B
brian
Greetings:As the central Canadian dealer for Bavaria claims to not be able to get a sample of the Bav30 before January 2007 (if then) I will likely be flying down to the Boston In Water Boat Show the end of September for a day to see a sample that Wells Yachts will have on display. I have monitored several forums that discuss Bavaria and am aware of a broad range of opinions from cheap trash to solid and well made and am also aware of issues of misplaced keels.My spouse and I suspect that the Bav30 is at a price and features point that it may meet our wants in a new yacht. I do have two concerns. Firstly, the 30 does not have a proper traveller, but rather a line and block harness permanently fixed at two points either side of the main hatch. Secondly, as a shallower draft is appropriate for my local waters I would pick the shallow keel; but this is a sort of tandem keel joined by a bulb. This design differs from the other boat on our short list; the Catalina 309. This latter boat has a shallow draft option using a wing which is known locally as the Danforth Keel. Does the boom control harness work as well as a true traveller; and if not what is the observed performance penalty? Can it be controlled from the wheel by a single hander? Is the shallow keel on the Bav30 as effective as the standard one; and if not how severe is the performance trade off for the shallower draft.Of course, if a Bav30 owner wishes to express any other comments regarding fit, finish, livability, performance, and the experience of options ordered and not needed or not ordered but now regretted; PLEASE feel free to express or vent.Regards; Brian