Bavaria C38 in the test: New mid-range sails with easy handling and course stability
Fridtjof Gunkel
· 05.01.2021
In this article:
The task is not trivial, but at least it is clearly outlined: After an unfortunate brief excursion by the previous management into unfamiliar luxury territory, Bavaria wants to return to its old core values: "Good quality and function at a good price", as product manager Pascal Kuhn puts it. As its first property, the C42 the new course. The wide boat with the voluminous bow impresses even more with its independent lines, plenty of space, a variable deck layout, agile sailing characteristics and a very competitive price. The path has been sought and found - now the other new boats must follow. The product range will initially be extended downwards, with the C-Line C45, 50 and 57 already available at the top.
The next new model is the C38, which looks so much like its bigger sister that Product Manager Pascal Kuhn says: "If you couldn't see the people in the rendering, you wouldn't be able to tell whether it was a C42 or a 38." Kuhn continues: "We are very happy with the 42, it has been well received and the dealers are delighted. Now the next job was to design and equip the 38 in such a way that the price is right, but it doesn't look and feel cheaper than the C42."
In view of the smaller hull, this was achieved by using slightly less building material and labour hours and by omitting parts such as the locker on the anchor bulkhead, which had to be omitted anyway for space reasons, or the folding bathing platform, as some other shipyards also do. Another measure is the equalisation of parts; a smaller hull window, for example, is not cheaper, but actually more expensive because it has to be purchased separately, says the product manager. The galley, for example, is the same as on the 42, it is only slightly trimmed on the hull side. Doors, cupboard fronts and hatches, handles, lamps, fittings anyway: "We end up with 94 per cent identical parts," says Kuhn. And the rest of the saving simply lies in a smaller margin.
This achieves one goal: price appeal. Bavaria's C38 costs 153,000 euros as standard and is therefore in the same range as direct competitors from the large series such as the Hanse 388, Oceanis 38.1 and the Sun Odyssey 389, all of which have been redesigned several times and are based on older designs - which is not necessarily a bad thing. The equally successful Dufour 390 is newer, more expensive and somewhat larger.
The C38 is similar to its competitors in terms of key data, including width. Overall, it is a little heavier, although weight specifications are calculated quite differently anyway. The values from Giebelstadt refer to a half-loaded boat.
Bavaria C38 sails more stable
What the Bavaria alone has is the V-bow, which extends far upwards and is intended to give the boat more stability as well as more volume below deck. The increased buoyancy at the front means that the boat does not trim when heeling, i.e. it does not tip over onto the bow and lift the stern too much. In other words, the boat sails more rigidly, is more stable and is easier to steer.
A constructive measure by designer Maurizio Cossutti, which should make a double rudder system obsolete - which also saves effort and costs and also stands for better rudder action and manoeuvrability from a standing start.
Which is something the new boat is keen to prove. The boat is launched in Neustadt in Holstein in autumn especially for the shipyard's internal tests. In addition to the development team, employees from key suppliers such as Elvstrøm Sails, Seldén, Yanmar and Brookes & Gatehouse are also on board to inspect their products in use and make any necessary improvements or adjustments.
And YACHT will also be there before the boat is transported back to Giebelstadt and perhaps to the world premiere at boot Düsseldorf.
Ship presents itself stiff and fast
The manoeuvrability from a standing start is indeed good. The optional larger Yanmar with 40 hp pushes the white flounder powerfully in the desired direction, supported if required by the fixed, also optional bow thruster in the tunnel.
Under sail, the ship presents itself as it should: stiff and fast. Helpful here: the prototype is equipped with high-quality Epex fabric from Elvstrøm, membrane sails with aramid fibres and taffetta protection. The set is not available from the shipyard, but only from the dealer for 15,500 euros - a worthwhile investment for the performance. And the eye also sails along. Around 6.5 knots can be called up on the cross at a pleasing height, and this is easy. The rudder pressure is right at the prevailing 15 knots. The boat can handle more pressure well, the rigidity is very pronounced, supported by the hard chines that are pulled far forward. Despite the rather low ballast ratio of 24 per cent; thanks to the high dimensional stability.
