bavaria yachts quality

Yachting World

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Bavaria Vision 46 review: from the archive

• Toby Hodges
• June 1, 2021

After a mixed reaction to their Cruiser range, Bavaria turned to superyacht specialists to vamp up the new Bavaria Vision 46. Toby Hodges finds out if a star has been born

This is the first Bavaria with an underdeck furler (Selden Furlex), a retractable bow thruster and an electric windlass in the sizeable chain locker. Credit: Paul Wyeth

Product Overview

Manufacturer:.

Bringing in a big name to put their design stamp on a new range is an established way for a production builder to boost marketing potential – much like a Hollywood star being drafted into a movie to up box office appeal. But would the new Bavaria Vision 46 benefit from some start quality?

For the revamp of their Cruiser line, Bavaria contracted Farr Yacht Design for the naval architecture and BMW designworks USA for the styling. However, just as a Michael Fassbender or Naomi Watts on a billboard will not necessarily ensure a film’s success, the result was no crowd pleaser.

They produced a stiffer, more balanced and rewarding yacht than Bavaria cruisers of old, but the overall look was not pretty – the ports looked as if they were borrowed from an armoured van.

Faced with strong competition from Bénéteau’s Sense range, Elan’s Impression and Jeanneau’s Sun Odyssey, which were offering clients light, volume and comfort, Bavaria were forced to rethink for the new Vision line.

CEO Dr Jens Ludmann was brought in two years ago from the automotive industry and the Bavaria Vision 46 is the first launch under his watch.

His decision to commission superyacht specialists Design Unlimited for the deck and interior styling proved a shrewd one and, with Farr proving reliable with the hull design, the Bavaria Vision 46 made quite a splash last January.

The teardrop coachroof windows give her a modern look and the sheer level of fresh thinking that has helped make this Vision so light, comfortable and easy to spend time on is immediately obvious once you step aboard.

In fact, the quality throughout this boat shines. It’s the first time Bavaria have used a split mould, and the build has obviously been meticulous.

Then there’s the glitz of push-button gadgets to help promote the ease of sailing short-handed.

There have already been four sales of the Bavaria Vision 46 in the UK and we went to test the first with Clipper Marine.

Director Richard Hewett sees the Cruiser line more for those staying in the UK, while Vision clients head further afield. The test boat was going to a Scottish client who plans to cruise her in the Mediterranean.

Sailing the Bavaria Vision 46

Although styled by some of the best design brains in the business, the Bavaria Vision 46 is still a slab-sided lump to confront on the pontoon. But needs must; volume has to be conjured from somewhere.

The designers have clearly put a premium on cockpit comfort. Bavaria had an exclusivity deal with Lewmar to stock their new self-tacking Revo winches, which allow you to tack the boat at the push of a button.

Mounting the main and primary winches close to the twin wheels leaves the cockpit benches clear of lines, with one coachroof winch for halyards.

In perfect South Coast conditions – Force 4-5 and warm sun – we found the boat comfortable to sail.

• Although the side decks are narrow aft, the high coachroof and integrated rail makes it safe to go forward when heeled.

A single-point backstay leaves those beamy aft quarters unimpeded and, with cushioned backrests – which should surely double as lifebuoys – this area proved very comfortable for the helmsman.

Although from behind the wheel this seems a big boat, the Bavaria Vision 46 always felt manageable.

Beside the wheel an area has been sculpted out to allow the helmsman to straddle the wheel, rest a foot on the pedestal and reach the primaries.

Foot chocks on the sole are well-positioned for helmsman and crew, and it’s easy to move between wheels. Visibility forward (with the sprayhood down) is good.

In 15-18 knots boat speed was adequate – and this was backed up by the polars – thanks to a long waterline that’s just a foot shorter than LOA, although it was hard to ascertain precisely with a roaring spring ebb and no working paddlewheel log.

Push-button tacking

Winches that tack the sheets across automatically at the push of a button are a strange new phenomenon to get your head around: hold a button down and the active winch begins to backwind. Then after a pause to allow the bow to swing, the other winch winds in automatically.

The system certainly worked, but Bavaria’s control panel needs rethinking as it is not intuitive. I have since sailed a Hallberg-Rassy with a similar system which had a much clearer control panel.

Bavaria’s Trim Control system can be linked into a Garmin plotter and autopilot, allowing the helmsman to press ‘tack’ and the whole thing will happen automatically. It’s still a lot to keep an eye on if you are sailing single-handed.

It was certainly necessary to monitor the active winch to make sure it was releasing correctly as the backwinding winch sometimes didn’t release, which could cause a pickle in a tack.

You can also control the mainsheet in and out from the panel if you have the sheet rigged to the coachroof winch.

The test boat had the mainsheet split-sheeted and led aft, which I preferred, as we could take up the windward winch to coax the boom over and invoke some twist in the sail.

Once I got the hang of it, auto-tacking was very easy, though the Bavaria Vision 46 is set up well for short-handed sailing anyway.

Despite 24 knots over the deck and full sail, the cable-linked helms didn’t loaded up too much, and maintained admirable control when heeled.

The 105 per cent jib is a manageable size, even without electronic aid, and with chainplates outboard and sheets led to a track on the coachroof, the Bavaria Vision 46 points well, tacking in just over 80°.

