bavaria yachts reviews

Bavaria SR33 Review (2023 Edition)

The Bavaria SR33 marks the culmination of a trio of contemporary entry-level cruising models. Unveiled to the world at the Düsseldorf Boat Show, we seized the opportunity to explore how this newcomer measures up against its two larger siblings.

With the SR36 and SR41 already establishing themselves as solid, well-appointed two-cabin yachts, Bavaria's introduction of the SR33 promises to deliver a similar blend of excitement and functionality in a more compact 11-meter package. The question remains: will this downsized version of the SR lineup retain the same level of appeal and versatility?

Bavaria SR33 Key Facts

• LOA 37.402ft
• Max Speed 30 knots
• Status In Production
• Yacht Type Sports Yacht
• Use Type Weekending

Test & Review Video

YachtBuyer Score

In this article:

Our Verdict

Rivals to consider.

• Specification

Our Scores Explained

Design & Build

Let's start with the essentials: Bavaria has a long history of crafting practical, user-friendly, and cost-effective sportscruisers. Collaborating with J&J Design, their earliest creations remain relevant and reliable today, prioritizing safety, ample storage, maneuverable hulls, and spacious interiors.

Moreover, Bavaria has been a pioneer in hardtop designs for vessels under 20 meters. Their hardtops boast a sleek aesthetic, avoiding bulkiness or overly rounded shapes, ensuring both functionality and style.

With the design leadership now under Marco Casali, the essence of the SR range remains intact. These boats still exude a smartness that is sure to impress even a decade from now. However, Casali's touch infuses more detail and finesse into the vessels, evident in features like the SR33's elliptical mid-cabin window design.

The SR range offers a diverse selection of petrol and diesel sterndrive engines, ensuring a guaranteed speed of 30 knots. Opting for diesel power may slightly inflate the base price of EUR €248,000 ex VAT, potentially nearing EUR €300,000. Bavaria is exploring the possibility of introducing a single-engine variant, which could further reduce the price while potentially enhancing efficiency. This consideration is particularly relevant as the SR33 features a relatively modest 500-liter (132-gallon) fuel tank, smaller compared to its competitors.

Interior Balance

The attention-grabbing SR transom seat, maximizing the expansive stern of the boat, undoubtedly stands out as a key feature that will attract many potential buyers for a closer inspection. However, the ultimate success of the boat hinges on the overall balance of its design, particularly below decks.

A significant design consideration revolves around the decision to offer three four-berth models that are nearly identical in size. One contributing factor to this choice is affordability. By utilizing smaller engines and streamlining the production process, Bavaria can offer a range of pricing starting from the €UR 250,000 base figure and reaching beyond €UR 500,000 for the SR41.

Both the 11.7-meter SR36 and the 13.2-meter SR41 feature two separate sleeping cabins. The SR41, however, offers two toilet and shower compartments compared to the SR36's one, giving it a more spacious feel. If your cruising plans involve two couples, the additional heads and increased space of the SR41 may be more appealing. Fortunately, there's a noticeable price gap between the two models to aid in decision-making.

As for the SR33, its unique value proposition lies in its ability to strike a balance between size, amenities, and price point within the SR range.

Open & Closed Case

Despite its model name positioning it below the SR36, the SR33 is only slightly shorter by 11 inches, with near-identical cockpits. Below decks, the slightly lower LOA of the SR33 is noticeable but not significant. The main difference lies in the open-plan main cabin of the SR33, where the forward double berth is only curtained off. This design choice creates a relaxed interior ambiance and allows for a spacious pantry area, along with a nearly identical toilet and shower compartment compared to the SR36.

For cruising as a family or couple, the layout of the SR33 is highly functional. If cruising as a couple, the open cabin design essentially becomes your private stateroom, complete with a lounge, bar, and ensuite. Additionally, there is a proper, separate mid-cabin with full-standing headroom at the entranceway, ample ports, and a useful bench seat. If the need arises for two separate cabins, the SR36 is the better option. However, if you're willing to pay for a bit more space and the luxury of a private toilet and shower, the SR41 is the ideal choice.

As the details come together, the rationale behind each model within the SR range becomes clearer, allowing buyers to find the perfect fit for their cruising needs.

Interior Accommodation

An unmistakable trait of the SR series, which we wholeheartedly support, is the preference for cooking on deck rather than below. In the SR33, a galley unit below decks serves primarily for storage and additional refrigeration, while a deep sink facilitates washing up efficiently. The adjacent dining area, though neat, is more functional than convivial, providing a space for gathering, enjoying coffee, and dining in privacy with a bench and stool arrangement.

The open forward double berth is positioned low for easy access and is surrounded by lockers and pockets for convenient storage. Generous stowage options abound throughout the SR33, with lockers strategically placed and clean storage voids under seats and berths. While some boats in this size class offer a closed forward cabin, few manage to combine two cabins with a lower lounge, and none rival the spaciousness and sense of openness offered by the SR33.

The toilet and shower compartment in the SR33 is indeed not identical to the SR36, but it closely mirrors its size and design. The compartment features a sensible layout, with the toilet and shower thoughtfully separated from the sink and vanity unit. This configuration ensures that one-half of the compartment remains dry while also creating a convenient seat for the shower.

Separate Mid-Cabin

Accessed through its portside door, the mid-cabin of the SR33 is truly impressive. Bavaria has cleverly extended the cockpit footwell well into the cabin, providing standing headroom throughout. While the SR36 features a bench seat that could serve as a child’s berth, the SR33, is simply a seat — but a highly functional one. Here, you can comfortably spend time and enjoy panoramic views through two tiers of hull-side windows.

Helm Station

At the single helm, a raised lounger and a tidy little seat to port provide seating for two or three additional passengers to join the skipper. Sliding side windows on each side offer not only valuable ventilation when the sunroof is closed but also facilitate easy communication with the deck or shore.

