Rig and Hull Architecture
To optimize performance, the shrouds are moved to the extreme outboard edge of the hull with chainplates mounted directly on the hull sides. This layout enables a narrow-tack, non-overlapping blade jib sheeted inboard on the coachroof, which narrows the sheeting angle for superior upwind tracking and simplifies tacking, though it prevents the use of a traditional large overlapping genoa. Bavaria also eliminated the traditional cockpit traveler, opting instead for a dual-mainsheet bridle system led to coachroof winches to clear the cockpit of hazards, a safety-conscious decision that forces the helmsperson to rely heavily on a powerful mechanical vang to control mainsail leech tension. Down aft, the twin-wheel steering layout was chosen specifically to open an unobstructed central walkway from the companionway straight to the transom swim platform.
Hull Construction and Structural Engineering
The hull layup consists of hand-laid chopped-strand mat and biaxial fabrics bound with isophthalic polyester resin, with North American exports receiving an additional factory epoxy barrier coat to guard against osmotic blistering. The hull topsides and deck are cored with rigid Airex PVC foam for thermal insulation and weight savings, while Coremat is integrated below the waterline to add shear strength and thickness without the water-migration risks of a wood core. Rig and keel loads are distributed through a top-hat style internal fiberglass grid matrix bonded to the hull. Keel bolts pass through the solid laminate and are secured with large backing plates, while the chainplates are tabbed into internal structural hull gussets that connect directly to the main grid matrix to neutralize rig-induced hull twist.
Configurations and Accommodation
The Cruiser 40 was offered in two primary configurations. The charter-oriented three-cabin layout features symmetric aft cabins and an ensuite head forward, with the aft berths incorporating a minor "kink" at the shoulder to accommodate the central engine box. The two-cabin owner's layout replaces the port aft cabin with a massive storage locker accessible from both the cockpit and interior, while expanding the aft head to feature a separate, dedicated shower stall. Under the waterline, draft options included a standard deep keel at 6'8" and a shoal draft configuration. For racing-oriented owners, the performance-focused Sport (or "S") variant offered a deeper 7'5" keel, a 500mm taller tapered Selden mast, a longer boom, and end-boom German mainsheet sheeting to maximize the racing potential of the Farr-designed hull.
Handling and Mechanical Systems
On the water, the Cruiser 40's performance varies dramatically with the conditions. In light air under six knots, the boat can feel sluggish and sticky when equipped with the standard flat-cut, batten-less in-mast furling main and small jib. As the breeze builds, the yacht benefits from its high-volume bow and flat-bottomed Farr lines to show good stability. However, because it carries a single rudder rather than the twin rudders of its larger sisters, carrying too much canvas can lift the rudder out of the water, causing the boat to lose traction, gripe, and round up. Conversely, under power, maneuvering in tight spaces is highly predictable and responsive because the single rudder sits directly behind the Saildrive propeller, allowing the helmsman to use quick bursts of forward throttle to kick the stern around.
Critical Ownership Issues and Maintenance
Several age-related and design-specific issues warrant close inspection during a survey. The Jefa mechanical steering system is known for premature rudder bearing wear, which introduces a distinct rumble or play at the wheel and requires dropping the rudder assembly to resolve. Access to the anchor chain locker is gained through an interior gasketed hatch behind the forward cabin bulkhead; if the chain piles up into a cone, it can block this hatch from opening, forcing the operator to manually disperse the chain from the small on-deck inspection plate. Additionally, the factory-laid teak on the cockpit seats and sole is a thin laminate prone to lifting and wearing through, while a hard grounding can crack the secondary bonding of the structural grid to the hull liner near the aft keel floors.
The Verdict
The Bavaria Cruiser 40 (Farr) represents a major step forward in modern production boat design, successfully blending Farr's hull design with a bright, open interior styled by BMW Group DesignworksUSA. The accommodation features light woods and sharp angles that depart from traditional, cramped layouts, illuminated by a vast array of hatches and ports. Cruising families will particularly appreciate the hydraulic-assisted fold-down transom that dampens gravity when dropping the swim platform and assists in its manual retrieval. While its single rudder requires active reefing to avoid rounding up in a blow, its excellent close-quarters maneuverability and vast living volume make it a highly practical coastal cruiser.
Pros:
- Predictable and highly responsive maneuvering under power due to direct prop-wash over the single rudder.
- Exceptional living volume with 6'4" of headroom, light woods, and wide berths.
- Excellent engine access with main service points easily reachable via gas-strut assisted stairs.
- Hydraulic-assisted fold-down transom that dampens dropping and assists manual retrieval.
- Robust structural grid with chainplates tabbed directly into the main grid matrix to eliminate hull twist.
Cons:
- Tendency to gripe and round up abruptly in heavy air when the single rudder loses traction due to heeling.
- Sluggish performance in light breezes, especially when equipped with standard batten-less in-mast furling.
- Impractical anchor locker access via an interior forward cabin hatch that is easily blocked by piled-up chain.
- Vulnerability of the internal grid's secondary bonding to cracking near the aft keel floors after a hard grounding.
- Thin factory teak cockpit veneers that are highly vulnerable to lifting, wearing through, or rotting.