Smart solutions

As you descend the offset companionway, the Bavaria Vision 46 feels stable, with solid grabrails leading down into a large inviting living area.

Thanks to the huge coachroof and hull windows, as well as overhead hatches and 7ft headroom, there is abundant natural light and a pleasant feeling of space.

The accommodation is offered in two or three-cabin formats – the latter has a second heads forward – but the standard layout with a twin aft cabin that converts to a double makes a practical option.

This provides a useful work/locker space accessed through the heads. The offset companion creates room for a central island.

Rather than simply creating extra galley space, it provides something to lean against when working in the galley, making it a practical place at sea.

All sole panels have lifting latches – a big plus to make bilge checking and stowage accessible – and the plumbing and hot water tank are neatly contained beside the galley.

However, it’s a pity all the ply edges and end-grain is left untreated. Bavaria have also chosen an impractical white material for some vertical panels, which was already getting grubby.

But nitpicking aside, there’s so much smart thinking throughout, including superb stowage solutions and dual-role tables and chairs that swivel and lift, combined with a good level of finish, that this makes for a very impressive, game-changing interior.

On deck details

• Vast stowage in the cockpit quarter lockers, aft lazarette and (in this format) the workshop.
• The cockpit table is a piece of engineering, lowering telescopically on support legs that meet lugs on the sole. The tabletop swivels to form a sunbed.
• The central aft bench lifts on struts for access to the drop-down swim platform, and includes a bracket to hold the shower head, providing a proper shower on the aft platform. Nice.
• This is the first Bavaria with an underdeck furler (Selden Furlex), a retractable bow thruster and an electric windlass in the sizeable chain locker.
• When raised, the sprayhood is, unfortunately, at perfect height to smack foreheads (1.7m).

Below deck on the Bavaria Vision 46

A light and comfortable area, but there is no navstation.

Instead the central part of the portside sofa can be raised and locked in place, the cushion removed to convert it to a coffee table cum makeshift chart table with lifting lid.

The saloon is a light and comfortable area, but doesn’t have a navstsaion.

It’s a clever idea, as long as you don’t mind reducing your navigation area to such a paltry minimum.

The saloon table is a clever jigsaw puzzle, which swivels and lowers, using sole boards raised vertically each end to act as supports. There’s practical, accessible stowage below soles and berth.

A good area to work in at sea. Above and abaft the twin sinks in the central island is an alcove for optional coffee machine or beer tap (it is German!), although I reckon this space would prove ideal as a draining rack.

Left: the central part of the portside sofa can be raised and locked in place and convert to a makeshift chart table. Right: there’s plenty of work surfaces in the galley.

Good stowage and a bin under the sinks.

There’s plenty of worksurface and the stowage space is first class: deep drawers, raised lockers, deep bilge for tins/bottles, pan stowage beneath the stove, plus a huge fridge.

Forward cabin

You step down into the forward cabin, so the 7ft headroom continues forward as far as the berth.

In this layout (no en-suite) this master cabin has a lavish amount of space and a vanity table with stool that is larger than the ‘chart table’.

This master cabin has a lavish amount of space.

There’s good stowage in two huge wardrobes and shelved cupboards to each side, and shoe slots in the bilge.

Alcoves in the forward bulkhead for books and cupholders are a neat touch.

A clever, versatile cabin, with twin berths that join to form a large double.

Good stowage and light, but headroom is constricted above the starboard berth.

Ventilation boards beneath berths lock into place.

The Bavaria Vision 46 is a highly innovative design, with a strict attention to detail, a premium regard for comfort and impressive build quality and styling throughout.

As such, the Vision 46 is a distinct step up in both quality and style, which was certainly needed to keep Bavaria up to speed with their French rivals.

Farr showed their influence in the Cruiser line and the Vision too demonstrates admirable seakeeping and is sturdier and quieter below at sea than any Bavaria I’ve sailed.

The German company have a good team in place now which, as well as Farr and Design Unlimited, includes Peter Meyer and Daniel Kohl to oversee the roll-out of the new lines.

With a Cruiser 33 and a 56 to come using the same fresh thinking and styling, it can only mean good things.

I’m glad all the gadgetry aboard is offered as an optional extra, as it’s easy to overcomplicate this simple, relaxing pastime.

But all the mod-cons aside, it’s the build quality and sailing ability that counts – and both impressed me. For a couple or family this new Vision looks a smart choice.

First published in the December 2012 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.

• More: 2011+ , 50+ ft , bavaria , Coastal Cruising , keelboat , monohull , Sailboat Reviews , Sailboats
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Bavaria SR33 Review (2023 Edition)

The Bavaria SR33 is the entry-level model in the German builder's smart SR sportscruiser range. In this in-depth review, we find out what it's like to live with and how it fares out on the water during a challenging sea trial 

Completing the current three-boat line-up in the Bavaria SR range, the entry-level SR33 is hoping to build on the successes of its award-winning siblings, the SR36 and SR41. Featuring many of the clever ideas that brought the larger boats in the range such critical acclaim, the 33 brings her own personality with Marco Casali of Too Design penning her sleek and smart exterior.

