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Bavaria Yachts: charting their fall and rise

A topsy-turvy 2018 for bavaria yachts ended satisfactorily when they secured new financial backing. sam fortescue charts their fall and rise.

When one of the world’s top boat builders announced it was entering administration in April 2018, it sent shockwaves through the yachting world. If Bavaria Yachts, underpinned by the quiet efficiency of its German production line and strong global sales, couldn’t compete, what did that say about the rest of the industry? And for those who had put deposits down on their new Bavaria or Nautitech boats, the worry was intense. Would they ever see the boat built, or get their money back?

Astonishingly, just six months later, the business was back on its feet and once again churning-out yachts with a full staff of 800 people. Dr Ralph Kudla, the new chief restructuring officer of the firm, says that he has a target to build 400-500 boats in the next 12 months – that’s nearly ten per week. And he is expecting the business to generate a profit in two-to-three years.

Where did Bavaria go wrong?

So what went wrong? How did the behemoth that is Bavaria stumble, and what does the future hold? Sailing Today spoke to the new boss Ralph Kudla (below) to find out.

For many years, Bavaria wore the crown of the world’s second biggest production boatbuilder after Groupe Beneteau. In the boom years before the financial crisis of 2007-8 the company was famously churning out 3,000 boats per year and, at its peak, it was bought by Bain Capital for a reported €1.3bn. But the nosedive in demand that followed left this investment high and dry, with Bain offloading the troubled yard just two years later for €300m to Oaktree Capital and Anchorage Advisers. At the time, 90 per cent of its €960m debt mountain was also written off.

The new owners put in place a new business model. Instead of going for a high throughput of simple boats, they turned to more complex yachts, with more electronics and greater choice of interior finish. A new line was launched in 2011 with the Vision 46, incorporating “classy woods and fabrics” and an asymmetrical lay-out with a larger cockpit area and lots of windows and hatches for a light saloon.

The yachts gradually increased in size, with the Cruiser 56 appearing in 2013, and the Cruiser 51 a year later. Then in January 2017 Bavaria Yachts went a step further with the launch of its luxury C-line yachts. It remodelled the 56 into the C57, which was heavily trailed with the slogan ‘something big is coming’. A year later, it introduced the C65, C50 and C45. The 65-footer was presented to enormous fanfare at the Dusseldorf Boat Show in 2018, but sold just three boats and has since been discontinued. A source in the industry tells me with a shake of his head: “It was so arrogant”.

By 2016, Bavaria Yachts was claiming to build around 1,000 boats per year. CEO Lutz Henkel explained to me at the time that the yachts had become bigger and more complex, so capacity was lower than at the high-water mark in 2007. But industry sources say that the real figure was closer to 600 yachts per year. “For some time, Bavaria has been the number four producer, behind Fountaine-Pajot,” one boatbuilder tells me. Hanse Group has climbed to second place on boat sales of €150m, while fast-growing catamaran builder Fountaine-Pajot recently bought Dufour to cement third place.

If this is right, then Bavaria had been in decline for some time. Some in the industry say that Bavaria’s prices were simply too low. “They were always trying to make costs lower and lower and that’s not good,” one tells me. Richard Hewitt of UK Bavaria dealer Clipper Marine says there were likely to have been multiple causes of the insolvency. “But if you look at the boat industry, a lot of companies are owned by investment banks, putting them at the whim of investor returns.”

Nonetheless, others say that Oaktree and Anchorage called time on their investment because they were fed up of putting their hands in their pockets to keep it running. Certainly, in 2016, the business had yet to make a profit for its owners. Kudla himself admits that the company was damaged by the high level of debt from the 2007 leveraged buyout (at the time, the debt used to fund the deal was a huge eight times net earnings). Another source likened the succession of CEOs at Bavaria to managers at a struggling football club. “It takes four years to see whether a strategy works,” they said.

A brighter future for Bavaria Yachts

However, all this is in the past, and the future looks brighter. The good news is that during its insolvency, Bavaria still managed to finish and deliver 220 boats – a testament to the work of administrator Tobias Brinkmann. And the new investor, who paid in the “double digit millions” for Bavaria, is a German fund that specialises in distressed companies “with a healthy core business”.

“Bavaria is right in our sweet spot,” says Kudla, who has been parachuted in by Capital Management Partners to restructure the yard. “The brand is very strong and has a very good reputation.” He is turning to the past for his strategy. “If you look back 10 years ago, Bavaria was by far the market leader. It delivered boats of a high value for relatively little money, addressing both families and the charter business. That’s where we want to see the company focus.”

The first step has been to return the company’s French catamaran business to its original name of Nautitech. Bought in 2014, this division has in fact been growing profitably ever since. But all the yard’s other production is going to be brought to its headquarters in Giebelstadt, near Würzburg. And that is going to mean discontinuing some models, Kudla tells me. “We have 26 models right now and we’d like to focus that on 12, with different options and packages.” Leaner, meaner

It’s going to be a slow process, though. “It’ll take us 2-4 years to get there. We’re not going to cancel any successful models just to reduce numbers.” And Kudla says that both the Vision line and the C-line are both selling well, so we’re unlikely to see those trimmed further.

At the same time, the existing line will have to be renewed. Bavaria aims to launch around three new models each year at a consistent rate. “In Dusseldorf last year, there were six newly introduced boats, and such a spend is difficult. Some problems can also emerge if the new models are not fully industrialised. It puts a lot of pressure on development instead of getting the product right.”

With moulds for the C65 sold off, it is likely that the firm will look at new models in its existing 34ft to 57ft range, although Kudla says he doesn’t rule out a smaller boat. “We’re looking at it very closely,” he says cautiously. “It could be interesting to offer a cheaper boat to get to customers earlier.”

Kudla agrees that the options available on some boats may have to be simplified, although this option is still being studied. But the key is as much about standardising equipment and parts. “I would say that we can make all necessary savings from our production line and purchasing,” he says. “We’re not looking to raise prices.”

Richard Hewitt at Clipper is optimistic about the future. “By and large, the public stands behind the brand,” he says. “After any administration issues, it takes a bit of time for that to come back strongly. More important to us is the loss of the London Boat Show.”

