The broader Bavaria 42 series includes several distinct iterations that reflect the evolution of the Giebelstadt-based shipyard. The Slovenian firm launched the best-known “Classic” version in the late 1990s, while the later 42 Cruiser was produced from 2004 to 2008 with a redesigned deck and updated interior.
Design and Construction
The Bavaria Cruiser 42’s defining feature is its generous interior volume, created by relatively high freeboard and a wide beam carried well aft. The hulls were built with hand-laid solid fiberglass below the waterline and a sandwich core above, providing insulation and saving weight. Most boats have cast-iron keels.
The fiberglass construction provides a durable, low-maintenance shell suited to the yard’s production methods. The series—including the classic 42, the 42 Ocean, and the later 42 Cruiser—earned CE Category A (Ocean) certification. This confirms that the boats are built for extended voyages where winds may exceed Force 8 on the Beaufort scale and seas may reach four metres or more.
Rig and Handling
The Bavaria Cruiser 42 has a masthead sloop rig designed for straightforward handling. Boats were frequently fitted with in-mast furling and a large furling genoa. With all control lines led aft, the boat is manageable short-handed.
Total upwind sail area is about 920 square feet, comprising a 393-square-foot mainsail and a 527-square-foot foresail. The forestay measures 54 feet 2 inches. Displacement is 20,282 pounds, including 6,614 pounds of ballast. With a moderate 32.6 percent ballast ratio, much of the initial stability comes from the hull form.
Under sail, the 42 is predictable but sensitive to carrying too much canvas. Its steady motion in a seaway rewards early reefing, which helps keep heel and weather helm under control. The tall freeboard creates windage, however, and can complicate single-handed docking in a crosswind.
Cockpit and Accommodations
Below decks, the Bavaria Cruiser 42 feels beamier and more spacious than comparable designs, although the finish is more utilitarian than elegant. The saloon typically has a large U-shaped settee to starboard and a linear galley opposite to port.
The exceptionally wide cockpit has a central table that becomes the social centre at anchor. Later Cruiser models added twin wheels, improving visibility and leaving a walk-through to the sugar-scoop stern. Owners who prioritise entertaining at anchor may particularly appreciate the Cruiser versions’ wide beam and linear galley.
Tankage is roughly 95 gallons of water and 55 gallons of diesel, supporting island-hopping and coastal cruising without constant reprovisioning.
Engine and Cruising Use
Most examples are powered by the 55-horsepower Volvo Penta D2-55 diesel. It is more than adequate for the boat’s displacement, while its widespread use simplifies drivetrain familiarity across the fleet.
The Category A certification and steady motion at sea make the design a sound platform for owners upgrading systems or extending their cruising range.
Known Issues
Prospective owners should inspect the keel joint for the so-called “Bavaria smile,” a crack at the leading edge of the keel-to-hull joint. Bleeding or rust on the cast-iron keel may require sandblasting and epoxy treatment.
Volvo Penta advises renewing the saildrive diaphragm rubber seal every seven years. The spade rudder also deserves inspection for excessive play, a concern inherent to J&J’s large rudders, which place heavy loads on their bearings. On earlier models, mahogany veneers may darken or peel if deck hatches leak persistently.
The Verdict
The Bavaria Cruiser 42 is a practical, volume-driven cruiser that trades some elegance in its finish for genuine livability and predictable handling. Windage from the high freeboard is the main handling compromise, particularly when docking single-handed in a crosswind.
Its CE Category A rating and J&J hull logic make it a credible coastal and offshore companion, provided the keel joint, cast-iron keel, and rudder bearings receive an honest survey.
Pros
- Generous interior volume from high freeboard and beam carried aft
- CE Category A (Ocean) certification across the 42, 42 Ocean, and 42 Cruiser
- Manageable short-handed with in-mast furling and control lines led aft
- 55 hp Volvo Penta D2-55 well matched to the displacement
Cons
- Keel-to-hull crack known as the “Bavaria smile” and cast-iron keel rust require inspection
- Potential spade-rudder play from heavily loaded J&J bearings
- High-freeboard windage when docking single-handed in crosswinds
- Earlier-model veneers are vulnerable to persistent hatch leaks
