Design and Construction
Reimers' hand shows in a hull that Västerås Fiberplast laid up in solid fiberglass, with a long keel of lead beneath it — though the builder also offered the model as a home-completion kit, so finish quality between individual boats can vary. The long-keeled glassfibre hull was a perfect solution as it allowed all the onboard systems to be placed low down and at sea the boat moves ever so steadily. A wooden gunwale replaces the holed aluminum strip common on later production boats, lending the topsides a streamlined look that period reviewers appreciated after decades of anti-aesthetic alternatives. The keel itself came in at least two long-keel lead variants with slightly different drafts, letting the boat settle into most marinas without drama.
Rig and Handling
The mast is stepped on deck and carries a masthead rig, which from a Mediterranean viewpoint sits low and long on the hull; the consequence is a boat that loves a fresh breeze. Writing in Classic Sailor, the reviewer found she behaves like a metric class boat, able to carry an exaggerated angle of heel without losing speed, spilling wind yet remaining neutral on the helm. Her ballast ratio sits near 44 to 46 percent depending on source, and with a displacement-length ratio in the ultra-heavy-cruiser band she is slim and deeply stable rather than racy. One database assessment places her motion-comfort figure above 98 percent of comparable designs, and her capsize screening near 1.5 reinforces the offshore character.
Accommodations
Below, the interior is well finished in the perfect tradition of boats of this length, with a starboard galley holding two burners and a sink set amidships under the companionway. Forward, symmetrical settees — on some versions sliding clear to open the saloon — sit either side of a walk-through head with the WC to port and basin to starboard. The forepeak carries a lengthy and comfortable V-berth, and stowage is generous throughout the accommodation. Nothing about the plan is radical, but it is coherent and practical for extended cruising.
Known Issues
The only documented construction caveat is that boats sold as home-completion kits may show inconsistent build quality from one example to the next.
The Verdict
The Bacchant IV is a Reimers-designed long-keel cruiser that rewards patient sailing: she stands up to heel, stays neutral on the helm, and carries her systems low in a solid glass hull. The wooden gunwale and traditional layout will appeal to classic-yacht buyers, while the home-build option means a careful survey is essential.
Pros
- Long-keel lead hull with low, steady motion and neutral helm when heeled
- Traditional layout with walk-through head and ample stowage
- Wooden gunwale and classic offshore cruiser profile
Cons
- Some boats home-completed, so individual build quality may vary
- Low sail-area-to-displacement ratio limits light-air performance
