bavaria yacht c38

Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

The most boat for your money? Bavaria C38 yacht test

• Theo Stocker
• April 26, 2021

Competition is hot for high-volume cruisers, but have Bavaria built a boat that is fun to sail as well as spacious and affordable? Theo Stocker took her for a spin to find out

Product Overview

Bavaria c38.

• Fun and engaging to sail
• Vast amounts of space
• A lot of boat for your money
• Limited stowage in 3-cabin version
• Mainsheet lacked power
• Some exposed systems in lockers

Manufacturer:

Price as reviewed:.

A job worth doing is worth doing properly, so the saying goes. There’s no doubt that Bavaria have committed wholeheartedly to the concept behind their new C38 and the result is a boat fully confident in its identity. That’s a good job, given the level of competition the C38 will be up against in the 37-38ft production cruiser market.

This boat aims to do three things: create the absolute maximum amount of space on deck and below from the available waterline length; be enjoyable and engaging to sail, if not a race boat; and give a potential buyer the maximum bang for their buck. In practice, the design has added significant volume in both the bow and the stern, introduced a deeper, rounder forefoot to reduce slamming, and has deepened the single rudder, which, coupled with the bow thruster, should give plenty of control in harbour and underway.

A first look at the boat reveals a few significant details. Firstly, her waterline takes up almost her entire length, with virtually no overhangs at the ends. Then there are the chines. This is only the second Bavaria to have hull chines, and they are used to take the significant beam, which is carried all the way aft, down to the water, creating more volume in the aft cabins, as well as providing power to the hull form. Next, there’s the huge bluff bow and vertical stem, again multiplying the volume in the forward cabin. Pretty it might not be, but there’s a certain purposeful muscularity to it.

Bavaria Yachts, the company, gained new owners in 2018, and they’ve been quick to make a fresh start, starting with a plan to update the entire range. Having moved from design house J&J to Cossutti Design, the C38 is the latest, smallest boat in the new lineup. The strongly chined hull shape makes a bold statement about that new direction. I was keen to see how this added up on the water.

TEST VERDICT

If you looked at this yacht and thought the vast volume would make her a poor sailer, you would be mistaken. I was very pleasantly surprised at how much fun we had sailing her. The feel on the helm was direct, responsive and engaging; this boat is fun to sail. She wasn’t twitchy even when overpressed and gave plenty of warning before the rudder started to lose grip. This boat reminds you of why a single rudder makes sense, and is deep enough that she has plenty of grip even when heeled, which is the main reason wide-sterned boats have twin rudders. The benefits when handling in harbour are huge, given that manoeuvring and mooring is the most stressful part of any cruise for most owners.

Granted, the mainsheet purchase needs a bit of improvement, but if I were buying this boat, I’d go for the more easily handled furling main and self-tacking jib, with the Code Zero for the extra sail area to keep the boat moving off the wind. This would seem to fit with the ethos of simple and fun sailing that this boat ascribes to.

WOULD SHE SUIT YOU AND YOUR CREW?

I’d imagine this boat will prove popular with sailing schools and charter companies, but if you’re after maximum boat for your buck for family coastal cruising, this is definitely worth a look too.

The idea of having three king-sized beds on what is really a 36-foot hull is staggering. You’d have to weigh up whether you want an ensuite owner’s head enough to sacrifice some of this bed space in the forward cabin, but given the layout options, there seems little reason to go for the two-cabin rather than three-cabin layout. If you’re not using the third you could still use it for the stowage you’d be missing out on.

Given the price point of this boat, the quality of finish was really very good, and the resurrected Bavaria has upped its game several notches. Arguably, the C38 could now be the boat to beat in this size sector and you’ll struggle to get more new boat for your money than this.

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BAVARIA C38

Joy of sailing., best sailing characteristics meet maximum comfort.

The BAVARIA C38 combines perfect sailing characteristics, easy handling and maximum use of the interior space. Distinctive design features, such as the BAVARIA V-bow and Chines at the stern, guarantee safe and fast sailing characteristics and an incredible amount of space below deck. In the owner’s cabin in the bow, the double bed measures a sensational 1.73 x 2 metres. The berths in the stern cabins measure 1.50 x 2 metres, which must also be close to a record for this size of boat.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE C38

On the official bavaria yachts website.