The console design is simple yet elevated, especially with the optional Glass Helm—an integrated Raymarine design featuring two 12-inch MFD screens. Reflecting Bavaria's confident character, the helm boasts a sleek sports steering wheel and prominent branding on the seat. Bavaria's expertise shines through in the throttle setup, particularly with the optional joystick positioned further back for optimal control.

Deck Lifestyle

The SR transom seat design, consistent across the three models, shines particularly bright here, offering a superb lounge area and captivating seascape views on a smaller vessel. Positioned outside of the hardtop overhang, it remains open to the elements and easily converts into a sunpad. While options like the telescopic table or extra storage infill are available, ample storage space is already provided under the transom seats.

Moreover, the transom design facilitates excellent dual access from the swim platform and onto the side decks, enhanced by strategically placed grab rails and stanchion posts extending aft.

Remarkably, this 11-meter boat boasts proper side decks—an often overlooked feature in vessels of this size. While many boats struggle to provide adequate decks at this length, some don't include them at all. Here, you'll find two wide, secure decks that lead seamlessly to the foredeck. Although there's no foredeck seating akin to the Beneteau GT32 or Regal Grande Coupes, an optional pad is available, with the transom lounge offering a comfortable alternative.

A Cooking Cockpit

The transom seats merge with the cockpit lounge, with a pivoting backrest creating a fluid connection between the two. A standout feature is the wet bar, a common inclusion on boats, but this one stands out for its larger size and thoughtful design to accommodate a two-burner hob and deep lockers. While an additional wet bar fridge is available as an option, it's a common feature on most boats.

Regarding the hardtop design, there's the option of a GRP electric sunroof, as seen here, or a more cost-effective canvas roof. Each option has its pros and cons — the canvas roof has a limited shelf life, while the electric sunroof offers less open sky for a higher price. Regardless of the choice, investing in the aft canopy curtain will be necessary for added comfort and protection.

Value For Money

Bavaria's forte has long been providing diesel-powered sportsboats and cruisers to a market largely dominated by petrol-engined US brands. Particularly appealing to European buyers, these diesel boats offered lower running costs without sacrificing the ability to cruise comfortably at 30 knots.

While there were still some areas for improvement on the options list, the overall package — whether petrol or diesel — remained highly valued for its combination of practicality, style, and affordability. This trend continues today, although there are indications that the pendulum may be shifting back towards petrol options.

At €UR 290,000, the Volvo Penta D4-300 diesel base price still represents excellent value when compared to other offerings in the market. However, this option does alter the dynamics of the boat. In contrast, the standard €UR 248,000 355hp 6.2l V6 Mercruisers seem like the more favorable choice. The additional €UR 10,000 for the Mercruiser joystick, compared to the €UR 15,000 for the Volvo Penta option, further emphasizes this point. Opting for a bow thruster adds €UR 5,000 to the total cost.

Beyond engine choices, the optional €UR 15,000 Comfort Package offers enticing features such as underwater and deck lighting, stylish teak decking, a cockpit fridge, and an electric flush toilet. Investing in the GRP sunroof will set you back around €UR 8,000, whereas opting for the canvas option costs a more modest €UR 1,700. Additionally, the sleek 12-inch Simrad Glass Helm comes in at approximately €UR 9,000.

This review began by questioning the cohesion of Bavaria's SR range, but now it's clear: these models offer buyers a rare simplicity in their choices. The progression in size, space, and cost is straightforward, supported by a design ethos that balances fun and functionality across the lineup. The SR33 stands out as potentially the best of the trio, encapsulating the SR cruising experience in a smaller hull. It's important to note that everything that makes the SR33 exceptional comes as standard—a testament to Bavaria's commitment to delivering value to boaters.

Reasons to Buy

• All the SR features at 11m
• Spacious interior
• Cockpit design
• Excellent deck access and stowage

Things to Consider

• No forward cabin
• Diesel engines hike price

Bavaria is a dominant force in the under 12m category, but it faces stiff competition from various European rivals.

Galeon, for instance, offers two 11m sportscruisers, the 370HTC and the 365HTS. The former features a coupe design with cockpit doors, creating space for a practical three-cabin layout below decks. Meanwhile, the latter, with its open hardtop design, provides versatility with options for cockpit doors and a separate mid-cabin.

Beneteau adds to the competition with the Gran Turismo 32 and 36, positioned around the Bavaria in terms of size. The GT36 offers a lower lounge and separate cabins, while the GT32 impresses with its social cockpit and convertible dinette below decks.

Sessa's C3X, slightly shorter than the Bavaria, utilizes space effectively with options for a lounge or galley and two separate cabins. Jeanneau's NC37, a coupe design, features a bright and functional enclosed galley and lounge, complemented by an impressive three-cabin layout.

Lastly, the Regal 36 Grande Coupe stands out with its bright deck salon and two-cabin accommodation. It boasts impressive speed, thanks to the option for outboard engines, making it a compelling competitor in the segment.

Specifications

• Builder Bavaria Yachts
• Range SR-Line
• Length Overall 37.402ft
• Beam 11.352ft
• Draft 2.822ft
• Yacht Type (Primary) Sports Yacht
• Use Type (Primary) Weekending
• Cruising Speed Max Speed
• Fuel Capacity 132 Gallons
• Fresh Water Capacity 66 Gallons
• Engine Model 2x Volvo Penta D4-300

Bavaria SR33 Layout

The SR transom design makes full use of the main, wide-body section of the boat and connects to the main cockpit. Note the decent wet bar to starboard.  

The open main cabin is joined by a separate mid and a toilet and shower compartment as good as that found on the SR33. There is no lower galley but there is a pantry areas and fridge. 

Carl Richardson

Carl is a writer, editor, presenter and content creator specialising in yachting as well as men’s luxury. A former magazine editor, Carl has amassed some 20 years of hands-on experience with motorboats, testing over 350 models.

