Yachting Monthly
- Digital edition
The most boat for your money? Bavaria C38 yacht test
- Theo Stocker
- April 26, 2021
Competition is hot for high-volume cruisers, but have Bavaria built a boat that is fun to sail as well as spacious and affordable? Theo Stocker took her for a spin to find out
Product Overview
Bavaria c38.
- Fun and engaging to sail
- Vast amounts of space
- A lot of boat for your money
- Limited stowage in 3-cabin version
- Mainsheet lacked power
- Some exposed systems in lockers
Manufacturer:
Price as reviewed:.
A job worth doing is worth doing properly, so the saying goes. There’s no doubt that Bavaria have committed wholeheartedly to the concept behind their new C38 and the result is a boat fully confident in its identity. That’s a good job, given the level of competition the C38 will be up against in the 37-38ft production cruiser market.
This boat aims to do three things: create the absolute maximum amount of space on deck and below from the available waterline length; be enjoyable and engaging to sail, if not a race boat; and give a potential buyer the maximum bang for their buck. In practice, the design has added significant volume in both the bow and the stern, introduced a deeper, rounder forefoot to reduce slamming, and has deepened the single rudder, which, coupled with the bow thruster, should give plenty of control in harbour and underway.
A first look at the boat reveals a few significant details. Firstly, her waterline takes up almost her entire length, with virtually no overhangs at the ends. Then there are the chines. This is only the second Bavaria to have hull chines, and they are used to take the significant beam, which is carried all the way aft, down to the water, creating more volume in the aft cabins, as well as providing power to the hull form. Next, there’s the huge bluff bow and vertical stem, again multiplying the volume in the forward cabin. Pretty it might not be, but there’s a certain purposeful muscularity to it.
Bavaria Yachts, the company, gained new owners in 2018, and they’ve been quick to make a fresh start, starting with a plan to update the entire range. Having moved from design house J&J to Cossutti Design, the C38 is the latest, smallest boat in the new lineup. The strongly chined hull shape makes a bold statement about that new direction. I was keen to see how this added up on the water.
TEST VERDICT
If you looked at this yacht and thought the vast volume would make her a poor sailer, you would be mistaken. I was very pleasantly surprised at how much fun we had sailing her. The feel on the helm was direct, responsive and engaging; this boat is fun to sail. She wasn’t twitchy even when overpressed and gave plenty of warning before the rudder started to lose grip. This boat reminds you of why a single rudder makes sense, and is deep enough that she has plenty of grip even when heeled, which is the main reason wide-sterned boats have twin rudders. The benefits when handling in harbour are huge, given that manoeuvring and mooring is the most stressful part of any cruise for most owners.
Granted, the mainsheet purchase needs a bit of improvement, but if I were buying this boat, I’d go for the more easily handled furling main and self-tacking jib, with the Code Zero for the extra sail area to keep the boat moving off the wind. This would seem to fit with the ethos of simple and fun sailing that this boat ascribes to.
WOULD SHE SUIT YOU AND YOUR CREW?
I’d imagine this boat will prove popular with sailing schools and charter companies, but if you’re after maximum boat for your buck for family coastal cruising, this is definitely worth a look too.
The idea of having three king-sized beds on what is really a 36-foot hull is staggering. You’d have to weigh up whether you want an ensuite owner’s head enough to sacrifice some of this bed space in the forward cabin, but given the layout options, there seems little reason to go for the two-cabin rather than three-cabin layout. If you’re not using the third you could still use it for the stowage you’d be missing out on.
Given the price point of this boat, the quality of finish was really very good, and the resurrected Bavaria has upped its game several notches. Arguably, the C38 could now be the boat to beat in this size sector and you’ll struggle to get more new boat for your money than this.
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Sailboat Review: Bavaria C38
- By Mark Pillsbury
- April 20, 2022
For the past several years, practically all of the design surprises that have caught my eye on new sailboats have been abaft the mast. In no particular order, these innovative features include hull chines, twin rudders, pop-up TVs, house-style refrigerators, galleys forward in the saloon, sinks and grills on the stern, sun beds between a monohull’s twin wheels, and lounges on the coachroof to either side of the companionway. Some of these make the boat sail better, while others make it a more comfortable place to enjoy life on the water.
But this past fall, it was the pointy end—or, should I say, the not-so-pointy end—of the Bavaria C38 that stood out. It made an impression from above, as I looked across the broad foredeck, and down below, where the builder’s in-house team and Cossutti Yacht Design somehow found a way to install a king-size berth in the owner’s stateroom, while still leaving room for a hanging locker and a head-and-shower compartment, all forward of the mast.
