Design and Construction
Below the waterline, the hull is solid fiberglass. A reinforced Kevlar bow shield, extra laminate along the centerline, and a reinforced keel flange add impact resistance in the most vulnerable areas. The floors are made from S-glass for additional strength, while Divinycell foam cores the topsides and deck to reduce weight and add stiffness without giving up the solid lower hull.
Every Bavaria 40 was built under strict Germanischer Lloyd’s guidelines. The standard keel is a 6-foot-4-inch cast-iron section. Buyers could also choose an optional lead keel or a 5-foot-4-inch shoal-draft version in either material.
Rig, Cockpit, and Handling
The standing rigging shows a clear emphasis on windward ability. Inboard shrouds allow tight sheeting angles and lead to single-pod chainplates, which transfer rig loads to the hull through a tie rod below.
A double-spreader Seldon mast carries a conventional mainsail and rigid boom vang. Furlex roller furling serves the headstay, and a 7-ounce, 140-percent Elvstrom genoa is standard. The mainsheet traveler is mounted forward of the companionway, leaving the cockpit clear.
Test sailors found the Bavaria 40’s motion surprisingly easy, with little tendency to pound. That quality pairs well with the deceptively large cockpit, where the helmsman has good visibility and leg support. Teak covers the cockpit seats and sole, and steering is by Whitlock. The generous cockpit reflects the boat’s charter-friendly roots without compromising sightlines from the helm.
Deck and Equipment
A stainless steel anchor roller, electric windlass, and external anchor locker are standard equipment. Full teak decks were available as a costly option rather than as standard fitment.
Accommodations
The Bavaria 40 came with a choice of two interior arrangements. Both feature elegant varnished mahogany joinerwork, a clean white molded overhead liner, and first-class appointments. Each plan begins with a forward V-berth cabin, with a hanging locker to port and a head to starboard.
In the two-cabin version, the saloon wraps a dinette to starboard with two comfortable opposing seats. The C-shaped galley is to port, with the stove and oven outboard and two stainless steel sinks forward. Opposite, the navigation station includes a good-sized chart table, a comfortable seat, and a tool locker below. Twelve-volt refrigeration is standard.
The two-cabin model has one large double aft cabin to starboard. In the three-cabin layout, that area is divided into smaller double cabins on either side.
Verdict
The Bavaria 40 is a thoughtfully engineered aft-cockpit cruiser that combines volume production with genuine structural care. Its solid fiberglass lower hull, Kevlar bow reinforcement, foam-cored topsides, and construction under Germanischer Lloyd’s guidelines form a reassuring package.
Inboard shrouds provide decent windward sheeting angles, while the forward traveler keeps the cockpit clear. Below, both interior plans offer polished mahogany finishes and a practical relationship between the galley and navigation station. Its easy motion and large cockpit suit couples and families alike.
Pros
- Solid fiberglass hull below the waterline, with a 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 cockpit with good visibility, teak seating, and Whitlock steering
Cons
- Teak decks were a costly option rather than standard
- The aft-cockpit layout isn’t the bluewater-oriented center-cockpit arrangement of the separate Ocean 40
