Bavaria 40/44 Vision

Bavaria yachts has broken with its traditional styling and entered the growing arena of deck-saloon yachts. Called the Vision series, the new boats are big, beamy cruisers that are sure to appeal to the modern cruiser.

The Vision series comprises three boats at the moment: a 40, 44, and the range-topping 50. We had at our disposal a 40 and a 44 at the world launch in Palma, Majorca and the general consensus was that the boats were a positive step forward for Bavaria.

Since the company’s foray into racing yachts with the now-discontinued Match series, it has gone back to what it does best – making good, affordable cruising yachts.

The Vision series is certainly proof of that. The boats are strong, well fitted out and surprisingly quick under sail.

ON DECK
We stepped aboard the new 44 just the way you do in the Med, via a wooden plank acting as a passerelle. There’s a drop-down transom door leading to the swim platform, which is a better setup than Bavaria used to have – a lift-out section of the transom that invariably fell overboard or slipped off the cockpit seat, damaging either it or the cockpit sole.

The swim platform itself is wide and, although it looks a bit like an add-on, it is sturdy and sports a fold-away ladder and offers a handy deck shower nearby.

The helmsman’s station behind the twin wheels is comfortable and there are thoughtful moulded foot holds to brace against when the boat is heeling.

In front of the helmsman is the binnacle with plenty of room for electronics and, in one of the boat’s most nifty design features, a swivelling mount for the chartplotter so that the helmsman can turn it to face him regardless of the wheel he’s sitting at.

The cockpit is large on both models and features a step-up to the side deck big enough to sit on.

The six Lewmar winches are all two-speed, self-tailing jobs and, according to North South Yachting’s Bob Mulkearns, you can have them either upgraded in size or have the primaries respecified as electrics, which could be a good idea for short-handed cruisers, especially on the bigger boats.

 All lines lead aft under the cabin top, creating a smooth and uncluttered look.

Moving forward, I noted that the decks were wide and that there were no impediments as you travel to the foredeck. Substantial cleats adorn the decks, including a pair of spring cleats which these days are often optional. On the fordeck, the anchor well opens to reveal the electric windlass with plug-in controller.

The rig is a tall two-spreader Selden section, with the 40’s being only slightly shorter than the 44’s. Both our boats were fitted with the Selden’s in-mast main furling system and solid boom vangs as well as Furlex furlers for the genoas. I’ve not been a fan of in-mast furlers in the past, but the two times I’ve used the Selden system I’ve been impressed.

Both test boats were fitted with a set of up-rated Sobstad sails with about 140 to 145 per cent genoas. The mains were especially designed for the in-mast systems with vertical battens. The first two battens denote the reefs. To reef the main, you simply need to furl the main in until the batten is vertical with the mast. Simple.

During my time on the deck, I noticed that there was very good non-skid on the cabin top and all traffic areas. The test boats were fitted with the optional teak decks but without the teak, the decks are equipped with the same non-skid surface.

Back in the cockpit, there are big lockers under each seat for fenders, warps and the like and there’s a folding cockpit table with storage under so you could sit four or six in the cockpit for lunch.

LIGHT AND AIRY
Moving down the companionway, the cabin opens up in all its wide and spacious glory. The big windows creating the deck saloon’s looks, as well as the two forward-facing windows and the ports, provide lots of light below.

Head room is huge and well suited to any retired basketball players who decide to take up yachting. I couldn’t help thinking that perhaps the cabin sole could have been lifted up a bit to better take advantage of the view provided by the side windows, but that would obviously detract from the one-level walkthrough aspect from the saloon to the three cabins.

Interestingly, the Vision 40 has a three-cabin, one-head layout, whereas the 44 has a three-cabin, two-head layout.It’s arguable whether a 40-footer needs two heads and, by having just one in the Vision 40, more room becomes available in the saloon while still providing a spacious forward owners’ cabin.

The saloon is dominated by the portside U-shaped dinette. There is a curved lounge to starboard which can also be used for extra dining guests as the table folds up to make room for six or eight at dinner.

The galley is another big feature. It’s very roomy with both front-opening and top-opening fridges, a double stainless steel sink and two-burner stove with oven. According to Mulkearns, this will be replaced with an up-graded three or four-burner stove for the Australian market. There’s plenty of cupboard space in the galley as well, including room for a microwave should one be required.

