bavaria 46 sailboat data

The Bavaria 46 is a 46.6ft fractional sloop designed by J&J Design and built in fiberglass by Bavaria Yachts (GER) since 2000.

The Bavaria 46 is a light sailboat which is a good performer. It is reasonably stable / stiff and has a low righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a coastal cruiser. The fuel capacity is average. There is a short water supply range.

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• Sailing the Bavaria 46 Cruiser: elegant, fast and great handling

One of our most frequently chartered boats, t he  Bavaria 46 Cruiser  sailing boat accommodates up to 9 crew members, and is frequently praised for its spaciousness and comfort, as well as its handling characteristics — something the manufacturer also promotes. But one thing is for sure, it is almost unrivalled when it comes to comfort, luxury and space.

Racing or cruising yacht?

Not only is this yacht in the cruiser category (think holiday boat), but it’s currently part of one of the largest one-design fleets in Croatia. This is why every year it is used at the infamous Yachting.com races — Easter Regatta and Palagruža Cup . Each year around 50 Bavaria 46 Cruisers meet at the start of the Easter Regatta and race along the  Croatian  coast from Murter to Dubrovnik and back. An additional gennaker can be rented from the charter company which means the boat can sail very fast despite not being primarily designed for racing.

YACHTING.COM TIP: Are you thinking of renting a gennaker on your next sailing adventure. Check out our article to find out why you should definitely give it a go —  5 reasons to rent a gennaker .

Who are the designers behind the yacht?

The Bavaria 46 Cruiser , in production at Bavaria Yachts since 2014, is designed by the world-famous Farr Yacht Design (founded by Bruce Farr and Russell Bowler). Farr Yacht Design has been behind the design of nearly a hundred mass-produced vessels, among the most famous being, beside Bavaria, the Beneteau First 35, 36.7, 40.7, the racing boats Farr 30, 280, 400 as well as the Bavaria B/One.

What came before and after?

The predecessor to this Bavaria 46 Cruiser was a boat of the same name, designed by  J&J Design and is easily recognisable thanks to the blue stripe on the hull and across the classic oval windows that were typical of this generation of boats. Apparently, the Bavaria 46 Cruiser has been upgraded for 2022, so we look forward to trying this out as well.

How well-equipped is the sailboat?

As we previously mentioned, this is one of the most popular holiday boats in Croatia and rightfully won the European Boat of the Year in 2015 in the Family Cruiser category. What we appreciate the most is its incredibly comfortable and immense swim platform , which is easily big enough to dance on. And also worth a mention is the spacious, practically designed galley, where you can whip up proper meals just like you would at home. The seating under the spacious bimini and sprayhood is pleasant, providing shelter from the wind in the cockpit and the lamp on the cockpit table makes it wonderfully romantic in the evening.

How does the boat handle?

As this is a holiday cruiser, don't expect racing speeds and as it is a fairly heavy boat (over 12 tonnes), casting off and sailing in light winds can be a bit of a struggle. In powerful winds, however, the Bavaria 46 Cruiser heels quite well , doesn't spin out easily and the gennaker makes for a lot of fun. Just be aware that even though the sailboat does have a gennaker, it isn’t really designed to accommodate one due to the sharp anchor protruding from the bow. This means the gennaker could catch and tear on the anchor while tacking or as a result of a gust of wind. Better would be to move the anchor (not really recommended for safety reasons) or wrap it with cardboard, plastic or foam.

More tips for sailing in Croatia, where the Bavaria 46 Cruiser is popular:

The best of Croatia: a guide for sailors

Croatia in autumn? A definite yes!

Our top marinas from Sibenik to Trogir

Best marinas from Kornati to Vodice

Why set sail from Sibenik?

10 most beautiful Croatian wrecks to snorkel

Yachting without crowds

Top marinas in Croatia

Where to avoid sailing in Croatia

What sails is it equipped with.

Having a furling mainsail allows for easy raising, lowering and reefing of the sails, but makes advanced sail trim impossible. For upwind, the sail area is 107 m 2 whilst for downwind with the gennaker, it’s 206 m 2 . 

