Bavaria 46

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tonyliv

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I like the 8 berth internal layout of this boat and am thinking about buying one as a coastal cruiser. I would be grateful to hear from any owners or anyone who has chartered on their experiences or views. No old chestnuts about Bavaria please; the analogy with Skoda or Ford Focus v other boat "Mercedes" has been well documented. Volkswagon own Skoda and as I understand it, most people who can't afford Mercedes get by happily with their reliable Ford. I would also like to hear if any owners have adapted the boat into e.g. a cutter for more deep water cruising. Any takers?
 
Welcome to the forum

Sorry no comments on bavs /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif, but best of luck with what ever you choose to buy...

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif posting on two forums Tut Tut /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif you asked for that one ...........
 
Ah - a man who wants advice - and tells us what that advice should be - how kind /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Saves us having to answer.
 
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I would also like to hear if any owners have adapted the boat into e.g. a cutter for more deep water cruising. Any takers?

[/ QUOTE ]

Why do you think it needs to be a cutter for deep water cruising? just wondering.

Have you considered an older Moody 44?

I'm not biased.... I just went through a similar process to the one you seem to be going through, and spent about 4 years considering things.
 
Just don't think comparing to Skoda or Ford is particularly negative anymore - if you have experience of Bavaria and believe they are Soviet Trabants, let me know!
 
Not quite sure what you mean.

I havent sailed a bavaria, but went on board quite a few at 3 different boat shows.

The "solidness " and layout of the Moody is just streets ahead of Bavaria, Beneteau, Jeanneau, and everything I saw led me back to a Moody, even at 11+ years old.

I've had quite a few repairs and maintenance jobs to do, but have no regrets.
 
Thanks - I will check out the 44 and Moody generally more closely; I know they have a good reputation for reliability and build quality.
 
Definitely worth a look..... and as soon as you bring older Moodys into the equation, dependant on your budget, you can also look at Halberg Rassy, Rival/Bowman, Najad, Sweden, Malo, Nauticat (very Blue Water), and others that I cant think of at the moment.

Having sailed for 30+ years, the Moody 44 is the only boat where as soon as I've sat in the cockpit and looked below I've said "this is the dogs bollox!", (at the money obviously...). Others have been "cute", "Nice boat", "very impressive".....
 
Very little over 30ft actually sails in reality, to much hassle to take out for a few hours either side of the tide or no crew available.
 
What made you think the Moody was bollox? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
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... but as you said previously, you are not biased.

Yeah, Right !!

Of course, I agree with you entirely, but there again I would, wouldn't I? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi Nick....

I'm definitely not biased.... I would have loved to have considered a Nauticat, and I get a definite pang of jealousy when one pulls in nearby. I also prefer the lines and wider decks of the Halbergs... but if I am asked what would I choose between Rogue and a newer Bavaria 44, 46 or whatever, it's no contest, (Liked the look of the Contests aswell <g>).

I didnt even bother looking at the other boats on my wish list, because there was little/no chance of getting one at my budget, (which has skinted me anyway!.... just beginning to look at ways of generating another income stream).
 
Bavaria is a cheap, but very good boat. You must know that in first two winters you will spend a lot of time to improve some details and invest some money for new equipment, but after that you will have strong good boat for open sea ( even some history faults in production 42 Match).
 
TonyLiv, you dont say if you are looking to buy a new one or a second hand.

SWMBO spent 12 weeks on a 5 year old Bav 46 a couple of years ago as part of a yachtmaster course which included a trip from the south coast to the baltic, up to Norway and then over to Oban. The boat handled very well including the N Sea crossing - beating into a F6-8. It was quite stiff - but did leak a bit. This particular boat is used at least 45 weeks of the year every year for training so is well used.
I also notice a Bav 46 won the Banff to Stavanger race a couple of years ago which is no mean feat -hence they must be reasonably fast in some conditions. I agree with the previous post that they are (were?) strong boats and SWMBO really liked it.

Having looked over them in recent boat shows my impression is that they are not as solid as they used to be - but I cant pin down why - maybe I just dont like getting on a new boat that stinks of styrene inside (is the polyester resin fully cured?).

Buy an older Bav and you will get a lot of boat for your money. Go for Moody and you'll pay twice as much - and go rather slower. Yes there are loads of boats much better built than the Bav 46 but they cost much more and you do have to question whether its worth the extra.

Dr Bob
 
went to libs today and looked at bavs, last time years ago, the locker lids were thin and flimsy, swmbo lokked at em all and the concessus was the the bav 37 was the solidest of the lot.
stu
 
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