First post in Yachting page...Bavaria Cruiser 36 or Jeanneau 36i

[Tranona]

Despite Tranona's dogged support for in mast furling, avoid it like the plague. A well set up fully battened main on Selden cars lets you drop the main into the lazy bag from the cockpit without the embarassment and poor performance of hanging a bedsheet from the mast.

Cannot see why you are so anti when for many years the majority of new boats have been fitted with in mast furling. are the owners all wrong? Plus they seem to get around the world or along the coast just as well as people with different rigs. Pretty sure if they were as awful as you make out very knowledgeable and experienced people (not just simple old me) would not specify them.

 

[[3889]]

Cannot see why you are so anti when for many years the majority of new boats have been fitted with in mast furling. are the owners all wrong? Plus they seem to get around the world or along the coast just as well as people with different rigs. Pretty sure if they were as awful as you make out very knowledgeable and experienced people (not just simple old me) would not specify them.

I'm anti because every experience I've had with in mast has been negative, incuding delivering a brand new Bav C56 with vertically battened top spec main which was badly chewed between Nice and Corfu and set like my dogs blanket.
They do get around the world and along the coast but certainly not as well as a properly rigged boat. The best selling UK newspapers are the Mail and Sun so I'm afraid I don't take much notice of the wisdom of crowds.

 

[[3889]]

If I was going Jeanneau, I would rather the Sun Odyssey 35 than the 36i that replaced it just to avoid the egg box hull construction which can be costly to repair from even a light grounding.

Despite owning a 36i I think there is merit in this suggestion, though not necessarily for the reasons given. AWBs do seem to be in a race to the bottom in terms of the quality of each new generation . A well maintained 35 or 37 is an attractive proposition.

 

[Spyro]

Both 29 - although the Bav had a 20 as standard, but don't think many were fitted at least not in UK.

that's what I was wondering, 20. Isn't enough for that boat

 

[JonWA]

I owned a 36i back in '08/09, really liked the boat as seemed a strong, fast cruiser (was the 'performance' version). What i wasn't so keen on was the helm position; as quite a beamy boat, the single wheel wasn't quite large enough to reach when sat abeam of the helm position, so that I wound up steering with my foot in calmer weather or stuck being the wheel peering over the coach roof in stronger conditions. I guess later twin wheel boats solved this, helpful in close quarters when short handed.

 

[Tranona]

that's what I was wondering, 20. Isn't enough for that boat

Which is why I expect you won't find any in the UK, although I know of at least one on a charter fleet in the med where it would be adequate.

 

[Tranona]

I'm anti because every experience I've had with in mast has been negative, incuding delivering a brand new Bav C56 with vertically battened top spec main which was badly chewed between Nice and Corfu and set like my dogs blanket.
They do get around the world and along the coast but certainly not as well as a properly rigged boat. The best selling UK newspapers are the Mail and Sun so I'm afraid I don't take much notice of the wisdom of crowds.

I am sorry you have had those experiences - just that they not the same as mine, nor of the thousands of people who are very happy with their in mast rigs and do not experience those problems.

There is no such thing as a "properly rigged" boat. There is a wide range of rigs each with their own characteristics. An aware buyer/owner ways up the pros and cons of each and makes a choice, which is then the "perfect" choice - for him or her.

It is insulting for you to say others are wrong because they choose differently from you.

 

[vandy]

I owned a 36i back in '08/09, really liked the boat as seemed a strong, fast cruiser (was the 'performance' version). .

thanks, do yo know what the difference between the performance version and the normal 36i is?

 

[vandy]

Thanks all, amazing response. All I hear about Bavaria is negative stories but seem to be popular boats...and yes very competitively priced... regarding Keel failure, not sure if it's just a manufacturer specific issue or general risky item on sailboats...

We are off to view 2-3 boats in the southcoast this weekend .... so we will see!

