotes from the sailing press are:

• "The Bavaria 46 is a big boat that offers excellent accommodation for long-distance cruising. It is well built and finished, and has a good turn of speed under sail." ( Sailing Today, 2001 )
• "The new Bavaria Cruiser 46 is a very well designed and engineered boat that delivers across a range of fronts – sailing ability, comfort, space and value." ( Yachting Monthly, 2014 )
• "The new C46 is an impressive yacht that combines style, comfort and performance in a very attractive package. It is a versatile cruiser that can adapt to different needs and preferences." ( Sail Magazine, 2023 )

What do owners of the Bavaria 46 have to say about their boats?

Owners of the Bavaria 46 also have mostly positive things to say about their boats, highlighting their satisfaction with the quality, functionality, and enjoyment of their sailboats. Some of the quotes from the owners are:

• "We have owned our Bavaria 46 for over ten years and we love it. It is a solid and reliable boat that has taken us to many beautiful places. It is easy to sail and handle, even with just two people. It has plenty of room and comfort for our family and friends." ( John and Mary, UK )
• "We bought our Cruiser 46 last year and we are very happy with it. It is a modern and elegant boat that performs well in all conditions. It has a spacious cockpit and a bright interior that makes us feel at home. It has everything we need for our cruising lifestyle." ( Peter and Anna, Germany )
• "We are proud owners of a new C46 and we are amazed by it. It is a stunning boat that attracts attention wherever we go. It has a sleek hull and a powerful sail plan that gives us speed and excitement. It has a luxurious interior and a flexible layout that suits our needs." ( Mark and Laura, USA )

What keel options, if any, are available for the Bavaria 46?

The Bavaria 46 has two keel options: a standard keel and a shoal keel. The standard keel has a draft of 6'9" (2.1m) and a weight of 7,716lb (3,500kg).

The shoal keel has a draft of 5'8" (1.73m) and a weight of 8,157lb (3,700kg). Both keels are made of cast iron and have a bulb shape that concentrates the ballast at the lowest point. The shoal keel allows the boat to access shallower waters but also reduces its stability and performance.

The above answers were drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; to the best of our knowledge,  we believe them to be accurate.

Other sailboats in the Bavaria product range include:

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• Sailboat Guide

Bavaria 46 is a 46 ′ 7 ″ / 14.2 m monohull sailboat designed by J&J Design and built by Bavaria Yachts starting in 2000.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Shallow draft version draws 6’.

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