Bavaria 47C Sailboat

vivariva · 08-11-2009, 09:02 AM

Hello all,

After some research and attending several boat shows, we bought a 2010 Bavaria 47 Cruiser sailboat. I know it’s not a very interesting yacht compared to the Mega Yachts being presented in Yacht forums

. However as time goes by, I wanted to show the building process (which will begin in November) and share my thoughts on the boat's maintenance hereafter.

Any suggestions are welcome. The boat will be delivered from Germany to Slovenia where the rigging will be installed and tuned. Then a professional crew will sail it to Alacati, Turkey to be kept for winter. Bavaria will apply the anti-foul and wax the hull there, and then after April it will be sent to Bodrum for its long-term berthing.

I included a reference picture so you could visualize the boat. It’s not as eye-catching as a Hanse or a Swan (not even comparable anyway) but it feels solidly built.

They will install its engine; Volvo Penta D2-75 along with an electric bow thruster at the factory. After delivery, its generator and A/C will be installed in Turkey. (The factory does not list these as an option for 47) The color stripes on the hull, the bimini and the spray hood are all grey to distinguish from charter Bavaria sailboats you see everywhere.

1. I've read the review on the D2-75 engine on the internet, it operates in a lower RPM than usual to reduce noise but it has indirect injection. Does anyone have any experience with it?

2. How much do you think the energy requirements would be? I'm asking to determine the generator capacity. 6kw? 4? It needs to run the A/C, the two refrigerators and some light 220V use such as computers etc..

I look forward to your comments. Thanks.

Vivariva

K1W1 · 08-11-2009, 09:09 AM

Hi,

Congratulations on your new boat.

What is the actual build time with this one?

You say that the genset and AC are to be installed in Turkey.

Is this done by a subsidiary of Bavaria or is it something you have organized yourself?

vivariva · 08-11-2009, 09:35 AM

Thank you very much K1W1.

We were told that the actual build time is approximately 9 days. As you know, this is a serial production boat, and the factory can offer a space in the production line in late November at the earliest. Their logged orders consist of 46s and 50s mostly before shifting to the new model; 47C.

The genset and the A/C will be installed by Bavaria Turkey, who knows the local supplier(s). The labor will be done under their supervision.

The company started to use designs by Bruce Farr. Their latest model, 55 cruiser incorporates interesting elements; such as twin rudders. Their whole line-up will change starting from the 30 footers and upwards.

K1W1 · 08-11-2009, 09:39 AM

Hi,

Is that 9 days just for laying up the hull and decks or for all the outfitting as well to the point where it goes to Slovenia?

vivariva · 08-11-2009, 09:46 AM

The 9 days time frame is for the factory work in Giebelstadt. Delivery to Slovenia is in a separate time frame. They install the mast and the rigging in Slov. and tune it after transportation by road is completed.

Rene GER · 08-11-2009, 09:51 AM

How much is the building time? I think that must be fast at Bavaria.

vivariva · 08-11-2009, 10:09 AM

I'm quoting numbers from the dealer:

They have stated that in the factory 7-8 boats are completed every day.
9 days for building the 47 at the factory. Hull, machinery and the interior.

60% of their production are sailboats. Approximately 3,000 boats per year by serial production.

K1W1 · 08-11-2009, 10:40 AM

Hi,

You will have to excuse my scepticism, nine days does not seem like enough time to let the layup cure properly.

As for the dealers claim of 3000 Units a year that would have to be a continual run of 8 a day 7 days a week to get anywhere near it.

8 a day for the std German 5 day week would only be just under 1700 units.

Sunday working in Germany is not as easy as one would expect. There are special permits required for irregular events.

Kevin · 08-11-2009, 11:16 AM

That's a beautiful boat vivariva.... looks like a magnificent way to spend time on the water.

vivariva · 08-12-2009, 02:13 AM

Thank you Kevin for your kind comments.

K1W1, I understand your skepticism with sympathy. We will visit the facility in November to see if the dealer was telling the truth.

By the way, Jeanneau launched a 57 footer model, and Bavaria plans to build a 60 in the near future. We looked at the Bavaria 55 cruiser (farr design) in a boat show last week. The 55's interior is not a warm design. Plus the boat seems to look too 'industrialist'.

vivariva · 10-20-2009, 06:00 PM

Fresh out of the oven

Here are some photos from Giebelstadt where the boat was covered with ice! -1 Celsius...

It will be transported to Slovenia by this weekend.

Cheers

Henning · 10-20-2009, 08:21 PM

With 2 A/C units I wouldn't go less than 8kw and with 3 A/Cs, I'd want 12kw because you'll probably also be adding a water maker. You always want to have plenty of power when you have refrigeration compressors because if it's struggling, you end up burning up compressors. Read the requirements for all the units to run including starting load and add them all up and add a couple of Kw for the watermaker and another Kw for assorted loads, toaster, microwave, coffee machine, water heater....figure out what size you need, then step up one size.

FISHTIGUA · 10-21-2009, 01:35 PM

Bavaria have now suppassed the French for speed of completion of yachts. The hull and decks are layed-up some weeks ahead and stored so that production lines can run to customer spec. Need a blue hull, done. Need a twin beds not a double, done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIciQXXkd4Q

The first bit is a bit boring but an amazing factory.

Kevin · 10-21-2009, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivariva

Fresh out of the oven

Beautiful.

vivariva · 10-21-2009, 06:24 PM

Thank you Kevin.

As Fishtigua said, the hull and decks are laid up before. So the boat spends a very little time on the factory floor.

Now what is happening in the German economy is quite interesting. We have been told that the crisis is moving to the manufacturing just now. Since 2008, the economic downturn was a financial crisis, now the real sectors are being hit.

Bavaria Yachts were producing a number of boats a day, however now they are down to 1 per day.

They had approx. 900 million debt before the company was bought by an American Private Equity fund. Now the new owners are changing direction with their manufactured products. The accumulated debt has been reduced with the new capital.

Anyway, in regards to the generator capacity; we will determine when it arrives to Turkey. Two A/C's will be enough and there will not be toast makers, watermakers or a microwave. The boat is named "Almira" and its port of registry will be Cesme, Turkey.

Thanks for your comments. I will write about our experience with her in regards to performance, reliability and comfort as we sail in the upcoming months.