Bavaria Cruiser 46 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

Owner three-cabin and charter four-cabin versions are both well represented, and ex-charter examples are common. The builder’s documented plan allows 3 or 4 cabins with 3 heads, and the forward master can be divided by an innovative flexi-bulkhead into two big cabins, while both aft cabins each have their own bathroom. The saloon centers on a table with twin nav-desk drawers and an optional centerline island with fold-down settee between it and the in-line port galley; a separate sail locker sits forward under the deck behind the windlass. Ex-charter four-cabin boats will typically show heavier system wear but the same structural layout as owner versions.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

On the used market, chartplotter, bimini, furling main, autopilot, inverter, bow thruster, swim platform, electric winches, solar, teak decks, heating, and cockpit shower are commonly fitted. Often-seen additions include lithium batteries, AIS, self-tacking jib, hot water, freezer, and air conditioning. Less commonly seen are life raft, radar, and dinghy davits, which usually appear as owner upgrades. From the builder’s standard and optional list, the boat carries twin steering wheels, a steering pedestal with GPS plotter, gennaker winches, a foldable XXL cockpit table, rail gate, flush hatches, and an enormous electrically controlled fold-down transom; an optional 29,000 BTU air conditioner and optional gennaker were factory extras worth verifying on any specific boat.

What to Inspect

Documented known issues are limited but worth a close look. Ventilation in the aft staterooms is a challenge inherent to the hull’s aft geometry ventilation aft remains a challenge, so check for mildew or retrofit vents. The standard Lewmar Evo winches on the tested boat were a tad undersized, meaning worn or under-specced primaries should be flagged. Where a furling mainsail is fitted, the boat managed only 40 degrees pointing on the test, so inspect the in-mast system and mast step for free rotation and seal condition. The hull laminate is hand-laid stitched-biaxial and chopped-strand mat in isophthalic polyester with Airex coring above the waterline and Coremat below; the keel is secured with 20 mm stainless bolts and Plexus adhesive, so confirm bolt integrity and adhesive bead at the joint. The deck is Airex-cored and screwed on an 8-inch pattern—look for deck-core compression around hardware.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

Typical markets for the Cruiser 46 are Croatia, Italy, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Germany. For a used-boat checklist: confirm 3- or 4-cabin layout matches intended use; verify ex-charter status and its maintenance records; test aft-cabin ventilation and look for moisture; confirm winch size and condition; inspect keel bolts and deck-core around fittings; confirm presence of commonly fitted gear (bow thruster, electric winches, heating) and any often-seen upgrades (lithium, AIS, air conditioning).