WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY...
Nick Vass, Marine Surveyor MRINA MCMS Dipmarsur YS www.omega-yachtservices.co.uk The Bavaria 36 built between 2000 and 2007 is a modern classic. Like other models such as the 34 and 38 they are supremely easy to survey as the construction is simple and everything is so easy to get at. The Bavaria 36 was built as a high-volume charter yacht which was straightforward to make and easy to repair. Items such as seacocks are grouped together making drilling the skin-fitting holes quicker, thus reducing labour costs, which in turn makes them a joy to survey because you don’t need to spend ages searching for illogically located seacocks that seize up because you can’t get to them to turn them off. Economies of scale meant that the interior modules were the same as other models and fittings such as cleats were interchangeable. Interior joinery is robust but fittings are a bit low spec and cleats are smaller than they could be. The hull was solid making them easy to repair in the event of a collision. The Bavaria 36, 34 and 38 are good boats, very easy to sail and berth and very easy to maintain. Common defects include rudder troubles. The rudders are not particularly strong, rudder bushes wear out prematurely as they are made from cheap nylon and the rudder post tube splash guard rusts and disintegrates. The blades can also delaminate. I have found several with dislocated main bulkheads where the yacht has ‘wrung’ after a grounding or boatyard mishap. Try closing the forecabin door and look at the frame gap. If the door won’t fit the bulkhead might have moved. Teak on decks is thin but you can easily strip it off, and some fittings such as window frames and shore-power sockets might need replacing due to wear. Many will have had a hard life as charter and sailing school boats but the Volvo engines should be fine as long as they’ve been well maintained. Volvo Penta cooling systems do regularly clog up with salt and limescale though.