Design and Construction
At 13.10 meters overall, with a 3.99-meter beam and a displacement of 9,400 kilograms, the Bavaria 43 Cruiser is a beamy, volume-driven yacht. Bavaria gave it a classic cruising layout and a straightforward rig intended to make a large boat easy to sail.
The fiberglass laminate is hand-laid, with solid laminate below the waterline and foam-cored topsides. Kevlar reinforces the bow area. Tie-rods connect the chainplates to a stainless steel ring frame that girds the hull, carrying rigging loads into a glassed-in hull grid.
Around the keelbolts, Bavaria describes the hull as 35mm thick, with ten locknutted keelbolts and steel backing plates epoxied in place to help spread the load into the hull. The standard fin keel draws 1.85 meters, while the optional lead keel increases draft to 2.10 meters.
Rig and Handling
The mast-forward rig serves two purposes. It produces a mainsail-dominant sail plan, keeping the headsail to a comfortably manageable size for a boat of this length. Below, it also preserves a clear sightline across the saloon, from the port-side in-line galley to the U-shaped dining lounge opposite.
A German mainsheet system leads the two-part sheet down both sidedecks to a winch immediately ahead of each helm station. The helmsman can reach the mainsheet winch from the wheel and has good foot support when the boat heels. The genoa cars have control lines that can be adjusted from the cockpit, and the winches proved capable of handling the large headsail near the top of its wind range.
Test sailors found no quirks in the Bavaria’s handling. In gusts well over 20 knots, she went where she was pointed. With the main and jib set on a deep reach, she recorded a top speed of 8.5 knots in 15 to 20 knots of true breeze.
The standard engine is a 40-horsepower Volvo Penta, although a 55-horsepower unit was fitted as the Australian standard. At a relaxed 2,500 rpm, the standard 40-horsepower engine pushed the hull to 7.3 knots over the ground.
Accommodation
Below deck, the lasting impression is of space, light, and air. The mast-forward arrangement allows for a large forward owner’s cabin with an ensuite head. Aft, two guest cabins share a second, sizable head with a separate shower stall. A movable longitudinal bulkhead between the aft cabins allows the owner to reconfigure them into one large cabin and one small cabin.
The settee accommodates as many people as the boat can sleep. An optional pedestal lowers the table to create a vast double berth. Storage is provided throughout the saloon, galley, and cabins.
Five opening ports and three hatches serve the saloon, providing excellent ventilation. A car-style fabric headliner gives the interior a finished appearance. The forward berth is wide enough for a tall sailor to stretch out sideways, while the navigation station is a proper, full-sized working area. Its movable stool slots into holes in the cabin floor.
Cockpit and Deck
Twin wheels keep the route to the transom open and provide access to a large swim platform. Contoured helm seats with deep backrests give the skipper useful lumbar support on a long passage.
Teak in the cockpit is standard. The engine control sits on top of the gunwale—a logical location that the reviewer wished every boat adopted. The test boat also carried a good bimini, with windows clear enough to see the masthead. That arrangement was useful when sailing in gusty, unfamiliar conditions.
Verdict
The Bavaria 43 Cruiser is a thoughtfully arranged, spacious cruising yacht. Its structural grid, configurable aft cabins, and cockpit-focused sail controls suit a couple or family who sometimes cruise with guests. It sails cleanly off the wind and is undemanding to steer in a strong breeze, but its main attractions are living space and easy handling rather than sparkling light-air performance.
Pros
- Mainsail-dominant rig keeps the headsail manageable and preserves the saloon sightline
- Movable bulkhead allows the aft cabins to be reconfigured
- Optional table pedestal creates a vast settee berth
- Rigging loads feed into a stainless steel ring frame and glassed-in grid
- Twin wheels provide access to the transom swim platform
- Contoured helm seats offer useful support
Cons
- Mainsail-dominant sail plan is less eager in light air than a headsail-driven rig
- Standard 1.85-meter keel limits access to shallow anchorages; the lead-keel option draws 2.10 meters