 

[ashtead]

Probably best for the OP to try out a in mast and stack pack main but at this length of vessel the younger person who sails with a crew might feel quite comfortable with the simplicity of a stack pack and being able to instantly drop the main without the worries of in mast felt by others. As an aside I saw a rather in boom system on a Contest 46 the other day which seems to work well according to the Dutch owner and at that size would be a supporter of a furling approach but for the size of a smaller Bav mentioned simplicity might win out. I was also told in mast Bav sail areas are marginally smaller so presumably this might impact decision. Best of luck in your search though and do try a few out of each make and sail set up before committing. Ultimately choice might be made by other factors though other than sail set up.

 

[ashtead]

Not a jeaneau owner but performance versions might have a taller mast and deeper keel . Have a chat with Clipper marine as to various Bav models and features which make attractive as whatever size you go for you might want to trade up one day . I don't know this Bav cruiser36 with the gunport windows but that description might put off some buyers for example ?

 

[Sticky Fingers]

I bought a new Bavaria yacht 12 months ago, with my own, hard-earned real money. It bears no resemblance to the horror stories told by others. It's well made from quality materials, nothing flexes or creaks or falls off, the panel fits are good, the in-mast furling works perfectly, the sails set well, it sails brilliantly well (for a cruiser) in every wind condition I've been out in, it's a doddle to single-hand (42' boat), it's comfy and spacious to live in and relax on. My wife loves it. My friends love it. The keel remains intact despite kissing Chichester's famous mud.

I spent a few quid extra on the taller rig, cruising laminate sails and a folding prop to assist what I thought might be lacklustre sailing performance, worth it if the experience to date is a barometer.

 

[ashtead]

If the OP is interested in Exploits of Bavarias I recall there is is an interesting video of one entering a shallow harbour and losing some crew on entry to show what they can survive . We never had any problems with our iron Bav keel apart from the surface rust every year but I suspect this is a common problem on iron keels. Sailed our 34 along the south coast and cross channel for 14 years with no issues generally and certainly quicker than Hallbergs of same length .

 

[PhilS]

It doesn't matter. A good example of whichever boat you think is right for you will be fine. I have chartered both boats and have now had 5 seasons in a Jeanneau bought from new and before that an older Bavaria 32. My own boats have had no serious problems. You will hear horror stories of all boats but modern mass produced boats are surviving hard use by charter companies and in private hands are easily strong enough. I can't really comment on furling mains as I don't have much experience with them. The Bavaria had full length battens which made the main really easy to drop. I miss them on the Jeanneau which requires the main to be partially pulled down. Enjoy whatever you get!

 

[jordanbasset]

We had a Bavaria 38 and then bought a Bavaria 33. Very happy with both, but also met many happy Jeaneau owners, as others have said I would make the decision on the specifics of the boat for sale.
Re in-mast furling, that was one of the red lines for my wife, that we must have one. She loves it, easy to use and no hasssle

 

[Spyro]

thanks, do yo know what the difference between the performance version and the normal 36i is?

At a guess I'd say the same hull with a taller rigger and deeper keel. Check out the specs

 

[Spyro]

Which is why I expect you won't find any in the UK, although I know of at least one on a charter fleet in the med where it would be adequate.

I would have thought a charter boat is not the place where you want an under powered engine. As for it being in the Med, I don't see how that is relevant apart from there being next to no tides to worry about. When one of those winds that they all have names for starts blowing and it's right on the nose all those charterers would be glad of that extra power.

 

[RichardS]

I would have thought a charter boat is not the place where you want an under powered engine. As for it being in the Med, I don't see how that is relevant apart from there being next to no tides to worry about. When one of those winds that they all have names for starts blowing and it's right on the nose all those charterers would be glad of that extra power.

It sounds as if "no tides" is just a small detail.

In reality, it's a totally different sailing world. :encouragement:

Richard

 

[Spyro]

It sounds as if "no tides" is just a small detail.



Richard

when you are used to sailing round all the nooks and crannies of the west of Scotland it is.
I've sailed in the med too :encouragement:

 

[doug748]

Indeed, "everyone else has one" is a poor maxim for buying anything for your own use.

The facts of this dilemma are well understood. You can have either best performance or best convenience. I am always baffled by folk who try to bludgeon their own ideas on to others.

The gunboat Bavaria was not universally admired for it's aesthetic, so there may be relative bargains to be had - at the price of rather poorer resale - if you can get along with the idiosyncratic looks.