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By
DAVID LOCKWOOD
24 July 2006
Bavaria Motorboats latest release, the 27 Sport with, as a base boat,
single 320hp Volvo 5.7-litre GXi petrol inboard (twins 230hp 4.3-litre
motors or diesel are options) offered an exciting drive. I could throw
the boat this way and that it ripped around the bends like a sportscar
across the Austrian alps rather than a wallowing bus teetering on the
brink.
While it is designated as a 27, the
German sportscruiser actually measures 29 feet 5 inches without
the extended (optional) bolt-on boarding platform. So it's
actually got plenty of waterline length, and a big beam of 2.95
metres, but without too much up top to destroy its low centre of
gravity and sportiness.
Headroom is about 1.82 metres at
its highest point in the saloon, which features twin cabins, a
decent galley and oversized head. Not bad for the boatbuilder's
entry-level sportscruiser. But from what I hear Bavaria is
endeavouring to make better-equipped boats these days, with a
range extending onwards and upwards to a 46-footer (designated
42).
Despite Bavaria automating much of
the production, the boats are strongly built, with handlaid GRP
hulls stiffened by GRP grid-stringer systems bonded to the outer
skin. Built to CE Category B for six people, the 27 Sport can be
confidently taken offshore in agreeable weather.
Though the finish isn't quite as
slick as the American competition, Bavaria takes a pragmatic and
long-term view to the fitout. The cleats, for example, are twice
the size of your routine bolt-on cleats; the bow rail is
tremendously sturdy and supportive; while the stainless-steel
windscreen frame is over-engineered.
Meanwhile, what was once dark
mahogany joinery below decks is now a much lighter hue, and the
previous radiused cuts are more angular in keeping with the modern
look. For the local market, the boat's head was upgraded from a
manual pump to an electric model, too.
In the engine room, which is
accessible by pushing a button on the multi-function digital dash
panel linked to a silent hydraulic activator, the single 320hp
Volvo motor looked positively lonely. But that meant there was
standing room around all sides for servicing.
The 27 Sport I tested was a
standard boat including Sidepower bowthruster; bimini top, 3/4
awning and clears running off the targa arch; cockpit carpet;
leather upholstery in the saloon; and Icom VHF radio with new
compact dome-style aerial. The supplied Shorepower connection and
Smartcharger let you run the 240-volt stove and outlets when tied
to the marina. A microwave and invertor would be a handy addition.
The cockpit is a gem. A folding
backrest on the aft lounge swings forward to create a huge aft
sunpad. Even better, the cavernous moulded area under the
sunlounge can accommodate all your watersports gear, lifejackets,
barbecue, lines, cleaning stuffs, and more. This way, the cockpit
remains uncluttered.
Lunches can be staged around the
portside dinette where the table, like the sunpad base, has a
double-moulded skin for a much-improved finish. Doubling as
co-pilot seating, the U-shaped lounge is big enough for five plus
the skipper sitting sidesaddle on the helm seat nearby.
Behind the helm seat is the
amenities centre with further storage, food-prep space, sink with
cold water, and decent Waeco 12-volt day fridge. Everything in
place for a great day of gadding about and hanging out at rest.
Though headroom of 1.82 metres
doesn't extend much past the foot of the stairs before the galley,
the 27 Sport doesn't feel cramped thanks in part to the golden
mahogany timber and white ceiling liners.
Back aft is an especially beamy
cabin with double mattress. The dinette can seat five people for
cards, drinks, dinner and converts to a second double bed. The
highlights of the nearby galley were the deep circular sink with
H/C water, alcohol/240V stove, second Waeco fridge and concealed
garbo. The boat has 110-litre water, which is adequate for
overnighting, and a relatively generous 80-litre holding tank.
The head is comparatively big, with
an upgraded electric loo, and plenty of room to shower using the
handheld. Just keep an eye on that water capacity. But put it all
together and I see the boat as a great day cruiser for a couple
who likes to entertain, overnight and drive a sporty boat.
Fast cruise of 32 knots was
recorded at 4500rpm and top speed was 34.5 knots. But it is the
snappy handling of the Bavaria motorboat, the Volvo pairing, and
the smooth ride across the chop that will leave a lot of bloated
American sportscruisers floundering it its wake.
lockwood@intercoast.com.au
AT-A-GLANCE
Bavaria 27 Sport
Price: Base boat as tested $195,000
w/ Volvo Penta 320hp 5.7GXi.
Options: Aussie specification on
base boat includes bow thruster, cockpit fridge, electric head,
cockpit carpet, VHF radio and more. Length Overall: 8.95 metres
Beam: 2.98 metres
Draft: About 0.90 metres
Deadrise: N/A
Weight: About 3,800kg dry with
standard motors
Berths: 4
Fuel Capacity: 500 litres
Water Capacity: 110 litres
Holding Tank: 80 litres
Engine: Volvo Penta 320hp 5.7-litre
GXi DPS petrol inboard
Details: Bavaria Motor Boats, Andy
Howden, telephone 0438 696 157, see www.bavariamotorboats.com.au
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Marque Publishing Company
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