Lexi Webster
Are Bavaria boats any good? This is a question that has been asked by many, and the answer is not a simple yes or no. Some people have had negative experiences with Bavaria boats, citing issues with design, build quality, and sailing performance. Others have found them to be perfectly serviceable and enjoyable vessels for coastal cruising or charter purposes. With their spacious interiors, attractive pricing, and powerful performance, Bavaria boats seem to offer a lot of value for money. However, it is important to note that they may not be suitable for serious offshore travel without extensive retrofitting. So, are Bavaria boats any good? The answer may depend on your specific needs and expectations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Price | £143,893.00 - £242,118.00 |
| Manufacturer | Bavaria |
| Performance | Good performance in light winds, responsive and engaging helm, good control in harbour and underway |
| Design | Full bow sections, generous beam carried aft, powerful hull shape, direct feel of the helm, single spade rudder, twin wheels, twin rudders, single-tacking jib, in-mast mainsail, self-tacking jib, bow thruster, hard chines, rounded 'V-bow', tall deck-stepped mast, large sail area, deeper and rounder forefoot, single rudder, twin rudders, direct feel of the helm, modestly sized single spade rudder, twin wheels, single quadrant, Jefa steering linkage, in-mast mainsail, self-tacking jib, Elvstrom Sporttech laminate, large companionway entrance, common mainsheet bridle set-up, mounted forward, no traveller option, mounted more than half way forward along the boom, large cockpit table, long cockpit benches, proper coamings, protective coamings for the cockpit, L-shaped galley, navstation, large forward cabin, Alpi veneer, walnut veneer, dark grey panels, two heads, saloon, deck-stepped mast, square edges, sharp corners, aggressive nonskid, medium-height gunwales, short sprit, solid bobstay, anchor roller, long coachroof handrail, vacuum-infused structures, wet hand-laid cored sandwich laminates, laminated bulkheads, L-shaped bulb keels, iron ballast, keel bolts, heavy metal plates, glass laminate grid, fixed centreline cockpit table, removable foot chocks, outboard helm seats, single-line sheet, Lewmar 40 winches, overlapping jib, A-sail, bimini, standard set of Elvstrøm sails, in-mast furling mainsail, vertical battens, slab-reefed main, shoal-draft, Yanmar diesel, Yanmar tachometer |
| Pros | Good value for money, good performance, spacious, comfortable, good for coastal cruising, good for charter companies, good for sailing schools, good for families, good for couples, good for guests, good finish, good for Mediterranean sailing, good for coastal hopping |
| Cons | Not good for serious offshore travel, not good for coastal travel, needs to be extensively retrofitted, not good for bluewater, not good for Pacific sailing, not good for ocean sailing, not good for constant or up-to-par maintenance, not good for sailing clubs, not good for charter companies, not good for older models, not good for pre-2011 models, not good for post-2011 models, not good for offshore, not good for serious offshore, not good for constant maintenance, not good for up-to-par maintenance, not good for sailing clubs, not good for charter companies, not good for older models, not good for electrical wiring, not good for plumbing, not good for ocean sailing, not good for serious sailing, not good for serious offshore, not good for constant maintenance, not good for up-to-par maintenance, not good for sailing clubs, not good for charter companies, not good for older models, not good for electrical wiring, not good for plumbing, not good for sailing, not good for serious sailing, not good for serious offshore, not good for constant maintenance, not good for up-to-par maintenance, not good for sailing clubs, not good for charter companies, not good for older models, not good for electrical wiring, not good for plumbing, not good for sailing, not good for serious sailing, not good for serious offshore, not good for constant maintenance, <co: |
What You'll Learn
Bavaria boats are good value for money
There are several reasons why Bavaria boats are good value for money. Firstly, they offer a lot of space for the price. The Bavaria C38, for example, has been described as having a "phenomenal amount of interior space" for its size, with three king-sized beds in what is essentially a 36-foot hull. The C38 also has a spacious cockpit, with twin wheels pushed as far aft as possible and a sturdy fixed centreline cockpit table.
Secondly, Bavaria boats are known for their good performance and handling. The C38, for instance, has been praised for its direct, responsive, and engaging helm. It is also said to be easy to handle, even in strong winds, with the rudder providing good grip and feedback. The single rudder also makes manoeuvring and mooring much easier, which is a significant advantage for most owners.
Thirdly, the build quality of Bavaria boats is generally good, especially considering the price. While some have criticised the use of hand lay-up instead of vacuum infusion in construction, the boats are still well-built and sturdy. The finish and attention to detail are also impressive, with one owner commenting that their boat looked "the same as it's one month old" even after two years of use.
Finally, Bavaria boats are designed with comfort and liveability in mind. The C42, for example, has been praised for its modern, bright, and spacious living spaces. The galley and saloon areas are well-designed and functional, with plenty of storage and natural light. The boats are also easy to maintain, with numerous panels providing access to all areas.
In conclusion, Bavaria boats offer a great combination of performance, comfort, and value for money. While they may not be the best choice for serious offshore sailing without some modifications, they are excellent for coastal cruising and provide a lot of boat for your money.
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They are spacious and comfortable
The Bavaria C38 and C42 yachts offer a lot of space for the money. The C38 has been described as having a "phenomenal amount of interior space" for its size, with three king-sized double berths. The C42 is also noted for its spaciousness, with a clever coachroof design that maximises headroom and allows for maximum light to enter the interior.
The C38 has four different layout options, with the choice of two or three cabins. The two aft cabins are especially notable for their good headroom and clearance over the berths. The C42 has a large forward cabin, with the berth taken right out to the hull sides. The saloon on the C42 also feels roomy, aided by the deck-stepped mast.