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Bavaria Yachts, the buyers unveil a radical strategy

Drastic reduction of the range of boats, internalization of production, relaunch of the Nautitech brand The new management of Bavaria has announced its new strategy.

Back to the 100% Made In Germany boats

The new management of bavaria Group presented its strategy to get out of the difficulties it went through until the announcement of its takeover by the CMP investment fund september 2018. The first decision of the new management is the repatriation of the entire production of its boats in its German fiefdom of Giebelstadt. In this way, Bavaria intends to better control the quality of its boats and regain the prestige of Made In Germany. The Bavaria R55 motorboat, which has been outsourced to Croatia until now, will be built in Germany from the first half of 2019. The repatriation of the tooling is underway.

Take back control of the development and construction of the boats

The Bavaria Group is pleased to have been able to retain its staff during its safeguard period. It now intends to rely on the loyalty of its employees to re-internalize a maximum of skills. "The staff identify very well with Bavaria Yachtbau, it is the heart of our company," says Erik Appel, Managing Director of Bavaria Yachtbau. "That is why we want to continue to develop our permanent staff while reducing the number of temporary employees. This will allow us to reduce production costs considerably."

This strategy also applies to the field of boat design. The Bavaria manager announced the creation of interdisciplinary teams to better organize the transfer of newly developed models from engineering to production and to reduce costs.

2 times less boat models

The new Bavaria management considers the current product portfolio to be too complex. It has set itself the goal of reducing the number of models from 26 boat types to 10/12 within three years, focusing on the core demand of the yachting market. In this way, he intends to increase the reliability of the product.

End of the C65 and the electric boat

Several boat models are already being discontinued, while others are being redesigned. The C65, Bavaria's largest sailboat, has been discontinued, as well as the range of electric and hybrid powerboats. The sailing range is being re-engineered. The process started with the Bavaria C50 and will continue with the C57 and then the C45.

Slow down the pace of new developments

Bavaria intends to limit the pace of new boat developments. The German shipyard announces 2 to 3 new models per year, a choice of consolidation that contrasts with the strategy of rapid renewal of competitors such as the Bénéteau group.

Return of the Nautitech catamaran brand

The Nautitech brand, which disappeared when the French multihull builder was acquired by the German group in favor of Bavaria Catamarans, will be reborn. "It is important for us that both companies can in the future emphasize their respective identities even more. On the technical side, the two countries will work closely together and significantly develop the partnership between Germany and France," said Ralph Kudla, Chief Restructuring Officer.

Employee and dealer involvement

Kai Brandes, managing partner of the buyer CMP, confirmed the completion of the acquisition process. "The Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) has given its approval and the closing, i.e. the execution of all contractual conditions, has just taken place. This means security for employees, customers and distributors as well as for suppliers". Without giving further details, he is pleased with "a good investment at a good price".

Christian Hartmann, chairman of the Bavaria Yachtbau works council, welcomes the fact that 800 jobs in Giebelstadt and France will be saved and calls for strong employee involvement. "We as employees want to be more closely involved in the development of production and sales. The people who work on the yachts every day are extremely important for the improvement of existing processes and methods."

Ralph Kudla, wants to involve Bavaria's worldwide distribution networks in strategic choices. "Among other things, a dealer advisory board will be set up to enable us to hear customer feedback, take it into account and incorporate it as quickly as possible into our product manufacturing. In other words, to improve our products."

Difficult economic results until 2020

Restructuring specialist Ralph Kudla predicts that it will be many months before the effects of the changes at Bavaria are felt. "Stabilization, further development and returning to the growth path are central themes of the restructuring. In addition, the future model range must be defined. This is the biggest challenge and we will certainly take a good six months to make the first decisions and give impulses."

In the first, shorter year, and due to the start of production, Bavaria will make a loss, which CMP will bear as an investor. In addition, it takes a relatively long time to achieve efficiency gains in boat building. The German boat manufacturer expects a zero result for the next full year (1.8.2019 to 31.7.2020). and significant improvements within two to three years.

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Bavaria Yachts - perfectly positioned for the future

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Michael Müller once again takes the helm of BAVARIA YACHTS: a new chapter begins

Great news for BAVARIA YACHTS in this late 2023: Michael Müller , a major figure in the yachting scene, is once again taking the helm at BAVARIA YACHTS and will take the role of CEO , as announced by the shipyard’s advisory board these days.

This return marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for BAVARIA YACHTS : together with Managing Directors Norbert Leifeld and Thorsten Gatz , Michael Müller will lead the successful shipyard near Würzburg and keep it on course for success with its almost 700 experienced employees .

Mr. Müller is not a newcomer at BAVARIA YACHTS: already CEO from 2019 to 2021 , he has also demonstrated his commitment and expertise as a member of the company’s advisory board. In 2020 , Michael Müller launched two important new highlights in the model range with the premiere of the BAVARIA SR41 in the motorboat segment and the introduction of the BAVARIA C42 in the sailing yacht segment. Both yachts were honoured with two of the most important awards in the yacht industry and are now among the many bestsellers in the shipyard’s range.

In 2021 , Michael Müller handed over the reins to Marc Diening , who as CEO steered the company through the rough seas of the Covid crisis and significantly increased the profitability of BAVARIA YACHTS despite material shortages and price increases in the market. With the new sailing yacht BAVARIA C46 and the motorboat BAVARIA SR33, Mr. Diening has continued the shipyard’s success traditon and launched two yachts on the market this year that have been nominated for several prestigious awards.

The manufacturer known for its 100% German quality , with over 600 sailing boats and motorboats built in the modern factories in Giebelstadt (near Würzburg), currently has four cutting-edge production lines , a carpentry workshop and large dedicated spaces to the construction of hulls and decks, which further highlights BAVARIA’s innovative approach to the mass production of yachts.

With the return of Michael Müller at the helm of BAVARIA YACHTS, the future looks very promising indeed: the combination of established experience and new perspectives should lead the shipyard to many other successes in the boating scene, which we look forward to discovering in this new chapter that has just begun.

