You’ve got 35k burning a hole in your pocket.....

My 35k would without doubt be on a nimbus.
Love them and perhaps only really appreciated by seeing the finish and how solid they look, feel and handle.
 
We recently viewed a Storm and a Bav 36 back to back on the same day - I was quite keen on the Storm as I had heard they were seaworthy boats and on first impressions we thought we'd found our ideal cruiser - lots of space inside compared to our last boat and the pedigree of a well known British builder to boot.

Then we saw the Bavaria and the wife made her decision.

Sometimes it's not about the way they sail if the usage that you have for the boat doesn't require it. My family is very happy - that's good enough for me, we've yet to sail her yet - but I am expecting no drama.
 
We spent two years looking for a good Storm. we were shown a 350 Lagoon by a broker whilst on a viewing for another Westerly and just decided it was the Boat for us. 5 years later it is still the boat for us. She is built like a brick outhouse , sails very well comfortable in a blow and well equipped from new.Plenty of room down below but arranged properly to be safe in a lumpy sea, plenty of locker space up top and a comfortable cockpit. Go and have a look at one in the flesh and you will see what I mean.
Yngmar said:
The "Holiday" suffix Bavarias were primarily aimed at the charter market, and sold extremely well there. If you liked those, the "Lagoon" models will likely appeal to you even more. In a 350 Lagoon, you'll find a different interior layout (no linear galley), and being slightly older, those were a bit heavier displacement for their size, which some people find appealing. Harder to find though, as far fewer were made. Here are some pictures of one, which has already sold: https://www.devalk.nl/en/yachtbrokerage/200769/BAVARIA-350-LAGOON.html
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James W said:
Well, I haven’t, but I might get there! I popped onboard a Bav 35 Holiday today and was astounded by the space (although I have no clue if they sail well or not). I never thought my Westerly Storm was poky inside but this Bav felt like it would fit the Storm inside it!

So with the thought of more internal space, without sacrificing sailing ability, good manners, able to single hand without too much bother, able to look after the family if need be, max 38 feet and 6 foot draft, and with 35k to spend (sell the Storm and add some to it), is there anything that would fit the bill.......and be better than the Storm?

Your thoughts on a wet Saturday eve are much appreciated!

James
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Yes, you've already found it (or the 36). They sail fine, every bit as well as your Storm. They stand up to the wind well and don't slam too much. They handle nicely in close quarters. There's not a lot not to like really, and they are amazing value.

People who knock them are not people who have owned them.
 
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You could go slightly smaller with a B32 and with the "change" from your budget potentially fully kit her out with new sails and a folding prop. At 34' they are bigger than you think too.

When I upgraded I was faced with a similar dilemma, and had also considered a Storm, but when I was totally honest myself about the amount of time just sat on board rather than actually moving, and then the amount of time under engine compared to sailing, and then when I am sailing the amount of time pottering around the Solent in 10-20 knots rather than crossing Biscay in a F9, and the space and comfort was just a no brainer for me. I actually really like that 2000's generation of design looks wise, modern enough to look really good without the boxy battleship look of some really modern boats. L shaped galley and proper chart table too, and the darker wood below makes her feel like a yacht, not a branch of IKEA. They really are hilariously easy to manouevre under power and astern. If you do go down that route I have to say I love a teak deck, it really does add some class.

The B36 mentioned above looks like incredible value...my only concern would be the engine. My B32 has the 19hp Volvo, where I think 30hp was offered as an option. Sometimes the extra grunt would be nice, and I do wonder if the B36 with only 19hp might really be a bit under powered.
 
Iain C said:
The B36 mentioned above looks like incredible value...my only concern would be the engine. My B32 has the 19hp Volvo, where I think 30hp was offered as an option. Sometimes the extra grunt would be nice, and I do wonder if the B36 with only 19hp might really be a bit under powered.
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It might be why it seems good value. It's not the engine for that boat. No doubt someone will be along and say it's perfectly adequate and it's a sailboat etc, etc. You've got a B32 with a 19hp and you'd like a 30hp. Imagine what the 36 would be like. It would put me right off buying it.
 