The highlight of the main deck is the convertible stern dinette, which drops down to become a sun pad or creates a charming waterside dining spot with unbroken views out over the water. Below, there is a separate double cabin amidships with an open-plan forward double and a dinette, galley and large separate bathroom in between.

Engine options are plentiful and include diesel and petrol motors from both Mercruiser and Volvo, with a single diesel option coming down the line. It's rare that we get such challenging conditions to trial a boat in for a review but was the SR33 up to it? Read on to find out. 

Bavaria SR33 Key Facts

• Model Year 2023
• Max Speed 32 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

Performance & Handling

Around the marina.

The SR33 is a small, relatively light boat (7.6 tonnes light) with no keel and quite tall topsides so it is susceptible to the effects of wind and tide. Thankfully, the twin sterndrives, bow thruster and optional joystick take the sting out of any potentially tricky berthing manoeuvres and make the SR33 a pretty friendly boat to handle at slow speed. If this is an upgrade from a single-engine boat then the intuitive joystick could be a good investment but, as good as modern sterndrive joysticks are, I would still want the bow thruster to give greater control over the bow in a beam breeze. 

There is still a slight delay between inputs from the joystick and the boat moving in the required direction as the sterndrives just don't have the leverage of a pod drive boat and struggle to maintain control of the bow. Our test boat had the joystick fitted but I found it quicker and smoother to spin the sterndrives from lock-to-lock using the wheel and nudging both throttles in and out of gear. In calm conditions, you can use the throttles independently and get the boat to pivot almost on the spot but with a stiff breeze or running tide, you'll require more shove to keep the boat in position. The beauty of this setup is that you can use whichever controls suit the situation and conditions, whether that's the joystick or throttles and bow thruster. 

You can't guarantee the weather during a sea trial but it's safe to say that conditions for our test in the Baltic Sea in northern Germany were challenging. The SR33 had to contend with a strong breeze and a steep 4-5ft (1.2-1.5m) chop with a horribly messy wave pattern. You would never choose to take a boat like this out in these conditions if you didn't have to but the little Bavaria stood up to them admirably. It wasn't a case of slicing through the chop at higher speed, it was all about pinning the throttles at about 12 knots and getting through it with spray showering over the top of the boat. 

The driving position doesn't lend itself to this sort of transition speed and even tall skippers will need to stand for the best view forward. But working the throttles and using a good dose of trim tab to keep the hull slicing through the worst of the waves the plucky SR33 made confident progress through a nasty seaway. 

The pair of four-cylinder Volvo Penta 300hp motors are good companions in such conditions. The torquey diesel engines have plenty of low-down grunt to help the boat out of deeper troughs and the fly-by-wire throttles provoke a quick response when you need to react quickly to a messy wave pattern. They are quite raucous, though. This wasn't helped by the awkward speed we had to maintain upwind and not quite being on the plane, but Bavaria could do with beefing up the insulation in the engine room to counter this. The GRP sunroof probably doesn't help here, creating more of an echo chamber for the noise to bounce around in than the canvas roof would. Suffice to say it wasn't really the conditions to have the sunroof open during our trial. 

Downwind the SR33 comes alive. Unleashing all 600hp up to a top speed of 32 knots the boat relishes a following sea and the super agile sterndrives make it a delight to pilot through the waves and surf through the crests. The steering is well-weighted and responsive and the boat reacts positively to some hard lock, leaning over keenly and snapping back to the straight and narrow with poise. It's an enormously fun boat to drive and really rewarding to hand steer through a following sea. 

The only thing that might stop the fun is the 500-litre fuel tank, which means at 22-25 knot cruising speed the range is around 160nm. For a full set of fuel figures, see the data panel below. 

Builder Speed & Range Data

• 100nm 100nm 200nm 200nm 300nm 300nm 400nm 400nm 500nm 500nm
• 427 nm @ 6.2 knots eco
• 158 nm @ 21.6 knots cruise
• 134 nm @ 32.0 knots max

Bavaria SR33 version 2023. *Data supplied by the manufacturer. View Full Test Results

Design & Build

It’s not easy to produce a 35ft sportscruiser with a hardtop and avoid a top-heavy look, as some of Bavaria’s older designs have demonstrated. They’ve always been big on volume and practicality but sometimes at the expense of style. Not here, though. The SR33 was drawn by Italian designer Marco Casali and it’s a really sweet-looking boat with a neatly raked wheelhouse and an attractive stretch of bow. It looks chunky up close and has a more pronounced freeboard than you might expect, though it’s well disguised and you’d have no idea that such a voluminous interior lay inside. 

As you’ll see in the rivals section, there are some boats in this sector that forego side decks to deliver a wider cockpit but the SR33 has traditional symmetrical decks with access from both sides of the bathing platform, though it’s biased to port. There are a couple of sunroof options in the cockpit (neither are standard) with the choice between a solid GRP top, which our test boat had, or a canvas roof that opens to create a much wider aperture. Personally, I think I’d go for the latter as it gives a much wider opening and is likely to create less of an echo chamber for the engine noise.