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Sailboat Review: Bavaria C38

The forward-thinking design on the c38 leaves plenty of space in the bow for an owner’s en suite stateroom with a king-size berth., by mark pillsbury april 20, 2022.

For the past several years, practically all of the design surprises that have caught my eye on new sailboats have been abaft the mast. In no particular order, these innovative features include hull chines, twin rudders, pop-up TVs, house-style refrigerators, galleys forward in the saloon, sinks and grills on the stern, sun beds between a ­monohull’s twin wheels, and lounges on the coachroof to either side of the companionway. Some of these make the boat sail ­better, while others make it a more comfortable place to enjoy life on the water.

But this past fall, it was the pointy end—or, should I say, the not-so-pointy end—of the Bavaria C38 that stood out. It made an impression from above, as I looked across the broad foredeck, and down ­below, where the builder’s in-house team and Cossutti Yacht Design somehow found a way to install a king-size berth in the owner’s stateroom, while still leaving room for a hanging locker and a head-and-shower compartment, all forward of the mast.

For a decade or more, even as beam measurement amidships has steadily increased and been carried aft to allow for ever more spacious twin staterooms, most boats still have been built with a bow that’s shaped like an arrow point. The Bavaria V-bow, as the company calls it, has a more radial shape and ­hullsides that flare out above the waterline, creating all that living space in the interior.

In a briefing with  CW ’s  Boat of the Year  judges, a ­company representative described the 38 as a family coastal ­cruiser. I thought that design brief seemed pretty accurate as we went through the boat, and later took it out for a sail. If kids and their friends are the crew, you could pack a pile of them into the two aft cabins, and the dining table in the saloon drops down to form a third double berth. And they could all share the head and shower compartment to starboard, at the foot of the companionway. Meantime, mom and pop can escape to the big forward stateroom.

The forward stateroom’s en suite head compartment does cut into a corner of the berth, but couples who plan to only occasionally have grandkids or friends aboard can ­forgo the forward head. They also could turn one of the aft cabins into a workspace or stowage, which is standard.

In all three configurations, the saloon stays unchanged. A settee, with a nav desk forward of it, is to port, opposite the dining table and a U-shaped, cushioned seat. The tabletop folds open to handle a crew of six or more. Abaft the ­settee is an L-shaped galley with a sink, fridge and three-burner gas stove. The boat we visited ­also had a microwave. Stowage seemed adequate for coastal-­hopping, and the counters had fiddles to keep things from sliding off when heeled.

Topsides, the cockpit ­coamings make good backrests on the benches forward of the twin wheels. The seats are a bit too short for sleeping, the judges noted, but stepping out over the coamings isn’t ­difficult when headed forward.

The saloon table drops down and converts to an additional double berth. Jon Whittle

Having owned (and ­sanded and varnished) a boat with exterior wood handrails and trim, I appreciated the C38’s low-maintenance exterior finish. The raised bulwarks and deck are fiberglass, and handrails on the cabin top are stainless steel. The only exterior wood is on the centerline table in the cockpit. That table’s after end doubles as a nifty place to mount a plotter because it’s visible from either helm. Far forward, there’s a chain locker with good access to the windlass and anchor rode. The anchor itself is stowed on a roller that extends forward, and the bow is further ­protected from accidental dings by a stainless-steel plate. Aft, there is equally good access to the emergency steering and ­quadrant for the single rudder.

With the two-head layout, the forward ­compartment cuts into a portion of the king-size bunk. Jon Whittle

Among the options ­included on the C38 we sailed were three air-conditioning units, a Fusion sound system, and synthetic teak called Esthec on the cockpit seats and sole, and the swim platform. Hardware and electronics were from Seldén, Lewmar and B&G. Sails were from Elvstrøm.

Bavaria builds 500-plus sailboats a year at its factory in Germany, and the C38 is the smallest in the five-boat Cossutti-designed C line; the flagship is a 57-footer. The company builds two other lines of cruising sailboats—the Cruiser and Vision ranges—for a total of 16 models starting at 32 feet.

Bavaria’s hulls and decks are all hand-laminated, with foam coring between inner and outer layers of fiberglass. Aluminum plates are in the composite sandwich wherever hardwaare is to be ­mounted. Hulls and decks are joined with adhesive and screws.

Underway, the C38 is a relatively simple boat to sail, with in-mast furling for the main and a self-tacking jib, also set on a furler. The boat doesn’t have a traveler, so when beating upwind, tacking requires just a turn of the wheel.

The ­rounded bow hints at the volume down below. Jon Whittle

A double-ended mainsheet is led back to winches ­within reach of either of the twin wheels, and sail control lines are all led across the coachroof to clutches and a pair of winches on either side of the companionway. There are also genoa tracks mounted on deck and sheet winches on either coaming, should an owner opt for an overlapping genoa.

Underway, I found that visibility from either wheel was good, thanks to the low-profile cabin. The stainless-steel stern pulpit makes a good backrest when sitting down to steer.

We had moderate conditions the day we took the boat out for a sail on the Chesapeake Bay, right after the close of the United States Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, in October. Sailing hard on the wind in 15 or so knots of breeze, we saw a steady 5.5 knots on the GPS. The track for the self-­tending jib’s car lacked stops, so we weren’t able to get the headsail in as far as we might have liked to, but that’s an easy fix. With the sheets eased a bit for a close reach, our speed jumped to 7 knots and change. ­Under power, the 40 hp Yanmar pushed us along at just over 6 knots, at a fuel-sipping 2,300 rpm cruising speed.

The skipper who ­delivered the boat to the show was along for the ride. He said that they’d encountered a variety of conditions on the ride up from St. Augustine, Florida, and the boat took them all in stride—just as a family cruiser should.