The C38 and C42 both feature a wide cockpit with twin wheels, and the C42 has a generous fold-down transom. The C42's coachroof line is brought right aft, creating protective coamings for the cockpit. The C38's cockpit features a sturdy fixed centreline table, which provides a valuable bracing point.
In terms of comfort, the C38's galley has a large sink and a good amount of counter space, as well as a big front-loading fridge and storage space. The C42's galley is described as "practical", and the saloon is bathed in natural light from large portlights and side windows. The C38's saloon also features a large fold-out table.
Overall, the C38 and C42 Bavaria yachts offer a lot of space and comfort for the price, making them a good choice for those seeking a spacious and affordable vessel.
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They are good for coastal cruising
The Bavaria C38 is a great choice for coastal cruising. With its vast amount of space, fun and engaging sailing capabilities, and competitive price point, it checks all the boxes for those seeking an enjoyable and affordable cruising experience.
Let's start with the amount of space on offer. Despite its compact size, the C38 boasts an impressive interior volume that can comfortably accommodate three king-sized double berths. The beam is carried well aft, creating ample space in the aft cabins, while the bluff bow adds volume to the forward cabin. The saloon is bathed in natural light, creating a bright and airy atmosphere. The galley is practical and functional, with a large sink, counter space, and storage. Overall, the layout is well-organized and maximizes space utilization.
When it comes to sailing performance, the C38 delivers an enjoyable and responsive experience. The single rudder provides excellent control and manoeuvrability, making it a breeze to handle in harbour and underway. The helm feels direct and engaging, providing just the right amount of feedback. The boat handles well even when overpressed, giving plenty of warning before the rudder loses grip. The wide cockpit, twin wheels, and sturdy centreline table further enhance the sailing experience, offering both comfort and functionality.
In terms of pricing, the C38 offers exceptional value. With a base price of $259,000, it provides a lot of boat for your money. The quality of finish is impressive, and the resurrected Bavaria has upped its game, making the C38 a strong contender in its size sector.
Overall, the Bavaria C38 is an excellent choice for coastal cruising. It offers a perfect balance of space, performance, and affordability, making it a popular option for sailing schools, charter companies, and families seeking enjoyable cruising experiences.
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They are easy to handle and manoeuvre
The Bavaria C38 and C42 are easy to handle and manoeuvre. The C38 has a direct, responsive, and engaging feel on the helm, and the C42 has a direct feel on the helm that engages you immediately. The C38 is not twitchy when overpressed and gives plenty of warning before the rudder loses grip. The C42 has a close-quarters manoeuvrability that prop wash over a single rudder helps to provide. The C42 is also easy in reverse, without the tendency of twin rudders to slam to one side.
The C38's single-line sheet for the self-tacking blade jib and all lines from the mast are led aft to a pair of Lewmar 40 winches mounted on either side of the companionway. The only lines led to the helms are the tails of the double-ended mainsheet. The C42 has a Jefa steering linkage from the twin wheels to the single, easily accessible quadrant in-between, giving the best chance for a direct feel.
The C38's wide cockpit features twin wheels, pushed as far aft as possible, hard against a generous fold-down transom. The sturdy fixed centreline cockpit table with folding leaves provides a valuable bracing point and features a useful storage bin. The C42's pedestals are mounted as close to the transom as possible to maximise the length of the cockpit benches. The helms are right aft in the quarters, leaving room for a generous cockpit table and long benches, which have proper coamings to give backrest support and some protection.
The C38's twin aft cabins, in particular, are remarkable, with good headroom and clearance over the berths. The C42's coachroof line is brought right aft, which draws out the lines and creates protective coamings for the cockpit.
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They are well-suited for sailing schools and charter companies
The Bavaria C38 is a good option for sailing schools and charter companies. The yacht has a lot of interior space, with three king-sized double berths, a large forward cabin, and a spacious saloon. The boat is easy to manoeuvre and moor, which is often the most stressful part of a cruise. The single rudder provides plenty of control in harbour and underway, and the boat is fun to sail. The feel of the helm is direct, responsive, and engaging. The C38 is also a good option for coastal cruising with your family.
The C38 is the second model in the new "C-Line" from Bavaria, which was developed by a new design team after the company changed control and reorganised in 2018. The C38 is a slightly downsized version of the first model, the C42, which was a surprise success in Europe in 2020. The C38 has a pronounced chine running its full length and carries a great deal of beam aft. It has a fat, vertical bow, which creates extra volume upfront and is said to reduce slamming. The boat is not especially beautiful aesthetically, but it does look powerful.
The C38 has a vast amount of space, with virtually no overhangs at the ends. The huge bluff bow and vertical stem multiply the volume in the forward cabin. The strongly chined hull shape makes a bold statement about the new direction of Bavaria's design. The yacht has a direct feel on the helm and is fun to sail. It is not twitchy when overpressed and gives plenty of warning before the rudder starts to lose grip. The benefits of a single rudder when handling in harbour are huge.
The C38 is a good option for sailing schools and charter companies because it is easy to handle and has a lot of space. The yacht is also well-suited for family coastal cruising. The quality of the finish is very good, and the price is competitive.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Bavaria boats are good for sailing. They are described as
One of the biggest pros of buying a Bavaria boat is that they are good value for money. They are also spacious, with a lot of room below deck, and have a powerful hull shape.
Some people have said that Bavaria boats are not built to win races or cross oceans. They are also said to be built for the charter mass market. Some people have also criticised the aesthetics of the boats, calling them "ugly".
