Bavaria 33 Cruiser

Bavarias seem to have a reasonable name up here in Scotland. SWMBO and I personally didn't like them because of the interior finish and layout, although they seem to sail as well as any other tupperware boat. Mine is also Tupperware, a Legend, although more expensive it is much more comfortable for living on, if still not the best sailing boat in the world. The Bav is about a ton lighter than the Legend (36's) but I couldn't say where our extra weight is.

Like us, if you buy her you will have to be a bit careful of the weather when you go out, but frankly no matter what boat you have you probably don't want to be uncomfortable so plan to stay put when there's any mention of f7 or 8.

Despite all the dyed in the wool heavy boat merchants going on about flat bottoms and light weight, you don't see many of them out on the Clyde when the wind picks up. Best of luck

Pops
 
'....dyed in the wool.....' etc, etc.

You're almost certainly right on that one. As an example, look at the Bowman 40. Described by the builders etc as being designed for blue water etc, with no thought towards racing handicap.....

Check out it's statistics. It's not really any heavier than the comparable Benny/Jenny/Bav and it's got far flatter sections fwd/midships than it's european counterparts! Yet it was always marketed as a serious blue water cruiser. It'd still be my dream boat though....... Small problem of finding £150k for a 15 year old example, which comes back to some earlier posts re cost of equivalent sized AWB that'd be brand spanking shiny & new.
 
Hi,

have seen all Bavaria range and we own Bavaria 40 Ocean since 2003, sailed 6000 miles in Med. Great value for the money. We are sorry that Bavaria discontinued central cockpit models in 2003. When we decide for larger boat we will have to go for other builder.

Slavko
 
It is a good decision to buy BAV 33 Cruiser. I did it 4 years ago. I f you decide to buy - some proposals:
- buy from Bav only additional what will be complicated later to install as BAV prices are cca 30% higher.
-dont buy Anchor and chain as you will pay genuine and receive fake
-dont forget order holding tank as it is question of time when it will be necessary everywhere
- hot water and shower is clever to order from BAV
 
Watch Opal carefully. In my limited experience they don't care about you once they have your money. After sales support is at best slow and grudging and to the letter of their guarantees. Info available by PM.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Watch Opal carefully. In my limited experience they don't care about you once they have your money. After sales support is at best slow and grudging and to the letter of their guarantees. Info available by PM.

[/ QUOTE ]
So would I be ok buying from any company that imports the boats? I don't need to buy from some official importer?
 
Pops,
Good point. How does bavaria guarantee work, I've never had a new boat. Is it like a car where it's covered pan-euro (in theory). What's the service level agreement!!!

If anybody knows please post, looking at these prices I'm thinking of getting her spanking new too. b37 new exvat (i think this can be arranged) with all opts. <100k € .

BB
 
Hi Cardo,
So your sold on a new Bav?

Have you looked at what you can get secondhand? have a look at Opals web site & you could get a lot more for your dosh if you go back a couple of years. The boats will be equiped with all the goodies as well.

Or how about a real boat, say a nice late 80s Moody, some really nice examples in your price range again with heating H&C water Good sails etc.

Are you going to stay in a marina? if so you have to look at the costs, around 3 to 5k depending on location for a 33 footer.

poter
 
I dont know about specific Bav guarantees, mines a Legend. I would just advise caution and makes absolutely sure you agree in writing, with a copy to you, of everything you ask for on your boat. When things start to go wrong, which they INEVITABLY do on a new boat of any make, then be prepared for a SLOWWWWW response. The more problems you have, the slower they seem to get. I am not a satisfied customer, but not enough case to make a proper complaint.

Just be micro-specific and get your bu££[--word removed--] detector switched on from day one!
 
I am "reliably" informed that someone local will come to fix. Er, I wouldn't be too sure about that. For us we can wait wherever we are, but it's worrying. It is possible that we were unlucky, but I think I have the patience of a saint and haven't complained much, but that is largely because of the fear of it getting worse if we do! I have really felt out on my own and SWMBO couldnt agree more.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hi Cardo,
So your sold on a new Bav?

Have you looked at what you can get secondhand? have a look at Opals web site & you could get a lot more for your dosh if you go back a couple of years. The boats will be equiped with all the goodies as well.

Or how about a real boat, say a nice late 80s Moody, some really nice examples in your price range again with heating H&C water Good sails etc.