Bavaria C38 Specifications

Original Article: cruisingworld.com

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Bavaria Cruiser 45 review: from the archive

• Toby Hodges
• June 2, 2021

This production 45-footer offers huge volumes of living space from a starting price around £125,000. Toby Hodges finds out just how much much boat you you get for your bucks with the Bavaria Cruiser 45

Under engine, she behaved obediently for a twin-rudder set-up. Credit: Main photo: William Payne

Product Overview

Manufacturer:.

Bavaria is back with a bang. Their collaboration with Farr Yacht Design and Designworks USA has proved to be a dream in terms of sales figures so there are naturally high hopes for the Bavaria Cruiser 45.

The Cruiser 32 has sold a staggering 300 since her launch last September and 60 of the 45s have already been shifted since her debut in Düsseldorf in January.

There is also a 55 and a new 40; a 36 follows this autumn.

The fold-down transom/bathing platform and twin rudder combos have been particularly successful and the Bavaria Cruiser 45 seems to deliver as many benefits as the 55 in an arguably more tempting package.

With a Force 4, gusting 5 briefly at times, and a 1.5-2m swell in Palma Bay, we had ideal testing conditions.

Upwind we were into early 7 knot speeds at 40-45° to the true wind. What the Bavaria Cruiser 45 lacks in feel and response, she makes up for in seakindliness.

I was pleasantly surprised by her motion through the swell and she kept consistent speed without slamming. This was very noticeable down below at heel.

On Bavarias of old things creaked, groaned and banged, but since Farr took over the design work, greater focus has been placed on strength – from laminating bulkheads to the hull and deck to fitting abundant sturdy handholds, and it’s certainly a lot more reassuring.

We cracked off 30° (70-80° true) to reach across the swell at commendable passagemaking speeds of 8.5 knots in 15.

The sails had been specified by the yacht’s Swiss lady owner, who planned to go bluewater sailing , and comprised an in-mast, vertical-battened main, with 107 per cent jib, though a self-tacking option is available.

Sailing the Bavaria Cruiser 45

Rather than the standard Dacron, these had Elvström’s Epex membrane, a modified aramid fibre.

The battens in the main gave it impressive roach and shape for an in-mast sail, aided by good luff tension from the Selden mast profile.

Had we had one on board, an asymmetric would have made friends with the swell.

As it was, our efforts at goose-winging quickly became uncomfortable, producing 6 knots in 12 knots of wind, and we settled instead for some long, lazy reaches for offwind work, making 8 knots at 130° true.

Despite using a steel-link system, the steering didn’t feel direct, but the dual rudders provide good tracking, and an improvement in rudder angle over the original design for the 55 proved noticeable.

That flat, low coachroof makes for clear views forward and the helmsman has easy side deck access and lift-up sole plates for good standing security.

The split backstay set-up, however, restricts seated comfort in the after quarters of the cockpit.

Under engine, she behaved obediently for a twin-rudder set-up, making 6.8 knots at 2,000rpm with her upgraded 75hp motor.

On balance, an enjoyable boat to sail, though slightly lacking in response, but easy to handle with creditable performance.

Make your way down the narrow, steep companionway and what greets you is not that visually exciting. But you’ll soon appreciate what these new Cruisers offer in abundance – space.

It has to be seen to be believed. Headroom is key – a pro basketball player would be quite content in any of the cabins.

The saloon has a nav area, but no dedicated nav seat.

The luxury of having an en-suite heads for each cabin is unique at this size too – this will be greatly appreciated on charter.

The test boat’s interior was done in mahogany, but light oak and walnut veneers are also available. However, the large surface areas of bulwark panels make for a rather monotonous appearance.

Ten colour schemes are available for the upholstery – we had the white leather option.

Like the Impression 444, the small windows, hatches and ports combine well to encourage natural light, but unlike her rival, the Cruiser’s sole is convenient on one level.

Build for the future

Design by Farr and BMW Designworks USA does not come cheap and demonstrates the investment Elan have made in this model.

Build cost will have increased with all those flush hatches and windows.

The laminating process is also a lot more detailed, with greater reinforcement and new tray moulds for structural stiffness, encapsulating the keel top.

But Bavaria still manage to keep the end price down.

On deck of the Bavaria Cruiser 45

• A useful aluminium toerail, large cleats and double bow roller, plus a proper sail locker with steps/ladder.
• The helmsman’s seat to starboard lifts to expose the engine controls. The overdrive facility provided by the optional Gori prop meant that she could rack up good speed.
• The main part of the transom lowers electronically to provide a huge swim/bathing platform, which is a true selling point of this boat.
• Multiple windows equal a light and airy (huge) interior, helped by exaggerated freeboard.
• The large table is superb for bracing against and, while the coamings are a little low, it’s a comfortable spot under the sprayhood looking aft.
• Cockpit stowage is impressive – you could fit a deflated tender in any of the three large lockers (the central one under the sole is particularly capacious)

Below deck on the Bavaria Cruiser 45

The uninspiring table could fit eight at a squeeze.

The saloon is a no-frills zone, even in optional leather fit-out.

The uninspiring table could fit eight at a squeeze, there’s little practical stowage and the aft-facing chart table area is bland.

Losing a dedicated navigation area to the heads on this size of boat speaks volumes about its market.

There’s an abundance of flush worktop area.

Linear galleys have their critics.

They can be less secure and practical at heel, but with an L-shaped aft end and sturdy bracing against the saloon seat, this arrangement works well, boosting the open-plan format.

The 140lt front-opening, forward-facing fridge combines with a large lift-top unit.

There’s an abundance of flush worktop area, but only a two-burner stove (with limited room to gimbal) and, despite three pan cupboards below, again useful stowage is limited, with just four small raised lockers and one drawer.

For once these are not cramped for space and you can turn around, touch the ground, practise yoga, or whatever you like.

Headroom is a lofty 6ft 10in and the double berth is generous.

There’s excellent machinery space and good engine access between cabins, but elsewhere locker space is wanting.

