Just a naive question. I'm looking for a sail boat, I compare the layouts, equipements, ... and bavaria yachts seem incredibly cheaper than equivalent other boats of the same level (about 10 to 20%). There's a used Bavaria 47 (2002) I'm intersted in. Equipments are gordious, price very reasonable ... So my question is, why Bavaria yachts are cheaper. Isn't there hidden defects or weaknesses ? Can somebody helpme understand ?
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Manufacturing efficiencies
In the USA, they're not cheaper - but that has to do with the Euro / Dollar conversion. Everywhere else, they are less expensive than you would think, given their construction and components because of their large volume and manufacturing efficiencies. Sail magazine did a piece on this a while back - you can read it at this link: http://www.sailmag.com/features/BavariaFactory.pdf
In the USA, they're not cheaper - but that has to do with the Euro / Dollar conversion. Everywhere else, they are less expensive than you would think, given their construction and components because of their large volume and manufacturing efficiencies. Sail magazine did a piece on this a while back - you can read it at this link: http://www.sailmag.com/features/BavariaFactory.pdf
Deteriorating charter-market
Ken and Jean Pierre already pointed out some important factors on the Bavaria-prices, whether one talks about new or used boats. On the new boat market you have a cut-throat competition on the European production-boat market. The "old" and established companies like Beneteau and Bavaria received serious competition from Delphia since Poland became a full EU-member, also Harmony (France) tries for years to attack via price and even they are not very successful, they still have an impact on downward pressure. To top it off you find companies that were newcomers only a few years ago from Slovenia and Croatia (Elan and Salona) who have established themselves and cut deeper into the pie. One of the results is ever more aggressive pricing. On the used market one must compare apples and apples. Bavarias for sale are more than 90% Charter-boats released from their fleet/company or leasing-program, Benenteaus to a slightly lesser degree. Over the last year a well known Charter company declared bancrupcy, a huge consolidation commences in this market, particularly in Croatia due to extremely high numbers of available boats and fewer patrons. These boats are offered at lowest prices usually as part of settlements and/or to satisfy investors. Naturally any charter company or investor's group has a totally different approach to selling a yacht than an owner; not to speak of the condition the boat may be in and equipment she may carry. The result is that cheap Ex-charter yachts make the brand look cheap.
Ken and Jean Pierre already pointed out some important factors on the Bavaria-prices, whether one talks about new or used boats. On the new boat market you have a cut-throat competition on the European production-boat market. The "old" and established companies like Beneteau and Bavaria received serious competition from Delphia since Poland became a full EU-member, also Harmony (France) tries for years to attack via price and even they are not very successful, they still have an impact on downward pressure. To top it off you find companies that were newcomers only a few years ago from Slovenia and Croatia (Elan and Salona) who have established themselves and cut deeper into the pie. One of the results is ever more aggressive pricing. On the used market one must compare apples and apples. Bavarias for sale are more than 90% Charter-boats released from their fleet/company or leasing-program, Benenteaus to a slightly lesser degree. Over the last year a well known Charter company declared bancrupcy, a huge consolidation commences in this market, particularly in Croatia due to extremely high numbers of available boats and fewer patrons. These boats are offered at lowest prices usually as part of settlements and/or to satisfy investors. Naturally any charter company or investor's group has a totally different approach to selling a yacht than an owner; not to speak of the condition the boat may be in and equipment she may carry. The result is that cheap Ex-charter yachts make the brand look cheap.
Deteriorating charter-market
Ken and Jean Pierre already pointed out some important factors on the Bavaria-prices, whether one talks about new or used boats. On the new boat market you have a cut-throat competition on the European production-boat market. The "old" and established companies like Beneteau and Bavaria received serious competition from Delphia since Poland became a full EU-member, also Harmony (France) tries for years to attack via price and even they are not very successful, they still have an impact on downward pressure. To top it off you find companies that were newcomers only a few years ago from Slovenia and Croatia (Elan and Salona) who have established themselves and cut deeper into the pie. One of the results is ever more aggressive pricing. On the used market one must compare apples and apples. Bavarias for sale are more than 90% Charter-boats released from their fleet/company or leasing-program, Benenteaus to a slightly lesser degree. Over the last year a well known Charter company declared bancrupcy, a huge consolidation commences in this market, particularly in Croatia due to extremely high numbers of available boats and fewer patrons. These boats are offered at lowest prices usually as part of settlements and/or to satisfy investors. Naturally any charter company or investor's group has a totally different approach to selling a yacht than an owner; not to speak of the condition the boat may be in and equipment she may carry. The result is that cheap Ex-charter yachts make the brand look cheap.
