Design and Construction
Below the waterline the hull is solid glass-reinforced plastic, with a Kevlar-reinforced bow section built for impact resistance on ocean routes anchor. The traditional shoebox joint where hull meets deck is both glued and bolted, and the keel is iron—a material that demands diligent upkeep to keep rust bleed at bay. At 24,912 pounds displacement with 8,157 pounds of ballast (a 33 percent ballast-to-displacement ratio) and a capsize screening figure of 1.91, her numbers describe a stable, moderately stiff cruiser rather than a featherweight racer. She carries her beam well aft and measures 14 feet 8 inches across, putting her at the upper limit for standard 15-metre berths, while the 40-foot-2-inch waterline and 6-foot-11-inch deep fin keel (the common version) give her a wetted profile suited to loaded passage-making. A shallow-draft option existed for those working the Bahamas or UK east coast.
Rig and Handling
The 47 is a masthead sloop, typically with in-mast furling, and the rig provides enough drive to move her significant displacement in light airs anchor. With a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 23.0 and a displacement-to-length ratio of 172, she is firmly in the cruising band—not quick off the line but steady and forgiving. Under power, a 50 to 75 horsepower Volvo Penta delivers a comfortable 7.5 knots at 2,200 RPM and a near-8.5-knot top speed. The sugar-scoop stern and later-version dual wheels make her easy to board and manage in Mediterranean-style anchorages.
Accommodations
Inside, the layout is typically three or four cabins; the four-cabin arrangement places two doubles aft and two forward, often in bunk format, and remains functional rather than cramped. A linear galley to port is a hallmark of the era, offering extensive workspace and stowage. Tankage runs about 101 gallons of fuel and 132 gallons of water, supporting extended time away from shore. The cockpit is built for social use, with a large fixed table and, on later hulls, twin steering stations.
Known Issues
The iron keel is the principal maintenance watchpoint—left unchecked, it can show rust bleeding through the surrounding structure. The shoebox hull-to-deck joint is glued and bolted, a conventional arrangement that rewards routine inspection of the bond and fasteners.
Refits and Ownership
Owners shopping a 47 should budget for keel paint and corrosion monitoring as a baseline. The in-mast furling rig and Volvo Penta diesel are mainstream cruising components, and the beam-aft hull with sugar-scoop transom lends itself to swim-platform and canvas additions without structural modification.
The Verdict
The Bavaria 47 is a thoughtfully engineered volume-production cruiser that wears its ocean rating honestly. She is roomy without being bloated, driven by a rig that suits light-air passages, and built with a reinforced bow and bolted joint that age predictably with care.
Pros
- Kevlar-reinforced bow and CE A ocean certification for serious cruising
- Four-cabin layout that stays usable rather than cramped
- Strong tankage and a powerful masthead rig for her displacement
Cons
- Iron keel requires ongoing rust prevention
- Displacement and D/L ratios put her on the slow, heavy side of the cruising spectrum