In Croatia you will find the charter Bavarias are equipped exclusively with an in-mast furling mainsail.

YACHTING.COM TIP: Hand on heart, do you really know all the types of foresail or the difference between a jib, a genoa and a 130? What does a spinnaker look like and what range of extra sails can you order with a charter sailboat? Check out our article to find out  everything you need to know about basic and additional sails .

How many cabins are there?

Available in three- or four-cabin versions, both include three full bathrooms with a toilet and a very spacious saloon where 2 more people can sleep. The galley is located along the port side of the boat.

Bavaria 46 Cruiser specifications

The specifications reflect the fact that the boat is classified as an offshore cruiser , where comfort, space and ease of operation are the main considerations. 

The displacement of the boat is 12.6 t, 28 % of which is on the keel. The overall length of the boat is 14.27 m, with a waterline length of 12.74 m and its width is 4.35 m with standard draught of 2.1 m. 

Powered by a 55-hp Volvo Penta saildrive engine, the boat is equipped with 2 steering wheels, 2 rudder blades and an L-shaped keel.  The diesel tank holds an impressive 210 litres and the water tank 360 litres.

Who do we recommend this boat for?

If you’re expecting great sporting performance, perfect upwind handling or speeds above the 12 kn mark, then look at other options. However, if you're looking for the ideal boat for a summer holiday and are more concerned about comfort, spaciousness and ease of handling , this sailboat is definitely worth considering and would make a good choice. Thanks to its sturdiness, space and weight, it will provide a feeling of security even under the worst conditions and with an electric swim platform over 2.2 m long and almost 1 m wide, this yacht offers luxurious levels of comfort when swimming and sunbathing . A sprayhood and large bimini covering the entire cockpit come as standard on every charter Bavaria 46 Cruiser and the spacious cockpit with its generously-sized table, provides the perfect conditions for dining during the summer months.

We have extensive personal experience with the Bavaria 46, so if you have a question, don't hesitate to ask.

Denisa Nguyenová

Faq about the bavaria 46.

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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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• 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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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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Technical specifications - Bavaria 46

Photos of the boat, technical features.

• Length HT : 47ft (14.2m)
• Max. width : 14ft (4.35m)
• Weight : 10.50 tons
• Draft : 7ft (2.10m)
• Max. sleeping capacity : 10
• Number of cabins : 4
• Bathrooms : 2
• Water capacity : 359.61L

Standard motorisation

• Engine Power : 55hp
• Fuel capacity : 208L

Standard canopy

• Total sail area : 308sqft (93.74m2)
• Mainsail area : 180sqft (55m2)
• Genoa/jib area : 164sqft (50m2)

Ideal destinations for renting a Bavaria 46

Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Bavaria C46 review: Space and performance

• Theo Stocker
• January 30, 2024

Massive bow sections create a huge amounts of space on board, and in theory, a powerful hull to give lively sailing. Theo Stocker sails the Bavaria C46 to see if the reality matches up

Product Overview

Manufacturer:, price as reviewed:.

There’s no denying that the Bavaria C46 is a beast of a boat. Bluff bowed, big and powerful, she has more volume than almost any boat her size. In some ways, it’s no surprise as this is the direction boat design has been going for years, underlined by Bavaria’s motto of ‘Further and more’.

In the Bavaria C46, then, we’ve certainly got the ‘more’, but the question I was keen to answer when I headed down to Hamble one beautifully blustery autumn day was whether this boat also has the ‘further’. Has she sacrificed sailing ability for her size, or have Bavaria pulled off the trick of also making her a better sailing boat?

Alongside the continuing move to ever greater volume, there has been a more recent and more subtle shift in naval architecture – one that explains why bows are also getting fatter. It’s not just a grab for accommodation space, though they help of course, but a bluff bow also helps make a beamy boat more balanced to sail.

Much like the development of scow bows trickling down from development race classes such as Mini Transats and IMOCAs, ultra wide and flat-sectioned hulls offered steroid-boosted amounts of righting moment and power, allowing them to ditch a whole load of ballast. But if you don’t want your flying saucer to nose-dive, you need to inject some volume hormones up forward as well.