With the sheets shrouded, the speed increases quickly, but the typical inadequacy of a self-tacking jib becomes immediately apparent. It is undoubtedly comfortable and works well above 10 knots, but weakens on rougher courses. Then you need padeyes and outer sheets, with even greater angles to the wind Code Zero and then a gennaker. The options list includes a GRP bowsprit as an attachment point for the latter, which encases the anchor gallows and also serves as a step.
Under gennaker, you can quickly reach over 9 knots, and the 10 can also be seen on the log. Overall: a convincing performance that is also a lot of fun to steer. The low-fatigue seating positions on the two wheels also contribute to this. The feet are supported by mobile wooden wedges, and there is just enough space between the wheel and the rooster arms of the crank-operated backstay. The steering system works with a continuous cable pull, so there is no redundancy. The quadrant, rudder position indicator and autopilot are easily accessible under a hatch.
Bavaria C38 is optionally suitable for single-handed use
On the standard boat, the crew is completely responsible for operating the sheets: The mainsheet is a double travellerless German Cupper derivative and runs on the halyard winches, which are conventionally positioned on the coachroof. It is attached in the centre of the boom, so the tube is quite robust. The sheet of the self-tacking jib also lands on the coachroof. If you order a genoa together with the necessary rails on deck, you will also need the optional genoa winches, which are also suitable for operating a gennaker or code zero. A third pair of winches aft on deck plus stoppers and correspondingly deflected mainsheets will make things particularly convenient. The helmsman can then operate the main and the self-tacking jib from his workplace, making the boat ideal for small crews.
Another thing that stands out when working on the deck: 40 mm winches are not comfortable for a boat of this size, 45 mm winches are fine. And like so many other things, they are also on the options list.
Additional equipment costs are added to the basic price
This is a long list, which is nice to be able to configure your boat as desired at the shipyard, but it also shows how quickly prices can explode. Financially significant items on the test boat: sat nav package (11,000 euros), Sail Ready package (10,500 euros), bow thruster (6,500 euros), teak on running deck (10,700 euros), air conditioning (21,000 euros). Other extras: whitewashed oak interior (see photo above left) instead of mahogany, which is no longer at the top of buyers' favourites anyway: 4000 euros, bathing platform: 4400 euros, bowsprit: 3100 euros.
In any case, the test ship sold to England costs 280,251 euros, an increase of around 80 per cent on the basic price. However, not every item is mandatory and some things can be retrofitted later if required or desired.
However, the customer must decide on the interior options from the outset. A double cabin on the starboard side is standard, while a huge rear box is provided on the port side. This can be swapped for a second aft cabin for 2800 euros. In any case, the berths are generously sized thanks to the wide stern and despite a technical duct between the compartments.
Some wishes can be realised at Bavaria
Another option is rare at 38 feet: a second wet room can be installed in the foredeck. And the saloon table can be lowered on request, creating a lounge area with a 1.24 metre deep sofa. The table can be folded out across the full width to an impressive 1.40 metres.
The galley from the C42 is the largest module in the interior. It extends over a good two metres in length and protrudes 110 centimetres into the saloon at the front. There is plenty of storage space in the upper and lower cabinets as well as drawers and shelves. The cooker comes with three burners on board, and the refrigerator with a volume of 110 litres is at least flat standard. Although there is only one washbasin, it is quite ample. The footwell is also spacious - great. The cross ventilation is a little tight again, with only a small pop-up window doing the job.
Like the galley, the wet room is also generously dimensioned. The toilet and shower can be separated from the vestibule, where the washbasin is located. Both rooms offer almost two metres of headroom. A large WC can be installed, also electrified.
Convincing quality
The stylistically minimalist, straightforward and modern interior is neatly finished to a large-series standard. What is pleasing is the quality of the installations. Cables, pipes, seacocks, main board, batteries, pumps - everything is easily accessible and neatly installed. The finish in areas that are not immediately visible is also impressive. The floor assembly is not designed as a grid with open compartments, but as a closed component that is inserted with a structural adhesive (Spabond). The compartments (see photo on page 70) are connected to each other with glued-in tubes. This is to prevent water from collecting in the floor assembly, which cannot be protected from the inside with topcoat or other measures.
