Bavaria Match 38 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the used Bavaria 38 Match means weighing a Peterson-designed racer-cruiser that still trades on its balance of speed and livable space. Built by Bavaria Yachtbau, the 38-foot Match carries a fractional rig, fin keel, and spade rudder, with a solid fiberglass hull and a choice of two- or three-cabin interiors. On the brokerage market she appeals to sailors who want club-racing pace without giving up a proper saloon and galley.
Layouts on the Used Market
Owner three-cabin layouts are the more common on the used market, but both are available, and ex-charter examples are common. The three-cabin version maximizes sleeping capacity up to eight, while the two-cabin arrangement with six berths gives a roomier owner-forward plan with a mahogany interior, full chart table, and a saloon settee around a removable table. Either layout pairs the race-oriented open transom and uncluttered cockpit with a practical cruising foot below.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Heating, spinnaker, bimini, autopilot, and chartplotter are commonly fitted on boats offered for sale, reflecting how these have settled in as baseline cruising equipment rather than rare options. The original race specification already included Harken Quatro winches, Spectra halyards, Spinlock stoppers, and a carbon wheel, so a well-kept boat will still show those. Buyers should note that factory optional comforts such as refrigeration and teak decks were owner-selected, so their presence varies and is not a given on any particular hull.
What to Inspect
The Volvo Penta saildrive and folding propeller minimize drag under sail but are service-sensitive, and the open transom's efficient self-draining in heavy weather path should be kept clear to manage water. Confirm whether the boat carries the MD2030 or the later D1-30 diesel, as the two share saildrive architecture but differ in rated horsepower. The keel may be iron or lead depending on the build, so verify the actual casting and its bonding during survey.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These yachts typically appear in Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, and Australia. For a shopper, the short list is: confirm rig and keel configuration, check saildrive and folding-prop service history, verify fitted comfort options against the layout you want, and inspect the transom drainage. A clean, well-optioned three-cabin ex-charter boat or a privately kept two-cabin example can both serve as a fast, roomy cruiser-racer if the mechanicals check out.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Bavaria Match 38. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 6 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25 | 2 | $81,224 | — |
| Nov 25 | 1 | $75,693 | -6.8% |
| Jan 26 | 2 | $91,428 | +20.8% |
| Feb 26 | 1 | $110,628 | +21.0% |
| Mar 26 | 1 | $75,476 | -31.8% |
| Jul 26 | 3 | $102,122 | +35.3% |
Where they're listed
Bavaria Match 38 listings appear across 5 countries. Italy has the most listings with 5 (50.0%), followed by Sweden and Australia.
Country view
10 listings · 5 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | $75,693 | 5 | 0 | 50.0% |
| Sweden | $102,963 | 2 | 2 | 20.0% |
| Australia | $107,409 | 1 | 0 | 10.0% |
| Germany | $86,756 | 1 | 0 | 10.0% |
| United Kingdom | $95,048 | 1 | 1 | 10.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
7 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalina 38 | 38.08' | $ 36,000 | 58 | 5 |
| Dehler 38 | 38.71' | $ 244,547 | 50 | 16 |
| Sydney Yachts 38 | 38.5' | $ 72,010 | 12 | 2 |
| Seaquest Yachts 38 | 38.06' | $ 81,460 | 12 | 5 |
| Northshore 38 | 37.99' | $ 51,949 | 11 | 5 |
| Bavaria Yachts Match 38You are here | — | $ 90,902 | 10 | 3 |
| Bavaria Match 35 | 34.5' | $ 73,335 | 8 | 3 |