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Sailboat Review: Bavaria C38

• By Mark Pillsbury
• April 20, 2022

For the past several years, practically all of the design surprises that have caught my eye on new sailboats have been abaft the mast. In no particular order, these innovative features include hull chines, twin rudders, pop-up TVs, house-style refrigerators, galleys forward in the saloon, sinks and grills on the stern, sun beds between a ­monohull’s twin wheels, and lounges on the coachroof to either side of the companionway. Some of these make the boat sail ­better, while others make it a more comfortable place to enjoy life on the water.

But this past fall, it was the pointy end—or, should I say, the not-so-pointy end—of the Bavaria C38 that stood out. It made an impression from above, as I looked across the broad foredeck, and down ­below, where the builder’s in-house team and Cossutti Yacht Design somehow found a way to install a king-size berth in the owner’s stateroom, while still leaving room for a hanging locker and a head-and-shower compartment, all forward of the mast.

For a decade or more, even as beam measurement amidships has steadily increased and been carried aft to allow for ever more spacious twin staterooms, most boats still have been built with a bow that’s shaped like an arrow point. The Bavaria V-bow, as the company calls it, has a more radial shape and ­hullsides that flare out above the waterline, creating all that living space in the interior. 

In a briefing with CW ’s Boat of the Year judges, a ­company representative described the 38 as a family coastal ­cruiser. I thought that design brief seemed pretty accurate as we went through the boat, and later took it out for a sail. If kids and their friends are the crew, you could pack a pile of them into the two aft cabins, and the dining table in the saloon drops down to form a third double berth. And they could all share the head and shower compartment to starboard, at the foot of the companionway. Meantime, mom and pop can escape to the big forward stateroom. 

The forward stateroom’s en suite head compartment does cut into a corner of the berth, but couples who plan to only occasionally have grandkids or friends aboard can ­forgo the forward head. They also could turn one of the aft cabins into a workspace or stowage, which is standard.

In all three configurations, the saloon stays unchanged. A settee, with a nav desk forward of it, is to port, opposite the dining table and a U-shaped, cushioned seat. The tabletop folds open to handle a crew of six or more. Abaft the ­settee is an L-shaped galley with a sink, fridge and three-burner gas stove. The boat we visited ­also had a microwave. Stowage seemed adequate for coastal-­hopping, and the counters had fiddles to keep things from sliding off when heeled.

Topsides, the cockpit ­coamings make good backrests on the benches forward of the twin wheels. The seats are a bit too short for sleeping, the judges noted, but stepping out over the coamings isn’t ­difficult when headed forward.

Having owned (and ­sanded and varnished) a boat with exterior wood handrails and trim, I appreciated the C38’s low-maintenance exterior finish. The raised bulwarks and deck are fiberglass, and handrails on the cabin top are stainless steel. The only exterior wood is on the centerline table in the cockpit. That table’s after end doubles as a nifty place to mount a plotter because it’s visible from either helm. Far forward, there’s a chain locker with good access to the windlass and anchor rode. The anchor itself is stowed on a roller that extends forward, and the bow is further ­protected from accidental dings by a stainless-steel plate. Aft, there is equally good access to the emergency steering and ­quadrant for the single rudder.

A base-model C38 has a price tag of $248,000, but a model that’s well fitted out, like the one we visited, goes for $350,000, delivered to the United States, East Coast. Among the options ­included on the C38 we sailed were three air-conditioning units, a Fusion sound system, and synthetic teak called Esthec on the cockpit seats and sole, and the swim platform. Hardware and electronics were from Seldén, Lewmar and B&G. Sails were from Elvstrøm.

Bavaria builds 500-plus sailboats a year at its factory in Germany, and the C38 is the smallest in the five-boat Cossutti-designed C line; the flagship is a 57-footer. The company builds two other lines of cruising sailboats—the Cruiser and Vision ranges—for a total of 16 models starting at 32 feet.

Bavaria’s hulls and decks are all hand-laminated, with foam coring between inner and outer layers of fiberglass. Aluminum plates are in the composite sandwich wherever hardwaare is to be ­mounted. Hulls and decks are joined with adhesive and screws.

Underway, the C38 is a relatively simple boat to sail, with in-mast furling for the main and a self-tacking jib, also set on a furler. The boat doesn’t have a traveler, so when beating upwind, tacking requires just a turn of the wheel.

A double-ended mainsheet is led back to winches ­within reach of either of the twin wheels, and sail control lines are all led across the coachroof to clutches and a pair of winches on either side of the companionway. There are also genoa tracks mounted on deck and sheet winches on either coaming, should an owner opt for an overlapping genoa.

Underway, I found that visibility from either wheel was good, thanks to the low-profile cabin. The stainless-steel stern pulpit makes a good backrest when sitting down to steer.

