[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Sommaire” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Source Sans Pro|600|||||||” text_line_height=”2em” link_text_color=”#3e6a91″ background_color=”#fef9f5″ module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”50px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”30px|30px|30px|80px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Summary<\/h2>\n
1 – The Bavaria 46 Cruiser: an elegant design<\/a> The key concept for this sailing boat<\/a>\u2019s brief was to give the Bavaria 46 Cruiser plenty of space<\/strong>. Certainly, some may think I am easily impressed with sailboats, but my accolade is based on my careful observations of this 46 Cruiser<\/a> from 2010 (Farr + BMW Design layouts). The very large cockpit, with the slanting roof and the almost straight bow with no chine gives the boat a very distinguished and elegant look, a far cry from the ultra sporty look<\/b> which certain shipyards tend to favour.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/blog.bandofboats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/arriere-bavaria-46-cruiser.jpg” title_text=”arriere-bavaria-46-cruiser” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”80%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Paragraphe 1″ module_id=”titre2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”50px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The cockpit is certainly wide, accommodating two steering wheels and a central cockpit table<\/b> for the navigation station. Just one small note on the cockpit access, which is only one step down from the platform level. Once on board, you can easily walk past the table on either side to walk down. You can definitely feel that this boat is wider than the previous generation with a midship beam that is further forward.<\/p>\n You also feel this sense of width when you walk to the front. At the front there is a 1,200 W Quick<\/b> windlass, and just behind, there is a sail locker.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Paragraphe 1″ module_id=”titre3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”50px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In the cockpit, you\u2019ll find Lewmar winches<\/b> and Spinlock jammers<\/b> on the roof. [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Paragraphe 1″ module_id=”titre4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”50px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The deck and deck plates above the waterline are constructed from sandwiched polyester and Airex foam (foam with rigid, hermetic cells that hardly absorb any water over time). The cast iron keel is bolted and glued to the hull with a special reinforced design. The deck is bedded to the hull in a polyurethane sealant and screwed down at regular intervals. The hull, keel and rudders are identical to those used for the previous version.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Paragraphe 1″ module_id=”titre5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”50px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Equipped with a generator, a 3,000 W 12\/220 converter, a bow thruster and all the usual conveniences, the Bavaria 46 Cruiser has a triple battery pack, an engine, a propeller and house assistance<\/strong>. The house pack itself includes no less than 3 x 140 Ah batteries, a total of 420h<\/b>, not bad!<\/p>\n A very good point that is often neglected on French models, is the inclusion of a solenoid battery at the head of the gas circuit<\/b>, so you can shut off the gas circuit after each use from the control panel.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Paragraphe 1″ module_id=”titre5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”50px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Although the chart table has disappeared and has been replaced by an \u201cadjustable navigation space\u201d for which you use the cockpit table, raising the top like a lectern to store the charts, and though the instruments and electrics panel has been moved to starboard, this layout has certain advantages.<\/p>\n For example, you can seat 6 to 8 people comfortably, at least those who didn\u2019t draw the short straw and get the \u201cjump seats\u201d that fold up when not in use and are located in the galley\u2019s small central island unit. [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/blog.bandofboats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/table-a-cartes-bavaria-46-cruiser.jpg” title_text=”table-a-cartes-bavaria-46-cruiser” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”80%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Paragraphe 1″ module_id=”titre7″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”50px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n I\u2019d been told that I was in for a surprise with this boat when it came to the cabins! I was standing up straight and the housing at the bottom of the cockpit only encroaches on a very modest half of these cabins\u2019 surface area, for a very pleasant sense of spaciousness a far cry from the coffin-style berths that are usual in these kind of cabins\u2026 Everywhere, you can see that the woodwork is high quality and, while it doesn\u2019t quite equal the Bavaria<\/strong>s that were made before the 2000s, a bygone era when the company only hand-built yachts, it certainly holds up to today\u2019s French boats, if not surpassing them\u2026<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Paragraphe 1″ module_id=”titre8″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”50px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The helm is excellent in terms of the seating arrangements and is just as comfortable standing thanks to the flip-up foot cleats. The engine controls (75 HP Volvo Sail Drive) are arranged beneath the starboard helm seat. You are able to stand everywhere in the cockpit, especially at the table<\/b>. We got up to 8 knots at 2,000 RPM and almost 9 on full throttle. Not bad for a sailboat! At full speed, in full sail, the west wind immediately takes us up over 8 knots as we head to Fort Boyard which we\u2019re using as a life belt before veering in the direction of Ars en R\u00e9, close-hauled this time. Two of us were able to manoeuvre this Bavaria 46 Cruiser with no problems<\/strong>. The self-tacking jib<\/b> really comes into its own in these sailing conditions.