Twin composite wheels drive a single rudder. Photo: Paul Wyeth

As the hull heels, the canoe body remains more closely symmetrical, so requiring less rudder-power to keep the boat on the straight and narrow, where earlier designs became unbalanced wedges with a tendency to aerate their rudders and spin up into the wind. Funnily enough, the lines of Thames barges, Dutch skûtjes and Yankee catboats have long proven that powerful hulls don’t need to be narrow and pointy even for heavy displacements.

Best of both worlds

It is a convenient truth that the wide transoms and broad bow sections also lend themselves quite nicely to the high volumes demanded of cruising boats these days. D

Designers have found that you can, in many ways, have the best of both sailing performance and cruising comfort. The critical factor in a race boat is keeping the displacement light enough to let the boat get up on the plane. That’s not going to happen with an out-and-out cruiser, so I was keen to see if the hull concept still works on cruising boats.

The Bavaria C46 joins the Bavaria C38 and the Bavaria C42 as the second generation of C-line from Bavaria from Cossutti Yacht Design, distinguishable from the first generation (C45, C50, C57 and C65) by their bluff stems, beamier bows and hard hull chines up forward. The slick styling and angular coachroof and windows otherwise remain much the same.

There’s space for a table either side of the vast cockpit without taking away from the side decks. Photo: Paul Wyeth

Below decks, accommodation benefits from the extra space of the new hull shape. Remarkably, given many other builder’s rush to twin rudders, Bavaria have stuck with a single rudder, both for simplicity of construction (and with it, cost), as well as a more direct helming experience. One less visible element that has changed, however, is the ballast.

Our test Bavaria C46 had a ballast-displacement ratio of just 20%, compared to the C45’s 26%, losing half a tonne from the keel while adding almost a tonne to her displacement, all against an approximately similar sail area. Either Cossutti have got their sums very wrong, or this new hull shape really does makes a difference to the form stability of the boat.

I was pleased to find we would have a decent, if blustery breeze from the WNW blowing Force 4 to 5 for most of the day, as cumulus clouds scudded overhead, casting cool autumnal shadows amidst the stubbornly warm sunshine. It was hard to decide whether to wear a t-shirt and shorts, or full foulies.

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Clear of the shelter of Southampton Water and out in the Solent, we were hardening up onto the wind, beating in 15-21 knots of true wind (Force 4 to 5), with 18 to 25 knots across the deck. Under full canvas, we were soon sitting in the mid sixes, with 6.2-6.7 through the water at 30-35º to the apparent.

Steering from the twin composite wheels felt controlled and assured, even when deliberately overpressing the boat in the gusts. It was only under real duress that the boat began to round up to the wind, and slowly at that, giving plenty of warning that the mainsheet needed easing, which quickly returned the boat to a steady course.

In normal sailing, there was little weather helm, and the steering was precise and direct. My only gripe was that the rudder felt a little heavy, though whether this was due to the balance of the rudder, some other issue, or simply a fact of the boat’s 13 tonnes displacement, I wasn’t sure. She was otherwise without foible, responding obediently to the helm.

Tick the option and you’ll get a grill and a fridge under the aft helm seats. Photo: Paul Wyeth

With a bifurcated backstay and mechanical tensioner, it was pleasing to note that adjusting the backstay did make a difference to the feel on the helm, helping balance it and increasing forestay tension in the breeze – it’s a nice bit of control that you don’t get on backstayless rigs.

In the conditions we had, it felt like we had a good amount of power from the self-tacking jib and vertically battened Elvstrom furling main (slab reefing is standard). We even needed to tuck a furl into both sails as the wind crept up to a steady Force 5 true. Having tested the performance version of the C38 a couple of years ago, with its roached, fully battened slab-reef main, this furling main C46 actually felt like a better-balanced sail plan.

The larger performance main was just a bit too much for the deck gear on the C38, at least in windy conditions, and I found myself enjoying the ease of sailing on the C46 more. The 4:1 mainsheet purchase uses blocks either side of the companionway, and there’s no traveller, which makes it harder to centre the boom sailing upwind, costing a few degrees of pointing.

