Design and Construction
The Bavaria Cruiser 39 measures 39' 2" overall and 35' 2" on the waterline, with a 13-foot beam and a draft of 6' 1". It displaces 18,260 pounds and carries a 5,511-pound iron ballast bulb.
Below the waterline, the hull is solid laminate; above it, the structure becomes an Airex-cored sandwich. This construction split keeps structural mass low where it matters and saves weight aloft. Glassed-in hat-section frames stiffen the shell, while Kevlar reinforcement in the bow improves impact resistance against mooring mishaps and debris.
The cast-iron ballast keel is secured with stainless-steel keelbolts, double-nutted and backed by washers. It’s a methodical fastening detail that inspires confidence in the structural chain to the hull. A spade rudder and fractional-sloop rig, carrying 890 square feet of working sail, complete a profile intended for predictable cruising rather than extremes.
Rig, Handling, and Tankage
Test sailors found that the Bavaria Cruiser 39 rounded up strongly in gusts when close-hauled. The tendency persisted even with full rudder applied, until the crew reduced sail area considerably. Once reefed, however, the boat remained quick and responsive. That suggests a sail-balance issue under full canvas rather than a fundamental vice.
The Volvo engine, paired with a saildrive and 55 gallons of diesel, provides a sensible power reserve for a hull of this displacement. Water capacity is 95 gallons, supporting extended periods at anchor without constant reprovisioning.
Accommodations
The three-cabin layout has two cabins aft and one forward. In a 39-footer, that arrangement naturally dictates an along-the-side galley in the saloon. Although less sociable than an island galley, it leaves space for a full-size nav table—a genuine benefit for passage planning—and a roomy aft head.
The forward master cabin offers plenty of space, with a large berth, a dressing seat, and a private head. Together, these features make the boat feel larger than its length suggests.
Deck and Cockpit
The cruising emphasis continues on deck. Substantial double anchor rollers sit on the stemhead, while the large steering console is sized to hold modern big-screen navigation aids.
Access forward from the transom entryway would be difficult without the optional Lewmar folding wheel, which Cruising World regarded as a practical necessity rather than a luxury. With it, the cockpit balances a serious helming station against the need for a clear walk-through. The substantial ground-tackle provision forward also signals that the boat was intended to anchor out routinely rather than simply hop between shelters.
The Verdict
Writing in Cruising World, reviewers described the Bavaria 39 Cruiser as a purpose-built cruiser with a roomy, well-organized interior and a construction approach that combines solid lower laminate with cored topsides and Kevlar reinforcement in the bow.
The tendency to round up when close-hauled in gusts under full sail is the main handling caveat, but earlier reefing manages it easily. Otherwise, the package comes across as a well-considered family coastal cruiser.
Pros
- Three-cabin layout with a large forward master berth, dressing seat, and private head
- Full-size nav table and roomy aft head within a 39-foot footprint
- Solid hull below the waterline, with Airex coring above and Kevlar reinforcement in the bow
- Double-nutted stainless-steel keelbolts securing the cast-iron ballast
- Folding wheel and large cockpit console well suited to modern cruising electronics
Cons
- Rounds up strongly in gusts under full sail until reefed
- Cabin count dictates an along-the-side saloon galley, which is less sociable than an island arrangement
