Design and Construction
Bavaria Yachts built the 47 Cruiser in Germany as a solid-fiberglass-hulled aft-cockpit yacht. The 11.27-tonne half-load displacement gives her the mass typical of a four-cabin cruiser intended for extended coastal and offshore use rather than bareboat sprints. With a 1.87-meter draft and 4.39-meter beam, the hull proportions favor interior volume and stability over ultralight performance, a trade well matched to the boat's guest-carrying brief.
Rig and Engine
Propulsion comes from a single 75-horsepower Volvo Penta D2 diesel, an engine option that places her at the upper end of auxiliary power for a boat this size and supports confident docking and charging anchor. The 208-liter fuel capacity pairs with a 455-liter fresh-water tank, giving a cruising range and autonomy suited to the eight-person guest capacity without frequent resupply stops.
Accommodations
The 47 Cruiser was laid out with four guest cabins accommodating up to eight people, a configuration that explains her strong presence in the charter-derived used fleet. The aft-cockpit format places the social and steering space aft, with the cabin plan organized around the beamy 4.39-meter midsection to maximize berth and stowage space across the four compartments.
The Verdict
The Bavaria 47 Cruiser is a disciplined example of the modern production cruiser: a Germany-built, solid-fiberglass aft-cockpit yacht with the volume and tankage to support eight guests in four cabins, backed by a substantial 75-horsepower diesel. She is a practical, well-tanked platform rather than a lightweight racer, and her discontinued status reflects a defined 2010–2014 production run rather than any deficiency in the concept.
Pros
- Four guest cabins with eight-person capacity in a 47-foot aft-cockpit hull
- 75 hp Volvo Penta D2 diesel with 208 L fuel and 455 L water for real autonomy
- Solid fiberglass construction from a major German builder
Cons
- 1.87 m draft limits shallow-water gunkholing compared with centerboard cruisers
- Discontinued model, so production-era support parts may require sourcing through brokers