A proper bridle here might be a better system, but at 35º to the apparent, few cruising sailors are going to lose any sleep over it.

A 106% genoa is an alternative to the self-tacking jib. Photo: Paul Wyeth

The deck layout benefits from the boat’s significant beam, with loads of space to move about and relax as well as sail. As with most twin-wheel boats, the helms are right aft and outboard, but still feel secure thanks to broad side decks taken all the way aft and generous transom seats, which house either more stowage, or a fridge and grill for use in harbour.

With no dinghy garage, I’d imagine the optional retractable dinghy davits will be popular, though fold down the bathing platform and you’ll find a cubby hole big enough for a folded up dinghy or paddleboard, and a built-in air compressor to blow it up. There’s further stowage in a plywood-lined lazarette between the helm seats, plus sole-depth lockers beneath the cockpit seats.

Simple sail handling

All lines, including sheets and halyards, are led aft to two powered winches outboard of the wheel, with push-button control next to the rope bins just aft of them (also home to a gas bottle locker either side). This makes singlehanding the boat extremely easy.

Lift-up foot chocks help the helm feel secure. Photo: Paul Wyeth

The only niggle is that it all gets rather busy for the helm if you’re steering, adjusting the main and the headsail at the same time, so it was easier for the helm to move to the other wheel while a crew member came behind the wheel to handle the lines. The only exception to this is the extra set of primary winches on the cockpit coamings if you opt for the 106% overlapping genoa.

All this leaves those in the cockpit to relax without having to lift so much as a finger, other than to sip their drinks. In fact, we didn’t pick up a winch handle for the whole test sail, and tacking with the self-tacking jib was effortless.

With L-shaped seats, there’s plenty of space to sit back, while split cockpit tables provide bracing for each side.

Aft of the rope bins is stowage for gas bottles on both sides. Photo: Paul Wyeth

The pedestals have been redesigned, giving space for 12in B&G plotters, as well as an electronic throttle, thruster controls and all the other modern gizmos like stereos and phone chargers. Best, though, was the side panel which housed an extra repeater and autopilot controls so you can still see the numbers when helming sitting down without needing to stand up. It’s clear Bavaria has worked hard to make the Bavaria C46 a more user-friendly boat.

Step over the low coamings and you’re onto the side decks inside deep moulded bulwarks. It wasn’t a rough edge exactly, as it was very neatly done, but I did wonder about the wide bonding join between deck and hull moulding atop the bulwarks – it would have been nice if this had been a little better hidden.

Otherwise, Selden deck gear was all of a decent size and spec, with coachroof-mounted genoa car tracks, grab rails from forward of the sprayhood to the shrouds, loads of opening hatches and a large single forepeak for fenders and offwind sails, through which you get access to the chain locker. The windlass is mounted on deck, with a control unit stowed inside the forepeak, and the anchor stows under the chunky moulded bowsprit with tack points for Code Zero and gennaker.

This level of space and comfort in a boat that is enjoyable to sail is a real achievement. Photo: Paul Wyeth

Construction is the tried-and-tested Bavaria method, with all laminates laid up by hand, a moulded keel grid bonded into the hull, and deck and hull bonded together. We didn’t have big seas, but things seemed quiet down below even when sailing hard, and it was also noticeable that the boat didn’t slam as it took on the wind-against-tide Solent chop.

Heading below, there is a ridiculous amount of space, allowing Bavaria to offer a large number of standard layout options of three, four or five cabins, sleeping up to 12 on board if you include the saloon.

Our test boat was the four-cabin version, each with its own ensuite heads, which will be popular with charter companies. The starboard aft heads can also be a Pullman bunk cabin for an extra two beds, or the port heads can become a utility space.

The large saloon is dominated by the C-shaped seating to starboard, a generous galley and the raised chart table. Photo: Paul Wyeth

In our layout, the forward cabin is split into two. They’re not huge cabins, but perfectly comfortable, especially as they are ensuite. Most owners will, however, probably go for the single cabin forwards, which gives a palatial amount of space with a massive island berth, and comes all the way aft to the mast support,with the option of split shower and toilet compartments.