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Bavaria Yachts files for bankruptcy as investors pull out, but catamaran division still going strong

• Elaine Bunting
• April 24, 2018

Bavaria Yachts, one of the world's largest production boatbuilders, is in financial trouble after US investors decided to withdraw support for the company

German builder Bavaria Yachtbau sent out shockwaves among owners and the industry last week when it declared insolvency. According to German magazine Yacht , US investors Oaktree Capital Management and Anchorage Advisors pulled a day after the sacking of Bavaria’s CEO, Lutz Henkel.

The investors are said to be giving Bavaria a ‘soft landing’, guaranteeing three months of operation until the yard closes for its annual summer holidays.

The news took dealers and suppliers alike by complete surprise.

The insolvency is said to affect the manufacturing arm of the company building Bavaria monohulls. Bavaria Catamarans, formerly Nautitech, is not said to be affected. Bavaria purchased Nautitech from French owner  Bruno Voisard and partners just over two years ago.

The catamaran market has been booming with sales outstripping demand, while mid-sized production monohull sales, which slumped in 2008, have never fully recovered.

UK Nautitech dealers Key Yachting Ltd , said: ‘ To this day, the catamaran business remains in Rochefort, France. It is an independent French company with its own employees, suppliers and bank accounts. Seen as the “jewel in the crown” of the Bavaria group, the well managed and profitable catamaran business is already attracting interest from potential buyers.

‘While we understand that both the Catamaran division and the struggling German operation will probably soon be under new ownership, or indeed ownerships, the operation of the Catamaran business is completely unaffected by the situation in Germany. Therefore trading, delivery and after sales service continue as before.’

Bavaria has been through several chapters of ownership. Buyout firm Bain Capital bought the company in 2007 for €1.3bn and handed over two years later to debt investors Oaktree and Anchorage in a huge debt-for-equity transaction in which the two specialists wrote off 90 per cent of Bavaria’s €960m debts.

The company has sought to expand into larger yachts with the launch of two new larger and more luxurious cruisers, the C57 launched last year and C65 that on show in January at boot Düsseldorf. Bavaria is one of the world’s largest volume production manufacturers, oeprating out of a huge plant in Giebelstadt, near Würzburg, where it builds around 4,000 yachts a year.

Bavaria Yachts is Back in Business

19 September 2018 Dominique SALANDRE News 0

Bavaria Yachts is saved !   A private equity fund advised by the German investment company CMP Capital Management-Partners will continue Bavaria Yachts. The subsidiary Bavaria Catamarans SAS is also being acquired and all 800 employees working in Giebelstadt, Germany and Rochefort, France will transfer to the purchaser.

A private equity fund advised by the Berlin-based investment company CMP Capital Management-Partners will acquire the entire business of Bavaria Yachtbau GmbH and continue its operations. It will also acquire all shares in French subsidiary Bavaria Catamarans SAS. All 550 employees of BAVARIA YACHTS in Giebelstadt and all 250 employees of BAVARIA CATAMARANS in Rochefort will transfer to the purchaser. A corresponding purchase contract between the management of Bavaria Yachtbau GmbH and CMP was concluded and notarized today. The creditors’ committee gave its approval, as did the administrator of Bavaria Yachtbau GmbH, Dr. Hubert Ampferl. The purchase will be completed after merger control clearance by the German Federal Cartel Office, which is expected in a couple of weeks. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. 

CMP Capital Management-Partners is a German investment company that has specialised in the acquisition of companies in distress in Germany, Austria and Switzerland since its foundation in 2000. CMP’s private equity funds are advised by Berlin-based CMP Capital Management-Partners. With the investment in a company, CMP employees assume operative management responsibilities on site. In the case of Bavaria, Dr. Ralph Kudla, restructuring expert and partner at CMP, will join the executive board. 

Kai Brandes, Managing Director of CMP Capital Management-Partners explains: “We are convinced of Bavaria’s global market potential and will sustainably develop the company. The restructuring measures will focus on regaining market share and improving production costs.”

Restructuring expert Dr. Tobias Brinkmann, Managing Director of Bavaria Yachtbau since insolvency proceedings began in April 2018 states: “Bavaria is an outstanding company with a strong brand, compelling products and a highly dedicated team. We are pleased to have found a well-known and experienced buyer in CMP who will lead Bavaria into the future. The entire management would like to thank our employees, yacht dealers, customers and suppliers. They have all supported Bavaria Yachtbau during the insolvency proceedings. The fact that Bavaria has been able to successfully build and deliver 220 yachts during the last five months shows how committed and reliable our staff is.”

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Bavaria Yachts: Production 100% “Made in Germany” and Product Range to Be Reduced

The future development of Bavaria Yachts is taking clear shape: The yacht builder, respected worldwide for its good price/performance ratio, will once again build its boats one hundred percent in Germany. Bearing the seal of […]

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Buyer confirmed for Bavaria Yachts

• Katy Stickland
• September 17, 2018

Hundreds of jobs have been secured following the announcement that a buyer has been found for Bavaria Yachts

Understand boat statistics Credit: Bavaria Yachts

17 September 2018

Bavaria Yachts has been bought by a private equity fund advised by the German investment company CMP Capital Management-Partners.

The move secures 800 jobs in Germany and France.

The yacht builders went into self-administration in April, allowing the firm’s management to remain operational while new investors were sought. This also meant Bavaria could continue to build and deliver 220 yachts during that period.

The private equity fund will also acquire all shares in the French subsidiary Bavaria Catamarans SAS.

‘All 550 employees of BAVARIA YACHTS in Giebelstadt and all 250 employees of BAVARIA CATAMARANS in Rochefort will transfer to the purchaser,’ said Bavaria in a statement.

The purchase will be completed after merger control clearance by the German Federal Cartel Office, which is expected in a couple of weeks. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

CMP Capital Management-Partners is a German investment company that has specialised in the acquisition of companies in distress in Germany, Austria and Switzerland since its foundation in 2000.

With the investment in a company, CMP employees assume operative management responsibilities on site. In the case of Bavaria, Dr. Ralph Kudla, restructuring expert and partner at CMP, will join the executive board.