We had moderate conditions the day we took the boat out for a sail on the Chesapeake Bay, right after the close of the United States Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, in October. Sailing hard on the wind in 15 or so knots of breeze, we saw a steady 5.5 knots on the GPS. The track for the self-­tending jib’s car lacked stops, so we weren’t able to get the headsail in as far as we might have liked to, but that’s an easy fix. With the sheets eased a bit for a close reach, our speed jumped to 7 knots and change. ­Under power, the 40 hp Yanmar pushed us along at just over 6 knots, at a fuel-sipping 2,300 rpm cruising speed.

The skipper who ­delivered the boat to the show was along for the ride. He said that they’d encountered a variety of conditions on the ride up from St. Augustine, Florida, and the boat took them all in stride—just as a family cruiser should.

Bavaria C38 Specifications

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Bavaria Sailing Yachts

Easy handling, maximum usage.

Perfect sailing characteristics, simple handling, maximum usage of the interior below decks and the highest level of comfort—what might once have been a contradiction in the field of yacht design, the new BAVARIA C38 proves to be possible without compromise. The BAVARIA V-shaped bow and distinctive chines at the stern are two crucial design elements of the new BAVARIA C38.

PERFECT SAILING — Almost 860 square feet of sail area across the mainsail (484 square feet) and the 106% genoa (376 square feet) ensure optimal propulsion by the wind. Simple handling while tacking is guaranteed by the standard self-tacking jib (312 square feet). Code Zero (753 square feet) and gennaker (1,292 square feet) sails complete the BAVARIA 38’s sporty sail plan. So nothing stands in the way of perfect sailing fun.

MORE FOR MORE COMFORT — Thanks to the V-shaped bow, the BAVARIA C38 has more space below deck in the bow cabin. And thanks to the chines, our designers were able to place the large aft cabins a little further aft. Both these aspects benefit the saloon, allowing seven people to comfortably enjoy their dinner at the salon table. In the spacious owner’s cabin in the bow, the double bed measures a sensational 5′ 9″ x 6′ 6″. The berths in the aft cabins also have record-breaking dimensions of 5′ x 6′ 6″ for this size of boat.

For individual configurations of the BAVARIA C38, BAVARIA YACHTS offers layouts with 2 or 3 cabins. Alongside the generous bathroom with a separate shower amidships to starboard, an additional bathroom for the owner in the bow cabin can be requested.

Specifications

Layout and Technical

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BAVARIA C38

Joy of sailing., best sailing characteristics meet maximum comfort.

The BAVARIA C38 combines perfect sailing characteristics, easy handling and maximum use of the interior space. Distinctive design features, such as the BAVARIA V-bow and Chines at the stern, guarantee safe and fast sailing characteristics and an incredible amount of space below deck. In the owner’s cabin in the bow, the double bed measures a sensational 1.73 x 2 metres. The berths in the stern cabins measure 1.50 x 2 metres, which must also be close to a record for this size of boat.

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MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE C38

On the official bavaria yachts website.

BAVARIA C38 - Horizon Yacht Sales

Perfect sailing characteristics, simple handling, maximum usage of the interior below decks, and the highest level of comfort..

• Specifications

Bavaria C38 Sailing Yacht

Perfect sailing characteristics, simple handling, maximum usage of the interior below decks, and the highest level of comfort – what might once have been a contradiction in the field of yacht design, the BAVARIA C38 proves to be possible without compromises. Just as with the larger BAVARIA C42, the BAVARIA V-shaped bow and distinctive chines at the stern are two crucial design elements of this BAVARIA C38.

“Chines increase stability while sailing at a heeling angle of between 15 and 20 degrees. When designing the bottom of the hull, the dynamic effect of the chines can also be used to provide faster water drainage from the hull. Modern sailboats often have a very wide stern and therefore a lot of volume in the rear of the hull. When the sailboat gets more wind and the heel increases, the hull gets out of balance. The stern comes further out of the water and the bow is pushed further into the water. As a result the pressure on the rudder increases. A V-Bow with more volume compensates for this effect and the boat is easier to steer.” explains Maurizio Cossutti, the yacht designer responsible alongside his team for the hull shape.

Almost 80 square meters of sail area across the mainsail (46m 2 ) and the 109% Genoa (35m 2 ) ensure optimal propulsion by the wind. Simple handling while tacking is guaranteed by the standard self-tacking jib (30m 2 ). Code0 (70m 2 ) and gennaker (130m 2 ) sails complete the BAVARIA C38’s sporty sail plan.