Ken and Jean Pierre already pointed out some important factors on the Bavaria-prices, whether one talks about new or used boats. On the new boat market you have a cut-throat competition on the European production-boat market. The "old" and established companies like Beneteau and Bavaria received serious competition from Delphia since Poland became a full EU-member, also Harmony (France) tries for years to attack via price and even they are not very successful, they still have an impact on downward pressure. To top it off you find companies that were newcomers only a few years ago from Slovenia and Croatia (Elan and Salona) who have established themselves and cut deeper into the pie. One of the results is ever more aggressive pricing. On the used market one must compare apples and apples. Bavarias for sale are more than 90% Charter-boats released from their fleet/company or leasing-program, Benenteaus to a slightly lesser degree. Over the last year a well known Charter company declared bancrupcy, a huge consolidation commences in this market, particularly in Croatia due to extremely high numbers of available boats and fewer patrons. These boats are offered at lowest prices usually as part of settlements and/or to satisfy investors. Naturally any charter company or investor's group has a totally different approach to selling a yacht than an owner; not to speak of the condition the boat may be in and equipment she may carry. The result is that cheap Ex-charter yachts make the brand look cheap.
Cost Saving Culture
As a Bavaria 37 owner I can see where cost control is part of the Company's ethos and although I haven't seen anything that worries me, once you get to know a Bavaria you can see where they have been clever in keeping costs lower. As a small, but telling example; rather than purchasing the $30 IC-MB75 panel steel mounting bracket for every VHF radio installation. Bavaria cut off and use the top parts from the plastic table top mounting support that is supplied with the radio, thus saving $30 dollars or so a boat. Someone in their factory spotted this and found an elegant way to save money and recycle an otherwise wasted part. This illustrates to me a culture of cost control which is ultimiately reflected in their prices.
As a Bavaria 37 owner I can see where cost control is part of the Company's ethos and although I haven't seen anything that worries me, once you get to know a Bavaria you can see where they have been clever in keeping costs lower. As a small, but telling example; rather than purchasing the $30 IC-MB75 panel steel mounting bracket for every VHF radio installation. Bavaria cut off and use the top parts from the plastic table top mounting support that is supplied with the radio, thus saving $30 dollars or so a boat. Someone in their factory spotted this and found an elegant way to save money and recycle an otherwise wasted part. This illustrates to me a culture of cost control which is ultimiately reflected in their prices.
Bavaria versus boats
I'm crazy about boats. I have a 1947 wooden sailing beauty and I have a 2000 Bavaria 47. Two extremes, right? I have sailed other fast-food brands like Jeanneau, Beneteau and I see no important difference between say Jeanneau and Bavaria. However, please consider that these products could hardly be called boats. I use my Bavaria as a houseboat which I move within the Med. When wind picks up to 10 knots and it's not headwind, I set the sails and enjoy absence of the engine. When the wind reaches 25 knots I stay in the harbor. If it's a downwind trip, I go up to 40 knots. Pia, on the other hand, a sleek 41' beauty full of varnish and bronze, she cuts the waves like a sharp knife cuts prosciutto, all sounds disappear when she heels, like in good red wine I can smell the tannin when sun heats up her wet wood after a heavy rain shower. All lines are spliced, blankets are cotton, kitchen pots are copper. There are no Mars bars on board, no corn-flakes, no Coke and no plastic. My Bavaria looks sad in the rain and Pia looks just wet. I apologize if I had to be a bit poetic to demonstrate the difference between a Bavaria, which is a product, and Pia which is a living thing. Igor
I'm crazy about boats. I have a 1947 wooden sailing beauty and I have a 2000 Bavaria 47. Two extremes, right? I have sailed other fast-food brands like Jeanneau, Beneteau and I see no important difference between say Jeanneau and Bavaria. However, please consider that these products could hardly be called boats. I use my Bavaria as a houseboat which I move within the Med. When wind picks up to 10 knots and it's not headwind, I set the sails and enjoy absence of the engine. When the wind reaches 25 knots I stay in the harbor. If it's a downwind trip, I go up to 40 knots. Pia, on the other hand, a sleek 41' beauty full of varnish and bronze, she cuts the waves like a sharp knife cuts prosciutto, all sounds disappear when she heels, like in good red wine I can smell the tannin when sun heats up her wet wood after a heavy rain shower. All lines are spliced, blankets are cotton, kitchen pots are copper. There are no Mars bars on board, no corn-flakes, no Coke and no plastic. My Bavaria looks sad in the rain and Pia looks just wet. I apologize if I had to be a bit poetic to demonstrate the difference between a Bavaria, which is a product, and Pia which is a living thing. Igor
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