In 2009, Bavaria joined forces with Farr
Yacht design and BMW to improve the
performance and styling of its Cruiser
marque. This powerful collaboration resulted
in a very modern 55ft blue-water cruiser.
Along with a near plumb stem, wide drop-
down transom and low coachroof, she has
wide flat decks with flush hatches. While
the coachroof is sleek and low, her topsides
are higher to compensate for
headroom below.
Her spacious cockpit is well-
organised and the electrically
raised/lowered transom
platform impressive. Fully
lowered with boarding steps
in place it makes a fine
sunbathing and showering
platform. Lift the steps out and
it’s a launch ramp for a 10ft
inflatable dinghy that slots into
the garage under the cockpit.Twin helms with rod-linking make for light
and precise steering via the twin balanced
spade rudders. The double-ended
mainsheet is led forward of the main hatch
to the mast, then back via deck blocks to
self-tailing winches within reach of each
helm. The genoa sheets lead inside the
shrouds and back to two further coaming-
mounted winches, providing a nice tight
sheeting angle when beating.
Her foredeck is free of clutter
and makes a great working or
sunbathing space. A full-depth
sail locker just abaft the chain
locker is large enough to stow
all the lines, fenders and sails.
There were five different
interior layouts available from
3-cabin/3-heads to 5-cabin/4-
heads. Whichever model you
choose, the saloon, galley and
navigation station are the same.R
eaders regularly
contact us to say
they’re planning to sell
or let their house and
go world cruising for
a few years. To fulfil this dream, long
ocean passages are unavoidable,
including at least one transatlantic, and
many use World Cruising’s ARC as their
introduction to blue-water sailing.
YM has followed this popular rally
closely since its inception and has asked
hundreds of participants why they chose
their particular yacht.
Their list of priorities usually places
seaworthiness at the top of their list,
followed by size, ease of handling with
a small crew,
generous
accommodation,
and space for the
copious electro-
mechanical
devices required.
I’m frequently
asked, ‘What is
the ‘perfect’
blue-water
cruising yacht.’
Well, there’s no
such thing – only
one that is ‘ideal’
to its owner. That
said, I would
always put
seaworthiness
first. A good
ocean passage-maker must not only be
able to keep its crew safe, but also have
a comfortable motion through the waves
so as to allow the crew to live and carry
out the myriad maintenance tasks
required over a long passage. Lack of
sleep and sustenance are the skipper’s
worst enemy and can turn a minor
problem into a serious one.
Almost any yacht can cross an ocean
provided she and her crew have
prepared properly, but here we suggest
a few that might suit those wishing to
world cruise on a reasonable budget.SPECIFICATIONS
LOA 16.75m (54ft 11in)
LWL 14.96m (49ft 0in)
BEAM 4.76m (15ft 7in)
DRAUGHT (shoal/deep)
1.90/2.35m (6ft 3in/7ft 9in)
DISPLACEMENT
17,500kg (38,500 lb)
DESIGNER Farr/BMW
BUILDER
Bavaria Yachts, Germany
OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION
http://www.bavariaowners.co.ukDuncan Kent, yacht
tester for 25 years,
finds the perfect
boat for our readersOcean cruising yacht
FOR THE ARC
BAVARIA 55 CRUISER
The Farr-design hull makes the
55 enjoyable to sail. Inside, she’s
set up for comfortable livingFIND ME AN...
PRICE £150,000-£250,000 YEAR 2009-2013
Lagoon 410-S2Sun Odyssey 49Moody 46