Design and Construction
The defining character of the Bavaria Cruiser 42 is its maximised internal volume, achieved through relatively high freeboard and a wide beam carried well aft anchor. Those hulls were built using hand-laid solid fiberglass below the waterline, with a sandwich core above for insulation and weight savings, while most units carry cast iron keels. The use of fiberglass gives a durable, low-maintenance shell suited to the yard's production methods. The series—covering the classic 42, the 42 Ocean, and the later 42 Cruiser—earned CE Category A (Ocean) certification, confirming the vessels are built for extended voyages where wind can exceed force 8 Beaufort and seas reach four metres and above.
Rig and Handling
The Bavaria Cruiser 42 carries a masthead sloop rig conceived for straightforward handling, frequently fitted with in-mast furling and a large furling genoa, and with all control lines led aft it is entirely manageable short-handed. Total upwind canvas runs about 920 square feet, split between a 393-square-foot main and a 527-square-foot foresail, on a 54-foot-2-inch forestay. At a displacement of 20,282 pounds with 6,614 pounds of ballast, the moderate 32.6 percent ballast ratio means the hull form itself supplies much of the initial stability anchor. Under sail she is predictable but sensitive to over-canvassing, and her steady motion in a seaway rewards early reefing to keep heeling and weather helm in check. The tall freeboard does generate windage that can complicate docking single-handed in a crosswind.
Accommodations
Below decks the Bavaria Cruiser 42 feels beamier and more spacious than comparable designs, though the finish leans utilitarian. The saloon typically places a large U-shaped settee to starboard opposite a linear galley to port, and the exceptionally wide cockpit carries a central table that becomes the social centre at anchor. The later Cruiser models added twin wheels for clear visibility and a walk-through to the sugar-scoop stern. With roughly 95 gallons of water and 55 gallons of diesel, the layout supports island hopping and coastal cruising without constant reprovisioning.
Known Issues
Prospective owners should look for the so-called Bavaria smile—a crack at the leading edge of the keel-to-hull joint anchor—and for bleeding or rust on the iron keel that may demand sandblasting and epoxy treatment. Volvo Penta advises renewing the saildrive diaphragm rubber seal every seven years, and the spade rudder deserves a check for excessive play, a concern inherent to J&J's large rudders that load their bearings heavily. In earlier models, mahogany veneers can darken or peel if deck hatches leak persistently.
Refits and Ownership
Most examples are powered by the Volvo Penta D2-55, a 55-horsepower diesel more than adequate for the displacement, which simplifies drivetrain familiarity across the fleet. The Category A certification and steady sea motion make the design a sound platform for those upgrading systems or extending cruising range, while the wide beam and linear galley of the Cruiser versions reward owners who prioritise entertaining at anchor.
The Verdict
The Bavaria Cruiser 42 is a rational, volume-driven cruiser that trades a little finish elegance for genuine livability and predictable, if windage-prone, handling. Its CE Category A rating and J&J hull logic make it a credible coastal and offshore companion, provided the keel joint, iron keel, and rudder bearings are surveyed honestly.
Pros
- Maximised interior volume from high freeboard and beam carried aft
- CE Category A (Ocean) certification across the 42, Ocean, and Cruiser
- Manageable short-handed with in-mast furling and lines led aft
- 55 hp Volvo Penta D2-55 well matched to displacement
Cons
- Keel-to-hull crack ("Bavaria smile") and iron-keel rust to inspect
- Spade rudder play from heavily loaded J&J bearings
- High freeboard windage when docking single-handed in crosswinds
- Earlier-model veneers vulnerable to hatch leaks