There is plenty of storage space on board; each cabin can accommodate what its occupants reasonably bring on board. The saloon also offers plenty of space in lockers and in some cases under the berths. The clean bilge can also be used for storing food, for example. The third compartment displaces the large aft cabin, so you have to make do with two small lockers in the cockpit and are pleased that there is another stowage option aft in the cockpit floor.
In the bow, between the anchor locker and the cabin, there is another stowage space for lines and fenders, but it can also be used for a Code Zero, which can be stored there without a bag and placed directly out of the space.
Conclusion on the Bavaria C38
Overall, the C38 presents itself like its big sister: agile, independent, honest, modern and reasonably priced. Characteristics that the market clearly appreciates: around 60 of the 42 have already been sold to customers in just a few months. The C38 is set to top this; around 30 have already been sold, some of them before the boat has even been seen - certainly also proof of the renewed trust in the brand. CEO Michael Müller: "Things are going great. We will be able to sell up to 500 boats in 2021, and delivery times are already in September." This statement would have come as a surprise in 2020.
Measured values Bavaria C38
YACHT rating
Task well realised: The C38 manages to adopt the values of its big sister. Sailing quality goes hand in hand with a decent amount of space and a high level of living comfort. The standard version of the boat is quite affordable, but needs a few extras
Design and concept
- + Large torso volume at the front too
- + Successful room layout
- + Low base price
Sailing performance and trim
- + Good, easily retrievable potential
- + High stability
- - Single-handed only with extras
Living and finishing quality
- + Plenty of space even with three cabins
- + Large pantry with plenty of space
- - Saloon table is unstable when pulled out
Equipment and technology
- + Quality of the components
- - Many parts only as an extra
- - Standard winches quite small
Technical data
- Designer: Cossutti Yacht Design
- CE design category: A
- Hull length: 10.99 m
- Total length with sprit: 11.38 m
- Waterline length: 10.28 m
- Width: 3.98 m
- Draught/alternative: 2.05/1.65 m
- Theoretical hull speed: 7.76 knots
- Weight: 9.1 tonnes
- Ballast/proportion: 2.2 t/24 %
- Mast height above waterline: 18.57 m
- Mainsail: 46.0 m2
- Self-tacking jib (Std.): 28.5 m2
- Engine (Yanmar): 21 kW/29 hp
- Fuel tank (plastic): 210 litres
- Fresh water tank (plastic): 210 litres
- Holding tank (plastic): 70 litres
Hull and deck construction
GRP sandwich with foam core, hand-laid. Full laminate below the waterline. Laminated bulkheads
Equipment and prices
- Prices at the time of testing (Q1/2021)
- Base price ex shipyard: € 153 391
- Standard equipment² including: engine, sheets, railing, navigation lights, battery, compass, cushions, galley/cooker, bilge pump, toilet, electric cooler, holding tank with suction, anchor, chain, fenders, mooring lines: €1750
- Fire extinguisher: 200 €
- Sailing dress (Lazy Bag): 1344 €
- Antifouling: 2700 €
- Clear sailing handover: 1600 €
- Price ready to sail*: 160 985 €
- Warranty/against osmosis: 2/5 years
- Surcharge for comfort equipment²
- Line-adjustable mooring points - Traveller with line guide - Electric anchor winch (in the Sail Ready package): €10,500
- Tube kicker: incl.
- Backstay tensioner: incl.
- Spring cleats (surcharge for Sail Ready package): €300
- Sprayhood: 2796 €
- Teak in the cockpit: 2629 €
- VHF radio (surcharge for Nav-Advanced package): €1570
- Log, echo sounder, wind gauge: in the Nav-Advanced package
- Autopilot: in the Nav-Advanced package
- Nav-Advanced package: 9630 €
- Charger: incl.
- Shore connection with RCD: incl.
- 230 volt sockets: incl.
- 12-volt socket in the sat nav: incl.
- Heating: 4748 €
- Pressurised water system: incl.
- Hot water boiler: incl.
- Shower WC room: incl.
- Cockpit shower: incl.
- Comfort price*: 193 158 €
- Shipyard: Bavaria Yachtbau, Bavariastraße 1, 97232 Giebelstadt; Tel. 09334/94 20; www.bavariayachts.com
- Distribution: Dealer network
* How the prices shown are defined can be found here !