Bavaria C38 Below decks

Below decks, the BAVARIA V-shaped bow and the chines at the stern opened up completely new opportunities for the BAVARIA YACHTS development team to use the space. “The V-shaped bow provides us with more space in the bow cabin below decks too. The chines mean we can place the large stern cabins a little further aft. Both these aspects benefit the lounge, allowing seven people to comfortably enjoy their dinner at the salon table,” explains Pascal Kuhn, who is responsible for the new development of sailing and motor yachts at BAVARIA YACHTS.

And there really is plenty of space below decks in the cabins. In the owner’s cabin in the bow, the double bed measures a sensational 1.73 x 2 meters. The berths in the stern cabins measure 1.50 x 2 meters, which must also be close to a record for this size of boat.

For individual configurations of the BAVARIA C38, BAVARIA YACHTS offers layouts with 2 or 3 cabins. Alongside the generous bathroom with a separate shower midships to starboard, an additional bathroom for the owner in the bow cabin can be requested. The large, bright lounge with an L-shaped pantry, U-shaped sofa, lounge bench, and card table offers real living space for the whole crew. The BAVARIA C38 is ready to sail for 128.900 € excluding VAT.

The BAVARIA C38 completes BAVARIA YACHTS’ C-line, alongside the larger models BAVARIA C42, C45, and C50 as well as the flagship BAVARIA C57. The public will be able to view the BAVARIA C38 for the first time at the boot 2021 trade fair. The world premiere will already have completed its first tests and production for the BAVARIA C38 will be in full swing at the shipyard in Giebelstadt.

If you would like to know more about this BAVARIA C38 monohull for private ownership and use , or for placing in our highly regarded  charter fleet in the Caribbean, or would simply like to learn more about this or another Bavaria model email Robin Hodges. [email protected]

BAVARIA C38 – Highlights

• BAVARIA Chines and BAVARIA V-Bow by BAVARIA YACHTS and Cossutti Yacht Design Team
• Significant BAVARIA Chines for more stability, improved performance, and better steering control
• BAVARIA V-Bow – additional volume for better trim, more safety, and interior comfort
• Unique vessel with clear BAVARIA YACHTS history of BAVARIA C-Line and CRUISER Line, featuring appeal, design, and functionality of the C-Line family
• Optimized deck layout for easy handling and better vessel control
• Huge and ergonomic cockpit – featuring teak-covered L-benches and perfect visibility
• Extended cockpit to the aft by wide side deck, optional helmsman seats, and comfortable cushions with backrests
• Modern and reduced interior styling by BAVARIA YACHTS Design Team in cooperation with Cossutti Yacht Design
• Following C–Line family design and functionality
• Additional volume by BAVARIA Chines and BAVARIA V-Bow combined with a big accommodated length for additional space at and below deck
• All cabins and heads are on one level
• Various combinations for interior layouts
• Several woods and fabric options for personal styling
• Big master bed in forwarding cabin (1.73×2.00m) – wide and rectangular double beds in aft cabins (1.50×2.00m)
• Salon with space for lounging and dining for up to 7 people, including a big L-Pantry, an office desk/navigation, and a fixed dining table – optional extendable and can be lowered for dining or an additional double berth and lounging
• Wide and long companionway for safe and comfortable access to the vessel
• Lots of space for storage and stowing

Bavaria C38 Hull & Sails

Bavaria chines.

• Modern, young, and unique appeal
• More form stability by hull shape
• Improving reaching and downwind performance
• Better performance on average
• Better steering control
• Additional volume for interior accommodation and safety

The BAVARIA V-Bow

• Extra volume forward for longitudinal trim and accommodation
• Reduced bow “diving” in waves when heeled
• Keeping slim waterline for low slamming in head seas
• More comfort and space on the forward working deck
• Easy access to the vessel from the bow
• Additional safety by extended coachroof as central footrail
• Anchor- and sail locker integrated

More performance with safety, stability, and vessel control

• More volume for more safety and spacious interior
• Increase of righting moment and stability by fore and aft beaminess
• More Performance with sails to be kept up longer
• Reduced drag by less distortion of heeled- and increase of dynamic waterline
• More control by rudder better in water and improved steering balance
• Innovative, significant, and optimized hull lines by Cossutti Yacht Design
• Additional stability and a big sail plan with more than 95 m² upwind achieve the highest performance
• Additional volume for a maximum safety
• 9/10 anodized aluminium rig with 2 sets of aft swept spreaders (25 ° ) and optional furling rig
• Ergonomic and easy deck layout for small and big crews
• All halyards and control lines are visible and accessible on deck
• Standard furling self-tacking jib, optional 109% genoa or a furling Code 0 available
• Optional gennaker incl. sniffer

