Design and Construction
The Cruiser 30 has a 27-foot waterline, a 10-foot-9 beam, and a displacement of 9,240 pounds, including 2,220 pounds of iron ballast. Its hull carries familiar cues from the era, including a slightly raked stem and sugar-scoop transom.
Bavaria offered deep and shallow fin keels, as well as a tandem configuration. The tandem keel pairs two vertical foil sections with a bulb beneath and draws just 4 feet 6 inches, compared with 6 feet 5 inches for the fin. One test boat carried an optional high-tech keel with twin foils joined by an iron bulb. The spade rudder has the same depth regardless of keel choice.
Bavaria’s standard construction method bonds the joinery units directly to the hull. Removable vinyl-covered plywood panels provide access to the deckhead. Owners describe the woodwork as chunky, substantial, and well finished, and it has worn well over the years.
Rig and Sail Handling
As was Bavaria’s habit at the time, the mast is stepped well forward, creating a notably skinny foretriangle. The fairly tall, slim, single-spreader mast is supported by unusual semi-intermediate shrouds running from the spreader tips to a midpoint below the hounds.
The genoa has moderate overlap, while the inboard shroud base allows a narrow sheeting angle. Towing cars were fitted to the test boat. The mainsheet arrangement is unconventional: the line runs from mid-boom to deck strong points forward of the companionway, then to the mast and aft to a coachroof winch. This applies a different pull angle on each tack.
Sail plans seen include a roller-furling genoa and Seldén in-mast furling mainsail, trimmed from a cabin-top winch. A full-batten in-mast rig and a standard rig were also available anchor.
Performance Under Sail and Power
Under way, the Cruiser 30 proved dry and lively. Sailing closehauled in puffy northeast winds off Marblehead, the tester couldn’t get her to splash a drop into the cockpit. In 10 knots, with stronger gusts, she surged along at 5.5 to 6 knots with a smooth motion and tacked easily through about 105 degrees.
She turned on a dime under both sail and the 18-horsepower Volvo saildrive. When backing, there was only a slight initial starboard prop walk, which was quickly overcome. Despite the drag from the fixed two-bladed prop and a known slightly stern-heavy trim, her light-air performance is more than respectable for a high-volume cruiser, and she sails pretty well overall.
Cockpit and Accommodations
The cockpit is a decent size, although the helm console and table occupy much of it. The wheel is positioned right aft to maximize the available space. Self-tailing Lewmar 30 primary winches sit at the ends of the coamings, within easy reach.
Below, the Cruiser 30 is roomy and warmly finished in wood, with close to 6 feet of headroom almost everywhere. Double berths are fitted in the fore and aft cabins; the berths are a sensible length, and stowage is good.
The conventional peninsular galley is to port and has generous fiddles. Opposite, the navigation station includes a decent chart table. Forward of the galley, a foldout table sits between the settees. The heads compartment is exceptionally roomy for a 30-footer and includes a holding tank.
Engine, Tankage, and Refit Considerations
The standard engine is an 18-horsepower Volvo saildrive. Tankage is 25 gallons of diesel and 40 gallons of water. The tested boat’s saildrive and fixed propeller reflected the base specification.
Owners considering a windlass need to account for an important construction detail. If a windlass is specified during the build, part of the anchor-well moulding is changed, according to online owner research.
Verdict
The Bavaria Cruiser 30 is a thoughtfully laid-out small cruiser that punches above her production weight under sail. Her forward-stepped mast and tandem-keel option broaden her cruising range, while the roomy heads and joinery that has worn well help make time aboard pleasant.
She isn’t a performance thoroughbred, but she is a capable, dry, and maneuverable family coastal yacht.
Pros
- Dry sailing, a quick helm, easy tacking, and tight turns under power and sail
- Tandem keel opens shallow-water cruising with a 4-foot-6-inch draft
- Roomy, well-finished interior with exceptionally large heads for her size
- In-mast furling and reachable primary winches make short-handed sailing easier
Cons
- Slightly stern-heavy trim and a fixed two-bladed prop dull performance
- Unconventional mainsheet geometry and a skinny foretriangle limit rig tuning
- Helm console and table take up much of the cockpit
