TEST - BAVARIA C42
19
BAVARIA C 42
Pierrick Letouzé is delighted. The young professional sailor in
the competitive Class 40 sailed on board the new Bavaria C42
off La Rochelle and reported enthusiastically about the exceptionally
good sailing characteristics, but not only that. He is also
more than happy with the deck layout and the ergonomics of
the cockpit: “Everything is just right here, every block and every
fitting is in the right place. Perfect!”
This praise is particularly significant since the new Bavaria C42 is
first and foremost a modern and fast sailing boat with excellent
sailing performance - a cruiser with performance. While made for
a luxurious life on board, this boat also convinces with pure sailing
fun. The fact that a miraculous amount of space below deck has
been created and that this available space has been optimally
converted into the best living comfort and quality of life on board
is one of the great merits of the design team of Cossutti Yacht
Design, in close cooperation with the design team of Bavaria
Yachts.
The credo of Cossutti Design is to create sailing yachts with a
“super design and best possible sailing characteristics”. This has
certainly been achieved with the Bavaria C42. Especially as special
demands were made on the design. The new Bavaria C42 was to
be styled in the tradition of Bavaria on one hand, but on the other
hand, of course, it should also be clearly recognizable as being
new and innovative.
How was this solved? The lateral profile and deck convey the
already familiar “Bavaria look”, but a completely redesigned hull
turns it to a truly unique boat. This hull is, one could say, quite a
big hit. It is no coincidence that it has similarities with the typical
modern ocean racing yachts: It is the first Bavaria ever with a
pronounced hard chine.
The chine is particularly pronounced in the stern, but extends
to the bow, giving the yacht a sensational volume on the inside
almost over its entire length, but also a particularly high degree
of stability, which in turn benefits the sailing characteristics. The
large width extends all the way to the stern, but nevertheless the
Bavaria C42 manages with only one, very efficient rudder. This
is important for the manoeuvring characteristics in the harbour,
for example. When the flow of the propeller thrust directly hits
the rudder blade, the yacht turns much more precisely and also
without making speed.
The high stability in turn enables a high rig and a lot of sail area.
A gust of wind is immediately transformed into speed and does
not just disappear when the yacht heels. The Bavaria C42 has one
of the highest masts in its class, but the generous sail plan can
be easily and safely tamed thanks to the stability of the hull and
the effectiveness of the keel bomb. If you wish, you can sail this
yacht as a real racer; with the potential for double-digit speeds on
reaching courses. Those however, who rather take it easy, can still
enjoy lively sailing, but with high stability and in great safety.