The en-suites are light and roomy and a pleasure for both cabins to have their own, where a 6ft 3in person can stand upright under the shower.

The sink and stowage are a little small and rather plastic.

Forward cabin

The berth is big enough to sleep a couple athwartships as well as fore and aft.

What could be described as a ‘hallway’ separates a seated shower room to port and the heads to starboard – a practical layout.

Forward of this can be the grand master cabin we had on the test boat, or optional twin doubles.

The berth is big enough to sleep a couple athwartships as well as fore and aft, with side shelves providing support to lean against, but again the open layout seems a little bland.

Headroom is 6ft 8in and while there’s plenty of space beneath the bed, stowage elsewhere is poor.

It’s one thing to produce a lot of boat for your buck. And the Bavaria Cruiser 45 is a serious amount of boat. But it’s another to design it well inside and out, to build it to an acceptable standard and above all, to make it sail satisfactorily.

So on all counts bravo to Bavaria. I hold my hand up; I really didn’t take to their old cruiser line. For me they looked cheap, with limited positives. But I’m impressed with this boat. It sails well, it seems to be well-built and well-designed, but above all provides acres of space.

A relative lack of stowage in all cabins is a blemish, and not having a dedicated navigator’s seat on a 45-footer is something that would alarm many.

But these may not be trends that would worry the Bavaria Cruiser 45’s target customer.

The single-level living area is a merger of three areas (galley, saloon, nav area) which will arguably make the less salty types feel at home.

And once you’ve experienced en-suite heads in all cabins, there’s just no going back!

First published in the October 2010 issue of YW.

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Bavaria 50 Cruiser

• By Mark Pillsbury
• Updated: October 19, 2012

As far as boat tests go, I could’ve been easily distracted during my sail aboard the Bavaria 50 Cruiser , the last in the model line to be revamped by the team at Farr Yacht Design . First, the arid, rock-strewn hills of the Turkish coast around Alacati were like nothing I’d ever seen. Greek isles danced in the distance. Atop the surrounding ridges, farms of wind generators stood testament to the fact that this area of the Aegean is among the windiest to be found and the ideal exotic proving grounds for Germany’s largest boatbuilder.

And then there was the wind itself to talk about, or, to be more precise, the totally baffling near-complete lack of it, which had us bobbing about much of the morning before we motored in for lunch, hoping that the afternoon’s heat might scare up a breeze.

The 50 Cruiser, though, and the crew from Bavaria managed to command my full attention as we motored out and back, the 75-horsepower Volvo and optional Gori propeller pushing us along at a very respectable cruising speed of 7.6 knots at 2,200 rpm and at 8.5 knots or better with the engine wide open. For yuks, I throttled back and threw the power plant into reverse. We came to a sharp halt, backed and turned with ease, and, once under way again, took a tight spin and watched the 50 twirl around, upright and within a boat length and a half of itself. Under power, at least, this all-round-sailer delivered an agile performance.

Post lunch, we’d learn that the boat was a spritely light-air sailer, too.

To be honest, this was the first of the Farr-designed Bavarias that I’d been aboard, and I was struck immediately by the solid feel of the boat and the well-thought-out layout on deck and below. From the dock, we stepped aboard the electric-powered fold-down transom and swim platform, which provided uncluttered access to a cockpit that was flanked at its aft end by a split backstay and twin pedestals with Lewmar wheels and rack-and-pinion steering. A sturdy cockpit table provided a good handhold and could double as a place to brace when the boat heels. In addition to teak on the cockpit sole and swim platform, the model we sailed had optional teak decks that provided solid footing forward.

The double-spreader Seldén in-mast furling main is controlled by a sheet led to a cabin-top winch, an arrangement that’s typical on cruising boats but puts control of the sail several steps away from a singlehanded or short-crewed helmsman. Sheets for the slightly overlapping 106-percent genoa (on a Furlex furler) run to fairleads inboard on the cabin top, and from there to electric winches on the cockpit coamings, leaving the side decks free from clutter and making sail control a fingertip exercise. However, one does have to leave the wheel and step forward around the helm and between the table and seats to handle sheets when tacking.

Under sail, in 9 knots true, we hit just under 7 knots and tacked through 85 degrees. Still, it left me wanting more. The smooth-feeling steering led me to believe that with a little more wind, we’d have heeled smartly, the leeward of the twin rudders would’ve dug in, and we’d have been off for a spirited beat or, better yet, a reach like the one enjoyed by a Bavaria 50 owner with whom I spoke that evening following his arrival from a several-day sail from the Med.

Belowdecks, the 50 is downright spacious, with the saloon laid out to accommodate a crowd. A U-shaped amidships galley to port keeps the cook a part of the party, and the amply sized table with U-shaped seating to starboard and an amidships bench could easily seat eight. I liked the idea of the head to starboard of the companionway and just forward of that side’s aft cabin. It has a separate shower that can double as a place to store wet foulies. A private head and sink is to port for the other aft double. The four-cabin model we tested had a cabin forward of the galley with two bunks and a head and shower opposite to starboard. A large owner’s cabin and V-berth were forward, just aft of a water-tight bulkhead and the deep chain locker in the bow.

Three other layouts are available: a three-cabin model with an enormous owners space forward that includes a large head and shower to port and extended hanging lockers to starboard; a four-cabin layout that splits the V-berth in two, each side with its own head; and a five-cabin model with the split V-berth, a shared head forward, and a cabin with two bunks. The interior is well lit and airy, thanks to 17 opening hatches and 12 ports, and comes with wood and sole options that range from light-colored ones to dark chestnut.

Farr has drawn a hull shape with a fairly fine entry, broad shoulders, and a beam that’s carried aft. The layup consists of gelcoat and a layer of vinylester resin outboard, then solid hand-laid polyester and glass below the waterline and a glass-and-Airex foam sandwich above. The deck is Airex cored as well, with integral aluminum plates in the laminate where hardware is mounted.

