Perry Design Review: Bavaria 38
Carefully detailed, sturdy cruiser with remarkable layout

1/1998
by Bob Perry
Sailing



Classic forms will not work on a 38-foot center-cockpit boat if you expect
the boat to compete with the interiors of current Euro-style models. There
are just no traditional models for this type of volumetric distribution.
Most of the Euro-styled models marketed in the United States push interior
volumes to new levels so that the interior of a modern 38 rivals the
interiors of older 45-footers. This requires careful manipulation of
aesthetic elements.

I think the J&J design group has done an excellent job with the look of this
basically chubby-proportioned boat. I say chubby because the beam is 13
feet, 1 inch on an LOA of 38 feet, 6 inches. This hull is not svelte by any
standard.

Side decks are modest but useable. The cabin trunk perimeter at the deck
usually governs sheeting angles because it limits chainplate and jib-track
placement. In this case the sheeting angle to the chainplates is almost 16
degrees. I try for 12.5 to 13 degrees on most designs to ensure tight
sheeting of genoas. Of course for a pure cruising boat of corpulent
proportions, tight sheeting angles might be unimportant.

The toughest part of this type of deck design is incorporating a cockpit
that does not resemble a hot tub in its dimensions. Any divot that the
cockpit takes out of the cabintrunk will be a direct reduction of useable
volume below. The Bavaria 38 cockpit avoids this pitfall and shows a
relatively roomy cockpit with angles and faceted seat backs. While the seats
appear narrow, they are long enough to stretch out on for a nap. All in all
it's a well-proportioned cabintrunk that belies the volume contained. Note
the fixed windshield and recessed bow well for chain and rode.

The photos of the Bavaria's interior show beautifully detailed joinerwork
with solid wood trim and veneered surfaces. The layout is remarkable for a
boat this size. There are accommodations for two couples with the forward
V-berth converting to a double berth with the addition of a filler piece.
Nothing seems undersized below. There is a head with adjoining shower stall
that would do justice to a much larger boat.

A distinct advantage of the center-cockpit configuration is the ability to
create a separate engine room under the cockpit. This gives excellent access
to the machinery. The galley, while not huge, is generous in size and
features many drawers and lockers.

The rig is unusual: an almost-masthead fractional rig. I'm not sure what the
advantage is with this minimal offset. Why not just go to a straight
masthead arrangement? The mainsheet traveler can be aft of the cockpit and
at the end of the boom in this center-cockpit layout. This is far better
than the usual midboom sheeting we see today. The SA/D is 17.8.

The keel and rudder look as though they were designed for performance. Two
keels are available: a deep draft of 6 feet 4 inches; and a shoal draft of 5
feet 1 inch. The D/L is 215.

Structurally the Bavaria complies with Germanischer Lloyds requirements.
There is even a Kevlar layer in the bow to enhance the impact resistance of
the hull shell forward.

The Bavaria appears to be a carefully detailed design that will appeal to
families looking for a comfortable and strong cruising boat with far better
than average accommodations.

Carefully detailed, sturdy cruiser with remarkable layout.
LOA 38'6"
LWL 32'7"
Beam 13'1"
Draft 6'5" (deep draft), 5'1" (shoal draft)
Displacement 16,537.5 lbs.
Ballast 6,394.5 lbs.
Sail Area 722.15 sq. ft.
SA/D 17.8
D/L 215
L/B 2.94
Auxiliary Volvo Penta MD22L 50-horsepower diesel
Fuel 58.08 gals.
Water 102.96 gals.


Wow! And this interior didn't win any awards?????

http://www.abavela.com/boats/bavaria38/bav38_salon.jpg

This is a real swim platform:



http://www.nautic-tours.de/Schiffe/B...a38Match-b.gif

http://www.anchorlift.com/web/pictur...Bavaria_38.jpg



The head is so large one can fart and hear the echo!



http://www.charterlink.co.nz/boats/P...0head%20lr.jpg



http://www.dalmatiancoast.com/holida...1050/38-wc.JPG



Three cabins!

Three cabins!!!!!

True luxury!!!

For just dollars more than a 35s5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



What was Robbie thinking?????????



Amen!