Quality Street

Bavaria is a high-volume builder so building boats quickly and efficiently is key to its production model. The SR33 uses a hand-laid sandwich construction for both hull and superstructure and though it may not have the finesse and gloss of a Sea Ray or Galeon it's all solidly put together and neatly engineered. Some components feel a little bit lightweight in places but, as we discovered during the sea trial, it can withstand a fair bit of punishment. The interior, though solidly put together, feels a little sparse without the touch of an owner and would benefit from some personal effects to brighten it up. 

The SR33 isn’t available with outboards, unlike some of its rivals in this sector, and you don’t buy a boat like this because of the fantastic engine room access. The layout and dimension restrictions mean you’re unlikely to have much space over the engines and you’ll be squeezing through a deck hatch to get to them. That said, once in, the SR33’s engine room it’s actually pretty good, especially the amount of space around the engines and the easy access to daily service items.

Interior Accommodation

In this sector, there are a couple of schools of thought regarding the interior arrangement. Some go fully open plan, others have two separate cabins and there are a few boats that offer both options. The SR33 has a good compromise with an open-plan double berth forward, with a curtain for privacy, and a separate double cabin amidships.

This layout offers great flexibility and makes the space adaptable depending on how many people are on board. If it’s just a couple then the saloon and berth can become one large living area with the sleeping space amidships but with four on board, guests have the privacy of a separate cabin. There may be occasions where you miss the privacy of two separate cabins but unless you’re going to sleep four up regularly then the open-plan arrangement feels so much more spacious. 

The dinette table drops down and can be topped with a cushion to create a more relaxed lounging area opposite where the TV is mounted if it’s specified. Bavaria says it’s not designed to be used as an extra berth but I bet it could be if it were needed, especially for kids.

Personal Touch

Opposite, the galley doesn’t have any cooking facilities but there is a sink and fridge, the idea being that most of the cooking will be done on deck, supposedly. It’s an area loaded with cubbies, though, and storage is impressive throughout the accommodation. It does feel a bit sparse, though. Maybe it was the oak wood of our test boat (walnut is an option) but the colour of an owner’s possessions would do wonders down here.

There are no complaints about the space, though. Headroom in the saloon is well over 6ft (1.83m) and this feeling of light is bolstered by the natural light that is allowed to seep into the area. There are twin skylights in the ceiling and a decent run of windows with opening ports on either side. Air-conditioning is an option but with all the hatches and the companionway door open it should be easy enough to cool the area naturally, unless it’s a really hot, still day.

The only real place where headroom is compromised is over the berth in the amidships cabin but that’s pretty much unavoidable on a boat like this. The entranceway has well over 6ft but there’s only space for one person to get changed at a time. The small sofa is a handy spot to sit and take off shoes/socks and there’s a decent storage locker just above it. The berth is wide but a crawl-in affair, though it’s good to see repeaters for the cabin lights and a plug socket at the top end of the bed so you don’t have to shuffle out just to turn the lights off. 

The bathroom is a decent size and its position means it can take full advantage of the headroom that’s been worked into the saloon. There is quite a tall lip on the door frame, which is all too easy to catch a toe on as you come in and out. The sink is separated from the toilet and shower by a door, so it’s not a wet room, but there’s no way of avoiding the toilet getting a soaking when the shower is in use. 

Helm Station

It’s clear that some real thought has gone into the SR33’s helm design. The layout of the main controls is excellent with the throttles, joystick (if fitted) and remote control for the MFDs mounted on a moulding that stretches out beneath the skipper’s right arm. Adding the trim tab controls would be a good idea but the design means you can sit back in the (small) double helm seat with full support of the backrest and still reach the throttles and adjustable wheel.

The MFDs are touch screen but the remote dial allows you to flick between the screens and their functions without having to lean forward. The 12in ones we had on our test boat are an upgrade from the 7in standards and I would encourage this option to be ticked. The glass bridge installation looks the part, too. The Volvo Penta screen, which displays a plethora of engine information, is mounted flat behind the steering wheel and would be better placed on the lower dash, next to the windscreen wiper controls. 

There’s lots of adjustment at the helm thanks to the adjustable wheel, seat bolster and footrest - though even tall skippers won’t be able to stand and poke their heads out of the sunroof. There is a side window, for quick communication and ventilation for when you don’t want to have the roof open. As good as the driving position is, most will still feel the need to stand as the boat gets over the hump but once she’s settled down the seated position is great. Any other gripes? The only storage is one cup holder, so some more cubby storage would be helpful but apart from that it’s a good setup.

This is where the SR33 gets clever. As standard, there is U-shaped seating at the stern but upgrade options include a large covered storage void with a sun pad on top or, the option I would choose, which is the aft dinette that converts into a sun pad by dropping the table. We’ve seen this layout on the larger SR models but it’s just as effective on the entry-level boat and creates a waterside terrace that will be a lovely spot to sit and take in the view. The conversion to a sun pad is really easy, too, with a single cushion that slips over the table top and a two-way backrest, which creates the space to stretch out. 

If you like your water toys or want to store a (deflated) tender, the ‘boot’ option may be worth a look but even on the aft dinette version there are decent storage voids flanking the sun pad for ropes and a couple of fenders. The bathing platform is fixed, so a light tender will either have to be stowed on davits/chocks or you can stow a deflated one in the aft storage area if you choose it. 