<\/p>\n The conditions stiffen when we pass the north point of the \u00cele de R\u00e9, heading for Les Sables. From 15 knots, we are now sailing at an established 20 knots. A small luff to de-power the boat, with the engine running just in case, but declutched, and we reef a third of the mainsail and just as much of the jib. Once we relaunched, we regretted doing that, because it wasn\u2019t enough as the wind was rising even more. But it wasn\u2019t a problem to repeat the manoeuvre and roll up \u201cjust enough\u201d of the mainsail. Once we\u2019d done this, we realised how useful it was having a sail on a furler and the infinite reefing options it gives you.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Paragraphe 1″ module_id=”titre9″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”50px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Elegant, fast, manoeuvrable, well-finished and well-equipped, this Bavaria 46 Cruiser has lots of strings to its bow<\/strong>. I really liked the interior furnishing (adjustable chart table), and the spacious, comfortable cockpit that was perfect for really enjoying yourself at the helm. You definitely enjoy yourself on a 46 Cruiser like this!<\/b><\/p>\n Discover all our Bavaria 46 Cruiser<\/a> for sale among our second-hand boat for sale listings<\/a>, and become the proud owner of this Bavaria model.<\/p>\n This test was written by Fran\u00e7ois Meyer.<\/i><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As the European Yacht of the Year 2015, the new version of the Bavaria 46 cruiser, launched at the end of 2014, breaks very strongly with the first generation, dating back to the early 2000s. The parentage of this 2014 version descends from the 45 cruiser from 2010 (Farr + BMW Design layouts). So here\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11768,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[675],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11917","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sailboats-and-catamarans-tests"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n2 – The Bavaria 46 Cruiser and its ergonomics<\/a>
\n3 – A sailboat with quality rigging and fittings<\/a>
\n4 – The Bavaria 46 Cruiser\u2019s construction techniques<\/a>
\n5 – Under the yacht\u2019s deck<\/a>
\n6 – The Bavaria 46 Cruiser\u2019s interior<\/a>
\n7 – Impressive aft cabins<\/a>
\n8 – Test at sea: sailing on a Bavaria 46 Cruiser 2015<\/a>
\n9 – In conclusion<\/a>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Paragraphe 1″ module_id=”titre1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”50px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n1. The Bavaria 46 Cruiser: an elegant design<\/h2>\n
When you\u2019re pretty tall, how can you not be excited at the prospect of trying out a big cruiser whose main characteristic happens to be space! In the three-cabin version, which can accommodate a crew of three people, we\u2019re not likely to be stepping on each other\u2019s toes\u2026<\/p>\n
First of all the wide swim platform, the widest in the segment according to the manufacturer, occupies close to 80% of the width of the transom.<\/p>\n2. The Bavaria 46 Cruiser and its ergonomics<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.bandofboats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/cockpit-bavaria-46-cruiser-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/p>\n3. A sailboat with quality rigging and fittings<\/h2>\n
The layout means two people can easily manoeuvre this boat.
The (Elvstrom) mainsail on a (Selden) furler is rigged, as you might expect on a Bavaria, the German way, one of the shipyard\u2019s historic standards, and while it might not give you the same performance as a battened sail, it affords a variety of settings in a stiff breeze. The same ethos is evident in the self-tacking jib. Our boat has a 5th winch<\/b>, near the starboard helm for lowering the mainsail. All the equipment used is generously sized and perfectly fitted.<\/p>\n4. The Bavaria 46 Cruiser\u2019s construction techniques<\/h2>\n
For extra rigidity under the waterline, the hull is built from a stitched and chopped mat fibreglass laminate, sandwiched between two layers of Coremat \u201cfelt\u201d, all of which is injected with isophthalic polyester resin. This non-woven polyester cuts down the resin\u2019s absorption to a minimum while providing increased stiffness.<\/p>\n5. Under the yacht\u2019s deck<\/h2>\n
6. The Bavaria 46 Cruiser\u2019s interior<\/h2>\n
In use, this adjustable navigation space<\/b> really suits me because the chart table has enough space to fold out a chart in the morning, then, once you\u2019ve put everything away, you can just forget about it until next morning.
While the seats on the central island aren\u2019t that comfy, the island itself is pretty handy for helping you keep your balance while cooking in a seaway. The galley itself has plenty of storage. A three-hob stove combined with a oven completes the picture.<\/p>\n7. Impressive aft cabins<\/h2>\n
The two aft cabins, which both have a WC<\/b>, are probably some of the most spacious ever featured in a boat of this size<\/b>!<\/p>\n
The forward cabin with its desk and WC was much more like a master suite than a traditional yacht cabin. The charter version has two double forward cabins.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.bandofboats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/interieur-cabine-bavaria-46-cruiser-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/p>\n8. Test at sea: sailing on a Bavaria 46 Cruiser 2015<\/h2>\n
We were easily able to get out of the port at Les Minimes with the help of the bow thruster, and reached almost 15 knots this morning off La Rochelle. The boat responds very well to the helm, the visibility is excellent and the boat is a bit hot this morning. This is thanks to the steering via lines.<\/p>\n9. In conclusion<\/h2>\n