Design and Construction
Below the waterline the hull is solid fiberglass, with a reinforced Kevlar bow shield and extra laminate layers along the centerline plus a reinforced keel flange—details that speak to impact resistance in the most vulnerable zones hull reinforcement and keel flange. Floors are built from S-glass for added strength, while the topsides and deck are cored with Divinycell foam, a combination that trims weight and adds stiffness without sacrificing the solid lower hull. Every example was built under strict Germanischer Lloyd's guidelines, and the standard keel is a 6-foot-4-inch cast-iron section, with an optional lead keel and a 5-foot-4-inch shoal-draft version available in either material.
Rig and Handling
The standing rigging shows clear intent toward windward ability: the shrouds are inboard for tight sheeting angles and lead to single-pod chainplates that transfer rig loads to the hull through a tie rod below. A double-spreader Seldon mast carries a rigid boom vang and a conventional mainsail, while Furlex roller furling serves the headstay and a 7-ounce, 140-percent Elvstrom genoa is standard. The mainsheet traveler sits forward of the companionway, keeping the cockpit clear. Test sailors found her motion surprisingly easy, with little tendency to pound, a quality that pairs well with the deceptively large cockpit where the helmsman enjoys good visibility and leg support.
Accommodations
Both interior arrangements share elegant varnished mahogany joinerwork, a clean white molded overhead liner, and first-class appointments. Each plan begins with a V-berth cabin forward, a hanging locker to port, and a head to starboard. The saloon in the two-cabin version wraps a dinette to starboard with two comfortable opposing seats, while the C-shaped galley to port places the stove and oven outboard and two stainless sinks forward; the navigation station opposite holds a good-sized chart table, comfortable seat, and tool locker below. The two-cabin model places a large double aft cabin to starboard, whereas the three-cabin layout splits a smaller double to each side. Twelve-volt refrigeration is standard.
Deck and Equipment
On deck, the cockpit seats and sole are covered in teak, and steering is by Whitlock. A stainless steel anchor roller with an electric windlass sits in an external anchor locker as standard gear. Teak decks were a costly optional extra rather than standard fitment, and the generous cockpit footprint underscores the boat's charter-friendly roots without compromising the helmsman's sightlines.
The Verdict
The Bavaria 40 is a thoughtfully engineered aft-cockpit cruiser that balances volume production with genuine structural care: a solid glass hull with Kevlar bow reinforcement, foam-cored topsides, and Lloyd's-built discipline. The inboard shroud rig and forward traveler make for a clean cockpit and decent windward angles, while the two interior plans deliver polished mahogany finishes and a practical galley-nav station axis. Her easy motion and large cockpit suit couples and families alike.
Pros
- Solid fiberglass hull below waterline with Kevlar bow shield and reinforced keel flange
- Inboard shrouds and single-pod chainplates for tight sheeting angles
- Two well-appointed interior layouts with mahogany joinerwork and standard refrigeration
- Large, visibility-friendly cockpit with teak seating and Whitlock steering
Cons
- Teak decks a costly option rather than standard
- Aft-cockpit layout not the bluewater-oriented center-cockpit Ocean 40