There is access up both sides of the transom but it’s much narrower to port, though this does allow you to head straight onto the port side deck from the bathing platform. The side decks aren’t all that wide but they have good toe rails and there are well-placed handles on the superstructure to help lever yourself forward.

Moving Forward

The foredeck is given over to sunbathing space with a set of smart cushions that have plush headrests that can be added and removed. The area is flanked by rails with cup holders handily integrated into them. The anchor locker provides crucial deck storage as well as a space for the chain to pile into. It could be improved by segregating the chain from other items to avoid loose ends being pulled into the windlass and the lid has no ram or even a stay to hold it in place, so it could slam down in a swell. 

Back to the cockpit and one of the compromises of having such useable side decks is that the walkway through the main deck feels slightly pinched, meaning it can be a bit awkward to squeeze past each other if two people meet in the middle. The wet bar is a really good size, though, and features the usual amenities including either a gas or electric cooktop, sink and fridge. Opposite is the main dinette, which is on a pair of fixed legs so can’t be adjusted for height, but is a really good size and along with the dinette aft means you could easily host eight for lunch. 

The GRP sunroof is slick and well-engineered but, for me, it doesn’t open the cockpit enough and only really serves the helm and the seating on the opposite side. The optional canvas roof will likely make more of the area and allow you to open the dinette up to the sky when the weather suits. 

The designers have been quite ambitious with the area opposite the helm but I’m not sure how well it works. They’ve created a small forward-facing navigator’s seat and a double-ended chaise longue with a backrest at its aft end and a pillow forward, the idea being it can be used for sunbathing with the roof open. For me, though, the seat is too small to be comfortable for long journeys and the chaise longue isn’t going to be a comfortable place to sit on the move if there is any form of chop. I’d prefer a proper double bench as you see on the Beneteau GT36 or Sea Ray 370.

Value For Money

The base price of the SR33 with twin 250hp Mercruiser petrol engines is €345,457 inc (19%) VAT (correct at time of writing) with our heavily loaded test boat coming in at €455,794 inc VAT. This price included some expensive options like the €50,000 upgrade to twin D4 300hp engines and €15,000 for the Aquamatic joystick, the €15,000 Comfort Package, bow thruster (€5,300), sunroof (€7,830) and 16,000BTU air-conditioning (€15,350) amongst other items. 

Nearly €500,000 for our test boat's specification is a lot of money by anyone's standards but, in this sector, the SR33 still represents decent value for money. Many have enticing base prices but once the equipment needed to create a turn-key package has been added, the price tends to soar. There is an element of that with the SR33 but there are tweaks that can be made to the specification that could bring the price down a touch. The potential for a single diesel engine option is one of them. It's not available yet but Bavaria hopes to offer a single Volvo Penta D6 in the future (probably the 440hp or 480hp), which would likely be an efficient option with reasonable performance. Not to mention the extra space that would be created in the engine room and the halving of servicing costs. 

Our Options & Pick

I think the single-engine option is worth investigating but for now, I'd go for the D4 300s as they're only a couple of grand more expensive than the other twin diesel option, Mercrsuiser 270hp V6s. The bow thruster is a must-have but the €15,000 joystick is probably surplus to requirements unless you dislike the idea of manoeuvring the boat with the throttles. The €15,000 Comfort Package adds lots of bits you'll want such as the wet bar fridge, electric toilet, foredeck sun pad, teak decking and an improved lighting package. No sunroof is standard but, for the reasons mentioned above, I'd go for the fabric one over the GRP version for a cost of €1,780. Another reason to go for it is that it's €6,000 cheaper than the GRP roof.

Trim tabs are a €2,150 option that you'll want to add and €9,180 on the twin 12in Simrad MFDs is well worth it. The aft dinette is €3,840 and, in my eyes, the option to go for unless you really need the added space of the €2,660 storage box. The camper cover is €2,870 but means you can fully enclose the cockpit.

Inside, the White Oak timber is a €2,440 option and though it brightens the interior up I think the standard walnut will look classier and feel warmer. Most owners will want the autonomy of a generator; here there is a choice between €24,000 6.4kW unit or you can pay €4,000 more for one with an 8kW output. If the 16,000BTU air-con (€15,350) is fitted then the larger capacity generator is a sensible addition. 

This is a competitive sector but it's one where Bavaria is very much at home. The smart thing about the SR33 is that it appeals to both the heart and the head. Bavaria's eye on value on volume often made its boats a sound investment but by bringing in Marco Casali and adding some Italian style, the SR33 also appeals on a more emotional level. The cockpit is cleverly laid out, the interior is spacious (if a little sparse) and, as we found out first-hand, it punched above its weight at sea. It may not represent the value for money of Bavarias of old but if you're in the market for a boat like this the SR33 should certainly be part of the conversation.  

