of great concern....

Phoenix of Hamble

Phoenix of Hamble

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 Aug 2003
Messages
20,966
Location
East Coast
mishapsandmemories.blogspot.com
So, having looked at several boats at the boat show, with a view to possibly upgrading, I have to report something that will no doubt provoke howls of anguish and scorn being poured upon me....

We thought that the Bavaria 37 was by far and away the best boat in its price range at the show...

We looked very hard for poor build standards, but thought that it was easily of a the same standard as the Ben/Jen's..

We searched for poor design, but its been very well thought out, with great engine access, loads of storage, sensible handling systems and very useable space both in the marina, and at sea...

We wondered about the poor fittings, but it has Selden rigging, Lewmar and Reutger fittings throughout... and good quality brand names for all the other bits...

Now before you all jump in, we know its not an HR, or an Island Packet, or perhaps a Moody.... but its also at a totally different price point...

Oh what do I do?... should I wash with more soap?...
 
I have just bounced across the Channel in a Bavaria 37 C and can confirm that it floats. Rather well. In fact, it hardly cuts the waves at all, preferring either to fall off them with a crash that worried the hell out of me (for the security of the wine bottles stowed below the bunks), or to dance up and down them with a motion that reduced more than one crew member to his bunk rather quickly.

Seriously, it is well designed but probably best for day sailing, as any lengthy passage making finds the weaknesses. Lack of grab handles, wet locker, and a rather curious wash-board arrangement, all make for nice day sailing. On the good side, it didn't take much wind to get her up to seven knots, but over force 5 and we were reducing sail rather a lot, and sacrificing speed.

R
 
It all depends what sort of sailing you wish to do. I will admit to being quite sniffy about modern yachts, we went on an Elan 434 at the show which, when compared to Cornish Maid seemed very bath-tubish, light and flimsy. But I am sure that it would be a much faster boat, although we would get a smoother ride in rough seas. I think, anyway!

On the other hand, on Rally Portugal there were two Legends, a 44 and a 410, both admittedly very well sailed, and they were seaworthy and quick. Downwind certainly, but very nice and spaceous.

So, if the Bav suits your requirements, then buy one and enjoy it.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Sensible choice!

Bavs are well designed and have the scale of production that means many niggly points are ironed out very quickly. To call a 37' boat a 'day boat' is daft. It's true you won't find much Chippendale down below - it's all functional stuff. The cabin space means that crew rest properly and can be fed decently too with a large galley and saloon. Yes, it is fabulous to live on in marinas (an important point if family are a consideration) but it also sails well too. The need to reef early is a good sign - it means to me that the boat has enough sail to move, even in light winds and with all lines to the cockpit, it's not exactly a chore to do so. I'm biased, since I've a Bav40, but I've been out in big seas and gales and never felt concerned that it would fall apart. There's nothing like a non-UK success story to get people upping the anti! Applying a (probable) fault on a model that accounts for less than 5% of the manufacturing to the whole range is as daft as saying that all Twisters, being build by loads of different people, are all of the same build quality. They're not.

You will need to spend a bit on extras of course, though this isn't much different to most other boats.
Good luck!
 
Having sailed quites a few Bavaria's over the last few years all on charter (as still building up to purchase a boat), we have been pleasantly surprised by the sailability of such boats.
Bavs seem to offer really good value for money to get a family sailing.

Yes, there are short cuts in production, thats why they are such a good price. Sit in the heads, open the cupboard to your right that holds the holding tank, and look up at the hull/deck joint!

Question is where will you sail it/in what conditions?

I have sailed North Sea/Solent/South West in winds up to F8 and rough, and once the sails are balanced all have sailed well.

The best was a bav 34, it sailed really well and the best speed was 9.6 knots down a fairly big wave, triple reefed. Comfy with lots of room!

The 36 is a bit wider and can slam a bit, I guess the 37 is a new version of it.

With the cost of a Bav, it is possible to add a few extras. I would advise a second forestay/babystay to be able to put on a storm jib if required.

For coastal hopping/channel/North Sea they are perfectly adequate, fast an safe.

But reef early, sooner rather than later with a Bav
rule of thumb
F5 1 reef Main and Genny
F6 2 reefs Main and Genny
F7 3 reefs Main and Genny

This will keep the boat better managed and easier to sail, as well as just as quick as they do tend to be over powered.

Wouldn't want to cross the Atlantic though!
 
[ QUOTE ]
For coastal hopping/channel/North Sea they are perfectly adequate, fast an safe.


[/ QUOTE ]

Thats exactly what we'll be doing......and partly motivating our thinking... if we wanted to cross Biscay or hop over to the Canaries, we might think differently, but we don't... (or not yet anyway!)

In reality, I think we have already made up our mind.... we liked the Bav, and just want a test sail to confirm that she sails OK....

And then, the minor point of having enough cash for the deposit..... easy come easy go...
 
Re: You\'ve put your finger on it.

Bav's are a very very good boat for boat shows. They sell themselves. Lots of clever ideas, plenty of room, reasonable finish, decent gear and a great price. You'd be mad not to buy one. But! A couple of years ago I spent a bit of time with the Southampton patrol boat. You know the guys recently made famous in IPC mags. They showed me how to spot a Bav by it's motion and it's erratic course.

As a sometime charter skipper I've sailed most of the 30 & 40 odd foot Bav's. Bit's do not come off in your hand and they don't sink. They are though rather difficult to set up to sail well. Helmsmen find they want to round up in gusts much earlier than much of the competition. They need reefing earlier too. Storage can be an issue if you fill all of those berths.

You can get one going OK and everyone can have a good time but if they'd put another tonne on the keel it might of transformed the designs.

They're OK for the normal use of a yacht, weekends in local waters and a summer cruise to France, but if your more adventurous in your sailing you might not enjoy ownership quite as much.
 
We were put off by the Opal sales guy itching to take a deposit before the delivery could be confirmed, maybe it was then?

Maybe now they have the supply chain sorted.

Enjoy the boat, look around at a second had one maybe...

Ian
 
We are looking for something similar for the East Coast, but want a bilge Keel (sorry everyone - yes, i know their not trendy, but it dries where we want to get to occaisionally) so our choice is somewhat limited.

Suggest you speak to Blue Baker yachts at Woolverstone and charter on for a long weekend, so much better than just a test sail.
Worth getting a cooker upgrade to have a grill, much better for toast/bacon etc.
Also have a mains battery charger fitted (not standard!)

and if you ever need a crew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, i'm just a sailing tart!! sail anything with anyone(ish!)
 
Phatcat,

Ordinarily I'd agree with you about the charter, but the 37 is a brand new boat, with the boat show one being the first in the UK, so none in any of the charter fleets yet..... and with them expecting to take orders for 65 at the show, then it'll be a while......!
 
I have Bav 40 for 4 years. Very good boat ( after I finished and improve some details inside) and my decision to buy her - was OK!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

cyberkryten
We finally bought a boat - Merry Fisher 895s2
2 3
Replies
41
Views
2K
Cathy*
C

Share this page

Top