chrisgee
Well-Known Member
Anyone give me some feedback on these yachts in terms of sailing ability,seaworthiness etc
thanks
thanks
Bavaria Ocean 38/40 cc
- Thread starter chrisgee
- Start date
photodog
Lord High Commander of Upper Broughton and Gunthor
Never sailed one... but have been on board.. that age of Bavaria was very nicely put together, but the CC's were a cut above still imo..... a very nice boat... still fetching good money. I would have one!
fireball
Well-Known Member
Ask Playtime ...
Playtime
Well-Known Member
Ah - just found this one by chance when looking back for something else
How long have you got - we've owned Playtime since new, June 2000.
Performance - very good for a high (internal) volume AWB. Playtime was fitted with the 'hi-tech' sails and has always performed well in BOA races, regularly beating over the water (as well as trouncing on handicap) Bavaria 42s and everything smaller. Maybe it's the way you sail 'em but I think the design has something to do with it! Playtime won the BOA Commodore's Cup a few years back and only lost it the following year to a 37 that used a spinnaker (in what was supposed to be a white sails only race!).
Sea worthiness is a difficult one as we try (as a (recently) retired couple) to avoid any 'serious' weather. That said we have crossed the channel in F6 with big seas and 'shot' the Raz with wind and swell against tide raising 15 foot waves without any serious concern. The fixed windscreen and large sprayhood give excellent shelter and a DIY seat at the top of the companionway makes for the perfect place to 'con' the ship on long passages in poor weather.
The interior accommodation is obviously a matter of personal taste but 2 up it works very well. The centre cockpit allows for a massive rear cabin with a 'proper' shaped central bed and the forward cabin is a good sized 'dumping ground' for bicycles, cockpit cushions and all the other cruising 'necessities'. At sea the linear galley with the engine/cockpit behind to lean on gives a very secure working area. The separate shower area also works well.
Downsides (there are a few) - wobbly stanchions (single bolt fitting); lack of a decent sized locker (2 lazarettes plus a small locker up front), the dinghy has to be stored on deck; water tanks (total nearly 400L) at either end are not ideal for weight distribution; rudder bearings (most need 'easing' at some point in their life).
Overall - in my opinion an excellent boat for the money and far better value than equivalent Hallbergs and Najads
.If you would like any more info please PM me.
Tranona
Well-Known Member
Can't speak from direct experience, although my similar vintage 37 aft cockpit is similar. However a 38 Ocean would be top of my list for replacement. In my view much better put together than a comparable Moody including better access to the machinery. More open and spacious than an HR and 30-40% cheaper, despite having held their price better than the more volume produced Bavarias.
njsail
Active Member
Bavaria 40 Ocean CC
I've owned our Bavaria 40 Ocean CC for a little over a year now and absolutely love it. playtime's post is spot on. The Ocean 40 is a solid built and sails beautifully. This was our first year with in mast furling and although it took a little getting used I now like it. The boat is well balanced and highly maneuverable due to the fin keel and spade rudder. My last boat was a full keel so having the ability to back out of a crowded marina when needed is a nice bit of added confidence. On an average day on NJ waters the wind blows between 15-20kts (perfect) so close quarters maneuvering is important to us. Always a lot of fun docking with a 20kt cross wind on the bow. She rides waves, chop, and slop with grace. I love the center cockpit and the visibility is great. As a testimonial to sea worthiness the prior owners and a sailing friend of mine sailed the boat up the US coast to Nova Scotia and back. They encountered some pretty rough seas and the comments were they felt safe and secure. In pounding seas she's a stiff boat and doesn't flex like others I've been on. Some boats creak and grown - not this one (minus the occasional item flying across the cabin when we forget to stow it. Over the summer we had a hurricane Earl come up the US coast. It was far enough offshore so I wanted to see what the boat would handle like. A friend and I took her out and had some fun in some 30-40kt winds and it was a blast. I felt safe and sound. She stands on her feet well and tracked nicely. On a side note I tried sailing under bare poles just to see what it would feel like in those winds and she sailed effortlessly under bare poles and autopilot in following and quartering seas. If you have any other questions let me know.
The galley is great for working underway or at anchor. Engine access is awesome on 3 sides. I hear a lot of people complain about saildrives but I have all praise. It's very quite and smooth.
I've owned our Bavaria 40 Ocean CC for a little over a year now and absolutely love it. playtime's post is spot on. The Ocean 40 is a solid built and sails beautifully. This was our first year with in mast furling and although it took a little getting used I now like it. The boat is well balanced and highly maneuverable due to the fin keel and spade rudder. My last boat was a full keel so having the ability to back out of a crowded marina when needed is a nice bit of added confidence. On an average day on NJ waters the wind blows between 15-20kts (perfect) so close quarters maneuvering is important to us. Always a lot of fun docking with a 20kt cross wind on the bow. She rides waves, chop, and slop with grace. I love the center cockpit and the visibility is great. As a testimonial to sea worthiness the prior owners and a sailing friend of mine sailed the boat up the US coast to Nova Scotia and back. They encountered some pretty rough seas and the comments were they felt safe and secure. In pounding seas she's a stiff boat and doesn't flex like others I've been on. Some boats creak and grown - not this one (minus the occasional item flying across the cabin when we forget to stow it. Over the summer we had a hurricane Earl come up the US coast. It was far enough offshore so I wanted to see what the boat would handle like. A friend and I took her out and had some fun in some 30-40kt winds and it was a blast. I felt safe and sound. She stands on her feet well and tracked nicely. On a side note I tried sailing under bare poles just to see what it would feel like in those winds and she sailed effortlessly under bare poles and autopilot in following and quartering seas. If you have any other questions let me know.
The galley is great for working underway or at anchor. Engine access is awesome on 3 sides. I hear a lot of people complain about saildrives but I have all praise. It's very quite and smooth.
Last edited:
Other threads that may be of interest