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Commenting, the managing director ofCMP Capital Management-Partners, Kai Brandes, said: ‘We are convinced of Bavaria’s global market potential and will sustainably develop the company. The restructuring measures will focus on regaining market share and improving production costs.’

Restructuring expert Dr. Tobias Brinkmann, managing director of Bavaria Yachtbau since insolvency proceedings began in April 2018, said Bavaria was an ‘outstanding company with a strong brand, compelling products and a highly dedicated team.’

‘We are pleased to have found a well-known and experienced buyer in CMP who will lead Bavaria into the future. The entire management would like to thank our employees, yacht dealers, customers and suppliers,’ he stated.

‘ They have all supported Bavaria Yachtbau during the insolvency proceedings. The fact that Bavaria has been able to successfully build and deliver 220 yachts during the last five months shows how committed and reliable our staff is,’ added Dr Brinkmann

22 May 2018

Bavaria Yachts has announced it is in the process of securing new investment and hopes to make an announcement in July.

The German yacht builder is continuing to take orders and deliver new boats.

‘Production has been stabilised and deliveries are continuing: more than 30 yachts have left the shipyard over the past two weeks and have been handed over to customers,’ said Bavaria in a statement.

‘All 600 employees are on duty, and agreements were reached with all major suppliers for further delivery against short payment terms,’ it added.

Bavaria went into self-administration last month. This allowed the firm’s management to remain operational while new investors are sought.

It only affected operations at Bavaria’s German operations. Nautitech – Bavaria’s catamaran arm – was unaffected.

The German shipyard said management and administrators have started an ‘investor process’ to rebuild Bavaria Yachts for the future.

‘The objective is to be able to present an investor in July 2018,’ said Bavaria.

The firm, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, was sold by its founder, Winfried Herrmann to the private equity group, Bain Capital in June 2007 for around €1.1 billion.

The American investment firms, Oaktree Capital and Anchorage Capital Group then became creditors post financial crisis in 2008.

As part of restructuring, Oaktree and Anchorage waived a substantial majority of their loans and became majority shareholders, investing ‘significant resource’.

‘Unfortunately, Bavaria Yachtbau was unable to recover operational profitability,’ said a spokesman for Oaktree and Anchorage.

As a result, Bavaria went into self-administration, and restructuring expert, Dr Tobias Brinkmann was appointed to find new investors.

‘We are continuing the operation and want to go into the coming order season with a new investor,’ stressed Dr Brinkmann.

‘The first expressions of interest have already been received, and we are also actively approaching potential investors,’ he added.

24 April 2018

Bavaria Yachts has confirmed that is has now gone into self-administration.

The German shipyard said boat production and deliveries will continue until June 2018. Wages and salaries for Bavaria’s 600 workers are also secure until then.

The self-administration, which allows the firm’s management to remain operational while an investor for the company is sought, only affects operations at Bavaria’s German operations.

Nautitech – Bavaria’s catamaran arm – remains unaffected and trading, delivery and after sales service at its base in Rochefort, France continues as normal.

‘In the current situation, we want to supply our customers with the usual high quality, stressed Bavaria’s chief operating officer, Erik Appel.

Dr. Ing. Tobias Brinkmann, specialist lawyer for insolvency law and partner in the law firm Brinkmann & Partner, joins the management team. Bavaria’s previous CEO, Lutz Henkel, left the management board last week.

Bavaria said its ‘top priority is now the search for an investor’

‘We have years of experience building high-quality yachts and are industry leaders in many areas,’ said Appel.

Bavaria said that against the background of a good market positioning, the aim was to ‘put the operation on a sound financial basis’.

Bavaria was founded in 1978 and is considered one of the market leaders in European yacht building. In January, it announced the new flagship C65 as well as the C45 models at Boot Düsseldorf.

Payment of wages and salaries for the months of April to June 2018 will be secured by bankruptcy pre-financing.

In a statement, Nautitech Catamarans, said: ‘To this day, the catamaran business remains in Rochefort France. It is an independent French company with its own employees, suppliers and bank accounts. Seen as the “jewel in the crown” of the Bavaria group, the well managed and profitable catamaran business is already attracting interest from potential buyers.

‘Whilst we understand that both the catamaran division and the struggling German operation will probably soon be under new ownership, or indeed ownerships, the operation of the catamaran business is completely unaffected by the situation in Germany. Therefore trading, delivery and after sales service continue as before.’

20 April 2018

The German yacht building giant Bavaria is expected to issue a statement later today, explaining that it is entering administration.

It is thought that the administration will apply to the Bavaria monohulls, but not to Bavaria catamarans. The company, which announced the new flagship C65 as well as the C45 models at Boot Düsseldorf earlier this year, is expected to continue construction and delivery of all current orders and will not be closing its factory.

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BAVARIA C65 – The largest yacht ever built by the shipyard

The BAVARIA C65 is the new flagship of the BAVARIA YACHTS fleet of sailing yachts and, following the successful presentation of the yacht this spring, is the next logical step in the expansion of the BAVARIA C-Line .

With the BAVARIA C65, BAVARIA YACHTS brings fresh impetus to the booming market segment of sailing yachts between 55 and 75 feet. The BAVARIA C65 impresses both on and below deck thanks to its elegant and modern design. BAVARIA YACHTS offers a high level of customisation with numerous different layout options available below deck for the owner to choose from.

It is the largest yacht ever built by BAVARIA YACHTS. Production of the new yacht has already begun. The first sea trials are planned for the autumn.

The BAVARIA C65 is a masterpiece in design, engineering and technology. She was designed for sailors who place high expectations on their yacht. Her fast and reliable sailing performance is impressive. Even on long trips, the BAVARIA C65 can be sailed with very small crews or even single-handedly. It is classed as a fast cruiser and is also the perfect yacht for blue water sailing. From Cannes to Nice, or from Hamburg to the Caribbean, the BAVARIA C65 opens up every sea to its owners.

Length overall

Beam overall, 2.6 m / 3.5 m.

