Bavaria 55

Over 50s - The big European yacht manufacturers have all recently released cruising yachts over 50ft. We decided to get them all together and test them back-to-back. Over the next few weeks we'll be rolling them out so you can see what our testers thought and be able to compare them for yourself. 

OVERVIEW 
Bavaria’s flagship cruiser is its first foray into the 55ft market and to do so, it engaged the expertise of Farr Yacht Design and for its spacious interior, BMW Design Works USA. The 2009-launched 55 looks completely different from the next boat down its range, the 51, and really is a break from the traditional Bavaria mould, thanks to its angular design and ultra modern clean lines.

Twin wheels in the cockpit give easy access to the drop-down swim platform, and back in the cockpit, all lines run aft. For the steerer, flip-up footrests and medium-diameter wheels make for a pleasing setup. Clever use of recesses for washboards, lines and even the spray dodger give a very contemporary -- even racey -- look to the deck which, on the review boat, used powered primary winches from Lewmar for easy sail handling with the buttons located near the helm.

Nearer the helm were another set of spinnaker winches and, up on the cabin top, a smaller pair of Lewmars controlled the mainsheet and other running rigging.

The Bavaria 55 uses a 110hp engine, a Volvo, to power things. And it has a lot to power; apart from the Raymarine navigation gear (ST70 readouts and C90 plotter) options include washing machine, water maker and Bavaria’s $7k multimedia package. At anchor, the optional generator can get things going and stored power is via three 135ah house batteries powered by 45ah charger. An effective anchoring setup comprises large double bow rollers and a powerful l Quick Dylan 1700W windlass/capstan with manual override, located on the deck.

Distinctive features in the Wenge wood lined saloon include an island worktop and full-sized front opening freezer. Nice touches include a slide-out bench at the large dinning table and strong grab rails around the island bench.

The starboard-side galley has room for a washing machine but I’d have preferred a four-burner rather than three-burner stove-oven. Nearby, a spacious bow-facing navigation station housed the Raymarine control panel as well as shipboard controls with plenty of bulkhead space for electronics. Natural light is limited due to the unusually small hull windows but, cleverly, flush hatches have been alternated at 90-degree angles to aid airflow.

Farr has penned an upright-shaped hull with little rake and high topsides contrasting with a sleek and low cabin top. But there is plenty of grip in the water, thanks to twin rudders to ensure good tracking when heeled over. The volume is somewhat dictated by the large stern garage, able to house a 3.2m dinghy and up front a large bow sail locker in the bow.

The long cast-iron keel combined with deep centred tankage is designed to keep weight low in the strongly laid-up hull. A departure in design from previous layups, Farr’s stipulation of a large fibreglass hull grid with moulded connections for chainplates is designed to make a very stiff and strong boat.

ON THE WATER 
Heading out, we gingerly used the bow thruster to pull us off the dock as we motored onto a blustery Pittwater, the 15kt wind was interspersed with 20kt gusts just to keep us on our toes. Pulling out the in-mast mainsail was easy thanks to the electric Lewmar winches and rolling out the genoa was similarly effortless while I guided the bow to windward and found my footing at the helm.

Flipping closed the wooden engine control covers allowed a comfortable sit-out position to see the tell-tales, with a clear view forward across the low profile cabin. With the wheel diameter just right for this race style position I felt comfortable and the light feel of the wheel gave me an impression of being well in control of the 55 footer. Winding in the gear we settled into a groove, accelerating in the gusts, rather than rounding up. As the heeling angle increased I flipped out the foot rests and effortlessly resumed my way as the shoulder of the big hull dug in and tracked along nicely.

“Very comfortable and enjoyable with surprising performance,” was my notebook comments at the time. Despite the name ‘Farr’ on the label, the speed and handling of the 55 really took me pleasantly by surprise. For the record, the best I managed to windward was 8.1kts at 45 degrees in the 15kt wind. Later on, after we hoisted the Code 0, an impressive 9.3kts was managed and I began to understand why North South Yachting principal Bob Mulkearns was so keen to put the 55 in twilight races.

With plenty of windshifts to act on, tacking the 55 again proved quick and easy. The electric Lewmars took care of the sheeting, with the button conveniently near the helm for short-handed work. With the breeze remaining strong I then went through a series of gybes, something not to be taken lightly given the conditions and the size of mainsail, but again the 55 did it with aplomb, the twin rudders powering the hull round, rather than just sliding it.

With the afternoon drawing to a close we wound in all the sails and fired up the 110 Volvo, with barely a vibration felt. Its four-bladed folding propeller powered us into the wind at a tidy 9.3kts with the revs running at 2900. With some playtime left I slowed, snuck into reverse and went for a drive along the parked boats to check out the handling under power. With dabs of the windward thruster button maintaining my line backwards I felt confident, the only glitch coming when I tried turning in reverse; it was then the large surface area of the twin rudders became a bit of a handful but overall I’d say near impeccable manners.

The bottom line on the Bavaria 55 is that it’s an impressive cruising boat in all departments and, most importantly, really is fun to sail and at very good price.