Design and Construction
The Cruiser 51's hull form is defined by proportions that favor room and moderate displacement over racing lean. With a length-to-beam ratio of 2.98 and a beam-to-maximum-beam ratio of 86 percent, the yacht is broad for its length, and a displacement-to-length ratio of 147 places her firmly in the moderate-displacement cruiser class rather than the light-displacement end anchor. The transom shows some shape and a slight rake rather than a near-vertical profile, and the turn to the bilge at the transom is on the soft side, a deliberate departure from the hard corner of a chine. There is no chine aft at all. Twin rudders are fitted, and the deck carries a teak overlay with all hatches flush to the surface, while the cabintrunk is nicely sculpted rather than boxy. Below, four long rectangular deadlights set into the hull sides bring additional light into the accommodation.
Rig and Handling
Above the deck, the fractional sloop rig carries a headstay that almost reaches the masthead, with just enough clearance left at the top to keep a spinnaker clear of the stay when set. The spreaders are swept, and the chainplates are mounted just inboard of the rail on the deck rather than on the hull itself. A sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 22.81 indicates a moderately powered cruising rig suited to steady windward performance without demanding crew athleticism. Buyers could choose between two keel options, with drafts of 6 feet 1 inch or 7 feet 5 inches, allowing some tailoring to cruising grounds.
Accommodations
Bavaria offered the 51 in three interior layouts: three, four, or five cabins, with all versions carrying three heads. The two quarter cabins aft each have their own head, and the main cabin holds a nav station aft to port with the galley forward of it stretching down the port side, while the dinette uses a centerline bench seat. In the three-cabin arrangement, the forward stateroom gains what appears to be a walk-in hanging locker. The four-cabin plan inserts a tight room forward of the main bulkhead to port with stacked single berths. One layout splits the V-berth area down the centerline to create two cabins and reach five separate sleeping compartments. The cockpit is huge, with twin wheels and seating room aft of them, a large drop-leaf table, and the instrument console set at the aft end of that table.
The Verdict
The Bavaria Cruiser 51 is a thoughtfully packaged big cruiser that uses its beam and moderate displacement to deliver exceptional volume and a configurable interior, while keeping a conventionally soft transom and a forgiving rig. The multiple cabin counts and consistent three-head layout make her adaptable to both private and charter-style use, and the broad cockpit with twin wheels suits a cruising crew. She is less aggressive in hull form than chined competitors and carries moderate sail power rather than sparkling light-air acceleration.
Pros
- Three interior layouts from three to five cabins with three heads throughout
- Broad beam and moderate displacement for high interior volume
- Twin rudders, two keel drafts, and a clear masthead for spinnaker work
- Large cockpit with twin wheels, drop-leaf table, and sheltered instrument console
Cons
- Soft bilge turn and no aft chine limit the contemporary hard-edged performance look
- Sail-area-to-displacement of 22.81 favors steady cruising over light-air pace
- Four-cabin forward bunk room is tight with stacked singles
