Independent guide: Not affiliated with Bavaria. Details vary between models and years; confirm with your owner's manual and a rigger.

Quick answer

Bavaria cruising yachts are widely owned and chartered in Australia. Most are sloops with aluminium masts from a major European spar maker, headsail furlers, and a choice of slab-reefed or in-mast furling mainsails. Many models use swept-back spreaders. Service priorities mirror other production cruisers: rig age, forestay and furler, chainplates, and running rigging led aft.

Typical features

  • deck- or keel-stepped aluminium mast depending on model — check yours
  • headsail furler; optional in-mast mainsail furling
  • swept-back spreaders on many models
  • lines led aft to the cockpit
  • 1x19 stainless standing rigging

Inspection priorities

  1. Forestay and furler — see furler service
  2. Chainplates and deck bedding — see chainplate replacement
  3. Spreader roots and tips
  4. Mast base and step structure
  5. Running rigging through clutches

Services Bavaria owners often need

Things to check on a Bavaria

  • Spreader configuration. If the boat has swept spreaders, shroud tension controls forestay sag and the shrouds carry fore-and-aft loads.
  • Furling choice. In-mast furling models need the mechanism and sail checked; slab-reefed boats need reef lines and lazy-jacks inspected.
  • Deck-stepped or keel-stepped? Check which your model has — see keel-stepped vs deck-stepped masts — and inspect the step or compression structure accordingly.
  • Ex-charter history. Many Bavarias were built for charter; ask for records.

A re-rig plan for a Bavaria

  1. Find the rig age. Look for invoices, survey reports or a previous owner's records — see how to check rigging age.
  2. Identify the spar maker and furling system from the mast badge and the owner's manual, so parts can be ordered before the mast comes out.
  3. Book an inspection including a trip aloft; ask for a written scope.
  4. Decide the mast-out scope: furler service or replacement, running rigging, and any wiring or lighting upgrades.
  5. Inspect chainplates and the mast step or compression structure while the rig is off.
  6. Restep, tune and sea trial, then re-check tension after the first sail.

Budget with the cost estimator and the size-specific pages for a 35-foot, 40-foot or 45-foot boat.

Frequently asked questions

What should I check first on a Bavaria rig?

Start with the forestay and furler, the shroud chainplates and deck fittings, and spreader condition. If the boat has swept spreaders, shroud and chainplate condition is especially important because the shrouds also support the mast fore-and-aft.

Are Bavaria yachts good candidates for a re-rig?

Yes. Bavaria cruisers are widely owned in Australia and use conventional aluminium rigs with standard fittings, which makes re-rigging straightforward for experienced riggers. As with any production boat, check chainplates, deck fittings and the mast step at the same time.