Bavaria 36 keel characteristics; 1.6m v 1.9m?

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CalmSkipper

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I'm seeking to buy a Bavaria 36 mailny for coastal cruising with occasional cross channel excursions (eventually!)

From what I have seen there are 1.6m and 1.9m keel variants. What are peoples experiences? I favour the idea of the shallower draft for all the normal reasons people are drawn to them.

What are the thoughts of current owners?
 
I can't really comment on the 36, but I used to have a shallow draft 32 and always wished I'd gone for the deeper keel. These are quite lightly ballasted boats and the deeper down the weight is, the more effective it is. Having sailed on both deep and shallow draft 32's, the deeper keeled boats definately seem a bit stiffer. From memory, the deeper draft keels are made from lead, whereas the shallow draft boats have iron keels which are obviously more of a maintenance issue with rust spots etc.
You could try asking on the Bavaria Owners Association; www.bavariaowners.co.uk.
 
Re: Deep fin keel characteristics; 1.6m v 1.9m?

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. . . for all the normal reasons people are drawn to them.

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And what might they be pray?

That extra foot won't cause you much of a problem very often - perhaps working in/out of marinas with a sill like Southsea and St Helier or drying out to scrub off,

Many, many more times will you be frustrated at the inferior windward performance already referred to, and it could cost you dearly: like hammering back from Cherbourg and finding yourself East of the Nab when trying to lay Bembridge Ledge.

Please avoid the common mistake of compromising your commitment to a fin-keel. Do it properly and get the deepest the builder offers. I had an Arpege with the rare deep keel option and it gave us great pleasure sailing past others who couldn't understand why we were pointing higher and tracking faster!

There's your answer.

Happy New Year.

CJH
 
I agree with Andy-H sign on to Bavaria owners or visit Bavaria web site. I have a 37 with shallow skeel and I can point as high as with my previous deep keel version of 34. Also I can now access more harbours in my cruising area around the NW Scotland. ( I should also note my shallow keel is the twin tandem type refered to a a shallow keel so you do need to research your keels. ) As a footnote I'm not sure Bavaria do a lead keel on their newer models.
Happy new year and good sailing whatever your choice.
 
(sits at the keyboard desperately trying to resist the temptation to make a 'drop-keel version' wise-crack - aaaaaargggh!)
 
I dont have any experience of bavaria 36 but its a case of horses for courses.

If you regullarilly visit places where the extra foot of draught will cause you problems then go for the shallow keel. If not go for the improved performance of the deep keel.

Theres probably very few places that could accomodate 1.6 but not 1.9ms
 
We have a 3 year old 36 with the 1.6 keel. We have covered about 4,500 miles as far south as Ile d'yeu this summer. I would always go for the shallower keel. There are far more places you can go/anchor in France with 1.6 than 1.9. We also regularly sail past other boats and the boat points very well. You will also get into and out of marinas first as you don't have to wait so long for the sill or bar and will therefore get the best or maybe last berths. The stability is exactly the same for both keels as the iron 1.6m keel has a bulb at the bottom wheras the 1.9 is just a blade. Of course if you are buying the boat just to race, the answer might be different.
 
I agree with Tony.
Whilst it might not change much on the South Coast of the UK, the extra 30cm will greatly reduce your options if you cruise around places like South Britanny (eg les Glenans). If I were you I'd try to think about where you might go cruising and have a look at some charts and pilot books.
Personally I feel that extra little bit of freedom that the shallow draught gives you is well worth the potential compromise in windward ability, but then I am biased as I sail a bilge keeler.

Marc.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
(sits at the keyboard desperately trying to resist the temptation to make a 'drop-keel version' wise-crack - aaaaaargggh!)

[/ QUOTE ]
I share your pain.

[/ QUOTE ]And there was me thinking they were all "drop keelers" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
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I have no intentions of racing - I heard you could spill your gim that way!. Cruising only for me so a small compromise on performance is acceptable but would like th eboat to feel as 'stiff' as possible as SWMBO is newbie and has lot to get used to!
 
I have safely traveled round the world with the deep draft version so i am a little biased but i think it makes a little stiffer
 
For me it's a no-brainer: all the benefits of a deeper keel and the only disadvantage is when you want to sail in water between 1.6 and 1.9 metres deep. How often is that?

However, seeing a lot of the answers, it seems there are quite a lot of people who do want to sail in water between 1.6 and 1.9 metres deep. If you're one of them, you'll have to go for the shoal keel.
 
Seven years on I wonder if he has chosen yet?

Edit, looks like to took the forums advice:

CalmSkipper said:
I'm thinking of trying a first run into Bembridge soon, 36 footer drawing 1.9m. I understand it's compact and with limited deep water moorings - any advice gratefully received!
Click to expand...
 
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