The clear line of its hull, its flat wide deck and its sporty rigging define the design of the BAVARIA C65. The large windows in the hull fit elegantly into the line of the hull lending even more dynamism to its length. The dynamic lines of the C65 support the flat design with its narrow strip of windows running from the mast to the cockpit support. The large XXL bathing platform in the stern plays host to the dinghy garage and provides the ideal location for bathing, preparing for a thrilling dive, or enjoying some sunbathing. There is easily enough room in the dinghy garage for a jet tender and other equipment.

DISCOVER MORE FREEDOM TO DECIDE. There are four configurations to choose from in the BAVARIA C65. Each of them can be adapted to your needs. The benefit for owners is that they can combine different areas flexibly, just the way they want them.

A glance at the technical specifications for the C65 immediately reveals the perfect balance between elegant design, a generous amount of space, a high level of reliability at sea, and fast sailing capabilities. At 19.45 metres in length and with a breadth of 5.40 metres the C65 has a very streamlined appearance. But below deck, it’s quite a different story. Whether in the 3-cabin or 4-cabin version, with the skipper cabin in the forecastle, the BAVARIA C65 is unbelievably luxurious when it comes to space.

BAVARIA YACHTS’ vision is to build the best yachts in their class. The BAVARIA C65 was developed with exactly this vision in mind. The designers, engineers and boat builders challenged this vision again and again at each development stage until they found the best solutions.

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Cal 2-46: A Venerable Lapworth Design Brought Up to Date

Rhumb Lines: Show Highlights from Annapolis

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Leaping Into Lithium

The Importance of Sea State in Weather Planning

Do-it-yourself Electrical System Survey and Inspection

Install a Standalone Sounder Without Drilling

When Should We Retire Dyneema Stays and Running Rigging?

Rethinking MOB Prevention

Top-notch Wind Indicators

The Everlasting Multihull Trampoline

How Dangerous is Your Shore Power?

DIY survey of boat solar and wind turbine systems

What’s Involved in Setting Up a Lithium Battery System?

The Scraper-only Approach to Bottom Paint Removal

Can You Recoat Dyneema?

Gonytia Hot Knife Proves its Mettle

Where Winches Dare to Go

The Day Sailor’s First-Aid Kit

Choosing and Securing Seat Cushions

Cockpit Drains on Race Boats

Rhumb Lines: Livin’ the Wharf Rat Life

Re-sealing the Seams on Waterproof Fabrics

Safer Sailing: Add Leg Loops to Your Harness

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Learning to Live with Plastic Boat Bits

• Sailboat Reviews

Bavaria 38 Ocean

This german-built production cruiser has first-class construction and is favorably priced. for serious cruising, however, she does have a few drawbacks such as a small galley and marginal sea berths..

In our travels to the boat shows, we’ve noticed an increased number of German and Scandinavian boats distributed in the U.S. by American dealerships. Part of the reason, certainly, is favorable exchange rates. To get a feel for how these boats stack up to their American and French counterparts, we decided to test sail the German-built Bavaria 38 Ocean. In a nutshell, it’s a well-built, comfortable cruiser with a small sailplan that may be well suited to offshore passage-making, but will not be exactly spirited in light air.

The Company Bavaria Yachts is a family-owned operation that began as the manufacturer of glass windows. Today, it produces boats in a new, modern plant in Giebelstadt, Germany. The firm evolved into the boatbuilding business in 1970’s, and currently produces approximately 450 boats per year, ranging in size from 29′ to 50′. Bavaria builds several distinct lines. Heavy emphasis is placed on the Holiday series, multi-cabin cruisers destined for the charter fleets in the Mediterranean. The Exclusive line consists of traditional aft cockpit sloops with fewer sleeping compartments, and a large master stateroom. The 38 Ocean features a center-cockpit intended for family cruising. The first boats imported to North America began arriving in 1995, and are in service in a charter fleet in the Pacific Northwest.

Though the company may not have the decades-old pedigree of some competitors, it enjoys among Europeans a reputation as the builder of sturdy, seaworthy boats. Bavaria funds the cost of two Lloyd’s inspectors who are permanently on site to inspect each boat as it works its way through the production line. Consequently, boats aren’t simply “built to Lloyd’s specifications,” but are issued a Germanischer Lloyd A5 certificate that covers hull, rig, engine, electrical system and locking devices.

Design Bavaria yachts are designed by the J and J design office, a relatively obscure firm founded by brothers Jernej and Japec Jakopin in 1983. Their first yacht, the Elan 31, was an immediate success, winning the 3/4 Ton world championships; more than 700 were produced. The firm subsequently formed a boat engineering company, Seaway, that offers marketing, design, tooling and prototyping services.

J and J works with more than 20 production yards in Europe, and has designed boats for Jeanneau, Bavaria, and Dufour, in collaboration with Bruce Farr, Doug Peterson and the Jeanneau design team. Three designs received Boat of the Year awards at the 1997 Dusseldorf boat show.

The pleasing lines of the Holiday and Exclusive models are similar in appearance to many Baltic, Swan, Wauquiez and Swedish Yachts.

The Ocean 38 Ocean, because it is a center-cockpit design, presents a different look. Its beam is considerable (13′ 2″), which gives us some concern regarding inverse stability and upwind performance. On the other hand, it makes for a large interior and increases initial stability.

The displacement/length (D/L) ratio is 217, and the sail area/displacement (SA/D) ratio is 17.8, numbers that are reasonable for most coastal cruising conditions. The D/L is a bit low for what most people would consider suitable for blue-water cruising.

The whale’s tail fin keel and spade rudder represent current thinking to improve lift and control. The boat is available with either 5′ 1″ or 6′ 5″ draft.

We think that one of the major drawbacks of a center cockpit arrangement is the height above the water, which can translate to mal de mer in heavy seas when the boat pitches and rolls; the tradeoff is a drier ride, even when pounding to weather, as we learned on a trip from San Francisco to Hawaii.

Construction The firm boasts that most of its employees have been working for Bavaria for more than 10 years, most having come through its formal apprenticeship program. A video we reviewed showed the operation to be highly efficient. Wood is brought into the wood shop as logs and milled; workers in the lay-up process are presented with shopping carts filled with numbered sheets of fiberglass that have been precut to specific sizes by a computer, and premixed containers of resin, so there is no deviation in the lay-up.

