Bavaria followed the trend towards more light, more space and more headroom below deck in mid-2006 with the first boat in the Vision series. According to Sales Director Mike Reuer, it is primarily intended to appeal to owners. However, they now have to ask themselves why they should buy this model and not a much cheaper one from the Cruiser range.
Especially as the replacement of the 39 by the 40 Cruiser has already been announced for the beginning of 2008. The same problem arises with the two Jeanneau variants as well as with the choice between normal and deck saloon yachts, whether from the same manufacturer or from different shipyards. What are the differences, what characterises both lines, why are the deck saloon variants often so much more expensive? Especially as they are not so fundamentally different, unless you consider a deck saloon yacht to be a model with a raised seating area and a panoramic view when seated.
YACHT was able to sail both 40-footers from the Giebelstadt shipyard, the Bavaria 39 Cruiser and the 40 Vision, in a large comparison test against each other and against the competition in this length segment. The hull dimensions of both boats are almost identical. The comparison is an example of the differences in concept between a conventional cruising yacht, which is intended to serve the mass and charter market, and a deck saloon yacht, which is primarily intended for owners and small crews.
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital
