The Bavaria 51 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
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 42.0′, the Bavaria 51 tops out around 8.7 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √42.0′ LWL = 8.7 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
18.1
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Displacement / Length
193
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
29.7
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.91
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
29.7
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
1.91
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 51 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Bristol 51
69s/nm
Beneteau 50
77s/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° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.2 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.3 |
5.4 |
6.1 |
6.3 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.3 |
6.7 |
7.5 |
8.1 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.9 |
6.2 |
6.9 |
7.5 |
| Run150–180° |
3.9 |
4.9 |
5.5 |
5.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.7 kts),
SA/D (18.1), 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 51 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ 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 51.
|
Bavaria 51 |
Beneteau 50 |
Bristol 51 |
First 51 Beneteau |
Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau |
X 512 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
51.2 |
50.8 |
51.1 |
51.3 |
50.8 |
51.1 |
| LWL |
42.0 |
45.4 |
42.0 |
43.1 |
42.3 |
41.5 |
| Beam |
15.1 |
14.7 |
15.2 |
14.9 |
16.0 |
14.8 |
| Displacement |
31 |
28 |
43 |
28 |
30 |
30 |
| Ballast |
— |
9 |
19 |
14 |
9 |
13 |
| Sail Area |
1 |
1 |
1,200 |
1,248 |
1 |
1 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
77 |
69 |
— |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
18.1 |
17.6 |
15.5 |
21.4 |
21.9 |
22.7 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
32.5 |
43.5 |
49.6 |
32.2 |
— |
| Comfort |
29.7 |
26.4 |
40.4 |
26.6 |
26.5 |
28.9 |
| Capsize |
1.91 |
1.92 |
1.73 |
1.95 |
2.04 |
1.91 |
| Hull Speed |
8.7 |
9.0 |
8.7 |
8.8 |
8.7 |
8.6 |