Deck & Cockpit

• Optimized deck layout for easy handling and more control
• Overall 4 lockers on deck – 2 in cockpit benches, 1 transom locker including a big and unique anchor- and sail locker at the bow
• 6 hatches and 6 portlights (4 in coachroof windows and 2 in cockpit sides) provide air and light to the interior
• Steering System and autopilot with remote control access from the cockpit
• Control lines and sheets on central companionway winches
• Huge companionway with hinged twin door
• Additional secondary winches at the middle of the cockpit side for optional genoa, gennaker, or Code 0
• Third pair of winches bringing main- and self-tacking jib sheet to the helm station for double-handed or small crews
• Extended cockpit to the aft by wide side deck, optional seats and comfortable cushions with backrests at helm station
• Forward sunbed and optional GRP cockpit table
• The optional manual bathing platform is covered with teak incl. a standard swimming ladder

Salon & Pantry

• Long and big salon with space for lounging and dining
• Spacious U-shaped bench on starboard and a big bench on portside including a big office desk/navigation on starboard – seated in boat direction
• Very wide and long companionway with 5 steps for safe and comfortable access to the vessel including a leather-covered handrail
• 2 hull and 2 coachroof windows with central hatch and three optional portlights for ventilation
• Separate L-Pantry with plenty of space for storage, including storage in the bilge below the floorboard
• Front opening fridge (110 l) with small icebox and optional additional fridge or freezer in the utility room (with 2 -1 or 2 – 2 layout)
• 3 burner gas stove and a big stainless steel sink with a tab
• Salon table convertible into a dining table for 7 crew or can be lowered for lounging or additional berths
• Various stowage in upper cupboards, below seats, and behind backrests

Owner & Foreship Cabin

• Luxurious fore cabin with comfortable double berth 1.73 x 2.00 m
• More space for more comfort due to BAVARIA V-Bow and BAVARIA Chines
• Two huge cupboards and a small cupboard on the port (not with air conditioning) and on the starboard
• Optional 2nd ensuite head for more privacy with the berth of 1.73 / 2.17 x 2.00 m
• Optional full height mirror and comfortable bedhead
• Main head in the salon with washing basin and separate toilet/shower compartment in modern concrete look with dedicated spa material
• One floor level with storage space
• Washing basin with cold/hot water tap
• Big mirror on bulkhead for washing basin
• Shower space with glass door and lock
• Modern and stylish shower panel with mixing tap and shower head holder
• Floorboard in shower with BAVARIA YACHTS styling
• Manual or electric toilet
• Blackwater tank level indicator via LED panel next to the toilet – black water tank can be dismounted for maintenance
• Optional 2nd ensuite head in fore-cabin with washing basin, toilet and shower functionality in GRP and dedicated spa material
• Aft cabin on starboard with the huge, rectangular double berth of 1.50 x 2.00 m, full height cupboard, and additional storage
• Access to the starboard technical compartment and to technical space between cabins from the starboard cabin
• Utility room on portside with additional space for expansion of galley to the aft with more storage – optional additional fridge or freezer
• Access to the aft utility room via a big hatch from the galley
• Optional 2nd aft cabin on portside with the rectangular double berth of 1.50 x 2.00 m, full height cupboard, and additional storage

Interior Layouts

• 2 – 1 (Standard): Forward cabin and aft cabin on STB – utility room with the extended galley on the port
• 2 – 2: Second head for owner cabin with washing basin, toilet, and shower functionality
• 3 – 1: Second aft cabin on the port
• 3 – 2: Three cabins with two heads for the maximum crew (extendable with lowerable and foldable salon table for an extra double berth)

If you would like to buy a Bavaria Cruiser C38 for private use, for placement in our highly regarded charter fleet in the Caribbean, or would simply like to learn more about this or another Bavaria model, email Robin Hodges at [email protected] . Full contact details for our team can be found here. 

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Bavaria C38 in the test : New mid-range sails with easy handling and course stability

Fridtjof Gunkel

 ·  05.01.2021

In this article:

• Measured values

YACHT rating

Technical data.