Intended to be a well-rounded cruiser for both the private owner and charterer, the Bavaria 50 delivers good value with its $377,000 price tag. Add performance into the equation, and it’s hard not to enjoy an afternoon out on the 50 Cruiser. With a little wind and a destination in mind, a week or more wouldn’t be so bad, either.

Mark Pillsbury is CW ‘s editor.

View photos of the Bavaria 50 Cruiser here.

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Bavaria Reviews

The firm’s current range includes motor boats, catamarans and sailing yachts, ranging in size from 30ft to 55ft.

New models are currently imported to the UK by brokerage firms Clipper Marine (power & sail boats) and Key Yachting (catamarans).

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Fast and fuel efficient, thanks to the space saving benefits of sterndrives the Bavaria R40 packs a lot into 40 foot

Review Price: £400,000.00

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The Bavaria E40 Fly offers full displacement cruising and an aft cabin in a neat 40ft package, Jack Haines gets to grips with it in the Solent

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Bavaria Sport 39

How will this German contender fare in such a competitive market?

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Germany takes on the establishment as Bavaria launches its first flybridge cruiser.

Review Price: £290,175.00

Bavaria sport 38.

Coming in at under £200k, this sportscruiser looks like a lot of boat for the money. But how much bang do you actually get for your buck?

Review Price: £157,582.00

Bavaria 38 sport.

This 38-footer is a marked step up for the German yard

Review Price: £157,000.00

Bavaria 28 sport.

Bavaria delivers an affordable cruiser with attitude

Review Price: £103,061.00

Bavaria 46 - built in conjunction with BMW Design Works

Review Price: £390,000.00

Bavaria new deep blue 46 ht.

New Bavaria Deep Blue 46 HT - slightly retro style

Bavaria 30 Hardtop

Bavaria 30 Hardtop - roomy and comfortable with more room inside than seems possible!

Review Price: £127,500.00

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Bavaria Deep Blue 46 Flybridge is their first ever flybridge

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• Sailboat Reviews

Bavaria 38 Ocean

This german-built production cruiser has first-class construction and is favorably priced. for serious cruising, however, she does have a few drawbacks such as a small galley and marginal sea berths..

In our travels to the boat shows, we’ve noticed an increased number of German and Scandinavian boats distributed in the U.S. by American dealerships. Part of the reason, certainly, is favorable exchange rates. To get a feel for how these boats stack up to their American and French counterparts, we decided to test sail the German-built Bavaria 38 Ocean. In a nutshell, it’s a well-built, comfortable cruiser with a small sailplan that may be well suited to offshore passage-making, but will not be exactly spirited in light air.

The Company Bavaria Yachts is a family-owned operation that began as the manufacturer of glass windows. Today, it produces boats in a new, modern plant in Giebelstadt, Germany. The firm evolved into the boatbuilding business in 1970’s, and currently produces approximately 450 boats per year, ranging in size from 29′ to 50′. Bavaria builds several distinct lines. Heavy emphasis is placed on the Holiday series, multi-cabin cruisers destined for the charter fleets in the Mediterranean. The Exclusive line consists of traditional aft cockpit sloops with fewer sleeping compartments, and a large master stateroom. The 38 Ocean features a center-cockpit intended for family cruising. The first boats imported to North America began arriving in 1995, and are in service in a charter fleet in the Pacific Northwest.

Though the company may not have the decades-old pedigree of some competitors, it enjoys among Europeans a reputation as the builder of sturdy, seaworthy boats. Bavaria funds the cost of two Lloyd’s inspectors who are permanently on site to inspect each boat as it works its way through the production line. Consequently, boats aren’t simply “built to Lloyd’s specifications,” but are issued a Germanischer Lloyd A5 certificate that covers hull, rig, engine, electrical system and locking devices.

Design Bavaria yachts are designed by the J and J design office, a relatively obscure firm founded by brothers Jernej and Japec Jakopin in 1983. Their first yacht, the Elan 31, was an immediate success, winning the 3/4 Ton world championships; more than 700 were produced. The firm subsequently formed a boat engineering company, Seaway, that offers marketing, design, tooling and prototyping services.

J and J works with more than 20 production yards in Europe, and has designed boats for Jeanneau, Bavaria, and Dufour, in collaboration with Bruce Farr, Doug Peterson and the Jeanneau design team. Three designs received Boat of the Year awards at the 1997 Dusseldorf boat show.

The pleasing lines of the Holiday and Exclusive models are similar in appearance to many Baltic, Swan, Wauquiez and Swedish Yachts.

The Ocean 38 Ocean, because it is a center-cockpit design, presents a different look. Its beam is considerable (13′ 2″), which gives us some concern regarding inverse stability and upwind performance. On the other hand, it makes for a large interior and increases initial stability.

The displacement/length (D/L) ratio is 217, and the sail area/displacement (SA/D) ratio is 17.8, numbers that are reasonable for most coastal cruising conditions. The D/L is a bit low for what most people would consider suitable for blue-water cruising.

The whale’s tail fin keel and spade rudder represent current thinking to improve lift and control. The boat is available with either 5′ 1″ or 6′ 5″ draft.

We think that one of the major drawbacks of a center cockpit arrangement is the height above the water, which can translate to mal de mer in heavy seas when the boat pitches and rolls; the tradeoff is a drier ride, even when pounding to weather, as we learned on a trip from San Francisco to Hawaii.

Construction The firm boasts that most of its employees have been working for Bavaria for more than 10 years, most having come through its formal apprenticeship program. A video we reviewed showed the operation to be highly efficient. Wood is brought into the wood shop as logs and milled; workers in the lay-up process are presented with shopping carts filled with numbered sheets of fiberglass that have been precut to specific sizes by a computer, and premixed containers of resin, so there is no deviation in the lay-up.

