Bavaria 27 Sport

It might be high volume in terms of production numbers, what with the German boatbuilder almost doubling its output since I tested its 35-footer almost a year ago, but Bavaria Motorboats is not high volume compared to your archetypal American sportscruiser. Honouring the sportscruiser tag, these lithe boats appear built for driving pleasure and sportiness, then lugging family and friends and overnighting on a whim.

The latest release, the 27 Sport, with just a single 320hp Volvo 5.7 GXi petrol inboard instead of the optional twin 230hp 4.3lt motors (also diesel options), offered an exciting drive. You could throw the boat this way and that, with the leg trimmed in, and the boat ripped around the bends like a sportscar across the Austrian alps. Okay, that might be taking things a tad too far. But the handling seemed doubly nice to me following recent tests of so-called sportscruisers that favoured volume over performance.

While it is designated as a 27, probably to reduce storage fees in Europe, the German sportscruiser measures 29’5” without an extended (optional) bolt-on boarding platform. So it’s actually got plenty of waterline length and a big beam of 2.95m, but without too much up top to destroy the low centre of gravity.

Head room is about 1.82m at its highest point in the saloon, which features twin cabins, a decent galley and oversized head. Not bad for the boatbuilder’s entry-level sportscruiser. But from what I hear Bavaria is endeavouring to make better-equipped boats these days, with a range extending onwards and upwards to a 46-footer (designated 42).

BUILT STRONG
Despite Bavaria automating much of the production, the boats appear strongly built, with hand-laid GRP hulls stiffened by GRP grid-stringer systems bonded to the outer skin. Built to CE Category B for six people, the 27 Sport can be confidently taken offshore for short-haul coastal cruising in agreeable weather.

Bavarias aren’t light – the 27 Sport weighs 3800kg, which is almost 1000kg more than some designated American 27-footers – but they seem to get going and, as evaluated here, travel smoothly and transmit few harsh thumps. They also track well and respond to the trim, but not in a nervous way.

Though the finish isn’t quite as slick as the American competition, Bavaria takes a pragmatic and long-term view to the fitout. The cleats, for example, are twice the size of your routine bolt-on token cleats. The bowrail is tremendously sturdy and supportive, while the stainless steel windscreen frame is over-engineered.

Meanwhile, what was once dark mahogany joinery below decks is now a much lighter hue, and the previous radiused cuts of that joinery are more in keeping with the modern retro look. For the local market, the boat’s head was upgraded from a manual pump to an electric model.

Being an equally big yacht builder, Bavaria includes seafaring touches on its motorboats such as handholds in the cabin, oodles of storage under the moulded pans, and access panels to all the wiring and plumbing. Nothing too refined, but it’s all very serviceable.

In the engine room, which is accessible by pushing a button on the multifunction digital dash panel linked to a silent hydraulic activator, the single 320hp Volvo motor looked positively lonely. There was standing room around all sides for servicing, room to create additional storage or mount an outboard on a bracket, and more.

I noted double-clipped lines below the waterline, wiring looms off the floor, separate twin 140-amp house and engine-start batteries, a hot-water accumulator, and stainless steel fuel tank. The Volvo was equipped with its own computer that could relay data such as fuel consumption back to the helm.

I also noted improved mouldings, tidier wiring and cleaner engineering. Wiring and plumbing circuits are all clearly labelled and the boatbuilder seems quick to embrace the latest computer technology. Its multifunction automotive-style digital dash panel and latest Volvo motors are indicative of this.

The 27 Sport we tested was a standard boat including Sidepower bowthruster; bimini top, three-quarter awning and clears running off the targa arch; cockpit carpet; leather upholstery in the saloon; and Icom VHF radio with new compact dome-style aerial. The supplied shorepower connection and Smartcharger let you run the 240V stove and outlets when tied to the marina. A microwave and invertor would be a lux addition.

DECK LIVING
The boat’s integrated half-size boarding platform is big enough for you to sit on and dangle your feet, but the optional extended platform would double the waterfront. As per usual, there was a hot/cold handheld shower, swim ladder, (big) accessible mooring cleats, and flagstaff where the owner had also mounted his gas-fired barbecue. Got to have that.