The task is not trivial, but at least it is clearly outlined: After an unfortunate brief excursion by the previous management into unfamiliar luxury territory, Bavaria wants to return to its old core values: "Good quality and function at a good price", as product manager Pascal Kuhn puts it. As its first property, the C42 the new course. The wide boat with the voluminous bow impresses even more with its independent lines, plenty of space, a variable deck layout, agile sailing characteristics and a very competitive price. The path has been sought and found - now the other new boats must follow. The product range will initially be extended downwards, with the C-Line C45, 50 and 57 already available at the top.

The next new model is the C38, which looks so much like its bigger sister that Product Manager Pascal Kuhn says: "If you couldn't see the people in the rendering, you wouldn't be able to tell whether it was a C42 or a 38." Kuhn continues: "We are very happy with the 42, it has been well received and the dealers are delighted. Now the next job was to design and equip the 38 in such a way that the price is right, but it doesn't look and feel cheaper than the C42."

In view of the smaller hull, this was achieved by using slightly less building material and labour hours and by omitting parts such as the locker on the anchor bulkhead, which had to be omitted anyway for space reasons, or the folding bathing platform, as some other shipyards also do. Another measure is the equalisation of parts; a smaller hull window, for example, is not cheaper, but actually more expensive because it has to be purchased separately, says the product manager. The galley, for example, is the same as on the 42, it is only slightly trimmed on the hull side. Doors, cupboard fronts and hatches, handles, lamps, fittings anyway: "We end up with 94 per cent identical parts," says Kuhn. And the rest of the saving simply lies in a smaller margin.

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This achieves one goal: price appeal. Bavaria's C38 costs 153,000 euros as standard and is therefore in the same range as direct competitors from the large series such as the Hanse 388, Oceanis 38.1 and the Sun Odyssey 389, all of which have been redesigned several times and are based on older designs - which is not necessarily a bad thing. The equally successful Dufour 390 is newer, more expensive and somewhat larger.

The C38 is similar to its competitors in terms of key data, including width. Overall, it is a little heavier, although weight specifications are calculated quite differently anyway. The values from Giebelstadt refer to a half-loaded boat.

Bavaria C38 sails more stable

What the Bavaria alone has is the V-bow, which extends far upwards and is intended to give the boat more stability as well as more volume below deck. The increased buoyancy at the front means that the boat does not trim when heeling, i.e. it does not tip over onto the bow and lift the stern too much. In other words, the boat sails more rigidly, is more stable and is easier to steer.

A constructive measure by designer Maurizio Cossutti, which should make a double rudder system obsolete - which also saves effort and costs and also stands for better rudder action and manoeuvrability from a standing start.

Which is something the new boat is keen to prove. The boat is launched in Neustadt in Holstein in autumn especially for the shipyard's internal tests. In addition to the development team, employees from key suppliers such as Elvstrøm Sails, Seldén, Yanmar and Brookes & Gatehouse are also on board to inspect their products in use and make any necessary improvements or adjustments.

And YACHT will also be there before the boat is transported back to Giebelstadt and perhaps to the world premiere at boot Düsseldorf.

Ship presents itself stiff and fast

The manoeuvrability from a standing start is indeed good. The optional larger Yanmar with 40 hp pushes the white flounder powerfully in the desired direction, supported if required by the fixed, also optional bow thruster in the tunnel.

Under sail, the ship presents itself as it should: stiff and fast. Helpful here: the prototype is equipped with high-quality Epex fabric from Elvstrøm, membrane sails with aramid fibres and taffetta protection. The set is not available from the shipyard, but only from the dealer for 15,500 euros - a worthwhile investment for the performance. And the eye also sails along. Around 6.5 knots can be called up on the cross at a pleasing height, and this is easy. The rudder pressure is right at the prevailing 15 knots. The boat can handle more pressure well, the rigidity is very pronounced, supported by the hard chines that are pulled far forward. Despite the rather low ballast ratio of 24 per cent; thanks to the high dimensional stability.

With the sheets shrouded, the speed increases quickly, but the typical inadequacy of a self-tacking jib becomes immediately apparent. It is undoubtedly comfortable and works well above 10 knots, but weakens on rougher courses. Then you need padeyes and outer sheets, with even greater angles to the wind Code Zero and then a gennaker. The options list includes a GRP bowsprit as an attachment point for the latter, which encases the anchor gallows and also serves as a step.

Under gennaker, you can quickly reach over 9 knots, and the 10 can also be seen on the log. Overall: a convincing performance that is also a lot of fun to steer. The low-fatigue seating positions on the two wheels also contribute to this. The feet are supported by mobile wooden wedges, and there is just enough space between the wheel and the rooster arms of the crank-operated backstay. The steering system works with a continuous cable pull, so there is no redundancy. The quadrant, rudder position indicator and autopilot are easily accessible under a hatch.

