In praise of Bavaria...

Judders

Judders

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A few years ago, a friend and I chartered a Bav 32. Apart from meeting SWMBO (have I mentioned this before?) it was a fairly unremarkable sail, but it did form the basis of my opinion on Bavarias. Yes, unlike many scuttlebutters who are so quick to condem, I did actually base my view on having sailed one!). My criticisms of them were many and various and have been done to death here.

At the 2006 London Boat Show I had an extended chat with the Opal chap at the Bavaria stand and listed my criticsims. I have to say that I was quite scynical (sic) and assumed what I was hearing about increased ballast etc was broker speak.

Last Friday I was lucky enough to join Wayne for the Kids Out Day out of Chichester Marina, aboard his Bav33. It turns out, the broker wasn't joking. The increase in ballast was heaven sent as we crossed Hayling Bay on the return leg to Gosport. The responsiveness of the helm under power was as good as I have experienced and the build quality was much improved. Silly things like upsidedown lockers have been corrected and the vessel was far stiffer. And Bavaria have done all this without putting their prices up.

I'm almost a convert and would certainly say that if you've had a pop at them in the past, have another look at the newer models.

*No, I haven't just taken a new job with Peters' before you ask!
 
Thought it was just me! The latest generation of Bavarias are certainly good value as far as I can see. I have sailed quite a variety over the years, different sizes and ages. I currently have an involvement with a year old 37 and have been quite impressed. Usually sail locally once or twice a week but took the opportunity last week to go for a more testing coastal passage, about 75 miles each way. Got a lot of interesting wind and sea states from 20 odd knots astern and included a 40 mile beat back against 15 to 20 knots. Best bit was a beam reach in a gusty 30 knots, nicely reefed, 8 knots boatspeed. All windpeeds in True, not Apparent. Point is we gave the boat a good old thrash and she behaved very well. Comfortable on the helm, comfortable motion, nothing broken!
Straitforward to moor too- our added bonus was we got a free night on a pontoon at the other end!
Thats my test report and I like 'em. Absolutely nothing to do with the company or agents brokers, etc!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thought it was just me! The latest generation of Bavarias are certainly good value as far as I can see. I have sailed quite a variety over the years, different sizes and ages. I currently have an involvement with a year old 37 and have been quite impressed. Usually sail locally once or twice a week but took the opportunity last week to go for a more testing coastal passage, about 75 miles each way. Got a lot of interesting wind and sea states from 20 odd knots astern and included a 40 mile beat back against 15 to 20 knots. Best bit was a beam reach in a gusty 30 knots, nicely reefed, 8 knots boatspeed. All windpeeds in True, not Apparent. Point is we gave the boat a good old thrash and she behaved very well. Comfortable on the helm, comfortable motion, nothing broken!
Straitforward to moor too- our added bonus was we got a free night on a pontoon at the other end!
Thats my test report and I like 'em. Absolutely nothing to do with the company or agents brokers, etc!

[/ QUOTE ]

Blimey, a thread in praise of Bavarias. Funny how it has attracted so few posts!! Normally when the Bav bashing starts, it runs to several pages. I guess good news is bad news to some.

How long before the old timers find a way of getting this thread pulled!!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Is the deep lead keel now standard? I believe that always made a huge difference, the regular shallow iron keel not being up to much.
 
The deep Iron keel is standard.

Shallow lead is an option (at a cost of course)

My Bav 33 draws a shade under 1.9m so not shy.

Cheers

Wayne
 
I have a 2003 Bav36 with the standard keel @ 1.67m and sailed past you to windward 3 weeks ago so I think they are superb boats! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
In terms of performance, there is no doubting the Bavs have achieved a marked improvement. Down here a newish Bav46 (Pebble Rebble) just won the short-handed trans-Tasman race, even beating a 14m cat across the line comfortably (after about a week at sea). A lot of us were surprised/impressed by the result especially given there was a variety of conditions including plenty of downhill stuff.

But back to quality. IMHO it's still a marginal call. At the recent Auckland boatshow I closely inspected the Bav Vision and it's close competitor the Elan Impression. and in terms of interior design, look & feel it was a no-brainer in favour of the Germanischer Lloyd Elan, which also has a great design pedigree in Rob Humphreys. Would be my first choice of mono.
 
[ QUOTE ]
My Bav 33 draws a shade under 1.9m so not shy.

[/ QUOTE ]
So that's why we got in the lock before you! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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useful to hear this.

now has anybody got anything good to say about Legend?

[/ QUOTE ] /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
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sailed past you to windward 3 weeks ago

[/ QUOTE ]

More details please, I dont recall this! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Its never happened before!
 
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