Embodying the Cruising Sailor’s Wish List

By Robin Ball

The Bavaria Vision 42 is the product of collaboration between Farr Yacht Design USA as the naval architect, and Design Unlimited responsible for design and layout. Bavaria wanted a yacht for the owner / cruiser.  The 42 Vision incorporates elegance, technology and attention to detail in its design.  Comfortable cruising is the objective of this boat.

The most striking aspect of this vessel is space, and the use of space.  Headroom per the Bavaria spec sheet is 6’6” in the salon.  I am 5’10 and in some areas had a foot of clearance.  The windows in side of the coach roof, two fixed hull ports, another large window in the roof and two hatches provide an abundance of light.  Each of these also is equipped with a blind for privacy.  The hatches have both bug screens and blinds.  Two grab rails on the roof will assist moving around while underway, assuming you are tall enough to reach them.

Extensive use of wood grain in the cabinetry and floor of the salon give the interior warmth.  In our demo boat the cabin sole was the optional Ocean Line, a composite that looks like teak and holly.  The cabinetry was Sipo (brown mahogany) veneer. The modern style of the cabinetry is flush, straight and clean.  The fabric on the seating was the optional Comfort Creme.  Some of the corners and ends of the cabinets have been softened by the use of curved, lightly padded Mocca fabric panels.  The contrasting colours very are attractive. 

The L-shaped galley is at the foot of the companionway to port.  The centerline twin sinks and the large lateral refrigerator / freezer delineate the galley area. The ‘fridge is accessible from the both the top and the aft side, and comes with a variety of bins to organize the contents.  The galley was equipped with a two-burner propane stove / oven and a microwave.  An alcove on the aft wall above the sink can accommodate a dish drying rack or an espresso machine.  The cabinetry features soft-close hardware and storage space is abundant.  The narrow walkway between the centerline sinks and the port side counter and cabinets is both a positive and a negative.  This is most definitely a one person galley.  When drawers or cabinets are open, getting around them would be difficult.  On the other hand, bracing yourself while underway would be very easy.  Additional storage is found in dry bilge lockers throughout the galley and salon.  The house batteries, the power inverter and the water heater are also located in these floor, or settee lockers.

The aft cabin is to port, accessed through the galley, and features moderate storage and two single berths which can be converted to a very generous double berth.   There is an opening hatch above and a hull window on the side. 

The owner’s cabin is forward.  The centerline berth is just over 4’ wide at the bow but flares through the middle and is 6’+ long.  Our demo boat was equipped with an optional ensuite head and sink.  The standard has a small desk and moveable bench.  The optional head sacrifices a hanging locker and makes the cabin smaller, however it is still a very comfortable cabin, and you’re just sleeping in there. How much room do you need? 

The navigation station is to port forward of the galley.  The power panel, VHF and stereo are built in to the port side cabinetry.  The Fusion sound system can be connected to an MP3 or IPod and includes cockpit speakers and controls.  The boat was equipped with an Icom VHF with a remote mic at the starboard helm station.  The nav desk is more than ample to house a laptop, but too small to spread large charts.  These days, although not in keeping with traditional seamanship, most of our navigating is done at the helm with the use of a chart plotter.  The desk can be lowered to convert to a settee.  The nav station seat can also be moved to provide additional seating for dining.

The starboard settee is L-shaped.  What appears to be a relatively small table folds out to a double its size.  An electric lift pedestal allows you to choose your preferred height from a dining table, to a coffee table or to convert the settee into another berth or for lounging while watching a flat panel TV installed to port.  When extended, four people could comfortably dine at this table.  The seats conceal storage and when combined with all the cabinetry there is plenty of storage space

The bathroom is at the foot of the companionway to starboard.  It features an electric head, a molded composite counter top and sink and a separate shower.  Aft through the shower, is access to a huge storage area in what could conceivably be designed as a third cabin.  This storage area is also accessible from above through the starboard cockpit bench.  To call this a lazarette does not do it justice. 