The downside to this rigid approach is that no customizing is possible. As Henry Ford said, “You can have any color you want as long as it’s black.”

The lay-up methods are fairly straightforward. The outer skin is powder-bonded glass mat and isopthalic resins. The hull below the waterline is solid fiberglass laid up to a thickness of 32 mm with alternating layers of 15-ounce and 20-ounce Verotex woven roving. The forward section of the hull, from the bow aft to the first bulkhead, is reinforced with a 2-mm thick layer of Kevlar. Additional strength is provided by double layers of fiberglass extending 12″ to either side of the centerline from the bow to the rudderpost, and a double lamination on the keel flange, a Lloyd’s requirement.

The hull is additionally strengthened by solid fiberglass stringers, and beams running athwartships that are bonded to the hull with S-glass. The engine bed is also laminated to the hull, and an aluminum engine bracket is glassed to its timbers so that engine bolts are lagged through the metal piece to the bed.

All of the interior bulkheads, as well as cabinetry and closets, are bonded to the hull before the deck is laid on. Areas around hatches are reinforced with marine-grade plywood.

A company video shows the boat sailing at full speed into a seawall. After the third collision, the boat is hauled, revealing only scrape marks in the bottom paint.

The hull above the waterline as well as the deck are cored with 15-mm Divinycell to provide strength, warmth, and a noise barrier.

The method of attaching deck hardware is unique. Winches and cleats are mounted to 3/4″ thick aluminum backing plates bonded into the deck.

Deck Layout Because the boat is targeted for cruisers who are more likely to hoist a reacher or drifter than a spinnaker, the deck arrangement is rather simple. In fact, there are only four winches. The primary sheet winches are Harken 44 self-tailers, and on the coachroof, to handle halyards, reefing and furling lines there are two Harken 40’s aft of Rutgerson rope clutches. Track for the jib cars is located at the base of the deckhouse and is equipped with Rutgerson cars, as is the mainsheet, which is located at the aft end of the cockpit.

Though there’s adequate room in the cockpit to seat six passengers, and enough length for a 6-footer to stretch out for a nap, we discovered that the steering pedestal can inhibit crew work. The helmsman will find the mainsheet, which is located on the aft coaming of the cockpit, and both jib winches, to be within close reach from the normal steering position. However, because jib winches are well aft, crew will soon discover that moving from windward to leeward will require navigating forward around the front of the pedestal on tacks, or aft of the cockpit. Our test boat was equipped with a storm dodger that extended aft from the five-piece windshield. This arrangement kept us out of the wind on a cold winter day. When tacking, however, we found it difficult to make the trip across the boat in the space between the dodger and front of the pedestal.

With 16″ of pathway between the teak toerail and the cabin trunk, movement fore and aft is easy; additionally, boats are equipped with double lifelines, stainless steel stanchions, a bow pulpit and pulpits on each corner of the stern. So, with the addition of jacklines, a crew can operate in relative safety, even at night. The boat is a 9/10 fractional rig, which we think performs more like a typical masthead rig. The mast is a tapered, double spreader Selden spar supported by 3/8″ wire standing rigging. Standard equipment includes a Furlex headsail furler, hard vang, topping lift, and hand-cranked backstay adjuster. The sail inventory consists of a 5.7-ounce Dacron Elvstrom mainsail with car sliding system and two reef points. Buyers can opt for a conventional, fully-battened main, or an in-mast furling mainsail at no additional cost. Selection of the furling mainsail reduces the size of the mainsail by 75 square feet, and the ability to shape the sail.

Stowage on the deck is in several large areas. The bow area has a chain locker large enough for an electric winch, as well as 100′ of 3/8″ chain, and rope. The stainless steel double roller, which houses a 44-lb. CQR anchor, is designed to can’tilever downwards when the anchor is lowered. This simplifies the task while avoiding damage to the gelcoat. A second stowage area aft of the locker is large enough for dock lines and fenders, and the windlass motor.

Stowage to starboard in the stern is designated for fire extinguishers; to port is a locker for propane tanks. European boats are typically plumbed for butane, so the aft compartment of boats headed for North America must be modified to provide space for propane tanks, since sizes and shapes are dramatically different. The compartment is properly vented overboard.

The stern is clearly designed for the casual cruiser. It houses a two-step swim platform equipped with a stainless steel ladder hinged to go in the water, and a freshwater shower. The emergency rudder mounts outboard on the platform. Long-distance cruisers will be challenged by the engineering necessary to mount a mechanical wind vane.

Belowdecks The generous beam of the Bavaria 38 Ocean provides large, comfortable spaces in which to lounge and sleep. The workmanship is of a quality found in boats costing considerably more.

The layout of the saloon is fairly typical, with the galley and the engine compartment beneath the companionway. A folding dining table and 6′ 6″ settee are located to port. A similarly sized settee is to starboard, forward of the nav station. The head, with doors from the saloon or the skipper’s stateroom, is to starboard.

The boat is particularly well ventilated by four deck hatches, three forward and one in the aft stateroom, and four opening ports on each side of the deckhouse. We found the boat to be well lighted, even on a cloudy, rainy day.

The master stateroom spans the stern and has a 6′ long, 5′ 6″ wide berth in the center of a compartment having 6′ feet of headroom that is surrounded by finely finished mahogany closets and cabinetry, and heavy, 3″ cushions. Because boats seem to shrink in size in proportion to the number of people aboard, we liked the fact that both staterooms have sitting areas that, albeit small, provide some private space.

The head, which is subdivided by a plastic curtain, is equipped with a single stainless sink, hot and cold water, and a medicine cabinet. The shower area has 6′ of headroom and 30″ of elbow room.

The V-berth measures 6′ 4″ on the centerline, and is 6′ wide at the head, tapering to 18″ at the bow. Cabinetry includes a 43″ tall hanging locker to starboard and a similarly sized cabinet with three shelves to port.