 The aft cabins in the 40 are also big, with standing room and little seat for changing, hanging and stowage space for clothes and extra storage along the hull sides. An opening hatch and opening port provide light and air to the cabins and there is also a fixed hull port.

The head to starboard provides an electric loo, a shower with seat and two-positions for the rose as well as a vanity unit. An opening hatch provides ventilation.

Forward of the head and also to starboard is the nav station. Bavaria has gone to a fully-electronic electrical panel with graphic displays for the lights and systems. Once you’re used to it, it is a very easy board to use and almost foolproof. There is also plenty of space for screens and repeaters. Mercifully, the plastic-looking opening panels for the electrics have been replaced by faux wood items that better blend in with the wood panelling of the interior.

The 44 has a similar three-cabin layout, with the main differences being the second head in the forward cabin, which provides an electric loo and shower with screen as well as a vanity unit with storage.

In the saloon, the lounge to starboard has been replaced with two comfy lounge chairs with a coffee table between them. The dining area is enhanced by the addition of a two-seater settee, giving ample seating for six.

The 44 is obviously beamier and has a slightly larger galley.

Another interesting point in the 44 is that aft of the engine, between the two aft cabins is a void designed to take a generator and air-con unit. This will be offered as an option on the Australian-delivered boats.

Standard engines are a 45hp Volvo for the 40-footer and a 75hp Volvo for the 44; however the Australian 40s will be upgraded to have a 55hp engine. Both will have three-blade, folding Volvo props.

SAILING THE MED
We took off from the marina on a warm autumn day with a light but building sea breeze.

The idea was to sail both boats out and swap mid-sail. Obviously, as any sailor would know, two similar boats on the water constitute a race – and this was no different.

As we motored out in the 44, I noted the grunt provided by the big 75hp engine. We could easily get better than eight knots under motor if needed; however, a comfortable cruise of seven-plus was quite adequate and we weren’t squatting the stern.

Both Bavarias were quiet under motor as plenty of attention had been payed to insulating the engine compartment. I did note that the engine controller was quite close to the aft winch on starboard, but when put in the reverse position for sailing, it was out of the way of any loose sheets.

 We rolled out the sails and were soon beating out of the protected harbour at Plama. I was quite impressed by the turn of speed from both yachts and the solid feel of the 44 as we heeled into the eight to 10kt breeze. They’re a good looking boat. The 44 looks somewhat more sleek due to its extra length. Neither boat looks top heavy, as some deck saloons can.

On the wind we were getting around six to 7kts in 10kts of breeze at around 40 degrees, which is pretty good for a cruiser. The helm is light, though I felt a bit of slop in the twin system. I was reliably informed that it was merely an adjustment on the new chain-driven system that Bavaria has adopted.

On the 40, this is certainly less noticeable.

The two boats were quite similarly matched in speed but, as were to find out when we moved on to the 40 with Soren from Sobstad trimming the sails, we had the main strapped too tight on the 44 and not providing enough drive. Still, they were both great to sail and surprisingly quick.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have a kite on board, which was a disappointment as the conditions were perfect. The Vision series will be offered with either a symmetrical conventional kite with a pole, or an asymmetric, which will run off a small detachable bowsprit – this would have been perfect. C’est la vie!

On the trip home, we took the option of poling out the headie and dialling up the auto pilot for a comfortable and effortless ride back to Palma at about 5kts. The boat loved it and we could have happily sat for a few more hours yarning and soaking up the Mediterranean sun – exactly what these boats are designed for.

WHICH ONE?
It may come as a surprise, but I actually preferred the smaller of the two boats. The 40 offers a lovely interior that will certainly suit a cruising couple or family. It offers plenty of volume inside, a big, workable galley and I don’t think the single-head layout will concern too many prospective buyers.

The 40 is nearly as quick as the 44. It’s easy to sail and offers a good turn of speed. The 44 is no slouch, either, but I reckon it’s just a bit heavier on the sheets and a tad more difficult to handle in a blow.

North South Yachting will provide the boats with added specification features which are normally factory options and this will bring them up to being a good sail-away package for a very reasonable price.

Overall, Bavaria has done a good job on the Vision series. The new hulls sail well, they’re very well appointed and finished, they offer very good deck hardware and rigs, nice, big engines for cruising, and the new design looks modern and attractive on the water.

HIGHS