Huge crowds in Hall 17: A long queue of patient visitors queued up at the rear of the new C42 on the first day of the fair, waiting up to three quarters of an hour. Those who persevered saw something promising. The Italian team from Cossutti Yacht Design, previously responsible for the larger yachts in the upmarket C-Line, has given the new model a fresh approach. The Chinese are strongly emphasised in the stern area and the large hull width of 4.29 metres, which barely tapers towards the stern, are striking. The large volume was necessary to allow for large aft cabins with corresponding berths. Despite the wide stern, the boat should manage without a double rudder. In order to counteract heeling, the foredeck was designed to be particularly full and the stem extends upwards. This measure is so striking that Bavaria has come up with its own name and called the area "V-Bow". The large volume also creates more space at the front for a larger double berth.
With a hull length of just under 12 metres, the new boat continues the C-line (test C45 in YACHT 19/2018) downwards into the volume market. There it faces strong competition from Beneteau, Hanse, Jeanneau and Dufour. Meanwhile: Only the Bavaria C40 is new, Beneteau has not launched a new 40 on the Rhine as announced months ago. In addition to a voluminous and strikingly shaped hull, the new Bavaria is characterised by a high-performance design package. The sail area is relatively large, the boat is quite stiff, the standard draft is 2.10 metres and additional performance-enhancing sails can be attached to the fixed GRP bowsprit.
The standard layout below deck provides for three cabins with a shared wet room amidships. As an extension option, owners can order an additional bathroom in the foredeck, but will have to accept that the bunk in the foredeck will be shortened slightly in the footwell. It will also be possible to use one of the two aft cabins as a walk-through forecastle.
The Bavaria C42 will cost 187,900 euros, including sails and 19 per cent VAT - a very competitive price. The competitors' offerings (Beneteau Oceanis 41.1 / Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 410 / Hanse 418) are priced at around the same level.
Downloads:
Fridtjof Gunkel
Deputy Chief Editor YACHT
