Design and Construction
Västerås Fiberplast laid up the Reimers-designed hull in solid fiberglass, with a long lead keel beneath it. The builder also offered the Bacchant IV as a home-completion kit, so finish quality can vary from one boat to another.
The long-keeled glassfibre hull was considered a perfect solution because it allowed the onboard systems to be installed low in the boat, and at sea she moves ever so steadily. The keel was offered in at least two long-keel lead variants with slightly different drafts, allowing the boat to settle into most marinas without drama.
A wooden gunwale replaces the perforated aluminum strip common on later production boats. It gives the topsides a streamlined appearance that period reviewers appreciated after decades of what they regarded as less attractive alternatives.
Rig, Stability, and Handling
The deck-stepped mast carries a masthead rig. From a Mediterranean viewpoint, the rig sits low and long on the hull; as a result, the Bacchant IV loves a fresh breeze.
Writing in Classic Sailor, the reviewer found that she behaves like a metric class boat. She can carry an exaggerated angle of heel without losing speed, spilling wind while remaining neutral on the helm.
Depending on the source, the ballast ratio is around 44 to 46 percent. Her displacement-length ratio falls within the ultra-heavy-cruiser band, so she is slim and deeply stable rather than racy. One database assessment puts her motion-comfort figure above 98 percent of comparable designs, while a capsize screening figure near 1.5 reinforces her offshore character. The low sail-area-to-displacement ratio, however, limits performance in light air.
Accommodations
Below, the Bacchant IV is well finished in the traditional manner of boats of this length. The starboard galley has two burners and a sink, all set amidships under the companionway.
Forward, symmetrical settees sit on either side of a walk-through head, with the WC to port and the basin to starboard. On some versions, the settees slide clear to open up the saloon. The forepeak contains a long, comfortable V-berth, and stowage is generous throughout the accommodation.
There’s nothing radical about the layout, but it is coherent and practical for extended cruising.
Known Issues
The only documented construction caveat concerns boats sold as home-completion kits. These 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, remains neutral on the helm, and carries her systems low in a solid fiberglass hull. Her wooden gunwale and traditional layout will appeal to classic-yacht buyers. However, because some boats were home-completed, a careful survey is essential.
Pros
- Long lead keel, low systems installation, steady motion, and a neutral helm when heeled
- Traditional layout with a walk-through head and ample stowage
- Wooden gunwale and classic offshore-cruiser profile
Cons
- Some boats were home-completed, so individual build quality may vary
- Low sail-area-to-displacement ratio limits light-air performance
