Practical Boat Owner - January 2016

J&J-designed 40 (9.42m on the WL) at 7,902kg or a 2011 Farr-designed 40S (10.75m on the WL) at 8,140kg. So look carefully when considering

buying an older Bavaria. There have been so many models down the years, several of whose names are confusingly similar. Some are

‘makeovers’ based on previously used hulls. It’s worth seeking out a Mohnhaupt-generation boat to see the differences.

motion when Bavaria went to J&J (Jernej and Japec Jakopin) for its new designs. J&J worked in Dramatic changes were set in

Slovenia with Seaway, a specialist boat development company. This unique dual service made J&J and Seaway the world’s leading

providers of design, engineering and tooling to major boatbuilders including Brunswick, Bénéteau, Ferretti, Azimut and Bavaria.

boat design, plugs, moulds and pre-production development came from a single source.The arrangement meant that the

‘We started to work for Bavaria in November 1992 as exclusive supplier of design, engineering Japec Jakopin explained to me:

and tooling. Up to 2008 we designed, engineered and tooled 89 Bavaria models, sail and power. Sales went from r11million in 1992

to designed the boat with input from Herrmann, and engineered/tooled ‘J&J came with marketing ideas, r279million in 2006/2007.

the new model. Improvement in productivity with every new design, and very fast time-to-market – typically six months – were crucial.’

particularly significant. The ability to contract out pre-production work and thus concentrate on The time-to-market element was

efficient manufacturing back at base is a priceless asset to any boatbuilder. It enabled Bavaria to grow at prodigious speed and

become a dominant force in both private and charter markets.

Charterers’ favouritesCharterers have played a large part in the Bavaria story. From the Med to the tropics, you’ll find fleets

of Bavarias. Andrew Thompson of Horizon Yacht Charters told me: ‘Horizon has about 60 Bavarias in charter in the Caribbean, and they

have held up very well indeed.’is also a fan, saying: ‘They are very popular bareboat charter yachts, Amy Nielson of Sailing Holidays

and a number of our suppliers have a selection of both new and old designs.‘Our customers’ favourite is the

Bavaria 46,The four-cabin layout – three with doubles, one with twin bunks – plus two heads offers brilliant space for a launched in 2007.

larger family or two families sharing. This eight-berth Bavaria is popular – no one else currently offers a modern design of this nature.’

his favourite Bavarias, he replied ‘the most successful were the 35 When I asked Japec which were Bavaria 44 from 1993. The

Holiday and the 49, with thousands built.’Bavaria Owners’ Association in Bob Clements – who runs the

the UK – put me on to 44 owner William Bradley, who told me: ‘We

bought ours in 2003. We wanted a comfortable boat to spend the summer on that could be handled by the two of us. Made in 1994/5 to

Lloyds spec, she was well built and solidly rigged. She needs at least 9 knots to get going and, as we prefer to sail fairly upright, we

start to reef the in-mast main at about 15 knots. We have come back across Biscay in a Force 6, and she sailed well and fast. We

spend most of our summers cruising the west coast of France down as far as the Gironde from the Helford. The only major

problem we have had was a leak through the rudder bearing when doing over 8 knots. This was cured with a minor modification.

and very comfortable with just the two of us. There are three double cabins; but no really good sea ‘The accommodation is excellent

berths for extended cruising.for long-term living on board and we use one of the cabins for any ‘There is a lack of storage space

spare sails and our bikes. The most we have sailed in is 30 knots, and she behaved quite well. Because the sails are large, my

wife needs an electric winch handle to do any reefing. An

Autohelm 6000 with hydraulic drive makes short-handed sailing easy.’ All in all, then, the 44 is a good family cruiser.

Bavarias that venture further afield. In the 2013 ARC, 11 entered and all completed the course, while a There are, however, plenty of

42 won its division and was third overall in the 2014 event.Ungless who is currently Then I came across Dave

circumnavigating the globe in a 50 Ocean (aft cockpit version).1999. She’s laid out for short-He told me: ‘Sänna was built in

handed sailing and the previous owner was 75. I bought the boat because she was recommended by a marine surveyor.

solar panels and a wind generator plus flexible solar panels on the coachroof. We also added a ‘We have added a rear arch for

watermaker in Turkey that produces 170lt an hour from our generator and this has been a real boon on long-distance voyages.

because that’s what I like doing. say? She’s made five long ocean ‘I’ve made many other mods ‘Performance-wise, what can I

passages of nearly 3,000 miles each, and we’re still alive. We’re

The new Bavaria 46 Cruiser, the 2015 Yacht of the Year (Family Cruiser) award winner, is designed by Farr

Sailing ScenesBavaria 44 – available second-hand from £38,000

Bavaria Yachts

Boats

A Bavaria 50 cruiser on charter in Greece Peter K Poland