BAVARIAN BARGAIN HUNT
Andi Robertson tests the new Bavaria 33 and 37. They may not offer breathtaking sailing, but do give exceptional value… NO DOUBT to the chagrin of other European volume yacht manufacturers, Bavaria go from strength to strength, and have no trouble bringing multiple new models on stream. Their cutting edge, highly automated production processes are second to none, but even they are nearly struggling to keep up with the demand. While other manufacturers talk of fighting over smaller niches and concern over the sailing market which is destined to contract, Bavaria continue to build on their undoubted success of the last five years or so. It is ironic that a company from the heartland of sought after prestige motor cars, which inspired their highly efficient and automated production lines, has done so much for bringing new people into the sport, and, arguably, changed perceptions and buying habits. Let’s face it, there are none of the existing Bavaria range which could be described hand on heart as classically pretty. They make acceptably attractive, utilitarian boats which have a decent sailing performance. More than anything they have bred a consumer who is no longer as precious about their boat, seeing it as a functional, comfortable craft which does the leisure sailing job it is intended for, while offering exceptional value for money. Although it was the new 33 and 37 which we sailed for this appraisal, who wouldn’t aspire to a 50ft Bavaria for a basic £140k. This brings us back to the argument about holiday homes. What would you get for that money in Spain or France now and, of course, such investment is linked to one spot. Many European purchasers are buying their Bavaria as a second boat for holidaying on, perhaps while keeping a race boat or a weekending cruiser at home. Factor in a charter income and a fair second-hand return and you start to see at least one side of the Bavaria success story. Peter Cameron of Opal at Kip Marina reports that he sees more and more people taking equity from their property and making it work for them like this, or at least taking some enjoyment out of it, while still knowing it represents a good investment. The 33 was launched in early summer and the 37 at September’s Southampton Boat Show. Because they are essentially similar in terms of concept and execution, we chose to sail them both on the same day and assess both in the same feature, on the basis there is not really any overlap between them and the buying decision will be made much more on price and accommodation than performance. The 33 does everything it should and is a handy size of boat, well proportioned and well thought out. It’s the ideal size for the small family looking for their first new cruising yacht, or the couple moving up from a smaller, more compact pocket cruiser. There is plenty of space for two couples in terms of living, as well as sleeping accommodation. In terms of appearance it is a fairly good looking boat which does not try to do too much or pack too much in. The hull form is pleasingly modest, not too beamy and with a sensible freeboard. The stern has a sugar scoop shape with steps on either side of the easily operated transom gate. The helm’s seat lifts and there is an integrated slide-out bathing ladder and a shower. The cockpit has a teak finish on the seats and the floor. The moulded wheel pedestal has plenty of space for a plotter and instruments as well as a compass in the binnacle. Standard spec is the Raymarine Tridata. The table is relatively small. Overall the cockpit is quite compact. If there is a compromise on this boat it’s maximising the coachroof volume and losing a little bit of cockpit, but there is enough space and the coamings and mouldings are good ergonomically. The deck layout is simple with the headsail primaries and genoa furler control line within easy reach of the helm. The mainsheet track runs across the front of the companionway and the main control lines come aft. It is all pleasingly basic with everything pretty much in the right place. The full length genoa tracks have 8:1 pullers on them. Typical of the Bavarias there is a full length aluminium toe-rail. The anchor sits on the bow roller and there is a decent sized anchor/chain locker. The rig is a standard alloy fractional with a close to full hoist furling genoa, swept back spreaders and a split backstay which allows a modest amount of tuning. Our test conditions were a pleasant autumn afternoon of sunshine and a puffy 4-17 knots of breeze. Enough to give both boats a reasonable workout but not enough to provide any excitement or drama. The 33 seemed to sail well and was impressive for its ease and balance. It was well set up and with 8-10 knots needed little attention to the helm upwind. On both boats the speedos were under-reading significantly, but the 33 seemed to slide along well upwind once it was fully powered up. It gets a fair bit of form stability and has a 1.95m standard keel, but it is not an especially