At just over 45 feet, with a waterline only a foot shorter than her overall length, the Vision 46 represented a deliberate move away from the character of older Bavaria cruisers. Cruising World’s Boat of the Year panel named her Best Full-Size Cruiser, 45 to 49 Feet, for 2013. The award reflected a deliberate move away from the character of older Bavaria cruisers toward a yacht that was stiffer, better balanced, and more rewarding to sail than Bavaria cruisers of old.
Design and Construction
Bavaria contracted Farr Yacht Design for the naval architecture and commissioned Design Unlimited to style the deck and interior, while BMW Designworks USA handled the exterior look. Teardrop coachroof windows give the boat a modern profile, and this was the first time the builder used a split mould in her construction.
Farr’s hull makes the Vision 46 maneuverable and fun to sail. The long waterline supports a displacement-to-length ratio near 161. Displacement is 27,116 pounds, including 7,606 pounds of iron ballast, for a ballast-to-displacement ratio of about .30.
A single-point backstay leaves the beamy aft quarters unimpeded. Below, a raised central saloon floor, an offset companionway with solid grabrails, and huge coachroof and hull windows create a large, bright living area.
Rig, Sailing, and Handling
The Vision 46 is a fractional sloop with a 105 percent jib and an in-mast furling mainsail. A vertical batten eases the usual objections to that rig. The chainplates are outboard, with the sheets led to a track on the coachroof. Both jib and mainsheets lead aft and remain close at hand, making the boat easy to singlehand.
Twin helms are arranged so the driver can straddle either wheel from either side. Each backrest also leaves room for a partner to slide in. During a sea trial in 10 to 12 knots on Chesapeake Bay, the boat registered 6.5 to 7.5 knots on nearly all points of sail. She also points well, tacking through just over 80 degrees.
For close-quarters control, the automatic docking system combines a bow thruster, retractable stern thruster, and joystick.
Accommodations
Several layouts share a large owner’s stateroom forward. Its 7-foot headroom continues all the way to the berth, while a vanity table and stool provide a larger work surface than the saloon’s makeshift chart table.
The Vision 46 was offered with two or three cabins. In the standard layout, the twin aft cabin converts into a double, although headroom is constricted above the starboard berth.
The offset companionway makes room for a central island galley. Plumbing and the hot-water tank are neatly contained beside it, and an alcove above and abaft the twin sinks can hold an optional coffee machine or beer tap.
There’s no dedicated navstation in the saloon. Instead, the center section of the port-side sofa raises and locks into position as either a coffee table or chart table. Another adjustable table can be converted into a double berth for guests.
All sole panels have lifting latches for bilge access. Beneath the berths, ventilation boards lock into place.
Cockpit and Deck
The drop-down transom extends the cockpit with a spacious swim platform. Access is through a central aft bench that lifts on struts, and a bracket secures the shower head for a proper outdoor shower.
The cockpit table is a telescoping piece of engineering. It lowers on support legs that meet lugs in the sole, while the top swivels to form a sunbed. To port, a versatile table and lounge uses an electromagnetic lift to adjust its height; with cushions in place, it becomes a roomy sun deck.
On the test boat, a deep indentation at the foot of the offset companionway held a coffee maker. One practical drawback is the sprayhood: when raised, it stands at forehead height.
Known Issues
A period review noted that every exposed plywood edge, including the end grain, had been left untreated. It also found that an impractical white material used on some vertical panels was already becoming grubby.
The restricted headroom above the starboard aft berth is a fixed limitation of the layout rather than a defect.
Verdict
The Vision 46 is a thoughtfully modern cruiser that traded Bavaria’s older softness for a Farr-designed hull that is maneuverable, stiff, and genuinely rewarding to sail short-handed. Its convertible cockpit and saloon furniture, drop-down transom, and bright, spacious interior suit owners who entertain as well as cruise. However, the lack of a dedicated navstation and the untreated plywood edges show where the production brief involved compromises.
Pros
- Farr-designed hull is maneuverable and fun to sail, with strong performance in light to moderate winds
- Easy to singlehand, with all sheets led aft and two comfortable helms
- Flexible two- or three-cabin layouts, convertible berths, and plenty of natural light
- Drop-down transom and adaptable cockpit table expand the outdoor living space
Cons
- Untreated plywood edges and end grain
- White vertical panels soil easily
- No proper navstation in the saloon
- Limited headroom above the starboard aft berth
- Raised sprayhood sits at forehead height
