Bavaria 42 engine options

[Ron5]

We are currently looking at several Bav 42's 2006 - 2008 models.

Most have the 55HP Volvo but one has a 40HP Volvo.

My questions are would, the 40HP engine be underpowered and what would be the difference in the cruising under power speeds?

Cheers, Ron

 

[john_morris_uk]

In flat seas and no wind the difference would be almost unnoticeable (IMHO).

In rough seas, you 'might' notice a difference but the 55hp will burn more fuel. Both engine sizes are bigger than yacht engine auxiliaries were a few years ago and if it were me, I wouldn't be too worried.

 

[Bobc]

I reckon you'll be fine with either. 40 is fine for that size, and the 55 will give that extra bit so will be an occasional bonus.

I certainly wouldn't let the 55 sway you either way.

 

[sailor211]

Can either deliver full power to the prop?

Unless motoring into gale and tide with short chop I doubt the difference would be noticeable.

 

[Skylark]

I have a 41 ft AWB with 40 bhp Yanmar. More than adequate power to swing the prop. Can't see a meaningful advantage in having the bigger engine. More frictional losses from the bigger engine equates to a fuel consumption penalty. I guess that it could be argued that the bigger engine has less load at crusing speeds but to counter that, diesel engines like to be worked. As others have said, I wouldn't let the engine rating sway your choice. Condition, hours, service history and so would be more important considerations for me.

In that age range, don't forget to check the age of the abomination of a sail drive membrane.

 

[Ruffles]

Not your original question but you might like to check the prices of common spares. E.g. manifold. Is it a generic raw water pump etc.

 

[Ron5]

Thanks for the replies, it's certainly put my mind at rest.

Cheers, Ron

 

[jordanbasset]

I had a 2003 Bavria 38, infact it was 40 feet long. It had a Volvo D 255 engine, spec'd by the first owner, but it was probably too powerful for the boat. Anything above 2000 revs was wasted energy and meant I used it at lower revs than ideal, which was great for economy, it was surprising fuel efficient, but not so good for the engine I think. I do not think the 40hp engine would have any effect on the cruising speed.

 

[Neil_Y]

I had a 43hp Volvo in a Bav 40 it was more than enough.

 

[Monique]

I reckon you'll be fine with either. 40 is fine for that size, and the 55 will give that extra bit so will be an occasional bonus.

I certainly wouldn't let the 55 sway you either way.

If I remember correctly, the 55 HP was a normally aspirated Volvo MD 20. If this is the case, it is the Perkins engine and spares are cheaper with better availability.

More power is always nice to have...

 

[Sailfree]

I have a 43' Jeanneau with a 75HP yanmar.

I went for more powerful option on advice that you can never have too big an engine.

I prefer to always sail but when it is necessary to use power - plenty power is there!

 

[Daedelus]

Used to have a Moody 31 which had a 28hp Volvo, which was a teensy more than needed. Moody confessed they'd had the chance to buy a job lot and had shoved it in everything that would fit. Could be the same with the 55hp Volvo.

 

[Simondjuk]

Our Bav 38, nearer to 40 feet, has a 30hp VP. Even with an exhaust elbow reduced to the size of a finger, it would push the boat at 6.5 knots in flat water at 2500rpm and at close to hull speed at 3200rpm, which was a high as it would rev with the elbow as it was.

Even partly crippled, it's plenty. 40hp in a 44ish(?) foot Bav should be fine.

 

[haydude]

We are currently looking at several Bav 42's 2006 - 2008 models.

Most have the 55HP Volvo but one has a 40HP Volvo.

My questions are would, the 40HP engine be underpowered and what would be the difference in the cruising under power speeds?

Cheers, Ron

I have a Bavaria 42 Cruiser with an MD2-55. On reading on-line documentation I understand that the 55hp engine was an option, however I have never seen a Bavaria 42 Cruiser with the 40hp "standard" engine. All those I have seen had the 55hp.

The MD2-55 is an excellent engine. It has 3000 revs top, but the manual recommends to cruise at no more than 2000 revs where there is max torque. In slight condition and with a volvo penta folding prop it does 5.5kts at 1600 revs and 6.5/7 kts at 1800 revs which is a good compromise between speed and fuel consumption. At these revs I managed 300nm + with a full tank which is approximately 3 days and 3 nights non stop navigation.

My first impression was "what an engine!", and 4 years on I am still under the same impression.

I cannot comment on the 40hp version as I never owned or tried one.

There are components of a yacht that can be changed or added easily, others will stick with the package for most of its life. The engine is one of those components. A second hand boat is always a compromise on the options that you may find, so you may want to ask yourself: "Am I going to regret in future that I did not go for the more powerful engine?" And if you chose the 55hp engine boat, will you regret that you did not go for the 40hp engined boat because she had that component that now you miss? Or will you be able to get your 55hp boat to a configuration similar to that of the 40hp boat with less effort and cost than changing the engine?

There are other fundamental optional components on this model to consider: 1) deep fin lead keel/iron keel and 2) in-mast/traditional main
The deep lead keel will give you much better performance under sail, in-mast furling is better for single/short handed, and due to the performance of the overall design and the size of the headsail, you will reach hull speed quite easily also with the in-mast main. Mine has the following configuration: 55hp, lead keel, in-mast furling.

Whatever the keel, the first two jobs to do are:
1) RETORQUE the keel nuts. Nobody ever even check them, trust me, it will save you future trouble.
2) tune the rig, most of the boats I inspected had a slack rig.

To take the power of the engine this model comes as standard with a large 3 bladed prop that generates lots of drag under sail. Best to replace with a folding.

Good luck with your choice, whatever that is, a Bavaria 42 Cruiser will give you lots of satisfaction under sail. I just had fantastic crossing from Dieppe to Eastbourne in 8 and a half hours under sail last Monday, which is quite a record. I turned the engine off just in front of Dieppe and turned it on again once in front of the entrance to Eastbourne.