Reasons to Buy

• Handsome lines
• Clever cockpit
• Impressive sea keeping
• Value for money
• Spacious interior

Things to Consider

• Sparse interior
• Base specification is quite basic
• Engine access

For many, boats in this sector are a step up from a first boat or a day boat and a route to broadening cruising horizons and adventuring further afield. Let's see what the SR33 is up against. There are boats in this sector that have open-plan lower deck layouts and others that have two separate cabins and the Beneteau Gran Turismo 36 is in the latter camp. Separate double cabins flank a lower saloon and galley with a separate bathroom that's shared between the two. The main deck layout features a sun pad aft and a dinette amidships. Cleverly, the wet bar is positioned to the aft end of the deck, which allows cooking smells to escape more easily and creates space for an extra run of seating opposite the main dinette. Having four forward-facing seats in front of the dashboard is a nice addition for when the boat is on passage, too. The Beneteau is one of a handful of boats in the sector that are available with inboard and outboard engines. With a starting price of €232,100 ex VAT (correct at the time of writing), it's good value, too. 

The Sealine S335 is a great package that can be had as an open-cockpit sportscruiser or with an enclosed wheelhouse and upper saloon in the C335 guise. It too is available with inboard diesel engines or a pair of outboards. On deck, it has a pair of canvas sunroofs, one forward and one aft, which adds to the flexibility of the space. It's flexible below decks, too, where you can have it with or without a forward bulkhead depending on whether you would prefer a separate forward cabin or not. If you do opt for the open-plan version, there is a convertible dinette/double berth at the forward end, not a fixed double bed. 

The Galeon 365 HTS is a handsome-looking cruiser built to impressively high standards. It combines an open aft deck with an enclosed deck saloon that sports a GRP sunroof, though the aperture is pretty small compared to those rivals with canvas roofs. That said, the layout does create two fully protected living areas and with the wet bar on deck usable in all weather there is more space below deck for lounging space. Alternatively, you can cut down the size of the dinette and have a larger bathroom, which is probably a good call on a boat of this size. There are petrol and diesel engine options available. 

The Sea Ray 370 Sundancer does things its own way. The boat has no side decks, which means the cockpit stretches the full 3.66m (12ft) width of the beam, with access to the foredeck via a companionway to port of the helm. This also creates space for two separate dinettes and four forward-facing seats within the cockpit. Below deck, the high-quality interior is fully open plan with fixed double berths at either end and a dinette and small galley opposite a good-sized head compartment. Like the Beneteau and Sealine, the 370 is available with inboard and outboard engines. It will likely command a higher price than the others but it's a quality machine.   

Specifications & Performance

• Builder Bavaria Yachts
• Range SR-Line
• Length Overall 11.4m
• Draft 0.86m
• Yacht Type (Primary) Sports Yacht
• Use Type (Primary) Weekending
• Cruising Speed Max Speed
• Fuel Capacity 500 Litres
• Fresh Water Capacity 250 Litres
• Engine Model 2x Volvo Penta D4-300

Performance Data

Bavaria SR33 version 2023. *Data supplied by the manufacturer.

Test Engines Twin Volvo Penta D4-300

• Liters Per Hour
• Liters Per Mile
•   CRUISE

Bavaria SR33 Layout

The dinette at the aft end of the deck can be replaced with a large toy storage void

The main cabin is open plan with a separate double cabin amidships 

Jack Haines

Jack is YachtBuyer's Reviews Director. He is a writer, editor and presenter with 15 years’ experience testing over 350 motorboats of all shapes and sizes, from 20ft RIBs to 120ft yachts (and even the Royal Navy Frigate HMS Sutherland ). 

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Bavaria Yachts: charting their fall and rise

A topsy-turvy 2018 for bavaria yachts ended satisfactorily when they secured new financial backing. sam fortescue charts their fall and rise.

When one of the world’s top boat builders announced it was entering administration in April 2018, it sent shockwaves through the yachting world. If Bavaria Yachts, underpinned by the quiet efficiency of its German production line and strong global sales, couldn’t compete, what did that say about the rest of the industry? And for those who had put deposits down on their new Bavaria or Nautitech boats, the worry was intense. Would they ever see the boat built, or get their money back?

Astonishingly, just six months later, the business was back on its feet and once again churning-out yachts with a full staff of 800 people. Dr Ralph Kudla, the new chief restructuring officer of the firm, says that he has a target to build 400-500 boats in the next 12 months – that’s nearly ten per week. And he is expecting the business to generate a profit in two-to-three years.

Where did Bavaria go wrong?

So what went wrong? How did the behemoth that is Bavaria stumble, and what does the future hold? Sailing Today spoke to the new boss Ralph Kudla (below) to find out.

For many years, Bavaria wore the crown of the world’s second biggest production boatbuilder after Groupe Beneteau. In the boom years before the financial crisis of 2007-8 the company was famously churning out 3,000 boats per year and, at its peak, it was bought by Bain Capital for a reported €1.3bn. But the nosedive in demand that followed left this investment high and dry, with Bain offloading the troubled yard just two years later for €300m to Oaktree Capital and Anchorage Advisers. At the time, 90 per cent of its €960m debt mountain was also written off.

The new owners put in place a new business model. Instead of going for a high throughput of simple boats, they turned to more complex yachts, with more electronics and greater choice of interior finish. A new line was launched in 2011 with the Vision 46, incorporating “classy woods and fabrics” and an asymmetrical lay-out with a larger cockpit area and lots of windows and hatches for a light saloon.