The downside to this rigid approach is that no customizing is possible. As Henry Ford said, “You can have any color you want as long as it’s black.”

The lay-up methods are fairly straightforward. The outer skin is powder-bonded glass mat and isopthalic resins. The hull below the waterline is solid fiberglass laid up to a thickness of 32 mm with alternating layers of 15-ounce and 20-ounce Verotex woven roving. The forward section of the hull, from the bow aft to the first bulkhead, is reinforced with a 2-mm thick layer of Kevlar. Additional strength is provided by double layers of fiberglass extending 12″ to either side of the centerline from the bow to the rudderpost, and a double lamination on the keel flange, a Lloyd’s requirement.

The hull is additionally strengthened by solid fiberglass stringers, and beams running athwartships that are bonded to the hull with S-glass. The engine bed is also laminated to the hull, and an aluminum engine bracket is glassed to its timbers so that engine bolts are lagged through the metal piece to the bed.

All of the interior bulkheads, as well as cabinetry and closets, are bonded to the hull before the deck is laid on. Areas around hatches are reinforced with marine-grade plywood.

A company video shows the boat sailing at full speed into a seawall. After the third collision, the boat is hauled, revealing only scrape marks in the bottom paint.

The hull above the waterline as well as the deck are cored with 15-mm Divinycell to provide strength, warmth, and a noise barrier.

The method of attaching deck hardware is unique. Winches and cleats are mounted to 3/4″ thick aluminum backing plates bonded into the deck.

Deck Layout Because the boat is targeted for cruisers who are more likely to hoist a reacher or drifter than a spinnaker, the deck arrangement is rather simple. In fact, there are only four winches. The primary sheet winches are Harken 44 self-tailers, and on the coachroof, to handle halyards, reefing and furling lines there are two Harken 40’s aft of Rutgerson rope clutches. Track for the jib cars is located at the base of the deckhouse and is equipped with Rutgerson cars, as is the mainsheet, which is located at the aft end of the cockpit.

Though there’s adequate room in the cockpit to seat six passengers, and enough length for a 6-footer to stretch out for a nap, we discovered that the steering pedestal can inhibit crew work. The helmsman will find the mainsheet, which is located on the aft coaming of the cockpit, and both jib winches, to be within close reach from the normal steering position. However, because jib winches are well aft, crew will soon discover that moving from windward to leeward will require navigating forward around the front of the pedestal on tacks, or aft of the cockpit. Our test boat was equipped with a storm dodger that extended aft from the five-piece windshield. This arrangement kept us out of the wind on a cold winter day. When tacking, however, we found it difficult to make the trip across the boat in the space between the dodger and front of the pedestal.

With 16″ of pathway between the teak toerail and the cabin trunk, movement fore and aft is easy; additionally, boats are equipped with double lifelines, stainless steel stanchions, a bow pulpit and pulpits on each corner of the stern. So, with the addition of jacklines, a crew can operate in relative safety, even at night. The boat is a 9/10 fractional rig, which we think performs more like a typical masthead rig. The mast is a tapered, double spreader Selden spar supported by 3/8″ wire standing rigging. Standard equipment includes a Furlex headsail furler, hard vang, topping lift, and hand-cranked backstay adjuster. The sail inventory consists of a 5.7-ounce Dacron Elvstrom mainsail with car sliding system and two reef points. Buyers can opt for a conventional, fully-battened main, or an in-mast furling mainsail at no additional cost. Selection of the furling mainsail reduces the size of the mainsail by 75 square feet, and the ability to shape the sail.

Stowage on the deck is in several large areas. The bow area has a chain locker large enough for an electric winch, as well as 100′ of 3/8″ chain, and rope. The stainless steel double roller, which houses a 44-lb. CQR anchor, is designed to can’tilever downwards when the anchor is lowered. This simplifies the task while avoiding damage to the gelcoat. A second stowage area aft of the locker is large enough for dock lines and fenders, and the windlass motor.

Stowage to starboard in the stern is designated for fire extinguishers; to port is a locker for propane tanks. European boats are typically plumbed for butane, so the aft compartment of boats headed for North America must be modified to provide space for propane tanks, since sizes and shapes are dramatically different. The compartment is properly vented overboard.

The stern is clearly designed for the casual cruiser. It houses a two-step swim platform equipped with a stainless steel ladder hinged to go in the water, and a freshwater shower. The emergency rudder mounts outboard on the platform. Long-distance cruisers will be challenged by the engineering necessary to mount a mechanical wind vane.

Belowdecks The generous beam of the Bavaria 38 Ocean provides large, comfortable spaces in which to lounge and sleep. The workmanship is of a quality found in boats costing considerably more.

The layout of the saloon is fairly typical, with the galley and the engine compartment beneath the companionway. A folding dining table and 6′ 6″ settee are located to port. A similarly sized settee is to starboard, forward of the nav station. The head, with doors from the saloon or the skipper’s stateroom, is to starboard.

The boat is particularly well ventilated by four deck hatches, three forward and one in the aft stateroom, and four opening ports on each side of the deckhouse. We found the boat to be well lighted, even on a cloudy, rainy day.

The master stateroom spans the stern and has a 6′ long, 5′ 6″ wide berth in the center of a compartment having 6′ feet of headroom that is surrounded by finely finished mahogany closets and cabinetry, and heavy, 3″ cushions. Because boats seem to shrink in size in proportion to the number of people aboard, we liked the fact that both staterooms have sitting areas that, albeit small, provide some private space.

The head, which is subdivided by a plastic curtain, is equipped with a single stainless sink, hot and cold water, and a medicine cabinet. The shower area has 6′ of headroom and 30″ of elbow room.

The V-berth measures 6′ 4″ on the centerline, and is 6′ wide at the head, tapering to 18″ at the bow. Cabinetry includes a 43″ tall hanging locker to starboard and a similarly sized cabinet with three shelves to port.

