At just over 37 feet overall, with a 12.2-foot beam and a displacement near 14,000 pounds, the 38 Match was designed for the dual demands of weeknight racing and weekend cruising. She carries a 4,400-pound lead ballast package and pairs a fin keel with a spade rudder.
Design and Construction
Bavaria Yachtbau built the Peterson-designed hull in hand-laid fiberglass with a solid laminate. Early documentation is inconsistent about the keel material: some records cite an iron casting, while the launch specifications describe a lead keel. The deck is solid fiberglass.
The racing-style open transom provides efficient self-draining in heavy weather. A lowered toe rail aft also gives the crew a comfortable place to sit out when the boat heels. Below the waterline, the deep, elliptical balanced rudder turns on a stainless duplex shaft with self-adjusting pendulum bearings, a setup that rewards precise helm feel.
By displacement-length measure, the 38 Match falls among light racers. Her beamy hull is also roomier than roughly two-thirds of comparable designs.
Rig, Deck Layout, and Handling
The 38 Match has a fractional rig, with a choice of an aluminium or carbon-fibre keel-stepped mast and rod rigging throughout. Deck equipment includes Harken Quatro winches and hardware, Spectra halyards, and Spinlock halyard stoppers. A carbon wheel stands ahead of an ergonomic helmsman’s seat, which gives clear sightlines past the crew.
The uncluttered cockpit was deliberately arranged for easy sail handling and crew work. A folding propeller, part of the comprehensive racing specification, minimizes drag under sail. Her sail-area-to-displacement stance ranks her faster than the vast majority of similar designs.
Accommodations and Cruising Equipment
Owners could choose two- or three-cabin layouts sleeping up to eight. The two-cabin version was documented with six berths and a mahogany interior.
In the saloon, a comfortable settee wraps around a removable table. The navigation station has a full chart table, generous instrument space, and stowage. The cruising baseline also includes a galley, a toilet, fresh-water capacity near 40 gallons, and an 80-liter waste-water tank.
Factory options included teak decks, hot water, showers, refrigerators, and heating. The open, practical interior provides useful cruising accommodation without abandoning the boat’s race-ready purpose.
Propulsion and Performance
Diesel power comes from a Volvo Penta engine: either the 29-horsepower MD2030 or the later 28-horsepower D1-30. Both drive through a saildrive and folding propeller.
Either installation gives a six-knot cruising speed and an eight-knot maximum under power. The theoretical displacement-hull speed is near 7.8 knots.
A capsize-screening value near 1.95 and a motion-comfort ratio in the low 20s place the boat firmly at the lively, performance-oriented end of the cruiser-racer spectrum rather than among pillow-soft cruisers.
Refits and Ownership
Because the 38 Match was offered with aluminium or carbon masts, and documentation differs on the keel material, prospective owners should confirm the rig and keel configuration of any individual boat. These differences can materially affect handling and value.
The saildrive and folding propeller are service-sensitive items worth tracking. Owners should also keep the open transom’s drainage clear. Refrigeration, heating, and other factory options were selected by individual owners, so fitted equipment varies from hull to hull.
The Verdict
The Bavaria 38 Match is a purposeful racer-cruiser that brought genuine racing pedigree to a volume builder’s range. Its Peterson-designed hull, thorough deck equipment, and roomy, practical interior suit sailors who want speed without giving up cruising amenities. Its light-racer character and saildrive upkeep, however, won’t appeal to the purely casual sailor.
Pros
- Peterson-designed light-racer hull with strong relative speed performance
- Uncluttered cockpit and race-grade deck hardware, including Harken equipment, rod rigging, and a carbon wheel
- Roomy, beamy interior with a choice of two- or three-cabin layouts
- Efficient self-draining open transom and low drag under sail
Cons
- Saildrive and folding propeller require disciplined maintenance
- Light-racer motion and a low comfort ratio compared with softer cruisers
- Variations in mast, keel, and options call for careful inspection of each boat
