Design and Construction
The Cruiser 56 has a sporty sloop profile, with a plumb bow and long waterline. Its newly designed hull was described as being shaped for maximum sailing performance. A 51.3-foot waterline and 15.6-foot beam provide plenty of volume without giving up the turn of speed that the long waterline and dual rudders are intended to deliver.
Below the water, the boat has twin spade rudders and a bulb keel carrying 12,125 pounds of iron ballast. That combination places it firmly in the modern performance-cruiser camp. Bavaria claimed that the hull delivers maximum sailing performance while remaining easy to handle despite the boat’s size.
At the stern, a fold-down transom opens to reveal a tender garage. It holds a full-size inflatable built exclusively for Bavaria, stored partially deflated and folded in half, with its four-horsepower motor left in place. A compressor in the stern compartment inflates the tender for launching.
Rig, Cockpit, and Handling
The rig combines an in-mast furling mainsail with five battens and a slightly overlapping genoa. A double-ended German-style mainsheet controls the main, while a pair of reversible electric Lewmar winches handles the genoa.
The reconfigurable cockpit has long bench seats arranged around two steering wheels. Lines remain within easy reach, allowing the helmsman to steer while seated. The twin helms, dual rudders, and powered controls also provide push-button tacking from either wheel: as the boat turns through the wind, the loaded winch eases automatically.
During testing off Alaçatı, Turkey, the Cruiser 56 drove near 7 knots upwind in 12 knots of breeze. On a beam reach, it accelerated to better than 10 knots of speed over ground.
Accommodations
The boat tested had two generously sized aft cabins with queen berths. A third cabin, fitted with double bunks, sat to port at the foot of the companionway. Forward of the saloon, the enormous owner’s cabin had a separate head and shower.
Bavaria cites extra-wide berths in the aft cabins and comfortable sleeping throughout. Flexible interior reconfiguration systems support numerous layouts tailored to individual tastes.
Amidships, a spacious navigation station to starboard can also serve as a breakfast nook. Just forward, a deep U-shaped galley gives the cook secure footing under way.
Verdict
The Cruiser 56 is a big, nimble flagship that combines Farr’s hull thinking with Bavaria’s production discipline in a 54-foot platform offering genuine pace and a clever tender garage. Its accommodations are generous and configurable, while the cockpit ergonomics make this large boat manageable short-handed.
The in-mast furling system and electric winches trade some purist control for convenience. Even so, the sea-trial speed and handling figures support the builder’s performance claims.
Pros
- Long waterline and dual rudders provide excellent handling and a good turn of speed
- Fold-down transom garage holds a full-size inflatable with its motor in place
- Configurable four-cabin interior has extra-wide aft berths and a secure U-shaped galley
- In-mast furling main and electric genoa winches make the boat easier to handle despite its size
Cons
- Slightly overlapping genoa and in-mast furling favor convenience over tuning range
- As the flagship of the outgoing Cruiser line, the 56 predates the later C-Line redesign
