Bavaria Cruiser 46: Cruising boat with plenty of space and comfort in the test
Michael Good
· 20.12.2025
The long swell comes from one side, the wind from the other. This is common on the Ligurian coast. And it's raining. The conditions are therefore extremely unfavourable for testing the new Bavaria Cruiser 46 off Loano in northern Italy. But at least the wind is there. The wind measuring system records an average of twelve knots. Sometimes more, sometimes less.
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In such conditions, there's only one thing to do: put a lot of twist in the sails and try to steer clear of the waves. This works really well on the Cruiser 46. With the double, two-sided bulkhead stays, the mainsail can be pulled with the boom to the centre or even slightly to windward without it closing too much at the top. Although this requires some work on the winches at the companionway, it replaces the traveller function in combination with the powerful boom vang.
In addition, the steering also proves to be up to the demanding conditions. The voluminous and therefore visually rather sluggish Bavaria can be easily steered through the confusing wave pattern, shows good reactions in manoeuvres and starts cleanly. The Bavaria hulls from Farr Yacht Design are well known for this. Nevertheless, due to the difficult conditions in the test, it was not possible to obtain reliable measurements of the height sailed upwind and speeds. For the data sheet on the next double page, the theoretically calculated performance values according to VPP (Velocity Prediction Programme) must therefore be used.
More cockpit, less comfort
As part of the extensive and very consistent complete renewal of Bavaria's cruiser programme, the new 46 is also "only" a revision based on the Cruiser 45 from 2010 (test in YACHT 13/2010). The themes of the refresh essentially remain the same: the same hull with the same appendages, unchanged rig concept, but a new deck with a remodelled cockpit, a more appealing look with larger windows and a host of adjustments and improvements below deck.
Measured values of the Bavaria Cruiser 46
The specifications for the Cruiser 46 included modifications to the cockpit in particular. The new cockpit was to be as wide as possible as part of the modernisation. The coaming is now slightly less bulky, but still just wide enough to accommodate the drives for the optional electric winches. And the inner flanks of the coamings have become significantly steeper, and the kink has been removed. As a result, the cockpit is now less comfortable than on the previous model. On the other hand, the forward-facing dents are L-shaped. This means that two more people can sit outside in the harbour.
For easier handling of the heavy life rafts, the forecastle boxes are now cut out differently. The lid now opens the storage compartment all the way to the cockpit floor. Fenders, mooring lines and bathing gear, on the other hand, are stored in a large storage box in the stern.
The bathing platform remains unchanged. Only the electric drives on the new series ship will be replaced by a sheet pull via a captive winch, installed in the forecastle. In future, the drive should raise the stern platform more quickly and also be less susceptible to defects, for example due to a collision with the pier when mooring in reverse or due to waves in the bathing bay.
With three or four cabins
On the assumption that the Cruiser 45 will primarily be sold in the charter market, there is no layout variant with just an aft cabin and a large cockpit available for the interior for the time being - as is the case with most boats from the direct competition. Owners on long voyages will utilise the option of using one of the two symmetrical cabins exclusively as storage space.
In contrast, the Bavaria Cruiser 46 offers variance in the foredeck, where the owner's cabin can be divided into two separate cabins, each with separate access, by means of a flexible bulkhead system. According to the shipyard representatives, the partition walls can be installed and removed in no time at all.
If the standard layout remains with just one cabin in the foredeck, the owners can enjoy exceptionally generous space and an enormous amount of easily accessible storage space in large cupboards and below the berth area. The bathroom in the foredeck is spatially separated: on the one hand a washroom with WC, on the other a wet room with shower function only. However, there is a lack of ventilation in all wet areas, including in the two toilet rooms aft. The toilet bowls are also painfully small.
The galley in the saloon is designed as one long row to the side, an arrangement that has now gone somewhat out of fashion and is therefore usually only offered by the competition as an alternative layout, if at all. On the Cruiser 46, however, this arrangement is the standard and the prospective owner cannot choose. The advantage of the long galley: more storage space, more work surface and better integration of the important galley function into life on board.
A central kitchen island now serves as a safe place to lean on when travelling instead of the stool with the high backrest. However, the furniture is still a little wobbly on the test boat.
The navigation system has been completely removed or repurposed. Charts are now stored in the fold-out saloon table. A logical step: the previous navigation area was far too small for studying nautical charts anyway, and nowadays people almost exclusively work with plotters.
The interior of the new Bavaria impresses with its clean build quality. Not only is the woodwork pleasing, but the Giebelstadt-based company also uses fittings and fixtures from the drawer for higher-quality add-on parts. The laminate flooring over plywood is laid floating on an assembly floor. This means that the gaps between the floorboards are barely visible and creaking under load is finally a thing of the past.
Equipment and prices of the Bavaria Cruiser 46
With a base price of 330,582 euros, it still has the edge in terms of price. However, the gap to the competition is gradually closing.
- Base price ex shipyard: 330.582 €
- Guarantee/against osmosis: 2/5 years
As of 2025, as the prices shown are defined, you will find here!
Bavaria Yachtbau has already sold several boats of the Cruiser 46 type. Many of them are sold in advance to the charter market. But the boat is also of interest to private individuals. For an attractive price, owners get a complete and well-functioning overall package.
YACHT review of the Bavaria Cruiser 46
The penultimate step in Bavaria's consistently implemented model maintenance programme. The Cruiser 46 is a voluminous cruising boat with plenty of comfort, especially below deck. Despite good quality standards, the price is very attractive.
Design and concept
Solid overall construction
Uncomfortable seating in the cockpit
No alternative with two cabins
Sailing performance and trim
Efficient trimming options
Pleasant behaviour in the wave
Living and finishing quality
Enormous storage space
Separate wet room at the front
Long kitchen unit at the side
Equipment and technology
Large bathing platform
Perfectly equipped sailing load
Poor ventilation in the bathrooms
The Bavaria Cruiser 46 in detail
Technical data of the Bavaria Cruiser 46
- Designer: Farr Yacht Design
- CE design category: A
- Lüa (torso length): 13,60 m
- Width: 4,35 m
- Draught/alternative: 2,10/1,73 m
- Weight: 12,6 t
- Ballast/proportion: 3,5 t/28 %
- Mainsail (standard): 56,0 m²
- Furling genoa (standard 106 %): 51,7 m²
- machine (Volvo P. ): 40 kW/55 hp
Hull and deck construction
GRP construction using the hand lay-up method, partly sandwich construction with foam core.
Shipyard
Bavaria Yachtbau, 97232 Giebelstadt, www.bavaria-yachtbau.com
Distribution
Dealer network
The test was first published in 2013 and has been revised for this online version.
