Bavaria Yachts - holding their own in the market

by Jane Pares. International Marine Brokers on 23 Aug 2006 Oil price rises always deal a blow to the cost of producing a yacht.

Increases in the price of resins, by products of the petro-chemical industry, energy and transportation are inevitably passed on to the buyer.

Here in NZ, any price tag on a new import is also affected by the exchange rate - thus the recent weakening of the NZ$ has further contributed to price rises on European built yachts. Fortunately, Bavaria Yachtbau’s ability to produce high quality yachts at extremely competitive prices has further amplified the gap between Bavaria and her competitors in the market place.

If you want a similar sized yacht to the Bavaria 39 Cruiser for example, you can pay up to 25% more for a similar model. Due to economies of scale and an extremely efficient production process, Bavaria Yachts offer the best quality to price ratio of any family sized cruising yacht worldwide

Every year over 3000 yachts leave the Bavaria factory, making it one of the top ranking and biggest yacht builders in Europe. By using the latest manufacturing techniques, computer-aided processes and highly skilled craftsmen, Bavaria Yachtbau is one of the most modern production facilities for sailing yachts in the world. The attention to detail is impressive. Each feature is painstakingly considered, designed and then produced on assembly lines with an emphasis on a consistently top quality end product.

Bavaria’s uncompromising approach to quality and a high specification means using only the best as standard for solid, lasting value -

• Lewmar hatches, winches and steering gear
• Selden masts and rigging
• Raymarine electrical instruments and navigation equipment
• Volvo engines, propellers, water heaters and alternators
• Elvstrom sails

As far as strength of construction is concerned besides conventional glass mats, multi-axial roving fabric is used as an additional strengthener in the laminate. The bow area and other obvious collision points are additionally reinforced with kevlar and the laminate is partially doubled in the keel area by overlapping to a minimum of 36mm (see photo of core through the hull of the B46).

Bavaria’s excellent credentials mean they are recognised throughout the world as superb performance cruising yachts. Each Bavaria is strong, seaworthy and most importantly easy to handle. Since their beginnings in 1978, Bavaria Yachtbau has built up a range of cruisers from 30 to 50 feet, continuously upgrading and refining the models over the years. By coupling this wealth of experience with advances in their production processes, they are able to turn out top quality yachts with universal appeal.

The proof of their popularity is evident in the many thousands of Bavarias found in charter fleets worldwide and the numbers of yachtsman that have chosen a Bavaria yacht for ocean cruising. The Pedersen family left NZ in 2000 in their B47 Ocean, Essence, and have covered over 20,000 miles of their circumnavigation.

Ron Simm left the Med in 2005 with Nautilus, his B36, and is currently in Tobago, en route for New Zealand. Sanuk, a B38, is currently in Fiji on a three year circumnavigation and last year was the hero in an ocean rescue of a Tayana 48 in winds of up to 50 knots – a testament to the strength of the Bavaria build and the skill of her crew.

Offshore or coastal, Bavarias perform beautifully, as Peter Greacen, owner of a Bavaria 42, Viveka testifies - he took off to the Barrier last week and enjoyed a perfect run over of about 45 miles in 6 hours. These boats just love a good blow.