About the only drawbacks we noted were the lack of a good, tight sea berth or two, and the size of working space available in the navigation station and galley, which oppose each other amidships near the companionway. But while one might wish them larger, the space would have to be subtracted from the dining area and head. One must remember that despite its great beam, this boat is still just 38′ LOA. The working surface on the nav station is only 22″ deep and 38″ wide. The galley runs fore and aft, and is equipped with a double stainless steel sink, two burner stove, and an L-shaped countertop. There’s adequate working space on the 24″ x 66″ countertop when the stove is covered. However, when the stove is in use, 24″ of countertop are lost, so the cook may have to use the dining table for preparations.

The boat’s mechanical systems are well-conceived and executed.

The engine compartment is accessible by removing the companionway steps, and via a removable panel in the galley. This permits one to work on all four sides of the engine. The Whitlock cable steering system is directly overhead and easy to inspect or service.

Wiring and plumbing are accessible by removing wooden panels in the back of stowage compartments. We found all wiring to be bundled and wrapped every 6″, which reduces the possibility of chafe. Through-hulls are bronze with stainless steel ball valves, and all hoses and manifolds are accessible and double clamped. Though the headliner is not removable, deck hardware fasteners can be inspected by removing mahogany covers attached to the overhead.

Performance We tested the boat on a rainy day on flat water in wind speeds ranging from 15-22 knots. Whether you like the looks of the five-section permanent windshield is a personal matter, but it certainly affords superior protection from the weather and is easy to see through. The center section opens to provide ventilation. There certainly is a trend amongst cruisers toward hard dodgers or at least hard-top dodgers, and a permanent windscreen is a good foundation from which to design an all-weather enclosure.

Under power, the 50-hp. Volvo Penta, equipped with a fixed, 3-blade prop, powered the boat into 10 knots of wind at 7 knots at 2,500 rpm. We noticed that at 2,100 rpm the noise level belowdecks allowed conversation at normal voice levels; at 2,500 rpm engine noise was more noticeable.

The saildrive has pros and cons. Its horizontal thrust is efficient, but the aluminum housing is vulnerable to corrosion, particularly from stray AC currents in marinas. Owners should monitor the unit carefully. The Wauquiez Pretorien 35 reviewed last month also has a saildrive, and owners were cautioned to regularly replace the zincs and to dive on it for a visual inspection every 90 days.

The boat proved responsive to the helm, and easily turned a tight 360°. She also tracked well in reverse, even in gusty conditions.

Our test boat had both furling main and jib, which will simplify sailhandling for cruising couples. The furling main looked disproportionately small for this size boat. We also learned rather quickly the importance of fully hoisting the main; if there’s a scallop at the tack, the sail will not furl into the mast.

We began the test sail with a full main and 150% genoa and discovered very quickly that we were overcanvassed. We shortened the jib to about 90% and in this configuration we sailed comfortably to within 40° of the apparent wind at just less than 6 knots. The boat tracked well. Because the jib sheeting angle is 16°, it is unlikely the boat will sail closer to the wind. Speed increased to 7.5 knots when we footed off and sailed at 85°, but she became less stable so we further reduced the headsail. She proved more manageable at 120°.

We suspect that owners will be motoring until wind speed reaches 6-8 knots, and using the 150% genoa until wind speed reaches 10 knots. In stiffer breezes, she’ll need a shortened headsail or reef in the main. However, with a properly balanced sailplan, we think most cruisers will find the boat manageable and comfortable.

Sailors in gusty conditions, such as San Francisco Bay, will find a sail inventory consisting of main and genoa to be adequate; the need for a light air drifter or reacher will become apparent where winds are lighter.

Conclusion We think the Bavaria is an exceptionally well-built boat. She’s finely finished; gelcoat surfaces are smooth; and joinerwork is of the highest quality. Crew and guests will find accommodations below to be spacious and well-appointed.

The Bavaria 38 Ocean comes well-equipped with brand-name hardware, Par head, Espar forced-air heater, and a Coolmatic 12-volt refrigeration system that fared poorly in our December 1, 1996 test. Though securing foreign replacement parts can be a headache, the North American distributor maintains a modest inventory of post-1992 parts for all Bavaria yachts.

The boat comes with an extensive list of standard equipment such as teak cockpit seating and sole, ICOM VHF radio, Autohelm ST 50 instruments, dodger, windlass and anchor with 165′ of chain.

Given current exchange rates and a sailaway price of $189,900 (US), fob Seattle, or $182,990 (US), fob Annapolis, we think the boat is a very good value. For comparison, the somewhat larger Jeanneau 40 Deck Saloon 40 lists at $190,000 and the superb but somewhat smaller Halberg Rassy 36 at a bit under $200,000. A more run-of-the-mill production boat, such as the Beneteau Oceanis 381, starts at $138,000.

Contact- Yacht Sales West, Unit B, 2144 Westlake Ave. N, Seattle, WA, 98109; 206/378-0081. In Canada, Yacht Sales West, 1523 Foreshore Walk, Vancouver, BC, Canada; 604/488-1202.

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Mar. 21, 2024

Lexus Introduces the Next Evolution of the Lexus Luxury Yacht, LY 680

• The flybridge and swimming platform have been expanded, providing more space for enjoyment and relaxation.
• Production will be handled by the Horizon Group, which has an established reputation for its advanced technology which has been honed through the construction of superyachts.

The Lexus Luxury Yacht, LY 650, will take the next step in its evolution as the new LY 680 with some exciting, new enhancements. Starting from March 21st, 2024, orders will be accepted only in Japan through Toyota Marine sales offices and other select dealers *1 .

Lexus aims to be a luxury lifestyle brand and the flagship Luxury Yacht is the embodiment of the Lexus design philosophy "Crafted." The LY 680 expresses this philosophy by thoroughly paying attention to every single detail, in order to exceed customers' expectations and create a unique experience that stimulates their senses, even while at sea.

The concept for the Luxury Yacht is "to feel like a hideout in the middle of the sea, providing a space where discerning customers can feel free and at ease." The exterior embodies the Lexus design philosophy of L-finesse, and the interior has been meticulously crafted down to the smallest details to provide a comfortable living space. In terms of performance, Lexus aims for confidence inspiring cruising performance, offering stable maneuverability, excellent ride comfort, and quietness.