Bavaria C38 is optionally suitable for single-handed use

On the standard boat, the crew is completely responsible for operating the sheets: The mainsheet is a double travellerless German Cupper derivative and runs on the halyard winches, which are conventionally positioned on the coachroof. It is attached in the centre of the boom, so the tube is quite robust. The sheet of the self-tacking jib also lands on the coachroof. If you order a genoa together with the necessary rails on deck, you will also need the optional genoa winches, which are also suitable for operating a gennaker or code zero. A third pair of winches aft on deck plus stoppers and correspondingly deflected mainsheets will make things particularly convenient. The helmsman can then operate the main and the self-tacking jib from his workplace, making the boat ideal for small crews.

Another thing that stands out when working on the deck: 40 mm winches are not comfortable for a boat of this size, 45 mm winches are fine. And like so many other things, they are also on the options list.

Additional equipment costs are added to the basic price

This is a long list, which is nice to be able to configure your boat as desired at the shipyard, but it also shows how quickly prices can explode. Financially significant items on the test boat: sat nav package (11,000 euros), Sail Ready package (10,500 euros), bow thruster (6,500 euros), teak on running deck (10,700 euros), air conditioning (21,000 euros). Other extras: whitewashed oak interior (see photo above left) instead of mahogany, which is no longer at the top of buyers' favourites anyway: 4000 euros, bathing platform: 4400 euros, bowsprit: 3100 euros.

In any case, the test ship sold to England costs 280,251 euros, an increase of around 80 per cent on the basic price. However, not every item is mandatory and some things can be retrofitted later if required or desired.

However, the customer must decide on the interior options from the outset. A double cabin on the starboard side is standard, while a huge rear box is provided on the port side. This can be swapped for a second aft cabin for 2800 euros. In any case, the berths are generously sized thanks to the wide stern and despite a technical duct between the compartments.

Some wishes can be realised at Bavaria

Another option is rare at 38 feet: a second wet room can be installed in the foredeck. And the saloon table can be lowered on request, creating a lounge area with a 1.24 metre deep sofa. The table can be folded out across the full width to an impressive 1.40 metres.

The galley from the C42 is the largest module in the interior. It extends over a good two metres in length and protrudes 110 centimetres into the saloon at the front. There is plenty of storage space in the upper and lower cabinets as well as drawers and shelves. The cooker comes with three burners on board, and the refrigerator with a volume of 110 litres is at least flat standard. Although there is only one washbasin, it is quite ample. The footwell is also spacious - great. The cross ventilation is a little tight again, with only a small pop-up window doing the job.

Like the galley, the wet room is also generously dimensioned. The toilet and shower can be separated from the vestibule, where the washbasin is located. Both rooms offer almost two metres of headroom. A large WC can be installed, also electrified.

Convincing quality

The stylistically minimalist, straightforward and modern interior is neatly finished to a large-series standard. What is pleasing is the quality of the installations. Cables, pipes, seacocks, main board, batteries, pumps - everything is easily accessible and neatly installed. The finish in areas that are not immediately visible is also impressive. The floor assembly is not designed as a grid with open compartments, but as a closed component that is inserted with a structural adhesive (Spabond). The compartments (see photo on page 70) are connected to each other with glued-in tubes. This is to prevent water from collecting in the floor assembly, which cannot be protected from the inside with topcoat or other measures.

There is plenty of storage space on board; each cabin can accommodate what its occupants reasonably bring on board. The saloon also offers plenty of space in lockers and in some cases under the berths. The clean bilge can also be used for storing food, for example. The third compartment displaces the large aft cabin, so you have to make do with two small lockers in the cockpit and are pleased that there is another stowage option aft in the cockpit floor.

In the bow, between the anchor locker and the cabin, there is another stowage space for lines and fenders, but it can also be used for a Code Zero, which can be stored there without a bag and placed directly out of the space.

Conclusion on the Bavaria C38

Overall, the C38 presents itself like its big sister: agile, independent, honest, modern and reasonably priced. Characteristics that the market clearly appreciates: around 60 of the 42 have already been sold to customers in just a few months. The C38 is set to top this; around 30 have already been sold, some of them before the boat has even been seen - certainly also proof of the renewed trust in the brand. CEO Michael Müller: "Things are going great. We will be able to sell up to 500 boats in 2021, and delivery times are already in September." This statement would have come as a surprise in 2020.

