BAVARIA C45

THE TEST VERDICT

Bavaria really seems to have upped its game with the C45 as far as quality is concerned. She feels all together more solid and better constructed, and areas like the option of a compressor in the athwartships tender garage, the chart stowage or the huge galley with neat stowage show that much thought has gone into actually using the boat; making life on board that little bit less stressful. It’s not perfect; access under the outboard seating of the saloon is a bind, as was not being able to swing a winch handle on the mainsheet winch. Okay, with electric winches this is less important, but manual winches are standard.

Space on board was vast, there was stacks of room beneath the floor, and high headroom above it. Yes, you pay for it with high freeboard – which also makes mooring port side to more interesting as the engine controls are to starboard – but it’s a trade off worth making in my eyes.

WOULD SHE SUIT YOU AND YOUR CREW?

If you’re in the market for a 45ft yacht, you’re spoilt for choice this year with seven new makes being launched. Sadly at the time of writing many are still coming to market so a comparison with her main rivals isn’t available. That said, her competitors are going to have to burn the midnight oil to compete with the C45. She is a vast 45 ft yacht, has good accommodation, offers the options of a tender garage and packages and versions for those who want to save, sail or sit back and relax.

The oak interior looks good, and the Naviop system makes fault finding a doddle – even if there isn’t a manual override.

She handled the conditions well, albeit with a heavy helm, and has a wonderfully safe and social cockpit. The helm is where all the action is so no one else need worry about tweaking lines, unless they want to. Boats like the C45 make me want to go sailing – not to cross oceans or seek out remote anchorage, just to spend time onboard, to enjoy the sea and make the most of it while the weather is good.