The yachts gradually increased in size, with the Cruiser 56 appearing in 2013, and the Cruiser 51 a year later. Then in January 2017 Bavaria Yachts went a step further with the launch of its luxury C-line yachts. It remodelled the 56 into the C57, which was heavily trailed with the slogan ‘something big is coming’. A year later, it introduced the C65, C50 and C45. The 65-footer was presented to enormous fanfare at the Dusseldorf Boat Show in 2018, but sold just three boats and has since been discontinued. A source in the industry tells me with a shake of his head: “It was so arrogant”.

By 2016, Bavaria Yachts was claiming to build around 1,000 boats per year. CEO Lutz Henkel explained to me at the time that the yachts had become bigger and more complex, so capacity was lower than at the high-water mark in 2007. But industry sources say that the real figure was closer to 600 yachts per year. “For some time, Bavaria has been the number four producer, behind Fountaine-Pajot,” one boatbuilder tells me. Hanse Group has climbed to second place on boat sales of €150m, while fast-growing catamaran builder Fountaine-Pajot recently bought Dufour to cement third place.

If this is right, then Bavaria had been in decline for some time. Some in the industry say that Bavaria’s prices were simply too low. “They were always trying to make costs lower and lower and that’s not good,” one tells me. Richard Hewitt of UK Bavaria dealer Clipper Marine says there were likely to have been multiple causes of the insolvency. “But if you look at the boat industry, a lot of companies are owned by investment banks, putting them at the whim of investor returns.”

Nonetheless, others say that Oaktree and Anchorage called time on their investment because they were fed up of putting their hands in their pockets to keep it running. Certainly, in 2016, the business had yet to make a profit for its owners. Kudla himself admits that the company was damaged by the high level of debt from the 2007 leveraged buyout (at the time, the debt used to fund the deal was a huge eight times net earnings). Another source likened the succession of CEOs at Bavaria to managers at a struggling football club. “It takes four years to see whether a strategy works,” they said.

A brighter future for Bavaria Yachts

However, all this is in the past, and the future looks brighter. The good news is that during its insolvency, Bavaria still managed to finish and deliver 220 boats – a testament to the work of administrator Tobias Brinkmann. And the new investor, who paid in the “double digit millions” for Bavaria, is a German fund that specialises in distressed companies “with a healthy core business”.

“Bavaria is right in our sweet spot,” says Kudla, who has been parachuted in by Capital Management Partners to restructure the yard. “The brand is very strong and has a very good reputation.” He is turning to the past for his strategy. “If you look back 10 years ago, Bavaria was by far the market leader. It delivered boats of a high value for relatively little money, addressing both families and the charter business. That’s where we want to see the company focus.”

The first step has been to return the company’s French catamaran business to its original name of Nautitech. Bought in 2014, this division has in fact been growing profitably ever since. But all the yard’s other production is going to be brought to its headquarters in Giebelstadt, near Würzburg. And that is going to mean discontinuing some models, Kudla tells me. “We have 26 models right now and we’d like to focus that on 12, with different options and packages.” Leaner, meaner

It’s going to be a slow process, though. “It’ll take us 2-4 years to get there. We’re not going to cancel any successful models just to reduce numbers.” And Kudla says that both the Vision line and the C-line are both selling well, so we’re unlikely to see those trimmed further.

At the same time, the existing line will have to be renewed. Bavaria aims to launch around three new models each year at a consistent rate. “In Dusseldorf last year, there were six newly introduced boats, and such a spend is difficult. Some problems can also emerge if the new models are not fully industrialised. It puts a lot of pressure on development instead of getting the product right.”

With moulds for the C65 sold off, it is likely that the firm will look at new models in its existing 34ft to 57ft range, although Kudla says he doesn’t rule out a smaller boat. “We’re looking at it very closely,” he says cautiously. “It could be interesting to offer a cheaper boat to get to customers earlier.”

Kudla agrees that the options available on some boats may have to be simplified, although this option is still being studied. But the key is as much about standardising equipment and parts. “I would say that we can make all necessary savings from our production line and purchasing,” he says. “We’re not looking to raise prices.”

Richard Hewitt at Clipper is optimistic about the future. “By and large, the public stands behind the brand,” he says. “After any administration issues, it takes a bit of time for that to come back strongly. More important to us is the loss of the London Boat Show.”

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Bavaria Ocean 40

• September 24, 2009

Bavaria Ocean 40 - competent, well-engineered yacht

Product Overview

Manufacturer:, price as reviewed:.

This was regarded as a competent, conservative and well-engineered yacht at her launch in 2001, although the finish and interior build quality was fairly basic. But at under £100,000 she was astonishingly good value. The Ocean model had a centre-cockpit, but a conventional aft-cockpit was also offered and sold in larger numbers, largely for charter. The overall interior design was practical and spacious for two couples but designed more for in-harbour use than offshore. The woodwork is a little dark but there were plenty of windows and good ventilation. The deck layout was good and handling straightforward. She tacked extremely quickly and was very responsive to the helm. Performance was average to good. The Ocean models tend to command higher prices than the aft-cockpit versions.

Bavaria Cruiser 51 Standard

Sailboat specifications.

• Last update: 19th March 2020

Bavaria Cruiser 51's main features

Bavaria cruiser 51's main dimensions, bavaria cruiser 51's rig and sails, bavaria cruiser 51's performances, bavaria cruiser 51's auxiliary engine, bavaria cruiser 51's accommodations and layout.

