StevenH
New Member
We are considering buying a new Bavaria 33 and would appreciate any comments from owners regarding their ownership experiences or information as to where to find any reviews.
Bavaria 33
- Thread starter StevenH
- Start date
Dave99
Well-Known Member
You can search through back issues of Pbo and Yachting Monthly, I think. Bavaria do offer value for money.
Oliveoyl
Well-Known Member
As a newbie, you may get some spikey comments from the anti AWB brigade, there have been many threads here. We chartered a Bav 32 (t'was a year when they were doing "evens") with very tall son and his girlfriend, and it was a very very good experience. We are now buying a Bav 37.
Don't know what you've sailed before, but our main concern is that AWBs tend to feel a bit less stable than MABs, but once on the learning curve, you can go anywhere, any weather. Wouldn't personally want to do the Atlantic with one (some have), but then again, probably wouldn't do the Atlantic on anything!
Don't know what you've sailed before, but our main concern is that AWBs tend to feel a bit less stable than MABs, but once on the learning curve, you can go anywhere, any weather. Wouldn't personally want to do the Atlantic with one (some have), but then again, probably wouldn't do the Atlantic on anything!
A_7
Well-Known Member
Absolutely fine for coastal sailing.
StevenH
New Member
hi Olive Oyl
Thanks for your reply it was helpfull , being a newbie not sure what AWBs,/MWBs are though?
I agree about the Atlantic thing, wouldn't want to do it in anything smaller than the QE2
re steve h
Thanks for your reply it was helpfull , being a newbie not sure what AWBs,/MWBs are though?
I agree about the Atlantic thing, wouldn't want to do it in anything smaller than the QE2
re steve h
Woodlouse
Well-Known Member
AWB=Average White Boat
MAB= Mouldy Auld Boat
MAB= Mouldy Auld Boat
Emjaytoo
Well-Known Member
Steve
We put down our deposit on a new Bav 30 at the boat show, it's due 1st week of May.
Before signing up we spent a lot of time talking to the Opal Rep and some interesting facts came out regarding the Bav 30 v's Bav 33 v's Bav 37.
The base price for a Bav 33 is nearly £15K more than the 30. Both boats have the same size aft cabin, both boats have the same size fore berth (the 33 has more standing room in the fore cabin).
When we went on board both boats the 33 did feel bigger, but not that much bigger compared to the higher price!
Opel told us that both the 30 and the 37 individually outsell the 33.
No doubt some people will say that a 33 footer will sail far better than a 30 - all depends on what you want!
We put down our deposit on a new Bav 30 at the boat show, it's due 1st week of May.
Before signing up we spent a lot of time talking to the Opal Rep and some interesting facts came out regarding the Bav 30 v's Bav 33 v's Bav 37.
The base price for a Bav 33 is nearly £15K more than the 30. Both boats have the same size aft cabin, both boats have the same size fore berth (the 33 has more standing room in the fore cabin).
When we went on board both boats the 33 did feel bigger, but not that much bigger compared to the higher price!
Opel told us that both the 30 and the 37 individually outsell the 33.
No doubt some people will say that a 33 footer will sail far better than a 30 - all depends on what you want!
PeterGee
Well-Known Member
Hi Steven
I bought a Bav 33 last year. (Delivered Feb) I am still pretty pleased with her. Upsides are that she sails pretty well in light winds, plenty of space and no real teething trouble issues. Under power she is way better than the previous old boat we had.
Looking for downsides I would say:
Straight downwind she is not so good. Also in a blow she does like to be reefed early. (like most modern lightweight boats I believe)
Hope that helps.
Peter
I bought a Bav 33 last year. (Delivered Feb) I am still pretty pleased with her. Upsides are that she sails pretty well in light winds, plenty of space and no real teething trouble issues. Under power she is way better than the previous old boat we had.
Looking for downsides I would say:
Straight downwind she is not so good. Also in a blow she does like to be reefed early. (like most modern lightweight boats I believe)
Hope that helps.
Peter
alldownwind
Well-Known Member
Steven, I've sent you a 'PM' about this - look for the flashing icon near the top of the page, and click on it.
