The builder intended this beamy, volume-driven monohull to combine club-racing competitiveness with easy family cruising. Canadian Boating captured that dual purpose neatly, describing the C45 as an all-around boat that can hold her own in club races but will be a family favorite at anchor on weekends.
Design and Construction
The C45 measures 45 feet 10 inches overall, with a 14-foot-7 beam and a displacement of 26,312 pounds. Cossutti gave her a plumb bow and beamy hull, while the flattened keel reduces wetted surface for better light-air performance.
Bavaria introduced VacuTech, its vacuum-infused sandwich construction, on this series to save weight without sacrificing structural integrity. The nearly vertical transom opens into a swim platform almost eight feet across. Gently angled steps to port make it easier for less mobile crew to move between the platform and cockpit.
A small molded-in bulwark along the side decks provides secure footing when the boat heels. Six oversized pop-up cleats are distributed around the deck for clean lead management. The builder describes the overall design and deck layout as clear and uncluttered—a picture of clarity in functional organization.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The C45 carries a 70-foot-9 keel-stepped Selden mast with double aft-swept spreaders. Its 9/10 fractional rig supports a sail plan of more than 1,300 square feet. A performance rig assists in perfect trimming, while halyards and sheets run aft inside the superstructure to keep the deck tidy.
Twin metal five-spoke wheels control a single deep, balanced rudder. The boat obeys every rudder movement, both under sail and while maneuvering in port.
On the test day reported by Canadian Boating, the C45 glided at 7.8 knots at 60 degrees apparent, held 7.2 knots when hardened to 40 degrees, and fell to 6.8 knots off at 150 degrees—evidence of a hull that is safe even under severe conditions when it comes to sailing performance.
The standard 57-hp Yanmar with Saildrive moves the boat efficiently. An optional 80-hp upgrade pushed the test boat to 8.1 knots at wide-open throttle on flat water.
Cockpit and Deck Equipment
The deep, fully enclosed cockpit separates working and leisure areas, allowing sailors to trim while others relax. The lounging area converts into twin sunbeds, supplemented by double sunpads on the bow and beneath the boom.
A drop-leaf cockpit table opens along the middle rather than from one side. Buyers can also specify an outdoor galley beneath the transom seats.
Sail trim and steering are handled from two aft pedestals. B&G instruments and multifunction displays are fitted on both sides, so the helmsperson needn’t move to check sailing data. An optional Sidepower bow thruster is controlled from the starboard helm. Digital switching puts most system controls on a screen rather than a conventional breaker panel.
Four winches handle sail setting and trimming. From the helmstand, the driver has a clear view of the navigation equipment, sails, and course ahead.
Accommodations
Below, the C45 provides nearly 600 square feet of accommodation. Layout options range from three to five cabins, with one or two heads, and two aft cabins are always included.
In the owner’s version, a nearly full-beam forward master cabin contains an island berth beneath twin overhead hatches. Its split head has a shower stall to port and a toilet and sink to starboard.
The starboard L-shaped galley includes Isotherm refrigeration drawers, twin sinks, a two-burner stove, and solid-surface countertops with molded fiddles. Interior wood choices are dark walnut, red mahogany, or light oak. USB ports are incorporated into the many reading lights.
Three equipment tiers—Holiday, Style, and Ambition—allow buyers to adjust the layout and gear. The Ambition package adds an open transom, taller rig, deeper keel, bowsprit for a Code 0, and upgraded sails.
Known Issues
None are documented in the available sources.
Verdict
The Bavaria C45 is a thoughtfully modern 45-footer that spans the racer-cruiser and family-charter markets without compromising either role. Cossutti’s beamy hull, flattened keel, and vacuum-infused sandwich construction provide considerable interior volume and credible speed. The clear deck layout, twin wheels, and single rudder also make the boat manageable whether sailed short-handed or with a crowd.
Its modular interior and three equipment tiers broaden its appeal, from private owner-cruisers to fleet operators.
Pros
- Beamy, volume-rich hull with nearly 600 square feet of accommodation and as many as five cabins
- VacuTech sandwich construction saves weight, while the flattened keel reduces wetted surface
- Strong performance across different wind angles, with safe handling under severe conditions
- Clear, uncluttered deck, with lines led aft and twin helms carrying full instrumentation
Cons
- Deep draft—7 feet 2 inches standard or 8 feet 2 inches with the performance option—limits thin-water cruising unless the 5-foot-8-inch shoal choice is specified
- Digital switching replaces a conventional breaker panel and may present a learning curve for some owners
