bavaria 32 maximum persons capacity, besides class A (oceanic)

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psousa

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Hi all!

As you probably know, Bav's sailing boats CE plates (and CE Certification Document) only states for the Class A (oceanic) number of persons recommended by the manufacturer. At least those around the same constructiuon year of mine (2005).

Jeanneau's, Beneteau's and others list maximum persons for each navigation zone (A, B, C and D), like this:
plates.jpg
(image from this article: http://www.walshsurveyor.com/yachts/articles/ce-plates/)

Why does bavaria only list A category? I wanto to use my boat (in the river) with more persons but local authorities does not allow me, and I must agree with them because they must follow the CE certification.
Probably I need to contact bavaria to send me a complete max persons matrix, but I don't know if I'll do it because they don't give a 5hit to me. I've already made 2 website-form requests and never got a reply (one for a manual of my model in english and another to request the sails dimensions plan) - bad support, I should say!

Anyone of you got this information from bavaria?
 
I've just looked into my manual, and it basically says that the maximum number of persons is only for the category A - for the lesser categories you can carry as many persons as the weight allowance (which you can find on your label) permits (also accounting for other weight carried).

Not that anyone actually gives a damn about either crew or weight allowance (the boat will keep floating with a lot more weight on, although perhaps sail a bit slower). Racers typically sail with a whole church bench full of neon dressed ballast and nobody minds. Unless perhaps you're crossing the channel with 30 desperate looking people huddled on deck - you might get pulled over then. Which river are these overzealous authorities on?
 
Can anyone beat 13 people on a Bavaria 33? (in was only in harbour for drinks though)
 
Bobc said:
Can anyone beat 13 people on a Bavaria 33? (in was only in harbour for drinks though)
Click to expand...

image1_zpssvbjdq0g.jpeg
Image - Carrie who climbd the mast!
 
You are right. On the older J&J design Bavarias they only certify for Cat A - six persons for your boat. However the newer Farr design boats like my 33 are certified for both Cat A and B - 6 persons for the former and 8 for the latter.

Doubt you will have any luck with Bavaria as the boat is an old model and although it would meet the requirements of Cat B for more people, unlikely they would certify it unless the original certification was for both categories.

You are stuck with a rigid inspection system that relies of certification that was never intended to be used in this way.

With regard to sail areas there were many different variations of sizes and rigs, but all around 55-60 sqm. Best thing to do is to measure your boat using one of the templates from a sailmaker's website.
 
nigelmercier said:
Take the plate off.
Click to expand...

That won't help as the Portuguese authorities take the CE rating as gospel. Presumably the OP wants to use the boat commercially and requires a licence. Logic would suggest that carrying capacity is higher for a lower category - but that requires reasoning and suspect that officials only go by the written word!
 
Bobc said:
Can anyone beat 13 people on a Bavaria 33? (in was only in harbour for drinks though)
Click to expand...

In 1979, in Chantereyne, @ the end of a JoG race a competitor boat started to sink, due too many quaffers aboard.
Bavaria 33s weren't thought of then and this was a lift-keeler with and open top to the keel housing.
In those days the boats were limited to LWL of less than 20', making it probably smaller than a Bav 32 - there were certainty more than 20 aboard.
Still Bavs always have to be 2nd best ;-)

http://www.jog.org.uk/JOG_history.aspx
 
The English translation of the manual explains it too:

Maximum number of persons recommended by the manufacturer if the yacht is situated in the sea area corresponding to the category of design. The number of crew can be increased under consideration of the maximum additional loading capacity if the yacht is on a voyage in non-ocean areas.

So all you need to do is ask Bavaria nicely for the manual (which they do occasionally respond to, see bavariayacht.info for our collection so far). Then you can wave that in the face of your local authorities.
 
Yngmar said:
The English translation of the manual explains it too:

Maximum number of persons recommended by the manufacturer if the yacht is situated in the sea area corresponding to the category of design. The number of crew can be increased under consideration of the maximum additional loading capacity if the yacht is on a voyage in non-ocean areas.

So all you need to do is ask Bavaria nicely for the manual (which they do occasionally respond to, see bavariayacht.info for our collection so far). Then you can wave that in the face of your local authorities.
Click to expand...

Doubt that will be sufficient. one of the features of codified law states is that officials need to see things written as facr. The qualifying statement requires interpretation, whereas the Certificate and plate clearly state the boat is certified for 6 people.

The RCD is consumer regulation to provide guidance in making your choice. Some states have taken this legislation and used it to categorise legal usage, a purpose for which it was never intended.
 
Tranona said:
The RCD is consumer regulation to provide guidance in making your choice. Some states have taken this legislation and used it to categorise legal usage, a purpose for which it was never intended.
Click to expand...

It may not be what it was intended for but some states categorise boats for specific areas of use so it seems reasonable for them to follow the manufacturer's category. Pre rcd boats have to be surveyed and the authorities will then decide what areas they can be used in. Paperwork in Portugal is a nightmare and most documents have to be translated by a recognised interpreter and notarised.
 
GrahamM376 said:
It may not be what it was intended for but some states categorise boats for specific areas of use so it seems reasonable for them to follow the manufacturer's category. Pre rcd boats have to be surveyed and the authorities will then decide what areas they can be used in. Paperwork in Portugal is a nightmare and most documents have to be translated by a recognised interpreter and notarised.
Click to expand...

I know. That is exactly the point I was making. They will take the certified carrying capacity as gospel - even though it was never intended for that purpose.
 
Just to clarify and close this threath: local authorities approved only 6 persons, even knowing my portuguese flag licence is for local navigation (land on sight). My request to allow more was refused because have no builder support (CE certificate) as explained on my 1st post.
 
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