Bavaria E40 Sedan
The E40 marks the entry into a whole new world for Bavaria, a world of displacement hulls and single-digit speeds. The arrival of the E40 is timely; with customers looking to save money not only on starting price (the single-engined configuration helps here), but on running costs too.
I meet the Sedan version of the E40 (there’s a flybridge, too) on Loch Lomond, home to Bavaria’s Scottish agent Marine Sales and as perfect a venue as one could find to trial a displacement motor cruiser with a 10-knot top speed. It’s as if the E40 was designed with Loch Lomond in mind;on a day when we experienced all four seasons in the space of a few hours, the Sedan’s mix of a spacious, sheltered, raised aft cockpit and a bright saloon that treats occupants to excellent views out was just the job.
The saloon layout is unique, with the helm located just inside the cockpit doors and the living space spreading out forward. It worked an absolute treat in the calm surroundings of the Loch as we all relaxed indoors with some passengers sitting forward of the helmsman and two more perched alongside on the raised aft bench.
The sheer amount of glass means that there is no problem with the view out, even if you do sit a long way back at the helm. I would like to give it a go in rougher offshore conditions to see if the driving position works equally well when it’s a bit lumpier, but there’s little to complain about in calm weather.
If you are going to use the boat offshore then the largest single 300hp Volvo Penta D4 would probably be the sensible choice. Given the strong tides and choppy conditions around our northern European shores, the extra grunt of this larger-capacity engine and the faster 13-knot top speed are likely to come in handy.
The yard is also considering the option of a gyroscopic stabiliser, which makes a lot of sense given the hull shape and low cruising speeds.
Our test boat had the 150hp version of the Volvo D3 and it was fine for the inland work we were doing on test. It was quite a noisy experience, especially
at the top end of the rev range, but Bavaria has since added soundproofing and a seal to the engineroom door that will doubtless improve things.
The layout of the E40 sees a double cabin in the bow with a split shower room and toilet either side of the companionway. This is a great touch that means two people can use the bathroom(s) at once, though the high sills on the doorframes take some getting used to.
Aft, the test boat had two nearidentical double cabins but if it were my boat, I would spec the full-beam aft cabin to use as a master suite.
The E40 a brave move by the German yard but a smart one. Exsailors are going to love it and there aren’t many brands with a bigger sailing following than Bavaria. If you’re a motor boater that fancies slackening the pace a little and enjoying the journey as much as the destination, it makes a lot of sense too.
Length 40ft 3in (12.29m) Beam 13ft 8in (4.2m) Engines Single Volvo Penta 75hp-300hp Top speed on test 10.9 knots Price from £231,300 inc UK VAT Contact Clipper Marine. Tel: +44 (0)1489 550583. Web: www.bavariayachtbau.com