Design and Construction
The hull is hand-laid fiberglass, solid below the waterline, with Kevlar-reinforced bow sections. The design brief described performance hulls with loads of space for comfortable surroundings.
Above the waterline, the 40 Vision has a beamy hull, relatively low coachroof, cat’s-eye ports, and Bavaria’s telltale blue stripe along the coachroof. Teak decks were fitted. Large windows create the deck-saloon look, while two forward-facing windows and fixed hull ports bring plenty of light into the accommodations.
The chainplates are inboard, leaving wide side decks and making the trip forward under way worry-free. At the stern, a drop-down transom door opens onto a sturdy swim platform with a fold-away ladder and nearby deck shower.
Steering is through a chain-driven system with twin wheels. Testers found the helm light, though they noted a bit of slop in the twin-wheel arrangement.
Rig and Sailing Performance
The 40 Vision carries a fractional Seldén rig with in-mast furling, with a conventional configuration also available. The test boats had a tall, two-spreader Seldén section, Seldén’s in-mast furling, solid boom vangs in the form of Seldén Rodkickers, and Furlex roller furlers on the genoas.
The Elvström Sobstad sails used up-rated cloth and roughly 140 to 145 percent genoas. The in-mast mains had vertical battens, with the first two battens marking the reefs. Six Lewmar winches—all two-speed and self-tailing—handled the sheets. Owners could specify larger winches or electric primaries.
Under sail, the boat proved surprisingly quick. Testers logged six to seven knots on the wind in 10 knots of breeze at about 40 degrees, and she tacked easily through 100 degrees. On a reach, she dug in and held a straight line without a hand on the wheel until it was time to come about.
Cockpit and Deck
Wide side decks make it easy to move forward, but period testing identified a few practical drawbacks. The cockpit coamings on the 40 are narrower than those on the 44, and their stepped surfaces provide a less secure foothold.
The high roofline also means shorter crew may not be able to reach some hatches to open them.
Accommodations
Below, the 40 Vision has a three-cabin, one-head layout. Concentrating the sanitary space in a single head opens up the saloon while preserving a spacious forward owner’s cabin. The trade-off is straightforward: some buyers will simply dislike having only one head on a three-cabin boat.
The saloon centers on a portside U-shaped dinette. To starboard is a curved lounge with a folding table that allows the area to seat six or eight. The walkthrough from the saloon to all three cabins is on one level.
Forward, the owner’s cabin has a queen berth and no forward head, with two smaller lockers flanking the berth. The aft cabins are genuinely large, with standing room, a changing seat, hanging and stowage space, an opening hatch and port, and a fixed hull port.
At the foot of the companionway, the portside galley is L-shaped and fitted with stainless-steel double sinks, front-opening refrigerators, a 12-volt ice chest, a two-burner propane stove with oven, Corian countertops, and room for a microwave.
The head is to starboard and includes an electric loo, a seated shower with a two-position rose, and a vanity. The forward-facing nav station has fiddled desktops, space for paper charts, and room for electronics chosen by the owner.
Interior Details and Caveats
A plywood trim board runs behind the deck-saloon ports. It presents a tempting handhold in a seaway, particularly near the galley, but its apparent heft looked insufficient to trust. Period reviews also called for sealant at the ends of the floorboards.
The Verdict
The Bavaria 40 Vision is a thoughtfully packaged deck-saloon cruiser that fits remarkable volume and light into a 41-foot hull without giving up the quick, easy sailing character J&J gave it. The in-mast furling rig, wide side decks, and one-level walkthrough make her forgiving to handle and comfortable to live aboard. Meanwhile, the single-head arrangement creates real space in the saloon and forward cabin.
Most of the drawbacks stem from the layout’s compromises and a few detailing choices rather than any structural shortfall.
Pros
- Three-cabin, one-head plan opens up the saloon and forward cabin
- Quick under sail, easy to tack, and steady on a reach
- Inboard chainplates and wide side decks ease foredeck work
- Bright deck saloon with large windows, forward-facing windows, and fixed hull ports
- Drop-down transom with swim platform and deck shower
Cons
- Single head may not suit some crews
- High roofline limits hatch access for shorter sailors
- Narrow cockpit coamings provide a less secure foothold
- Plywood trim board looks too lightly built to trust as a handhold in a seaway