stiff boat and will like to shorten sail early. One investment we do tend to recommend ahead of others is decent sails. The standard Dacron set are fine but don’t tend to optimise performance. A short, shoal keel is available with a draft of 1.7m. Easing sheets did seem to produce a worthwhile addition in speed and you would suspect that the 33 does not like to be sailed hard on the wind on her ear. A beam reach and the 33 tracked nicely and happily bubbled along, certainly not especially quick in the light breeze, while a cruising chute, in time, would be a useful addition to the armoury. In most respects stepping from the 33 onto the 37, and vice versa, provided no surprises. The 33 is disproportionately lighter on the helm but is not necessarily the better for it, while the 37 really did find a good groove and was easy to keep moving through the lighter patches. It was not really much stiffer, given that it is a bigger, heavier boat and it did not like to be over-pressed. We did manage one major broach just by keeping everything tight and trying to push through the biggest puff of the day. The boat did the full 360 and we sailed on untroubled but, again, this is not its favourite point of sail. Once settled, the 37 made good progress upwind, requiring little attention to sail trim to stay in balance in the light, modest breeze and seemed satisfyingly quick. Things fell easily to hand and the boat seemed to be straightforward to work. The helm’s position and vision seemed good with a big wrapround seat in the stern and well placed footholds. The boat has a bigger, more useful cockpit table with a moulded base which is integrated with the wheel pedestal into one unit. Here again they make a virtue of a big flat panel for instrument and plotter mounting. The cockpit is proportionately bigger than the 33 and follows the trend for a deep, wrapround coaming for a sprayhood. SPECIAL INTERIOR The 33’s interior is quite special for the size of boat. The finish is pleasing to the eye, but still has that air of being built to a price on closer inspection. Which is what you would expect, but much more care is being taken in matching up and contrasting the laminate finishes. The shapes of the interior are kept simple, giving a subtle and simple look. It is not fussy and does not try to do too much, and that makes for a well proportioned and workable layout. The essentials are all there: plenty of stowage and space built into the working areas – the galley and the nav station – but good sized cabins with plenty of natural light. Where the 33 really scores is in having extra windows placed into the coachroof at the base of the mast which really keeps the saloon light and airy and sets off the woodwork. The saloon itself is excellent in terms of space with a good sized U shaped settee to port and full length settee to starboard. There are shelves running behind both settees and lockers set at head height above them under the sidedeck. Forward, the double forecabin is symmetrical with cupboards both sides and the continuous lockers all the way forward. The galley too is excellent with lots of stowage space and ample work surface area. At last Bavaria have turned their back on the horrible blue aggregate surface that cheapened their galleys for so long. The nav station too is good with faux carbon panels for instruments, a good sized table and ample stowage. The heads/shower room is aft of the nav station and the main double cabin is to port. Downstairs on the 37 these themes are expanded. There are two cabin and three cabin versions. The three cabin version has the heads forward and to starboard and two aft cabins, while the two cabin version keeps the heads to port and aft and allows a bigger and more spacious double forward with a centreline double. The 37 really scores on space and comfort for its size. You do struggle to remember this boat is only 37ft, and that is before you consider the price. The galley is impressive. The twin sink runs fore and aft which is novel, but there is loads of work space and, again, more than enough cupboard and stowage space. The saloon is large and more linear in terms of space than the 33. Again it makes a virtue of having extra roof windows to gain as much light as possible. There are big cupboards at the aft end of the settees, suitable for your music system and flat screen TV and DVD player. Overall this pair of boats offer exceptional value, and you are back evaluating the buying equation again – a 37 for the usual price of a 33 or a 33 for the price of a 30 footer. Both these boats have advanced and refined still further the Bavaria product. They do what is expected of them, but truthfully little more. They sail well but do nothing spectacular. They have great accommodation levels, but the construction is to a price. For the buyer who wants excellent value and does not want to commit his or her life savings to one boat, these Bavarias are exceptional. Little wonder they are keeping so many people happy.