Her water tanks are beneath the floor,
above the keel, which frees up stowage
beneath the bunks and saloon seating,
but the lack of saloon lockers is annoying.
Her galley is very comprehensive and has
bags of useful stowage, a front-opening
fridge/freezer, top-loading deep freeze and
a microwave. The smart-looking Corian-style
worktops have commendable handrails, but
amazingly no fiddles, so cutlery and other
shallow items simply slide off when heeled.
She has a good sized, dedicated nav
station with a console for mounting an array
of instrument displays. The chart table is
small, however, and the book and chart
stowage is minimal. Likewise, the electrics
panel has the barest minimum of controls.
Fractionally rigged, most were ordered
with the optional in-mast furling mainsail and
106% genoa, both with vertical battens.
Under sail she demonstrates the Farr
touch, pointing high for a cruiser and flying
The 55 points high for a
cruiser and is responsive in
even the lightest breezeLight wood veneers, numerous
hatches and a wide beam
creates an open, airy feelalong in the lightest breeze. Single-handed
control is greatly simplified by the mainsheet
each side and her steering is light yet precise.
The high topsides create considerable
windage, making a bow thruster essential –
particularly as the twin rudders preclude the
use of prop wash when manoeuvring intotight berths. The 110hp, shaft-driven Volvo
D3-110 pushes her slippery hull along with
ease, so with the standard fixed, 3-blade
propeller she cruises at between 7-9 knots.
The Bavaria 55 offers a lot of boat for your
buck and if you like fast cruising and modern
living, this could be the yacht for you.FIND ME A...