Are you going to stay in a marina? if so you have to look at the costs, around 3 to 5k depending on location for a 33 footer.

poter

[/ QUOTE ]
I'm one of those suckers that likes buying new stuff. If I really couldn't afford a new boat, then sure, I'd get myself a second hand one. But if I can afford a decent new boat, then I prefer to do that. When I buy things to keep long term, I like to have them from new so that I know exactly what the item's been through, what it's had done to it, etc. Problem with second hand stuff is you never know what it's been through and you could end up with a serious can of worms.

And yeah, plan is to stay at one of the marinas in London, as I'm intending to live on the boat. Some of the marinas aren't too expensive, eg. South Dock, which is around £2300 or so for a 33 footer for a year.
 
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The thing is,in price, Bavs are wiping the floor with Bennys and Jennys et al,as we know, but they`re also wiping the floor with the used ones. Who`s going to pay £48000 for a 5 year old First 31.5(Yachtsnet) when he can sail away a brand spanking new Bav 33 for just a few grand more ?
Where will it all end ?
Worth a thread on its own, really.
Pete

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not knocking the Bavs as I do think they've helped loads more people to get out on the water due to their lower pricing - however they achieve this.
But in regard to your question on why people buy a second hand First or other popular design, it is not just sailing attributes but depreciation that also needs to be considered.

I suspect you'll find in five years time, the First will sell for close to what you bought it for. And that will possibly be more than the five year younger Bav.

Cheers
JOHN
 
The problem I see with a Bav as a live-aboard is that the standard of finish - varnish work - quality of teak etc is not the highest. It does glitter and look lovely when you buy them new but the glitter will quickly disappear if you are living on board all the time.

These sorts of boats were designed for weekends and holidays and if used more than that begin to look tired very quickly.

True the price and glitter is very attractive but unlike a house or quality build boat their resale value will drop pretty quickly - A 2nd hand 'quality' boat of around the same price will probably hold its value for decades -

Every newish Bav I have been on board, which has been in constant, use has looked tired after a very short time and the quality of materials used on the interior does leave something to be desired when you want to repair or tart them up...
 
[ QUOTE ]
You're almost certainly right on that one. As an example, look at the Bowman 40. Described by the builders etc as being designed for blue water etc, with no thought towards racing handicap.....



[/ QUOTE ]

Er.....think you may be wrong on this. We looked at buying an incompleted Bowman 40 hull many years ago - and the builder referred to its excellent IOR rating.
Cheers
JOHN
 
Couple of thoughts, perhaps personal views but something to think about:

1) Differentiation; do you really want to own a boat that looks just like the next, and the next and the next. Increasingly the all too familiar shiny white with navy, trimmed with the usual navy sprayhood and lazy jacks - popular yes, but don't you want a boat that looks just a bit different, esp. if its to be your home?

2) Insulation - are Bavs really suitable for year round living, refer to sleeping arrangements re. hull linings?

3) Keels - sorry, but I walked around and beneath latest Bav models just recently - oh, my gawd - I thought I was walking beneath a load of racing machines juding by the keels. Perhaps I'm a bit of a traditionalist but sorry, solid cruising keels they certainly weren't /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Before you part with your cash, have a serious look around the second harnd market. Yes there certainly are plenty 'manky old boats', but ever now and again you may be pleasantly surprised and find a gem - like I did /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Good luck
Lesley
 
[ QUOTE ]
Couple of thoughts, perhaps personal views but something to think about:

1) Differentiation; do you really want to own a boat that looks just like the next, and the next and the next. Increasingly the all too familiar shiny white with navy, trimmed with the usual navy sprayhood and lazy jacks - popular yes, but don't you want a boat that looks just a bit different, esp. if its to be your home?

2) Insulation - are Bavs really suitable for year round living, refer to sleeping arrangements re. hull linings?

3) Keels - sorry, but I walked around and beneath latest Bav models just recently - oh, my gawd - I thought I was walking beneath a load of racing machines juding by the keels. Perhaps I'm a bit of a traditionalist but sorry, solid cruising keels they certainly weren't /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Before you part with your cash, have a serious look around the second harnd market. Yes there certainly are plenty 'manky old boats', but ever now and again you may be pleasantly surprised and find a gem - like I did /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Good luck
Lesley

[/ QUOTE ]

1) I must admit, I'm one of those people that prefers more modern, "sleek" looks. Some people consider it bland and mass manufactured looks, but it's what I like, so that's fine.

2) Insulation. Hadn't thought about that. Any Bav owners able to comment?

3) I've been advised about the keel debate! As long as it does the job, I'm happy.

4) I'll definitely still look at the second hand market. If I come across a beauty of a boat with all the stuff I want, for similar money, then I'd definitely consider it. The Bav is just one idea.
 
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