Bavaria Yachts’ Australian deliveries continue in wake of German restructure

Cooma-based Ensign Ship Brokers said last week it had recently received two Bavaria sailing yachts that would be commissioned at The Boat Works and delivered to customers in time for “summer sailing”.

The German-made boats are the first in the new range of Bavaria yachts, featuring refreshed styling and more features than previous models.

>> Bavaria slashes yacht range as it sets course for recovery

“[The 2018] Sydney [International Boat Show] was the first show in the world where the new C Series was on show after its launch in Dusseldorf in January,” Ensign Brokers and Bavaria Yachts Australia senior broker Lee Randall said.

“Hull numbers four and five are in Australia and there are three more on their way,” Randall said. “Feedback from SIBS was that the new Bavaria product is so much better than anything on the market, which is very pleasing.

“People commented on the quality of the inclusions and finishes,” he said.

Bavaria was recently bought out by a German private equity fund after identifying cash flow problems and appointing administrators earlier this year. According to Randall, the brand’s strength here meant Australian sales were steady throughout this period, and demand for its products “did not skip a beat”.

As part of a restructure of the brand to focus on a return to profit, Bavaria Yachts’ new owners will reduce the number of products in the brand’s portfolio from 26 to 10-12. It has already dropped the C65 sailboat from the range after a lukewarm market response to the flagship, and announced it would consolidate its manufacturing in Germany.

The Australian deliveries include the all-new Bavaria C50 Style, which was sold at the Sydney show and is destined for Lake Macquarie. The second boat being commissioned, a Bavaria C45 Ambition race version, was bought by a high-profile racing identity based in Brisbane.

In June, a Bavaria C45 Style was commissioned at The Boat Works before heading north to its new home at Airlie Beach.

“Bavaria is a German brand and renowned for its superior engineering and efficiency,” Randall said. “You certainly get a lot more for your money, excellent options and class-leading performance.

“The new Bavarias look a lot more edgy now. They have an aggressive profile and features you’d associate with bigger yachts. Even in the 45-foot boats, you have twin cockpit tables and underdeck furling systems that have historically been reserved for the larger, higher spec models.”