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Bavaria sailing yachts.

A BAVARIA yacht is the perfect interaction of many elements. Everything is built around the extensive expertise of German engineering. It is an art that looks back on a long and successful tradition in boat building. Today it is possible to implement all this knowledge with a high degree of precision and quality. We make use of the best materials, the best equipment and exquisite craftsmanship to create something that is the essence of every BAVARIA: the joy of yachting.

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BAVARIA YACHTS

Powerful, dynamic, safe, easy to handle and seaworthy - BAVARIA YACHTS motor yachts have many qualities. From bow to stern, they embody the masterful combination of many clever solutions. Decades of experience, extensive know-how and German engineering skills guarantee precision, quality and comfort. With excellent materials, excellent equipment and excellent craftsmanship, our shipyard creates what every BAVARIA stands for: the joy of yachting.

The BAVARIA VIDA 33 is available in two versions, an open version and a version with a hard top. Together with the sporty hull design with recessed hull windows, the result is the BAVARIA VIDA 33’s dynamically elegant silhouette. The foreship also offers two layout variants. The choice is between a flat foredeck with space for a generous sunbed area and a lounge area at the bows with a cocktail table and space for six people.

With the BAVARIA SR33 BAVARIA YACHTS completes its successful SR-LINE after the SR41 and the SR36. As on board all motor yachts of the BAVARIA SR-LINE, space for life on deck was the focus of the development. Below deck, the BAVARIA SR33 convinces at the same time with a well thought-out space concept with generous room for four people.

The BAVARIA SR36 offers a new sense of life on board and convinces with clever detailed solutions. An intelligent space concept and a sporty elegant design in combination with very safe driving characteristics make the BAVARIA SR36 unique, created for the perfect day with family and friends at sea.

A comfortable cockpit, a large sunbed that can be converted into a lounge area including a table right by the water in no time, and a large bathing platform make the BAVARIA SR41 the ideal motor yacht. Ideal for the perfect day at sea with family and friends.

The BAVARIA R40 impresses with very clear, very elegant lines. Her whole appearance radiates style and sportiness. And puts both into practice: with a unique amount of space on and below deck, as well as powerful engines that you can choose according to your needs. Just like the superstructure: The BAVARIA R40 is available as a COUPE and FLY version.

The very design of the BAVARIA S29 tells you that this is a yacht with a great deal of power and sporting ambitions. She is ideal for drivers who like to go fast on the water and has an ergonomic helmstand with a clear layout to make this child’s play – just one of many special features.

With the BAVARIA S30 our engineers, boat builders and designers have focused on the essentials – dynamic, sporty driving and comfort that one hardly expects on a yacht this size. She is primarily intended for large lakes or tours along the coast.

The BAVARIA S33 stands for variability. Paired with excellent performance. She has brilliant handling characteristics, is agile and fast. Thanks to an intelligent hull design, she is also very safe. And on top of that, extremely comfortable on and below deck.

The BAVARIA S45 is a motor yacht for people who appreciate outstanding performance as well as an upscale, unique lifestyle, with an exterior and interior that will delight you anew every day.

Classic lines and a timeless design, the BAVARIA VIRTESS 420 is one of the best motor yachts in the world and is at home on all coasts. A generous space concept with three cabins and a grandiose salon are just as convincing as clever detailed solutions such as the variable cockpit concept, with table and bench sliding on rails. She is available as FLY or COUPE.

Experience the pure joy of yachting.

Fast hulls in all driving situations.

Seaworthiness is a non‐negotiable quality on a BAVARIA motor yacht; among other characteristics, a high‐sided hull ensures that this demand is satisfied. With a R-/S-Line or VIRTESS you don’t only drive safely, you also feel secure when moving around on these boats – this is due to broad gunwales and a railing that extends from bow to stern. Isophthalic acid (IPA) resins in the outer layers, used during the laminating process, ensure that the hull of a BAVARIA is of the highest quality. These offer effective protection against osmosis and thus promote longevity of the BAVARIA. The hull and deck of a BAVARIA is made of sandwich construction with foam inserts.

Cost-effective yet smart engines

BAVARIA is one of the world’s most innovative shipyards, working with the best suppliers of engines to equip our motor yachts with cost‐effective and powerful engines. We were one of the first shipyards to use Volvo Penta’s modern IPS system, a Pod system with forward‐facing double propellers. The IPS drive has considerable advantages with regard to performance, exhaust emissions and comfort. It increases range by 40 per cent at a 20 per cent higher top speed, with 30 per cent less fuel consumption and thus also 30 percent less CO2 emissions. With a joystick and software adapted to every individual BAVARIA, the two IPS drives become the ultimate docking system in the harbour. Berthing with the fingertips – child’s play!

Safety through technology, from bow to stern

Fuel is the lifeblood of BAVARIA motor yacht. It is therefore important to store it well and to conduct it correctly. BAVARIA ensures this by using stainless steel tanks for example, pressed and therefore extremely durable, sleeves for the fuel lines and magnetic closures for the petrol lines on standard engines. An engine – diesel and petrol – also needs to breathe in order to be able to keep the cylinder head cool. Every BAVARIA motor yacht therefore has a fan for active engine room ventilation.