1990 Bavaria 300 - Wise 1st buy ?

[Newman]

Am looking for a first boat (among so many available) and a 1990 Bavaria 300 with wheel steering caught my eye. I keep being drawn back to it and need to make a decision soon. Anyone out there totally against this model ? I would appreciate your comments.

May the tide be with you !

 

[30boat]

Is that a sailing boat?The Bavaria 30 plus had wheel steering.They were very well built but slow.

 

[Seajet]

If this is to be truly your first boat, you're missing out on an awful lot of training on more responsive craft - have you sailed before, ie dinghies ?

 

[Tranona]

Am looking for a first boat (among so many available) and a 1990 Bavaria 300 with wheel steering caught my eye. I keep being drawn back to it and need to make a decision soon. Anyone out there totally against this model ? I would appreciate your comments.

May the tide be with you !

No reason why not, if that is the style you are after. Comparable to the Moodys and Westerlys of that era. However, very few of them around so not easy to make comparisons. All the usual caveats about condition of a boat that age, plus a recognition that some of the equipment/spares may not be as readily available as on a British boat of the age.

 

[Newman]

Hello Seajet

I realise I am entering the sailing world a bit late in life (mid 60's) but have recently done my Competent Crew and Dayskipper courses, with every intention of progressing further. I think I prefer to 'get stuck in' on my own boat as time to spend on it will be no problem, perhaps with a little bit of private tuition when I get afloat.

Thanks for the response

 

[Haven't-a-Clue]

Well, seems like you've got the time, money and inclination. My humble opinion, go with the own boat tuition and go for it, I did............well, except the tuition bit, I have some good friends and sorta learning as I go.......

 

[photodog]

I cant see any real issues... I have a later version... mine probably is not as well screwed together as the 1990.... real decider is condition at that age...... get a decent survey..


Tiller at that size is probably better than a wheel..... but thats my opinion....

They are nice boats with a nice still modernish look and interior...... I think they aged better than the Westerlies of that era....

In 1990 Bavaria was a very modest builder...

 

[Neil_Y]

Great first boat, a capable and comfortable well built yacht.
My first boat was a Bav 390 of the same vintage, I've met 300's and 320's who have sailed many ocean miles with families or short handed.

Check for usual problems with boats of this type of build and age. Leaking stantion bases, leaking where cables and wires go through bulkheads. The silicon has often come away from the hole it was sealing.

If it,s the same set up as mine the whitlock steering was bomb proof as it was a direct gear drive and linkage, no cables or chains.

They are quite popular boats so fairly easy to sell if you chnage your mind.

 

[Twister_Ken]

It's true for most people that their first boat is not their last, so go with something now which will be easy to sell later. Owning your first boat tells you want you'd like your second boat to be (and so on, ad infinitum?).

 

[Koeketiene]

It's true for most people that their first boat is not their last, so go with something now which will be easy to sell later. Owning your first boat tells you want you'd like your second boat to be.

Soo true

 

[Norman_E]

I bought my first (and possibly only) boat aged 60, and I agree that if you have done the Comp Crew and Day Skipper courses, you will now learn far more by having your own boat to sail. How suitable that model will be depends on the sort of sailing you want to do. I don't know that particular model but the Bavarias that I have seen that are about that age look well built. If cruising in a safe boat is what you want, and you don't intend to race or cross oceans it will be a good choice provided it is in good condition and well looked after. At that age condition is what counts.

 

[Twister_Ken]

At that age condition is what counts.

The boat, or the sailor?

 

[PeterGibbs]

Am looking for a first boat (among so many available) and a 1990 Bavaria 300 with wheel steering caught my eye. I keep being drawn back to it and need to make a decision soon. Anyone out there totally against this model ? I would appreciate your comments.

May the tide be with you !

At your stage of entry to the sport, I suggest you focus on having a forgiving boat as your first steed. You will then learn how to get a lot out of it, or, will decide you want to step up in 3-4 seasons, as many of us do/did. "Forgiving" need not be slow, but she certainly will not plunge her leeward rail under at the first puff of wind. If the Bav 30 fits that criterion you are half way there - the rest is accommodation, headroom and the like.

One comment on the wheel configuration on a smaller boat - when you stand at the wheel, do you have to hold on tight to stop falling over backwards because there is too little room aft of the wheel to brace yourself? If you are not comfortable when in dock, how will you feel when moving under a breeze? Not so good I would guess. Check it out.

Good luck

PWG
Bav owner.