The 1999 design struck such a chord with buyers that its first year’s production sold out before the prototype left the factory. It remained in production for almost a decade. Don’t confuse it with the later Farr-designed Cruiser 34, a separate model that shares the Cruiser 34 name.
Design and Construction
A huge investment in production engineering allowed Bavaria to offer the 34 at a surprisingly low price for its size. That factory discipline is apparent in the construction details.
At the Bavaria plant in 2001, CNC machines automatically cut and lacquered all plywood for the bulkheads and furniture. Workers then assembled the pieces into modules that were dropped straight into the hull. A laser-guided jig aligned the keel so that it sat in exactly the right place.
The hull has an iron bulb keel, offered in shallow 1.35m and deep 1.85m fin versions. The shallow keel carries additional ballast to keep its stability close to that of the deeper boat. Displacement is 12,566 pounds, with 3,175 pounds of ballast. The 11.8-foot beam provides much of the volume that helped make the model a sales success.
The onboard systems were also well engineered. Service items such as shower sump pumps and filters are positioned where they can be reached without a struggle.
Rig and Handling
The Bavaria 34 carries a two-spreader 9/10 fractional rig designed around large, overlapping genoas rather than the self-tacking jibs found on newer boats. Buyers could choose either in-mast or slab reefing. Standard equipment included Furlex headsail reefing and Seldén single-line mainsail reefing.
A bifurcated backstay above the helm leaves the transom clear for access. The primary winches are close enough to the wheel for a singlehander to tack from the helm. However, the mainsheet runs through a clutch on the coachroof, so even small trim changes become a two-person job unless there’s a decent autopilot aboard.
Under sail, the Bavaria 34 handles cleanly with no undue vices, particularly in deep-draught form. Its large, fairly powerful genoa is best reefed before the mainsail. The cockpit feels safe and secure: roomy enough to move around, but narrow enough for the crew to brace against the windward side.
Accommodation
The Bavaria 34 provides excellent accommodation for its length, including a good-sized saloon and a proper forward-facing chart table with its own seat. Buyers could choose two or three double cabins, although most boats were delivered with two. The three-cabin layout suits families with older children.
In the two-cabin version, the forward owner’s cabin has decent stowage and ample standing room, though the berth becomes a little small toward its forward end. On three-cabin boats, the heads is to port ahead of the saloon. This reduces the forward cabin’s floor area to about half that of the two-cabin layout.
The galley is on the small side. It has a single-bowl sink, while the lid of the cool-box-style fridge takes up most of the counter. Some details, including the small central wheel, now look dated.
Engine and Known Issues
The standard engine is a 20hp Volvo Penta 2020 driving a saildrive. It’s arguably a little undersized, and a good number of boats were delivered with the larger 28hp 2030 instead.
Otherwise, the model’s record centers on the trade-off between these two engines rather than structural or systems defects.
Refits and Ownership
Bavarias of this period left the factory lightly equipped—even the anchor was an extra—so buyers should assess what later owners have added over the years.
Routine maintenance benefits from the well-planned access to items such as sump pumps and filters. The CNC-built interior modules also produced consistent joinery. The main variables inherited by a buyer are the deep- or shallow-keel configuration and the choice between in-mast and slab reefing.
The Verdict
The Bavaria 34 is a thoughtfully engineered, spacious cruiser that offered more accommodation than its price might suggest and sailed without vice. Its disciplined production is evident in details such as the laser-aligned keel and accessible systems. The small galley and dated wheel show the boat’s age, however, and the standard engine can feel underpowered.
Pros
- Excellent accommodation for its length, with a proper chart table
- Secure cockpit
- Clean handling under sail, especially in deep-draught form
- Laser-aligned keel and accessible service items reflect strong production engineering
Cons
- Standard 20hp engine is arguably undersized
- Small galley, with a single-bowl sink and a fridge lid that dominates the counter
- Small central wheel feels dated
- Light standard-equipment list