StevenH
New Member
Hi alldownwind, sorry could not find you pm could you please resend
Steven
Steven
alldownwind
Well-Known Member
Try again. Little flashing icon next to where it says 'User Options' near top of this page. Click on it, you'll get a list of messages with one on it called 'Bav 33'. Click (or double-click?) on the message title.
WayneS
Well-Known Member
Hi Stephen
Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you with a more detailed reply.
As I mentioned in my last post, we purchased a Bav 33 after the 2005 Southampton Boat Show and took delivery in early Feb 2006, so just about a year ago, from Opal in Hayling.
The sales support and advice that we got form them was fantastic and the after sales service has been great too. I cannot vouch for their other outlets as I have not had any dealings with them.
We moved up from an old 29' Cruiser/Racer and as so went into it with no previous experience of buying new boats but as I was buying in a 50/50 partnership, we did go to town a bit on the things that we fitted.
Since purchase we have had some fun times aboard and no serious after sales issues. They sail well, are big inside with loads of storage and has everything that we want in a boat.
You questioned the deep/shallow keel. I have no experience with the shallow keel but it is worth looking at This Thread where it was discussed.
Things that we did/didn't purchase where I can advise are:
Guard wire Openings: We purchased them and would not be without them. They are high sided boats and the less tall people would struggle to get on and off without them
Sails: We went for the standard set but in hind sight we should have gone for fully battened
Spinny Gear. We did not purchase this as we were going to fit our own pad eyes on the aft quarters to fly a cruising chute. Fitting the eyes was a nightmare and if we did it again, I would pay the price for Opal to do it.
Engine: We went for the standard 19hp. It is fine for our needs but on the limit. If you can, I would go for the bigger option.
Anchor: We purchased the Bavaria plough anchor. It is a nightmare to set and I would recommend that you source something else yourself. The locker is designed around their plough so buy carefully.
Windlass: We purchased it and don't know how we ever lived without one.
Shower: We did not go for one but if you ever want one, have it fitted at purchase. I am led to believe that it is a nightmare to retro fit. I heard a rumour that they come as standard now so this may be a mute point.
UV strip on Genny: Be aware that the sails do not come with this as standard. You need to purchase it as an option.
3rd reef: We went for this and while we have not had to use it yet, we have come close. These boats do not like to sail over canvassed and for the small outlay I would strongly recommend that you go for it.
Some post sales things that you need to look out for, and poss have sorted before you take delivery
Anchor locker drains: All the Cruiser range have their drains too high in the locker so you end up with 2-3 inches of water lying in the bottom of the locker. Not good for the chain. 2 ways that Opal have fixed this is to build up the base of the locker to meet the drains or as in my case, add another drain right at the bottom of the locker.
Water pipes: At the handover they will tell you to keep an eye out for leaks as all the piping is push fit. They mean what they say, we dumped our first tank full of fresh water into the bilge due to an ill fitting joint.
Fuel gauge: I have heard that the newer models with digital fuel gauges have has some sender unit issues so keep an eye on that.
Cockpit table: There are two leaves on the table that fold open but are poorly supported. If you are not careful you can end up splitting the wood. I have embedded some stainless bar into the wood to strengthen it.
Some sailing pointers.
These boats do not like to be over canvassed. Beyond 20deg of heel you gain nothing. Reefing beyond this makes the ride far more comfortable and you do not loose any speed or pointing ability.
Another issue when over canvassed is that they can round up quite easily. When close hauled and heeling, you need to have quick reactions on the wheel, or put that reef in that should have been there already.
When you take delivery the autohelm will be set to some default settings which work fine. However I would recommend that you spend a few hours going through the setup and calibration in the manual. I did and it made a world of difference, not only to the steered course but also to the battery drain.
I could ramble on and on but rather than bore you with stuff that you may not be bothered about, if you have any specific questions then please send them my way and I will try to answer them as honestly as I can.
I don't know how useful it is but if you want I put together a spreadsheet of all the options available to allow you to add and remove options and see exactly how much of your children's inheritance you are investing. Let me know if you want it and I will send it to you.