For a decade or more, even as beam measurement amidships has steadily increased and been carried aft to allow for ever more spacious twin staterooms, most boats still have been built with a bow that’s shaped like an arrow point. The Bavaria V-bow, as the company calls it, has a more radial shape and hullsides that flare out above the waterline, creating all that living space in the interior.
In a briefing with CW ’s Boat of the Year judges, a company representative described the 38 as a family coastal cruiser. I thought that design brief seemed pretty accurate as we went through the boat, and later took it out for a sail. If kids and their friends are the crew, you could pack a pile of them into the two aft cabins, and the dining table in the saloon drops down to form a third double berth. And they could all share the head and shower compartment to starboard, at the foot of the companionway. Meantime, mom and pop can escape to the big forward stateroom.
The forward stateroom’s en suite head compartment does cut into a corner of the berth, but couples who plan to only occasionally have grandkids or friends aboard can forgo the forward head. They also could turn one of the aft cabins into a workspace or stowage, which is standard.
In all three configurations, the saloon stays unchanged. A settee, with a nav desk forward of it, is to port, opposite the dining table and a U-shaped, cushioned seat. The tabletop folds open to handle a crew of six or more. Abaft the settee is an L-shaped galley with a sink, fridge and three-burner gas stove. The boat we visited also had a microwave. Stowage seemed adequate for coastal-hopping, and the counters had fiddles to keep things from sliding off when heeled.
Topsides, the cockpit coamings make good backrests on the benches forward of the twin wheels. The seats are a bit too short for sleeping, the judges noted, but stepping out over the coamings isn’t difficult when headed forward.
Having owned (and sanded and varnished) a boat with exterior wood handrails and trim, I appreciated the C38’s low-maintenance exterior finish. The raised bulwarks and deck are fiberglass, and handrails on the cabin top are stainless steel. The only exterior wood is on the centerline table in the cockpit. That table’s after end doubles as a nifty place to mount a plotter because it’s visible from either helm. Far forward, there’s a chain locker with good access to the windlass and anchor rode. The anchor itself is stowed on a roller that extends forward, and the bow is further protected from accidental dings by a stainless-steel plate. Aft, there is equally good access to the emergency steering and quadrant for the single rudder.
A base-model C38 has a price tag of $248,000, but a model that’s well fitted out, like the one we visited, goes for $350,000, delivered to the United States, East Coast. Among the options included on the C38 we sailed were three air-conditioning units, a Fusion sound system, and synthetic teak called Esthec on the cockpit seats and sole, and the swim platform. Hardware and electronics were from Seldén, Lewmar and B&G. Sails were from Elvstrøm.
Bavaria builds 500-plus sailboats a year at its factory in Germany, and the C38 is the smallest in the five-boat Cossutti-designed C line; the flagship is a 57-footer. The company builds two other lines of cruising sailboats—the Cruiser and Vision ranges—for a total of 16 models starting at 32 feet.
Bavaria’s hulls and decks are all hand-laminated, with foam coring between inner and outer layers of fiberglass. Aluminum plates are in the composite sandwich wherever hardwaare is to be mounted. Hulls and decks are joined with adhesive and screws.
Underway, the C38 is a relatively simple boat to sail, with in-mast furling for the main and a self-tacking jib, also set on a furler. The boat doesn’t have a traveler, so when beating upwind, tacking requires just a turn of the wheel.
A double-ended mainsheet is led back to winches within reach of either of the twin wheels, and sail control lines are all led across the coachroof to clutches and a pair of winches on either side of the companionway. There are also genoa tracks mounted on deck and sheet winches on either coaming, should an owner opt for an overlapping genoa.
Underway, I found that visibility from either wheel was good, thanks to the low-profile cabin. The stainless-steel stern pulpit makes a good backrest when sitting down to steer.
We had moderate conditions the day we took the boat out for a sail on the Chesapeake Bay, right after the close of the United States Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, in October. Sailing hard on the wind in 15 or so knots of breeze, we saw a steady 5.5 knots on the GPS. The track for the self-tending jib’s car lacked stops, so we weren’t able to get the headsail in as far as we might have liked to, but that’s an easy fix. With the sheets eased a bit for a close reach, our speed jumped to 7 knots and change. Under power, the 40 hp Yanmar pushed us along at just over 6 knots, at a fuel-sipping 2,300 rpm cruising speed.
The skipper who delivered the boat to the show was along for the ride. He said that they’d encountered a variety of conditions on the ride up from St. Augustine, Florida, and the boat took them all in stride—just as a family cruiser should.
