Bavaria Motor Boats 32 Sport

While other 30-something foot sportscruisers have impressed, dashing about a quiet bay or a big river with the stereo blaring, the BMB 32 Sport from Germany delivered the goods flying across Sydney Heads and out into the wide blue yonder.

Neighbouring ports, had I the time, were well within range of this ocean-going sportsboat. The third BMB I have driven in as many years, this 32-footer with twin 225hp petrol inboards has a surprising turn of speed and typical German surefootedness.

In a matter of minutes, I had the far side of the harbour in my sights, and before long I had reached that quiet mid-week anchorage we all dream of back in the office. The journey was sudden and seductive, leading me to reach into the bag of superlatives.

The combination of a sharp hull, Volvo Duoprops and power-assisted steering contribute to the abundant driving pleasure. But the BMB 32 Sport also has generous seating, good amenities and accommodation to win over guests.

Put it all together and you have a fast getaway boat, a comfortable entertainer, a neat mid-weeker and weekender, and a sporty drive. And to my mind, the BMB 32 Sport is exactly the kind of boat that will be right at home in a drystack (one is approved for Sydney Harbour at last!)

Yet in other ways this German-made craft doesn't fit the mould. In several key areas it is uniquely appealing. The walkaround deck design, for example, was refreshing and clever. And you won't see a timber interior finish like this on any sportsboat but a BMB.

BOATS FROM BAVARIA
The second biggest boatbuilder in Europe and one of the fastest growing in the last few years, BMB Powerboats recently opened a new production yard. It has boosted its range of sportsboats to include two new day cruisers (DCs) of 25ft and 29ft in length and there is a 40-footer in the pipeline.

Meantime, the company's popular Sport range begins at 27ft and ends at 38ft. Slotting in nicely and offering the same accommodation as the 34-footer, the BMB 32 Sport is one of the bestsellers, bringing to eight the number of BMB models. A 29 DC has been ordered for Australia along with another 32.

All the BMBs are built of hand-laid fibreglass with sandwich core above the waterline. Bulkhead and joinery timber, deck holes for fittings and mouldings are cut using CNC routers. There is an automated varnishing line producing a satin finish over BMB's signature mahogany joinery and burl vertical surfaces. The entire boatbuilding process takes place on a production line.

The boats have a five-year warranty against osmosis and a CE certificate in Europe, which means they meet Category B in EU countries. The standard (tested using models before a qualified independent body) covers everything from fuel tanks and hoses to freeboard and flotation.

The Category B standards mean the BMB 32 has been designed for offshore work - it was this little bit of research that prompted my bluewater sortie. Apparently, the boat can handle a wind force of less than Beaufort 8, which is described as near gale, with 30-40kt gusts. The acceptable wave height is anything less than 4m.

All the BMBs delivered to Australia also have a local specification with a few more goodies than the standard factory-rolled boat. Basically a turn-key package, the BMB 32 Sport is fitted with a battery charger, canvas covers, VHF radio, safety gear and, get this, a bowthruster as standard.

While a bowthruster could be construed as overkill on a 32-footer with twins and Duoprops, it did make for a foolproof boat to park at the marina and decamp in early in the day. Such conveniences are one reason why, the importers tell me, BMB boats appeal to first-time boaties.

Another reason for the sales success of these boats with new buyers may be that they aren't afflicted by prejudices. To the naked eye, many boaties will appreciate the European styling and traditional timber interior. Above decks there is certainly plenty to embrace by way of lifestyle amenities and good, deep lounges.

DAY DREAMER
While the 32's cockpit wasn't crowded with three people during my sortie, I don't think it would be spilling over with seven guests as per the stated passenger capacity. Surround seating is the key to keeping the thoroughfares clear. The cockpit has two lounges that can collectively seat five people around a removable cockpit table on which lunch can be served.

Two more people can sit on the circular lounge opposite the skipper, who gets to drive from a pedestal seat with a flip-up bolster. The aft lounges convert into a big daybed for a sun-loving couple. The stainless hinges are overbuilt.

The single-level deck, non-skid moulding and wide helm area encourage conversation and mingling on this boat. A simple hose-out and occasional scrub are all that are needed by way of post-party maintenance. Sure beats dealing with carpet impregnated with food and mud.

There is a Corian-topped amenities centre in the cockpit mouldings on the port side behind the skipper with a fridge and a sink. The only addition to consider is a rail-mounted barbie. The boat certainly has enough rails to find one that is downwind when it comes time to fire up the barbie.

While teak in the cockpit is an option, the big boarding platform is topped with teak and fitted with a central swim ladder and four fender baskets. The decks are dotted with lots of chunky hardware, including nice big cleats.

But the most exciting thing is the deck design. Unlike most American-made sportscruisers, the BMB 32 Sport is a true walkaround. The huge bowrail and moulded non-skid sidedecks wrap back almost as far as the transom.

I found the decks delightfully accessible and the rail nice and supportive. Moulded toerails and the circumambient bowrail with an intermediate wire help you on your way. These things make access to the foredeck nice and safe and I would have no qualms sending kids (post swimming lessons) forward at anchor.

The foredeck is flatter than some bubble-shaped sportscruisers and there is a flat central recess with drinkholders awaiting the optional sunpad cushion. A split bowrail lets you pick up passengers front on, while a windlass with chain counter and 10kg Delta with rode take care of anchoring.