Spyro said:
It might be why it seems good value. It's not the engine for that boat. No doubt someone will be along and say it's perfectly adequate and it's a sailboat etc, etc. You've got a B32 with a 19hp and you'd like a 30hp. Imagine what the 36 would be like. It would put me right off buying it.
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People massively over-engine boats these days and then tickle them along and wonder why they smoke after 2000hrs (I speak from experience as I have done exactly this). 19hp is perfectly adequate for that size of boat unless you sail somewhere like the seven estuary. I had a 19hp on my old First which was 36ft and it was fine. What happens is you get a boat with a 40hp and then run it at 15hp, which is a bad thing.
 
Depending on the year of the 36 Bav you might want to consider if you are happy with space to walk around wheel . It's not an issue on smaller Bavs but on the 36 my recollection is you have to step up on side seat .
 
Tomaret said:
Actually, my 36CWS has three winches, only one of which is electric. That handles are the halyards, reefing lines, and jib sheet when in self tacking mode. The winches on the coaming are for the Genoa, gennacker and spinny. Sailing single handed with the self tracker couldn’t be easier, and I also use the gennacker a lot (It’s on its own furler). I don’t have a Genoa (but I’m thinking of getting one for when I have crew) and rarely use the spinny. I’m not sure how many of the 800 that were built were used for chartering, but it has a linear galley which I find works better than the u shape arrangement.

The “faults” I’ve identified are that it’s really only a three berth, unless you are on intimate terms with one crew member, the cockpit locker could be larger (it won’t take my dinghy and my fenders) and the helm position is as far aft as possible, and doesn’t get much protection from the sprayhood. Other than that I couldn’t see anything at SBS of similar length that was worth swapping for, except I might be tempted by a Rustler 37 if I had a small lottery win (and a 42 if I hit the jackpot).
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Hey - I've just had a small lottery win......but I haven't seen the Rustler 37 for £25...…
 
James W said:
Well, I haven’t, but I might get there! I popped onboard a Bav 35 Holiday today and was astounded by the space (although I have no clue if they sail well or not). I never thought my Westerly Storm was poky inside but this Bav felt like it would fit the Storm inside it!

So with the thought of more internal space, without sacrificing sailing ability, good manners, able to single hand without too much bother, able to look after the family if need be, max 38 feet and 6 foot draft, and with 35k to spend (sell the Storm and add some to it), is there anything that would fit the bill.......and be better than the Storm?

Your thoughts on a wet Saturday eve are much appreciated!

James
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Have you ever been on board a Discus? You might be surprised. V spacious and sails beautifully. High comfort ratio and lovely and dry in a seaway.
 
doug748 said:
Nothing says charter boat more than a linear galley. Fine boats, but does anyone really sell a Storm to buy a Bavaria? All respect if you do.

I have been looking for an excuse to draw attention to this:

http://www.red-ensign.com/boats/she-36/

Looks a cracking boat at the price.
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It was a She36 which pulled off a spectacular rescue during the 79 Fastnet ( a mate of mine was interested in that particular boat).

However if was also She 36 which sank under Webb Chiles' feet giving him a 26 hour swim before being rescued having drifted 85 miles....
 
lpdsn said:
My CWS has five, two of which are electric, but you knew what I meant when I was talking about two winches with the duo models. :)
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I never quite understood the CWS designation of boats which clearly didn't have a central winch! I've got the badly spelt 35 Crusing which also has a duo eWinch. I wonder if I can surreptitiously insert an 'i'?
 
ashtead said:
Depending on the year of the 36 Bav you might want to consider if you are happy with space to walk around wheel . It's not an issue on smaller Bavs but on the 36 my recollection is you have to step up on side seat .
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Confirmed that my daughter can walk around the wheel, but I can't :)
 
RobF said:
I never quite understood the CWS designation of boats which clearly didn't have a central winch! I've got the badly spelt 35 Crusing which also has a duo eWinch. I wonder if I can surreptitiously insert an 'i'?
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I think it was a bit of a marmite thing with the single CWS winch which may have lost them the odd customer, so in some later models they fitted two, but they are still unmistakeably of the same general design so I guess they didn't want to rebrand.

I think Apple have copyrighted all usage of the 'i' so you're probably too late. :)
 
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