Bavaria C38 Specifications
| LENGTH OVERALL | 37’4″ (11.38 m) |
|---|---|
| WATERLINE LENGTH | 33’9″ (10.29 m) |
| BEAM | 13’1″ (3.99 m) |
| DRAFT | 5’5″ (1.65 m) |
| SAIL AREA (100%) | 768 sq. ft. (71.3 sq. m) |
| BALLAST | 5,423 lb. (2,460 kg) |
| DISPLACEMENT | 20,547 lb. (9,320 kg) |
| BALLAST/DISPLACEMENT | 0.26 |
| DISPLACEMENT/LENGTH | 239 |
| SAIL AREA/DISPLACEMENT | 16.4 |
| WATER | 132 gal. (500 L) |
| FUEL | 46 gal. (174 L) |
| HOLDING | 18 gal. (70 L) |
| MAST HEIGHT | 60’11” (18.57 m) |
| ENGINE | 40 hp Yanmar, saildrive |
| DESIGNER | Cossutti Yacht Design |
| PRICE | $248,000 |
| 49-9334-9420 |
| WIND SPEED | 15-17 knots |
|---|---|
| SEA STATE | Light chop |
| SAILING | Closehauled 5.4 |
| Reaching 7.0 | |
| MOTORING | Cruise (2,300 rpm) 6.1 knots |
| Fast (2,800 rpm) 7.0 knots |
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Search for a Bavaria on TheYachtMarket today. We have Bavaria brokers and sellers from around the world at great prices.
History of Bavaria
Bavaria Yachtbau was founded in 1978 by Winfried Herrman and Josef Meltl in Giebelstadt, Germany. The company initially focused on producing affordable sailing yachts that combined quality craftsmanship with modern, innovative design. By leveraging advanced manufacturing techniques and a highly skilled workforce, Bavaria quickly established itself as a prominent name in the boating industry.Over the decades, Bavaria Yachtbau expanded its portfolio to include both sailing and motor yachts, catering to a wide range of maritime enthusiasts. The company became known for its robust construction, spacious interiors, and excellent sailing performance. Their commitment to quality and innovation helped Bavaria grow, and their yachts became popular across Europe and beyond.Today, Bavaria Yachtbau remains headquartered in Giebelstadt, where their state-of-the-art shipyard continues to produce some of the finest yachts on the market. While the company has faced challenges over the years, including changes in ownership and market dynamics, Bavaria has maintained its reputation for delivering high-quality yachts that combine practicality with elegance.
Which models do Bavaria produce?
Bavaria produce a range of boats including the Bavaria 37 Cruiser , Bavaria 46 Cruiser , Bavaria 51 Cruiser , Bavaria C42 and Bavaria 36 . For the full list of Bavaria models currently listed on TheYachtMarket.com, see the model list in the search options on this page.
What types of boats do Bavaria build?
Bavaria manufactures a range of different types of boats. The ones listed on TheYachtMarket include Sloop , Cruiser , Cruiser , Motoryacht and Express cruiser / sports cruiser .
How much does a boat from Bavaria cost?
Used boats from Bavaria on TheYachtMarket.com range in price from £13,000 GBP to £817,000 GBP with an average price of £161,000 GBP . A wide range of factors can affect the price of used boats from Bavaria, for example the model, age and condition.
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BAVARIA YACHTS has been a manufacturer of innovative series yachts for 45 years. Over 42,000 sailing yachts and motorboats have been built on the 200,000 m² site since 1978. What makes us special and what we especially show greatness in, is the experience of our employees. We deliver perfection, for which about 700 employees give their best.
The brand Bavaria Yachts produces aft cockpit sailboats and semi-enclosed yachts. There are 27 models currently in production ranging from 9 to 18 meters. The current model range includes 8 lines: C-Line, Cruiser Line, R-Line, S-Line, SR-Line, Vida Line, Virtess Line and Vision Line. We invite you to explore all current and older models from ...
Bavaria Yachts, the company, gained new owners in 2018, and they've been quick to make a fresh start, starting with a plan to update the entire range. Having moved from design house J&J to Cossutti Design, the C38 is the latest, smallest boat in the new lineup. The strongly chined hull shape makes a bold statement about that new direction.
Advertisement. Bavaria builds 500-plus sailboats a year at its factory in Germany, and the C38 is the smallest in the five-boat Cossutti-designed C line; the flagship is a 57-footer. The company builds two other lines of cruising sailboats—the Cruiser and Vision ranges—for a total of 16 models starting at 32 feet.
The first new "C-Line" Bavaria, the C42, designed by Maurizio Cossutti and Alessandro Ganz, was a surprise success in Europe in 2020 and pulled down some major awards there. The new Bavaria C38 is the second of the new breed, a slightly downsized version of its predecessor, which shares many design and construction features. Design ...
The BAVARIA C38 combines perfect sailing characteristics, easy handling and maximum use of the interior space. Distinctive design features, such as the BAVARIA V-bow and Chines at the stern, guarantee safe and fast sailing characteristics and an incredible amount of space below deck.
