"Long Legs", a Bavaria Yachts, was designed by the world-renown Bruce Farr, the man whose designs have won the America's Cup, the Volvo Ocean Race, the Sydney-Hobart Race and the Rolex FastNet. Reorganized under new ownership, They went the braver (and costlier) route of using Farr Yacht Design to draw the hull lines and advise on construction and BMW DesignworksUSA for the exterior design details.. New line is called Bavaria Yachts 55. And this is their flagship model.
Although this is a high-profile showboat, there’d be no point paying for top dollar designers if you didn’t build it properly – this prototype Bavaria Cruiser 55 shows a fastidious level of quality control. Farr are reliably good, BMW DesignworksUSA boat impressed us by bringing fresh, yet practical ideas into deck and interior design. Some might question the height of the freeboard. I appreciate Bavaria wanted to fit a garage in below the cockpit and give good headroom in the master cabin, but you do feel dwarfed in the saloon and anything other than stern-to boarding will be a challenge. These topsides encompass a gargantuan interior, while allowing that coachroof to remain sleek. Combine this with low coamings and large walk-through cockpit and it’s easy to deduce that her target clientele sails in the calm sunny waters of the Mediterranean. She’s manageable, fast and fun.
Clean decks were strategic to BMW’s aesthetics, so everything is hidden and led aft to maintain the look and there’s a feast of clever ideas to help achieve this. The Bavaria 55 Cruiser would arguably have the largest interior volume to LWL ratio. The forward ensuite is first class and a real selling point, with separate stand-up shower room. More like a hotel bathroom, it’s spacious, with large contemporary sink and mirror, attractive downlights and plentiful stowage – including a lift-top laundry basket, if you don’t opt for a washing machine. A walk-in full-headroom dressing room resides in the ‘hallway’ of the opulent master cabin, with enough hanging and stowage room to swallow even a diva’s wardrobe. This allows for a completely uncluttered queen size double. There’s still 6ft 2in headroom and plenty of light from two large overhead hatches and two hull windows. It may need a few pictures to detract from the vast amount of pale woodwork, which can seem more static caravan than inviting cabin.
The saloon is warm and cosy, more smart and spacious, with room enough to seat eight – once the double bench (with magnetic backrest) slides out from under the island. The galley is a refreshing design that utilises a workstation island. Which with surrounding grab bars more than satisfies the seaworthy credentials. It rather resembles a kitchen in a modern flat, complete with front-opening, full-size fridge-freezer (there’s a lift-top fridge too) and large deep sink and draining sink. Stowage is abundant.
Heads are nice and light (again with huge headroom), boasting a proper shower permanently mounted on a stand. A seat/cover drops over the small heads and a Perspex door keeps the wash area dry. This has a smart, deep, lipped basin and large mirror. Identical double aft cabins have excellent headroom, changing space and stowage in tall double hanging lockers. Fiddled shelves run the length of the generous doubles and four portlights help keep these cabins airy. Hatches aft provide access to steering gear.
The interior design of 3 cabins creates an ideal setting for families and friends as it can accommodate up to 8 people. The owner's cabin with cloakroom, indoor bathroom and separate shower room, provides privacy to the guest as if he was at home. The extra equiment such as dishwasher, generator, air condition, electric winches and electric roller make staying and travelling unexpectedly easy and enjoyable. Each of the cabins has its own separate head with shower, toilet, and sink. Additional amenities include an 8kW generator, full air-conditioning, electric toilets, electric furling system, electric winches, sunbeds, pressurized hot/cold water, TV/DVD, Hi-fi music system, large tender with a 15HP outboard and much more! It is the perfect platform for both training and charter, an ideal way to experience the joy of sailing, proving, that you can, in fact, mix the best of both worlds: comfort and adventure!