Good luck and I hope that this has been useful.
Wayne
(Tis late and I cannot be bothered to proof read so please excuse all the errors)
Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you with a more detailed reply.
As I mentioned in my last post, we purchased a Bav 33 after the 2005 Southampton Boat Show and took delivery in early Feb 2006, so just about a year ago, from Opal in Hayling.
The sales support and advice that we got form them was fantastic and the after sales service has been great too. I cannot vouch for their other outlets as I have not had any dealings with them.
We moved up from an old 29' Cruiser/Racer and as so went into it with no previous experience of buying new boats but as I was buying in a 50/50 partnership, we did go to town a bit on the things that we fitted.
Since purchase we have had some fun times aboard and no serious after sales issues. They sail well, are big inside with loads of storage and has everything that we want in a boat.
You questioned the deep/shallow keel. I have no experience with the shallow keel but it is worth looking at This Thread where it was discussed.
Things that we did/didn't purchase where I can advise are:
Guard wire Openings: We purchased them and would not be without them. They are high sided boats and the less tall people would struggle to get on and off without them
Sails: We went for the standard set but in hind sight we should have gone for fully battened
Spinny Gear. We did not purchase this as we were going to fit our own pad eyes on the aft quarters to fly a cruising chute. Fitting the eyes was a nightmare and if we did it again, I would pay the price for Opal to do it.
Engine: We went for the standard 19hp. It is fine for our needs but on the limit. If you can, I would go for the bigger option.
Anchor: We purchased the Bavaria plough anchor. It is a nightmare to set and I would recommend that you source something else yourself. The locker is designed around their plough so buy carefully.
Windlass: We purchased it and don't know how we ever lived without one.
Shower: We did not go for one but if you ever want one, have it fitted at purchase. I am led to believe that it is a nightmare to retro fit. I heard a rumour that they come as standard now so this may be a mute point.
UV strip on Genny: Be aware that the sails do not come with this as standard. You need to purchase it as an option.
3rd reef: We went for this and while we have not had to use it yet, we have come close. These boats do not like to sail over canvassed and for the small outlay I would strongly recommend that you go for it.
Some post sales things that you need to look out for, and poss have sorted before you take delivery
Anchor locker drains: All the Cruiser range have their drains too high in the locker so you end up with 2-3 inches of water lying in the bottom of the locker. Not good for the chain. 2 ways that Opal have fixed this is to build up the base of the locker to meet the drains or as in my case, add another drain right at the bottom of the locker.
Water pipes: At the handover they will tell you to keep an eye out for leaks as all the piping is push fit. They mean what they say, we dumped our first tank full of fresh water into the bilge due to an ill fitting joint.
Fuel gauge: I have heard that the newer models with digital fuel gauges have has some sender unit issues so keep an eye on that.
Cockpit table: There are two leaves on the table that fold open but are poorly supported. If you are not careful you can end up splitting the wood. I have embedded some stainless bar into the wood to strengthen it.
Some sailing pointers.
These boats do not like to be over canvassed. Beyond 20deg of heel you gain nothing. Reefing beyond this makes the ride far more comfortable and you do not loose any speed or pointing ability.
Another issue when over canvassed is that they can round up quite easily. When close hauled and heeling, you need to have quick reactions on the wheel, or put that reef in that should have been there already.
When you take delivery the autohelm will be set to some default settings which work fine. However I would recommend that you spend a few hours going through the setup and calibration in the manual. I did and it made a world of difference, not only to the steered course but also to the battery drain.
I could ramble on and on but rather than bore you with stuff that you may not be bothered about, if you have any specific questions then please send them my way and I will try to answer them as honestly as I can.
I don't know how useful it is but if you want I put together a spreadsheet of all the options available to allow you to add and remove options and see exactly how much of your children's inheritance you are investing. Let me know if you want it and I will send it to you.
Good luck and I hope that this has been useful.
Wayne
(Tis late and I cannot be bothered to proof read so please excuse all the errors)
FullCircle
Well-Known Member
Good post Wayne.
