Bav arias

[nicho]

As some of you may know, I have recently ordered a Bavaria 36 as my first sailing boat. I went for a test sail on Wednesday with a professional skipper and a boat tester for PBO (not sure if I should say that, so keep it to yourself - probably Jan or Feb issue). We sailed mainly between Postsmouth and Ryde for around 4 hours, the wind starting at F4/5, lifting to F5/6 after an hour before rising again to F6/7 with occasional gusts of around 33KTS (officially recorded by the tester).

Now all this is a bit new to me, but I did a lot of the helming whilst said boat was being photographed from a (very wet and bouncy) RIB. We had firstly one reef, then two (that's all there was on this demo boat), and progressively rolled the headsail in as well. As you can guess, the guy testing the boat pushed it really hard into all quarters of the wind. It heeled somewhat when hard into the wind, but felt utterly safe at all times, generally seeing around 7/8 kts on the log. Shortly after the the wind increased up to the maximum seen (33 kts), the tide turned. Now as I've said, I'm new to this malarky, but I've never seen waves like it in the Solent - certainly would not have wanted to be out in it in one of my motor cruisers. I was by now quietly wishing they had had enough, but no, we just kept at it with self still doing quite a bit of the helming!!.

I have to say it was most exhilerating, and running downwind in F6/7, not once did the boat show ANY signs of broaching. We saw 10.6 knots surfing down one of the waves, and more usually 9.6/9.7. To be honest, had I been on my own with my limited experience I would have been crapping myself, but these guy were very experienced, and the boat took everything they threw at it in it's stride.

Pushing it hard into a short steep sea saw it mildly slam only once, which did surprise me - I expected it to do it regularly (from the comments of posters who regularly comment on new boats). There was quite a bit of spray flying as you might expect, and sadly the boat did not have a sprayhood! We were the only idiots out there (apart from something around 50 feet with twin masts?), but I have to say I was impressed.

It will be interesting to see what the regular PBO tester thought when the article is written, but from one or two of his comments, he seemed pleasantly surprised (or perhaps he was being kind knowing I'm going to own one) - we shall see!.

Am I happy with my purchase? - you betcha!! - I hope not to be caught out in this kind of weather, but it's good to see it handled it so well.. Roll on January!!

 

[billmacfarlane]

Sounds as if had a great test sail. I test sailed mine in similar circumstances and in those conditions it shows you the true mettle of the boat. Sounds as if you've bought the boat to suit you. No doubt somebody will be along to say something derogotary about the Bavs or AWB's or even worse patronising comments about lively in a seaway , slams to windward , light lay up , not a real boat etc , etc , yawn snooooore !!! . Simply ignore and enjoy your boat when it's delivered.

 

[Apetts]

Re: TGIF

Perhaps the popularity of the Bavaria, Jeanneau etc is not just dependent on their price, after all it is difficult to find many British boat builders that have not been throught the bankrupcy process! Would you risk a near six figure sum on a "home built boat"?

 

[Strathglass]

Re: TGIF

I think you are right. Unfortunately as a result of the worldwide total dependance on financial viability and profitability unless a company can balance its outgoings and outgoings irrespective of the product quaqlity then it will not survive.
A sad state of affairs but it is a fact of life

 

[Strathglass]

Re: TGIF

I think you are right. Unfortunately as a result of the worldwide total dependance on financial viability and profitability unless a company can balance its outgoings and outgoings irrespective of the product quaqlity then it will not survive.

Iain
A sad state of affairs but it is a fact of life

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by iainsimpson on 26/10/2002 21:04 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Victor]

I have just received mine a few weeks ago, and have just had to go sailing these past few weekends. We were used to sailing in a beneteau, which was fun, but she didn't hold her course in very strong gusts. Our 36 just kept accelerating and never griped up. Ok we splashed out on the deep keel and hi tec sails, but didn't expect her to perform as well as she does. out in a strong breeze Sunday before last, her balance was so good that one could let go the helm as she keep in a straight line, true we had popped a reef in the main, but I have to say having held the wheel in a handful of different boats I had never been able to do that before. the consequence of this is that the auto helm will likely be able to sail her when we are just 2 up on long passages. Having collected her in October we had to splash out on heating too so that we could get in some winter sailing, which is irresistable, as you can imagine. at the price there is no better boat in my view, and I am sure you will be as delighted as I am when yours arrives. The great thing is that as she is such a bargain one can afford to put on the extras. I decided to buy Simrad gear too as the plotter is so much clearer that the others when the sun shines on it it is really worth looking at that. Opal don't offer it as an alternative but having said that they were happy for me to let their own fitter install it as a direct contract. good sailing, and call us up to meet up on the Solent in the spring.