Measured values Bavaria C38

Task well realised: The C38 manages to adopt the values of its big sister. Sailing quality goes hand in hand with a decent amount of space and a high level of living comfort. The standard version of the boat is quite affordable, but needs a few extras

Design and concept

• + Large torso volume at the front too
• + Successful room layout
• + Low base price

Sailing performance and trim

• + Good, easily retrievable potential
• + High stability
• - Single-handed only with extras

Living and finishing quality

• + Plenty of space even with three cabins
• + Large pantry with plenty of space
• - Saloon table is unstable when pulled out

Equipment and technology

• + Quality of the components
• - Many parts only as an extra
• - Standard winches quite small
• Designer: Cossutti Yacht Design
• CE design category: A
• Hull length: 10.99 m
• Total length with sprit: 11.38 m
• Waterline length: 10.28 m
• Width: 3.98 m
• Draught/alternative: 2.05/1.65 m
• Theoretical hull speed: 7.76 knots
• Weight: 9.1 tonnes
• Ballast/proportion: 2.2 t/24 %
• Mast height above waterline: 18.57 m
• Mainsail: 46.0 m2
• Self-tacking jib (Std.): 28.5 m2
• Engine (Yanmar): 21 kW/29 hp
• Fuel tank (plastic): 210 litres
• Fresh water tank (plastic): 210 litres
• Holding tank (plastic): 70 litres

Hull and deck construction

GRP sandwich with foam core, hand-laid. Full laminate below the waterline. Laminated bulkheads

Equipment and prices

• Prices at the time of testing (Q1/2021)
• Base price ex shipyard: € 153 391
• Standard equipment² including: engine, sheets, railing, navigation lights, battery, compass, cushions, galley/cooker, bilge pump, toilet, electric cooler, holding tank with suction, anchor, chain, fenders, mooring lines: €1750
• Fire extinguisher: 200 €
• Sailing dress (Lazy Bag): 1344 €
• Antifouling: 2700 €
• Clear sailing handover: 1600 €
• Price ready to sail*: 160 985 €
• Warranty/against osmosis: 2/5 years
• Surcharge for comfort equipment²
• Line-adjustable mooring points - Traveller with line guide - Electric anchor winch (in the Sail Ready package): €10,500
• Tube kicker: incl.
• Backstay tensioner: incl.
• Spring cleats (surcharge for Sail Ready package): €300
• Sprayhood: 2796 €
• Teak in the cockpit: 2629 €
• VHF radio (surcharge for Nav-Advanced package): €1570
• Log, echo sounder, wind gauge: in the Nav-Advanced package
• Autopilot: in the Nav-Advanced package
• Nav-Advanced package: 9630 €
• Charger: incl.
• Shore connection with RCD: incl.
• 230 volt sockets: incl.
• 12-volt socket in the sat nav: incl.
• Heating: 4748 €
• Pressurised water system: incl.
• Hot water boiler: incl.
• Shower WC room: incl.
• Cockpit shower: incl.
• Comfort price*: 193 158 €
• Shipyard: Bavaria Yachtbau, Bavariastraße 1, 97232 Giebelstadt; Tel. 09334/94 20; www.bavariayachts.com
• Distribution: Dealer network

* How the prices shown are defined can be found here !

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• Daten und Optionen

BAVARIA C38

Freude am segeln., beste segeleigenschaften treffen auf größten komfort.

Die BAVARIA C38 kombiniert perfekte Segeleigenschaften, einfachstes Handling und maximale Nutzung des Innenraums. Markante Design-Merkmale, wie der BAVARIA V-Bug und Chines am Heck, garantieren sichere und schnelle Segeleigenschaften und ein unglaubliches Raumangebot unter Deck. In der Eignerkabine im Vorschiff misst das Doppelbett sensationelle 1,73 x 2 Meter. Die Kojen in den Achterkabinen weisen ebenfalls für diese Bootsgröße rekordverdächtige Maße von 1,50 x 2 Meter auf.  

Der BAVARIA V-Bug und die BAVARIA Chines am Heck der BAVARIA C38 eröffnen völlig neue Möglichkeiten, den Raum unter Deck zu nutzen.

Das neue Rumpfdesign mit BAVARIA Chines und BAVARIA V-Bug erhöht die Stabilität und Geschwindigkeit der BAVARIA C38.

Viele Ausstattungsmöglichkeiten sind bei der BAVARIA C38 bereits in der Serie enthalten. Dazu gehören beispielsweise die Selbstwendefock und eine Segelfläche von 76,6 m². 

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