sausage
N/A
Background :
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Im coming close to making my choice for a boat to be heading to the Meditteranean from the UK, and then onwards out of the med probably to the Caribbean .
I have heard so many people say "stay away from Bav/Ben/Jen" and so many people say "I have one and have been using it for years as a live aboard, long distance cruiser - its been great".
So, clearly horses for courses, and each to their own.
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THE ISSUE
_________
So, bearing all the old opinions in mind about such brands, what do people know about the Bavaria lagoon 390?
I didnt want to go aboard the bavaria 390 at the brokers, but the broker persisted that I should look at it and said "its not like the newer bavarias - its a completely different creature".
It was in better condition than every other boat I saw of its age, and looked almost like new (as have all the other Bav 390Ls I have seen) - a testament to the build quality of Bavaria in the early to Mid 1990s.
This model has an "A1" build quality certification from Lloyds of London, only a few brands like westerly have such a certification as far as I know. It certifies that the boat has been built properly and to a certain strength - it is not an easily obtainable certificate.
This happened a few days ago at an Ancasta brokers shop, Ancasta are a large and reputable international brokerage; The broker has a westerly to sell, and he was not selling the Bav 390L. Although he said he would rather have the Bav 390L over the Westerly or the Moody for long distance cruising, as it is better built and was a more expensive boat than its comparitive Moodys & Westerlys in the day.
Everyone I have spoken to knows about old Bavs and said "great boat, lots of boat for the money" etc.
I have come close to out ruling many other boats, and things like the Bowman 46 Yawl is just too big for me to handle on my own, I also dont relish the fight with a long keel in european harbours even with crew.
Further: The seaworthy boats like Rivals, Sigmas, Westerlys etc just dont really have the accommodation I am looking for: master aft cabin, +2 other cabins & saloon, the sea worthy boats are all too narrow - and dont have bow thrusters, in mast furling or other things that will make it more comfortable to single handed sail.
My compromise is that I want spacious accomodation - as well as something strong and reliable.
Unfortunately, all boats in Europe are now 30% more exepensive due to the poor pound to euro exchange rate, and I have had to rethink my ambitions in terms of what I can buy. So this Bav 390Lagoon is rapidly becoming favourite.
A 1980s Moody 42 would be great, but finding one with the right gear in the right condition is very hard -the Bav is looking like the best option.
If Im about to do something Ill regret - please can you advise?
Thanks
M
___________
Im coming close to making my choice for a boat to be heading to the Meditteranean from the UK, and then onwards out of the med probably to the Caribbean .
I have heard so many people say "stay away from Bav/Ben/Jen" and so many people say "I have one and have been using it for years as a live aboard, long distance cruiser - its been great".
So, clearly horses for courses, and each to their own.
_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
THE ISSUE
_________
So, bearing all the old opinions in mind about such brands, what do people know about the Bavaria lagoon 390?
I didnt want to go aboard the bavaria 390 at the brokers, but the broker persisted that I should look at it and said "its not like the newer bavarias - its a completely different creature".
It was in better condition than every other boat I saw of its age, and looked almost like new (as have all the other Bav 390Ls I have seen) - a testament to the build quality of Bavaria in the early to Mid 1990s.
This model has an "A1" build quality certification from Lloyds of London, only a few brands like westerly have such a certification as far as I know. It certifies that the boat has been built properly and to a certain strength - it is not an easily obtainable certificate.
This happened a few days ago at an Ancasta brokers shop, Ancasta are a large and reputable international brokerage; The broker has a westerly to sell, and he was not selling the Bav 390L. Although he said he would rather have the Bav 390L over the Westerly or the Moody for long distance cruising, as it is better built and was a more expensive boat than its comparitive Moodys & Westerlys in the day.
Everyone I have spoken to knows about old Bavs and said "great boat, lots of boat for the money" etc.
I have come close to out ruling many other boats, and things like the Bowman 46 Yawl is just too big for me to handle on my own, I also dont relish the fight with a long keel in european harbours even with crew.
Further: The seaworthy boats like Rivals, Sigmas, Westerlys etc just dont really have the accommodation I am looking for: master aft cabin, +2 other cabins & saloon, the sea worthy boats are all too narrow - and dont have bow thrusters, in mast furling or other things that will make it more comfortable to single handed sail.
My compromise is that I want spacious accomodation - as well as something strong and reliable.
Unfortunately, all boats in Europe are now 30% more exepensive due to the poor pound to euro exchange rate, and I have had to rethink my ambitions in terms of what I can buy. So this Bav 390Lagoon is rapidly becoming favourite.
A 1980s Moody 42 would be great, but finding one with the right gear in the right condition is very hard -the Bav is looking like the best option.
If Im about to do something Ill regret - please can you advise?
Thanks
M