About the only drawbacks we noted were the lack of a good, tight sea berth or two, and the size of working space available in the navigation station and galley, which oppose each other amidships near the companionway. But while one might wish them larger, the space would have to be subtracted from the dining area and head. One must remember that despite its great beam, this boat is still just 38′ LOA. The working surface on the nav station is only 22″ deep and 38″ wide. The galley runs fore and aft, and is equipped with a double stainless steel sink, two burner stove, and an L-shaped countertop. There’s adequate working space on the 24″ x 66″ countertop when the stove is covered. However, when the stove is in use, 24″ of countertop are lost, so the cook may have to use the dining table for preparations.

The boat’s mechanical systems are well-conceived and executed.

The engine compartment is accessible by removing the companionway steps, and via a removable panel in the galley. This permits one to work on all four sides of the engine. The Whitlock cable steering system is directly overhead and easy to inspect or service.

Wiring and plumbing are accessible by removing wooden panels in the back of stowage compartments. We found all wiring to be bundled and wrapped every 6″, which reduces the possibility of chafe. Through-hulls are bronze with stainless steel ball valves, and all hoses and manifolds are accessible and double clamped. Though the headliner is not removable, deck hardware fasteners can be inspected by removing mahogany covers attached to the overhead.

Performance We tested the boat on a rainy day on flat water in wind speeds ranging from 15-22 knots. Whether you like the looks of the five-section permanent windshield is a personal matter, but it certainly affords superior protection from the weather and is easy to see through. The center section opens to provide ventilation. There certainly is a trend amongst cruisers toward hard dodgers or at least hard-top dodgers, and a permanent windscreen is a good foundation from which to design an all-weather enclosure.

Under power, the 50-hp. Volvo Penta, equipped with a fixed, 3-blade prop, powered the boat into 10 knots of wind at 7 knots at 2,500 rpm. We noticed that at 2,100 rpm the noise level belowdecks allowed conversation at normal voice levels; at 2,500 rpm engine noise was more noticeable.

The saildrive has pros and cons. Its horizontal thrust is efficient, but the aluminum housing is vulnerable to corrosion, particularly from stray AC currents in marinas. Owners should monitor the unit carefully. The Wauquiez Pretorien 35 reviewed last month also has a saildrive, and owners were cautioned to regularly replace the zincs and to dive on it for a visual inspection every 90 days.

The boat proved responsive to the helm, and easily turned a tight 360°. She also tracked well in reverse, even in gusty conditions.

Our test boat had both furling main and jib, which will simplify sailhandling for cruising couples. The furling main looked disproportionately small for this size boat. We also learned rather quickly the importance of fully hoisting the main; if there’s a scallop at the tack, the sail will not furl into the mast.

We began the test sail with a full main and 150% genoa and discovered very quickly that we were overcanvassed. We shortened the jib to about 90% and in this configuration we sailed comfortably to within 40° of the apparent wind at just less than 6 knots. The boat tracked well. Because the jib sheeting angle is 16°, it is unlikely the boat will sail closer to the wind. Speed increased to 7.5 knots when we footed off and sailed at 85°, but she became less stable so we further reduced the headsail. She proved more manageable at 120°.

We suspect that owners will be motoring until wind speed reaches 6-8 knots, and using the 150% genoa until wind speed reaches 10 knots. In stiffer breezes, she’ll need a shortened headsail or reef in the main. However, with a properly balanced sailplan, we think most cruisers will find the boat manageable and comfortable.

Sailors in gusty conditions, such as San Francisco Bay, will find a sail inventory consisting of main and genoa to be adequate; the need for a light air drifter or reacher will become apparent where winds are lighter.

Conclusion We think the Bavaria is an exceptionally well-built boat. She’s finely finished; gelcoat surfaces are smooth; and joinerwork is of the highest quality. Crew and guests will find accommodations below to be spacious and well-appointed.

The Bavaria 38 Ocean comes well-equipped with brand-name hardware, Par head, Espar forced-air heater, and a Coolmatic 12-volt refrigeration system that fared poorly in our December 1, 1996 test. Though securing foreign replacement parts can be a headache, the North American distributor maintains a modest inventory of post-1992 parts for all Bavaria yachts.

The boat comes with an extensive list of standard equipment such as teak cockpit seating and sole, ICOM VHF radio, Autohelm ST 50 instruments, dodger, windlass and anchor with 165′ of chain.

Given current exchange rates and a sailaway price of $189,900 (US), fob Seattle, or $182,990 (US), fob Annapolis, we think the boat is a very good value. For comparison, the somewhat larger Jeanneau 40 Deck Saloon 40 lists at $190,000 and the superb but somewhat smaller Halberg Rassy 36 at a bit under $200,000. A more run-of-the-mill production boat, such as the Beneteau Oceanis 381, starts at $138,000.

Contact- Yacht Sales West, Unit B, 2144 Westlake Ave. N, Seattle, WA, 98109; 206/378-0081. In Canada, Yacht Sales West, 1523 Foreshore Walk, Vancouver, BC, Canada; 604/488-1202.

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Bavaria 38 (2002)

• September 24, 2009

Bavaria 38 (2002) - easy to handle and comfortable

Product Overview

Manufacturer:, price as reviewed:.

By 2002 Bavaria’s annual production had soared to well over 2,000 boats a year and its reputation for offering a lot of boat for little money was well established. The headline price of this J&J design was just £62,863 – significantly less than the opposition, although the standard specification was sketchy. Sailing performance was better than some early Bavarias but still not in the sporty class. She was easy to handle, though, and reasonably comfortable in a seaway. Below decks, the décor remained quite heavy but stylish and there was plenty of living room (legroom in the saloon was, however, criticised). The dinette was to starboard with the large, longitudinal galley to port. Two aftercabins and a forecabin provided three double bunks. The chart table was adequate and the single heads large. Stowage was good.