Production was carried out by the Horizon Group, which has a reputation for its advanced technological capabilities which have been honed through the construction of superyachts. By combining the Horizon Group's building capabilities with yacht production methods based on TPS *2 , the strengths of both brands have been leveraged to achieve further enhancements.

A 1/20 scale model of the LY 680 will be on display at the Japan International Boat Show 2024 which will be held at Pacifico Yokohama from March 21st to 24th, 2024.

Expansion of Flybridge and Swimming Platform Provide More Space for Enjoyment and Relaxation

The flybridge has been extended by 1,400 mm and features a spacious lounge sofa and a barbecue grill *3 , allowing guests to relax and enjoy the fresh ocean breeze. In addition, the swimming platform has been extended by 700 mm platform, which allows you to enjoy a wide range of offshore activities, including personal watercrafts.

Production to be Handled by the Horizon Group

Horizon Group, who will build the LY 680, is a leading luxury yacht brand in Asia, specializing in custom-built yachts utilizing advanced technology and excellent production methods. The combination of sleek styling inspired by Lexus' design philosophy, L-finesse, and Horizon Group's production capabilities, which they've cultivated through the construction of superyachts, leverages the strengths of both brands to create a truly spectacular yacht.

LY 680 main specifications

Toyota Motor Corporation works to develop and manufacture innovative, safe and high-quality products and services that create happiness by providing mobility for all. We believe that true achievement comes from supporting our customers, partners, employees, and the communities in which we operate. Since our founding over 80 years ago in 1937, we have applied our Guiding Principles in pursuit of a safer, greener and more inclusive society. Today, as we transform into a mobility company developing connected, automated, shared and electrified technologies, we also remain true to our Guiding Principles and many of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals to help realize an ever-better world, where everyone is free to move.

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• autonomous driving
• Volkswagen ID Buzz

VW is ready to bring autonomous driving to large-scale production

VW is now the first vehicle manufacturer to develop a Level 4 autonomous driving (AD) service vehicle for large-scale production.

Level 4 AD means that the car can handle the majority of driving situations independently in a defined area, such as a city. It can also drive alone, without passengers.

The German automaker is ramping up the AD technology for the VW ID. Buzz AD with tech company Mobileye following an extensive pilot phase in the US and Germany.

Christian Senger, a management board member at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles responsible for AD, said, “We are developing the first fully autonomous large-scale production vehicle, and Mobileye brings its digital driver on board.”

The main part of the cooperation agreement Volkswagen and Mobileye announced today covers the delivery and use of a self-driving system (SDS) for the ID. Buzz AD, which has been under development since 2021.

The ID. Buzz AD features two independent computers, 13 cameras, nine lidar units developed by  Luminar , and five radar units, each capable of producing 360-degree surroundings. A cloud connection provides the autonomous vehicles with swarm data from other road users about the traffic situation and updates to the 3D maps.

Top comment by Ryan Ballantyne

This would seem to be bigger news than this article paints it. Since it's a Mobileye system it's not exclusive to Volkswagen, and if it really truly is a fully operational Level 4 system without asterisks, it would be hard to overstate its importance. It would sweep across the auto industry and transform our world in both positive and negative ways, much like what is happening with generative AI in tech.

SO...given that the world is not currently on fire with this blazing hot news...I am a little skeptical that they have solved it. Time will tell I suppose.

Volkswagen Group of America is leading the strategy and business development in the US, and its subsidiary, Volkswagen ADMT (that stands for Autonomous Driving Mobility & Transport), supports the AD program rollout with teams in Belmont, California, and Austin.

Volkswagen ADMT aims to develop a fully electric autonomous ID. Buzz AD for use in the US and European commercial sectors from 2026.

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Michelle Lewis is a writer and editor on Electrek and an editor on DroneDJ, 9to5Mac, and 9to5Google. She lives in White River Junction, Vermont. She has previously worked for Fast Company, the Guardian, News Deeply, Time, and others. Message Michelle on Twitter or at [email protected]. Check out her personal blog.

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BAVARIA YACHTS on a direct course to the new financial year

published on 17 October 2019

Setting a course for the new season. Michael Müller (CEO), Dr. Ralph Kudla (CRO/CFO) and Jens Abromeit (COO) share a positive view of the future of BAVARIA YACHTS.

Business is running well at BAVARIA YACHTS, as summarised by the new management in Giebelstadt.

All the planned restructuring milestones were met within a year. And upcoming projects, such as two new models for 2020, are also already planned. Michael Müller (CEO) and Dr. Ralph Kudla (CRO/CFO) have now strengthened their team with Jens Abromeit as the new COO. 

BAVARIA YACHTS has begun the new production season with full order books.

“The autumn trade fairs in the Netherlands, England, France, Italy, Norway and Germany began extremely well for us. Thanks to our new working hours model, which allows us to produce more boats in our winter peak season and deplete accumulated overtime hours in the summertime, we were able to optimise production and shorten delivery times. Furthermore, our restructuring measures in the shipyard are also taking effect. This results in a better handle on costs and quicker delivery of new boats,” reports Michael Müller, who has been the CEO of BAVARIA YACHTS since February 2019.

The management team has been reinforced by Jens Abromeit as COO.

The experienced graduate engineer will support Michael Müller and Dr. Ralph Kudla as a director. “Jens Abromeit has a wealth of know-how in series production. We are thrilled to have him on board,” explains Michael Müller.

The existing product range has been reworked for the new financial year. The CRUISER line sailing yachts start the new season with a new design, while the S-line motorboats attract customers with an attractive STYLE package and a saving of 20 per cent on options included in the package. Likewise, the new sailing yachts BAVARIA C45, C50 and C57 conquered important market segments in 2019. A new C-line sailing yacht and a new motorboat are already at the prototype construction stage.

The existing product range has been reworked for the new financial year.

The CRUISER line sailing yachts start the new season with a new design, while the S-line motorboats attract customers with an attractive STYLE package and a saving of 20 per cent on options included in the package. Likewise, the new sailing yachts BAVARIA C45, C50 and C57 conquered important market segments in 2019. A new C-line sailing yacht and a new motorboat are already at the prototype construction stage.