The Bavaria 46 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages, and competitive on the racecourse.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 40.0′, the Bavaria 46 tops out around 8.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √40.0′ LWL = 8.5 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
57s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
SA / Displacement
24.3
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
30.0%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
169
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
26.0
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.97
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
2lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
26.0
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.97
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Bavaria 46 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Bavaria 46
57s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Tartan 4600
75s/nm
Oyster 46
135s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
4.0 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
5.9 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.8 |
6.1 |
6.8 |
7.1 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.9 |
7.5 |
8.4 |
9.1 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
5.5 |
6.9 |
7.7 |
8.4 |
| Run150–180° |
4.4 |
5.5 |
6.2 |
6.4 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.5 kts),
SA/D (24.3), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Bavaria 46 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–16 kts
16–24 kts
24+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–16 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
16–24 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
24+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Bavaria 46.
|
Bavaria 46 |
Dufour Classic 45 |
Moody 45 Classic |
Oyster 46 |
Tartan 4600 |
X46 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
46.0 |
45.9 |
46.0 |
46.0 |
46.2 |
46.2 |
| LWL |
40.0 |
37.4 |
40.0 |
39.6 |
39.6 |
40.5 |
| Beam |
14.3 |
14.2 |
13.8 |
14.0 |
14.3 |
14.0 |
| Displacement |
24 |
24 |
25 |
31 |
28 |
24 |
| Ballast |
7 |
8 |
7 |
12 |
8 |
9 |
| Sail Area |
1 |
884 |
— |
980 |
— |
1 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
57 |
— |
— |
135 |
75 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
24.3 |
17.0 |
— |
15.6 |
— |
21.9 |
| Bal/Disp |
30.0 |
36.0 |
28.9 |
40.3 |
30.4 |
— |
| Comfort |
26.0 |
27.4 |
— |
35.4 |
— |
26.2 |
| Capsize |
1.97 |
1.96 |
— |
1.77 |
— |
1.95 |
| Hull Speed |
8.5 |
8.2 |
— |
8.4 |
— |
8.5 |