 Moulded steps back at the transom lead to the side decks. Non-skid decking, handrails, moulded toe rails, and the high bowrail with lifelines aid your passage forward. The bowrail is a split number, which I always favour.

The 27 Sport comes with a concealed windlass for push-button anchoring. While there is no dedicated recess flanked by rails, there is sufficient flat deck space to unfurl a towel and create a forward sundeck.

The cockpit is a gem. A folding backrest on the aft lounge swings forward to create a shaded headrest under the awning for what becomes a huge aft sunpad. There’s room for two couples to kick back here. Even better, the cavernous moulded storage area under the sunlounge is so big it can accommodate all your watersports gear, lifejackets, barbecue, lines, cleaning items, and more. This way, the cockpit remains uncluttered.

Lunches can be held around the portside dinette where the table, like the sunpad base, has a double-moulded skin for a much-improved finish. Doubling as co-pilot seating, the U-shaped lounge is big enough for five people, with the skipper sitting side-saddle on the helm seat nearby.

The helm seat has a flip-up bolster and fore-and-aft adjustment capabilities. Storage for personals exists under its moulded base and in a receptacle with five drinkholders ahead of the co-pilot. Behind the helm seat is the amenities centre with further storage, food-prep space, sink with cold water, and decent Waeco 12V day fridge. Everything in place for a great day of gadding about and hanging out at rest.

HUNKERING DOWN
Though head room of 1.82m doesn’t extend much past the foot of the stairs before the galley, the 27 Sport doesn’t feel cramped thanks in part to the golden mahogany timber and white ceiling liners.

There is an especially beamy aft cabin with an obliging double mattress. There’s a small amount of hanging space, reading lights and room to spread out and read. The supplied Bavaria towels and ‘crockery’ were stowed in a chest at the foot of the bed.

Timber side lockers range from the aft cabin through the galley to either side of the dinette in the bow, which converts to a second double bed. Ventilation comes via a small opening aft hatch, opening portlights at the galley and in the moulded head across the way, plus a deck hatch.

The highlights of the galley were the counters, which featured fiddle rails, a deep circular sink with hot/cold water, 240V stove, second Waeco fridge, drawers, cupboard space, and concealed garbo. It was nice to see gauges on the 12V breaker panel for the 110lt water tank, which was adequate for overnighting, and the relatively generous 80lt holding tank.

 The head on the 27 Sport is comparatively big. It featured a mirrored vanity, easy-clean moulded finish, handheld shower/faucet, upgraded electric loo, and plenty of room to move.

I see the boat as a great day cruiser for a couple who like to entertain and then relieve themselves of their guests, do dinner and stay aboard in the aft cabin, leaving the dinette assembled for breakfast and coffee the next day.

SUNDAY DRIVE
The helm bucket seat, wraparound windscreen with wiper, adjustable carbon wheel and matching dash panel make for a comfortable driving station. The dash was fitted with big digital Lectrasan trim tabs, Sidepower control, the Bavaria digital multifunction 12V control panel, and the latest Volvo analogue engine gauges. I suspect there might have been a bit of growth tarnishing the boat’s performance, making the Duoprop cavitate unduly in right turns when the leg was in optimum trim. But even still this was a sporty boat to drive.

With the trim tabs and leg trimmed in the hull planed at 10kts at 2500rpm. More importantly it cruised with half tabs and a level attitude at 15kts and 3000rpm – a lazy speed for loping along the waterways. Lift the tabs and advance the throttle and you will find a fast and smooth cruise at 4000rpm. I wasn’t so fond of the harsh exhaust noise, though.

Fast cruise of 32kts was recorded at 4500rpm. Top speed was 35.5kts, recorded at 4750rpm, but I think the boat can go faster than that and, if with twin 4.3lt blocks, it would be a real devil.

As it was, as simply a day and short-stay sportscruiser for $195,000, the Bavaria 27 Sport cost a bit more than some high-volume American competition. But it has as much waterline length as some supposed 29-footers and is pitched at the product rather than price-driven buyer who covets driving pleasure as well as comforts. A German sports conveyance, for sure.

HIGHS