BAVARIA 47
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 48.06 ft |
| LWL | 40.12 ft |
| Beam | 14.6 ft |
| Draft | 6.56 ft |
| Displacement | 25,353 lb |
| Ballast | 8,156.1 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 8.5 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Mainsail | 404.72 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 674.9 sq ft |
About the BAVARIA 47
Shallow keel draft: 1.7m / 5.58ft Sail area: - Furling main: 37.6 m² / 404.72 ft² - Battened main: 45.0 m² / 484.38 ft² - Genoa: 62.7 m² / 674.9 ft² Some 3 cabin versions have 3 heads.
The Bavaria 47, designed by J&J Design and built by Bavaria Yachtbau from 1993–2001, is a spacious fractional sloop known for its comfortable cruising layout. With a displacement of 25353.0 lb and a beam of 14.6 ft, it offers a stable platform, though owners frequently report structural concerns regarding the keel and rudder systems.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and families seeking a large, comfortable interior with modern amenities, as evidenced by the high prevalence of upgraded electronics, bow thrusters, and bimini installations. It is less suited for aggressive performance sailing or solo handling due to its size and reported maintenance demands.
- Bluewater capability:
- While the boat's low capsize ratio of 1.99 and moderate comfort ratio of 25.95 suggest reasonable offshore stability, the high frequency of reported keel smile and rudder shaft issues raises significant concerns about its structural integrity for extended bluewater passages without thorough inspection.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Beneteau 47 and Jeanneau 47.9, which share similar production eras, fractional sloop rigs, and a focus on interior volume over pure performance. These vessels also feature fin keels and comparable displacement ranges, making them direct competitors in the mid-90s large cruiser market.
Direct variant of the BAVARIA 47
Near-identical models — same hull, builder and designer, re-badged or lightly changed. Specs and owner-reported issues are typically shared across the group, so a sister model's page may carry detail this one doesn't.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(3 certificates)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 3.3 | 4.6 | 5.7 | 6.5 | 7.1 | 7.4 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.7 |
| 60° | 6.0 | 6.6 | 6.2 | 6.9 | 7.4 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 8.1 | 8.2 |
| 75° | 4.0 | 5.4 | 6.5 | 7.2 | 7.7 | 8.1 | 8.3 | 8.6 | 8.7 |
| 90° | 3.9 | 5.3 | 6.4 | 7.3 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 8.4 | 8.8 | 9.1 |
| 110° | 3.8 | 5.3 | 6.6 | 7.5 | 8.1 | 8.5 | 8.8 | 9.3 | 9.7 |
| 120° | 3.7 | 5.2 | 6.4 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 8.4 | 8.8 | 9.4 | 10.1 |
| 135° | 3.2 | 4.6 | 5.9 | 6.9 | 7.7 | 8.2 | 8.6 | 9.3 | 10.1 |
| 150° | 2.7 | 3.9 | 5.1 | 6.2 | 7.0 | 7.7 | 8.2 | 8.9 | 9.6 |
| Beat VMG | 2.0 | 2.9 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Run VMG | 2.3 | 3.4 | 4.4 | 5.3 | 6.1 | 6.8 | 7.4 | 8.2 | 8.9 |
Estimated Value
Low ConfidenceAsking price by model year
17 listings · boat years 1994–2010 · median $124,200
Each dot is one listing · hover for details · dashed red line marks the median · obvious data-entry outliers (top & bottom 2.5%) excluded.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 48.06ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Featured YouTube Videos
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
14 reported issues across 8 systems for the BAVARIA 47, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a BAVARIA 47? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 14 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
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Which engine powers your BAVARIA 47?
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Brands sometimes mentioned for this model: Yanmar, Volvo Penta, Beta Marine, Perkins — is it one of these?
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Used sails that fit the BAVARIA 47
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…