The deck hatches for the cabins are stainless steel or chromed brass with privacy curtains. The forward hatch doubles as an escape hatch, while the two smaller hatches above the head and saloon are smart semi-circular numbers.

Other details to note include a fold-down targa arch that reduces the boat's height for slipping under low-slung canal bridges. While it is tinted, the wraparound windscreen is strong and stylish, with a thick stainless steel leading edge that is a model for others to follow.

CAPTAIN'S CORNER
The skipper is treated to a wiper and a terrific silver dash panel that has been upgraded from the former BMB boats seen here. There is a full spread of stainless steel or chrome-rimmed sporty VDO gauges, a tilt-adjustable timber sports wheel and hydraulic trim tabs with a sight indicator to customise the drive.

Standard electronics include a Raymarine bidata speed/depth readout and the VHF radio. But room exists for flush mounting a 7in GPS chartplotter, and a stereo remote would be nice.

The helm-based switch panels on these boats have only faint outlines of icons denoting their functions. These are hard to identify. But press the right button and you will raise the entire cockpit sole, albeit slowly, on a single hydraulic strut.

Access to the twin Volvo Penta 4.3 GXI motors is unfettered on all sides. I spotted the boat's battery charger. There is lots of sound insulation and shorepower connection, too. But there is no inverter or genset, though there is room for one.

The cockpit table has a dedicated stowage slot in the engine bay and the stainless steel fuel tanks are forward, with clear access to the twin fuel filters. All the plumbing is colour coded and the engineroom appears to have been tidied up compared with the early BMB sportsboats.

STEP DOWN FOR SHUT-EYE
A footwell and four steps lead down to the full-beam saloon. Pitched against the 34-footer, the 32 loses only a little room and a forward bulkhead. There is a slightly lighter shade of mahogany joinery, I'm told, though the interior remains uniquely Bavarian.

All the furniture is glassed to the hull and I enjoyed full standing headroom to a point at least halfway down the saloon. An oval table to port and a lounge with a loose chair pulled up will see four people seated for meals or strip poker. Moving about the saloon is made easy thanks to the lounge and table being kept in proportion.

Surrounding timber lockers and sub-seat storage provide room for stowing spares, first-aid kits, board games and books. A good spread of 12V ceiling lights and a CD player are included. By virtue of the BMB's more generous outdoor seating, the saloon is best used for meal preparation or by a couple sleeping over.

The galley comes with a 12V microwave for reheating the bratwurst, two-burner 240V electric/alcohol stove, deep stainless steel sink and a fridge behind a big burlwood facia. Storage space exists in three overhead lockers, two drawers and two cupboards, one of which hides a small garbage bin.

Just aft of the galley, the BMB 32's generous head is a winner. It has full headroom, an electric loo, small sink with handheld hot/cold shower, storage lockers, big handrail, mirror and opening porthole. There was no extractor fan, but I did note all the doors have double-toothed catches to cut down on rattles on the run.

Up front is a huge V-berth in the bow that can sleep two adults behind a privacy curtain. There are half-depth twin hanging lockers, a mirror-backed bedhead and yet more surrounding mahogany lockers.

But the pick of the beds is in the aft cabin, which is generous for a 32-footer. Here you will find sufficient floor space to pull on your Sunday best, a quasi chaise longue, lowboy with shelves, hanging locker and still more mahogany lockers.

I suppose you sleep with your head at the open end of the cabin, necessitating crawling over your pillows, as I could find no light up the far end of the cabin. But a porthole and hatch provide cross-flow ventilation and shoulder room is generous in the big-hearted 32 Sport.

GERMAN SPORTS FUN
On the power-to-weight scale, the BMB 32 Sport weighs in quite a bit lighter than some of its opposition, including similar-length US-made Sea Rays and Bayliners. But it is also a narrower boat with a more streamlined hull.

The weight is one reason why the boat performs so well with twin 225hp Volvos. These engines are around the base size on competing 32-footers - some of which feel slow out of the blocks. Not the BMB 32 Sport, which was true to it German heritage.

The boat is happy to hold a low planing speed of 13.2kt at 2500rpm, but add another 500rpm and the boat runs free and easy at a handy 20kt. The Volvos seemed to purr in the enginebox and the whole engineering package - boat and motor - felt as one.

A fast cruise speed of 27kt at 3500rpm and 31.7kt at 4000rpm was recorded on my GPS. The boat still had plenty in reserve and it topped a very smart 36kt. But it was the handling as much as the speed that impressed this sportsboat driver.

The steering is light and direct and the hull equally responsive. When you bank the boat in a turn, it comes out of the apex smartly, with little loss of speed, and it sits back up on an even keel soon after. A quick flick of the wheel lets you straighten the boat out even quicker for crossing boat wakes and there are trim tabs to level the ride in crosswinds.

I blasted across Sydney Heads, nosed my way out to sea, ran north to Manly, cruised across the harbour sound and encircled Clarke Island before returning to Rose Bay. The carefree voyage took, I guess, a little more than an hour.

The BMB 32 Sport wasn't challenged by the 15kt sea breeze and 1m sea, nor the boat wake that is a factor on the busy harbour these days.

The highlight is the ride, which everyone gets to enjoy, followed by lunch and swim, and a wind-in-your-hair blast to beat the crowds back home.