The Bavaria family continues to grow

by Al Constable on 7 Jul 2006 The German made, Bavaria brand is the most popular production yacht in New Zealand, as it is in the UK and Spain and is a rapidly growing brand around the world.

Roger Wilson founded International Marine Brokers, the sole agents for Bavaria Yachts in New Zealand in 1989 and he is very pleased with the progress of the brand and the expansion of the product range.

Roger explains, ‘Over the last eight years the Bavaria volumes have lifted from 1,000 to 4,000 boats. For the first 25 years of its history Bavaria concentrated on Europe and then reached into the Australian and New Zealand markets. Now they are starting to crack the American market.

‘Their plant is the most impressive, the most modern and the most high tech boat production plant in the world. The Bavaria production system is just unbeatable in terms of production efficiency and that efficiency is reflected in the very competitive prices we are able to offer in the marketplace. We deliver an exceptionally good value product with no sacrifice on quality.

‘The Bavaria market is primarily a cruising market but we do have very competitive club racing and IRC offshore racing models as well.

‘I think Bavaria’s styling has a great deal of appeal to Kiwi sailors; they like the look of the boats, they like the way they sail. They have a good reputation and that reputation has spread. We’ve just captured the market nicely with the right kind of product.’

The latest cruising design to come out of the Bavaria factory is The Vision range and is heralded as the most important development from Bavaria in many years.

The range has three new models - 40, 44 and 50 – all produced in direct response to the popularity of a traditional layout down below. A walk-through saloon with galley and heads beside the companionway has been the age-old preference of sailors the world over.

New hull designs and significantly enlarged sail areas reward the discerning sailor with increased speeds. Bavaria Standard Features include lead keel, spinnaker winches, twin steering wheels, solar powered stainless steel vents, spacious galley with icebox and large fridge and storage drawers under the forepeak bed. The over two metre long deck saloon windows, coupled with attractive upholstery and plenty of storage space, give the impression of being on a much larger boat.

Wilson explains. ‘The Vision range are deck house saloon cruising models. It is the way the world is moving in terms of satisfying those who are interested in sailing. Women, particularly, enjoy sitting in the well-appointed saloon and are very happy looking out of the spacious windows and enjoying the atmosphere.

‘These boats have a great deal of comfort, but have been manufactured to be performance orientated as well. Their introduction to the Bavaria family has greatly expanded our range and we are looking forward to the arrival of the first one into New Zealand later in the year.

‘It seems the sailing market is set to expand with the rising cost of fuel. We feel, with the current prices of fuel, a lot of powerboat owners will be looking at their fuel bills and thinking, 'Gee I wish I had a yacht.' The saying goes; if you can afford to buy a 1.6 million dollar powerboat you can afford the fuel bill, but it still hurts when you have to pay three grand or so to fill it up.

‘By contrast a Bavaria 46 owner will pay a couple of hundred dollars on fuel. The wind is free and the boats have all the comforts to satisfy everyone. Twenty new boats were added the last year to the rapidly growing fleet of nearly seventy, which are spread out around New Zealand.

Jane Pares from IMB recognises cruising families value the social side of sailing.

‘When you buy a Bavaria you’re not only buying the most popular production yacht in New Zealand and in many other parts of the world, renowned for its quality and sail handling, but you’re also joining our Bavaria Family.

Throughout the year we organise a variety of social events both on and off the water bringing together owners, their families and friends, from the seventy odd Bavarias already in the country. A quarterly newsletter brings everyone up to date with activities, new boat products, stories, recipes, advice and technical tips. Our profile in New Zealand is such that we are able to organise discounts and special offers for Bavaria owners with marine suppliers.

‘The majority of owners are based in Auckland, but a growing number have their boats in the fabulous cruising grounds of the Marlborough Sounds, between Wellington and the South Island.

‘Auckland owners are equally fortunate to have extensive cruising grounds on their doorstep, with the Hauraki Gulf being the envy of many a sailor worldwide! Stretching from Auckland to the Bay of Islands in the north, sailors have the pick of coastal sailing with a multitude of islands and sheltered bays to choose from. If they feel like stretching their sails and exploring further afield, they can just plot a course for a sunny South Pacific Island, raise the sails and leave winter behind!

‘The fleet in New Zealand comprises all the models from the Bavaria stable - from the compact B30 to the luxurious B50 - offering what is probably the best quality to price ratio of any yacht world-wide.

‘Strong, seaworthy and easily handled they are popular cruising yachts. The Bavaria 30 is an exciting new entrée model with roomy interior and 2 double cabins – an excellent sailing boat for couples. Bob and Carolyn Randall’s B30, Elizabeth Reed, has proved to be a highly successful addition to the local charter fleet run by Charterlink in Bayswater Marina.

‘Buying a new Bavaria and putting it into charter has many advantages for the new owner – namely the boats earning potential!

‘Of course the Bavaria is not only an ideal cruising yacht, it’s also a very competitive racer, as proven by Quintin Fowler with his B44, Bavarian Wave, regular winners on the RNZYS circuit. In 2004 they took first prize in their division in the Auckland to Suva Race. The only Bavaria Match 38 in New Zealand won eight trophies and the RNZYS Line Trophy for Div B in (2005) its first year of racing with the RNZYS.

‘Three Bavarias are entered in the 2007 Solo Trans Tasman Race. The first race was held in 1970, when the only other solo ocean race in the world was from Plymouth (UK) to Newport in the USA.

‘After a break of nine years the race has been revived and so far there are fifteen entries. Starting in New Plymouth on NZ’s notoriously wild, west coast the fleet will race 1,280 odd miles NW across the Tasman to finish in Mooloolaba, Queensland. The three Bavaria entries are in the double handed division - Keith Munro with his beautiful B50, Time Lord, and two B46s - Rod Carr in Seaquel and Bill Byford with Pebble Rebel .

Fortunately for them, North South Yachting the Bavaria agents in Australia, have a good service depot in Mooloolaba. International Marine Brokers are sponsoring the Bavaria Cup. For more details on the race visit: www.solo-tasman.com

If you would like more information on Bavarias in New Zealand, please visit our website www.internationalmarine.co.nz, or call us on +64 9 366 6165 – we’d love to hear from you.

Bavaria Yachts website - www.bavariayachtbau.com

US site www.bavariayachts.com



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