Whatever you opt for, all berths are over 2m long and the narrowest is 147cm wide at the head end, even if they narrow towards the feet. Furthermore, there’s never less than 193cm of headroom throughout thanks to the high topsides. In the saloon, the C-shaped seating takes pride of place to starboard with a large single-piece dining table, around which you’ll easily fit eight or more for dinner. One neat touch was the sliding box seat which can be tucked under the table or pulled out, and can be secured for sea with a screw-knob at each end.

The galley is bestowed with a large drawer fridge as well as top-opening fridge/freezer. Overhead lockers provide lots of stowage and there’s an air filter above the hob. Photo: Paul Wyeth

Light and airy spaces

To port, Bavaria have gone back to a proper chart table (huzzah!), raised above the level of the galley for imperious views and loads of space, while the galley is a large L-shaped arrangement forwards. You’ll want a bum-strap if cooking underway as there’s nothing to brace against on port tack, but in harbour you’ve got all the creature comforts of massive fridges, lots of stowage, including a fiddled shelf outboard of the work surface, and even a cooking fumes filter (not a full extractor), which folds out above the hob.

With multiple opening hatches, big coachroof windows and four hull windows along each side of the boat, there’s no shortage of light or air below. Bavaria have worked hard to raise the level of finish on this boat, and while many of the features are on the options list, leather covers for stainless steel handrails, fabric bulkhead detailing, and proper hull and deckhead linings all make this boat feel more luxurious.

In the single forward cabin version, a huge island double takes pride of place and the door bulkhead goes aft to the mast support. Photo: Paul Wyeth

There are grab holds where you need them on the whole, including at the companionaway, on the inboard end of the galley, and a central grab rail along the deckhead to help traverse open spaces when underway. Solid wood edges and corners have been used on all the joinery, which will help protect veneers from knocks and bumps in years to come.

There’s oodles of stowage below the seating in the saloon, in the bench seat and in overhead lockers on either side. Tankage is reasonable too, with up to nearly 800 litres of water (554 litres is standard) and 245 litres of fuel – more than enough to keep the Yanmar 50hp (or optional 80hp) ticking along nicely for a while. Of course, if you run the generator or air-conditioning, which this boat is fitted with, you’ll get through it slightly quicker, but there’s plenty of water for showers for everyone.

Access to the engine is pretty good, though with the genset on this boat mounted on a steel frame above the engine, things in the engine compartment are fairly cosy.

Bavaria have done a good job with this boat. The concept of high-volume, extra comfortable cruising platform works well, and the C46 has the muscle to back up the volume. The finishing touches on our test boat made this feel like a place you’d enjoy spending time. When I was poking around on board I was impressed with the quality and level of finish to which this boat was put together. You’d hope so, given that you can easily spend well over half a million pounds by the time you’ve finished with the options list, though for a standard UK spec you’ll be about on par with a Dehler 46SQ and Hanse 460 for price.

• Data and Options

CRUISER 46 - Interior

Innovative interior.

Your dream yacht with many possibilities and a great amount of space. Whether 3 or 4 cabins, the CRUISER 46 is a bestseller. Each owner can decide for themselves how to design the saloon. However, the CRUISER 46 is full of ideas right from the shipyard. The saloon island with a fold-down saloon seat offers numerous storage areas and more space for guests at the saloon table. Charts can be stored in the saloon table with chart table function, and many harbor manuals can be found in the chart and bookshelf and are therefore always to hand.

Big pantry with lots of space

Practical salon table that also functions as a card table

Great comfort

If you are not sure how many cabins you might actually need, you have the option to make use of BAVARIA’s unique flexible bulkhead system. In just a few simple steps, wood panels and doors divide the main cabin into two spacious separate cabins. But regardless of whether you have three or four cabins, each cabin on a CRUISER 46 still has tremendously generous storage space in the lockers and under the bunks. 

Aft cabin with own bath.

An own bathroom with shower.

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Bavaria Cruiser 46 Shoal draft

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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