Topside, the first thing you notice stepping aboard is the drop transom / swim / boarding platform, twin wheels and a large cockpit.  The pedestal table is off-centered to port and the companionway is off-centered to starboard.  That allows for easy access through the cockpit. The table can be lowered on its electric pedestal to create a daybed for lounging.  The table also unfolds to double its size for dining.

There is a flat bench seat that stretches across the transom and opens for access to the platform.  The mainsheet winches are within easy reach of the wheels. The jib winch although further forward, is even more convenient at the helmsman’s fingertips.  Bavaria has installed electric Lewmar winches with clutches that release to create a self-tacking jib system.  It does however, take some wind strength and pressure to allow the system to operate effectively.  Combined with furling sails, operating this boat is a single-handed breeze.  On our test sail the owner single handedly deployed and trimmed the sails while steering.  The starboard wheel station is also equipped with the thruster controls and the Garmin instrumentation.

The mainsheet system is in fact two separate sheets, one for the port side another for starboard.  This will take some adjustment for sailors accustomed to a single sheet system.  There is no cabin top mainsheet traveller.  The two sheets form an inverted V that acts as a bridle to maintain the position of the boom.  In a gybe, superior control of the boom can be achieved by using the leeward sheet as a preventer to the point of securely centering the boom.

The jib fairlead tracks are positioned along the outside corners of the coach roof in recessed tracks.  This position is well inboard and allows for very tight sheeting angles.   It is possible to get this boat to 30 to 35 degrees off the apparent wind.  This position also keeps the side decks completely clear of lines.  The only impediment to accessing the foredeck is swinging around the lower shrouds.  The non-skid is a patterned dot gelcoat, which is effective and wears well in my opinion. On the demo boat the cockpit sole and seats were teak, as were the coach roof and the toe rails.

Unfortunately, our test sail was plagued by gorgeous sunshine, albeit on a cool day. In rare Toronto mid-October light breeze, the boat was moving along in flat water at a couple of knots.  In 10 knots the boat will make a very respectable 6 to 6.5 knots closehauled and 5.5 off the wind on a broad reach.   

Bavaria’s attention in this new 42 Vision is to comfort, elegance and ease of handling. Designed to be sailed by one or two people, it is a very comfortable cruiser for two parents, two children and the dog. 
 
Photos

Photo 1:  The Bavaria Vision 42 is the product of collaboration between Farr Yacht Design USA as the naval architect, and Design Unlimited responsible for design and layout

Photo 2:  The Bavaria Vision 42 has a bright and spacious interior with 6’6” headroom.  Versatile seating and table arrangements make the salon very comfortable.  The available space is surprising for a 42 foot boat.

Photo 3:  The elongated design of the coach roof gives the Bavaria Vision 42 a modern sleek profile.  The drop transom offset, companionway, adjustable table and loads of seating make the Bavaria Vision 42 the destination for socializing afloat.

MSRP
Per the dealer, True North Yachts, port Credit - Base boat, commissioned, ready to sail, ex. Port Credit
Bavaria Vision 42  -  $ CAD 270,000

Technical Specifications          
Length (LOA)          12.8 m    42'0"
LWL                       11.4 m    37'5"
Beam                      4.05 m    13'3"
Draft Depth            
Shoal Draft               1.62 m    5'4"
Deep Draft               2.07 m    6'9"
Displacement            9,800 kg    21,605 lbs
Headroom in Saloon    2 m    6'6"
Engine                     40 hp Volvo-Penta Saildrive   
Fresh Water Capacity    360 L    79 gallons
Fuel Capacity              210 L    46 gallons
Height of mast above waterline (approx.)  18.93 m    62'3"

CE- Certification Category A         
Sail Area       88sq m     947 sq ft
Mainsail        50sq m     538 sq ft
Foresail        38sq m     409 sq ft
Gennaker     125sq m     1345 sq ft

I    16.02 m     172 sq ft
J     4.37 m       47 sq ft
P    15.25 m    164 sq ft
E    5.54 m       60 sq ft