BAVARIA C38 - THIS YEAR'S NEXT WORLD PREMIERE FROM BAVARIA YACHTS. published on 26 August 2020. BAVARIA YACHTS will present its new BAVARIA C38 in autumn. After the BAVARIA C42, this is the second newly developed sailing yacht this year. Striking design elements, such as the BAVARIA V-shaped bow and chines at the stern, guarantee safe, fast ...
Bavaria. Bavaria is a yacht manufacturer that currently has 585 yachts for sale on YachtWorld, including 158 new vessels and 427 used yachts, listed by experienced yacht brokers and boat dealerships mainly in the following countries: United States, Croatia, Spain, Germany and Italy. The selection of models featured on YachtWorld spans a ...
Bavaria Yachts boats. Bavaria Yachts is a boat make in the marine industry. YachtFocus currently has 597 Bavaria Yachts boats for sale, including 82 new vessels and 515 used boats, listed by both private sellers and professional boat dealerships. The oldest model listed on YachtFocus is from 1985 and the newest from 2024.
Find Bavaria Yachts for sale in United States. Offering the best selection of Bavaria Yachts to choose from.
Used boats from Bavaria on TheYachtMarket.com range in price from £13,000 GBP to £44,700,000 GBP with an average price of £225,000 GBP. A wide range of factors can affect the price of used boats from Bavaria, for example the model, age and condition. Used Bavaria for sale from around the world. Search our full range of used Bavaria on www ...
Request Info; New Arrival; 2024 Bavaria C57. US$1,142,639. ↓ Price Drop. Cruising Yachts - San Diego | San Diego, California
All our BAVARIA yachts are developed as a close collaboration between our product managers, our boat builders and our design team. Their knowledge of decades of experience, countless races and customer feedback are incorporated into the overall design of each BAVARIA yacht. They are supported by Design Unlimited, who are responsible for the ...
When developing the rig and sail plan, the development team at BAVARIA YACHTS, in collaboration with Cossutti Yacht Design, focussed on two points: easy handling and above-average performance. So 46 square metres of sail area in the mainsail and 35 square metres in the genoa on the BAVARIA C38 provide that extra bit of power upwind.
Consider, though, that the typical summertime coastal cruiser will rarely encounter the wind and seas that an ocean going yacht will meet. Numbers below 20 indicate a lightweight racing boat, small dinghy and such; 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser; 30 to 40 indicates a moderate bluewater cruising boat; 40 to 50 indicates a heavy bluewater boat;
Sailboats Built By Bavaria Yachts (GER) (Dates indicate when boat was first built by any builder) Sort by: 76 Sailboats / Per Page: 50 / Page: 1. 0 CLICK to COMPARE . MODEL LOA FIRST BUILT FAVORITE COMPARE; B/ONE (BAVARIA) 25.59 ft / 7.80 m: 2012: BAVARIA 1060: 34.78 ft / 10.60 m: 1985: BAVARIA 1130: 37.00 ft / 11.28 m ...
Join Date: Feb 2005. Location: near Philadelphia. Boat: Bavaria 40, 12, 48 meters. Posts: 77. the Bavaria saga. I am one of those Bavaria owners, bought new in 2001 and agree with just about everything that John (swagman) wrote. One thing to look at are the changes in the Bavarias over the years.
2012 Custom Carolina 26cc. US$174,500. Bluewater Yacht Sales, LLC- Wrightsville Beach | Greenville, North Carolina
Bavaria 34 Cruiser. US$83,981 *. 35 ft / 2008. Breege, MV, Germany. Mola Yachting GmbH. 1 2. * This price is based on today's currency conversion rate. Find Bavaria Yachts for sale in Germany. Offering the best selection of Bavaria Yachts to choose from.
Excellent sailing characteristics, a generous space concept where cockpit and saloon merge into one living space, cabin layouts created for owners and their guests, and a perfect design - that's what NAUTITECH CATAMARANS stands for. The shipyard in Rochefort, directly near the Atlantic Ocean, has been part of the Bavaria Yachtbau Holding GmbH ...
4. 5. >. Bavaria Yachts is known worldwide as being a high quality shipyard, a leader in the production of motor and sailing boats. Bavaria's boats with lengths between 30 and 56 feet, are solid, robust and are built using the best materials and most sophisticated techniques. In fact, the German shipyard was the first to manufacture boats ...
Find Bavaria Other 37 Cruiser boats for sale in 29 - Finistère. Offering the best selection of Bavaria boats to choose from.
Finding a BAVARIA dealership in your vicinity. Just let us know your location and the desired region and we will select an appropriate dealership for you.