No sooner had the Virtess 420 Flybridge won all sorts of awards, such as the important European Powerboat Award 2012/13, than its sister ship, the Coupé, was ready for completion in Giebelstadt. Instead of the flybridge, the 420 Coupé has a hardtop with a large sliding roof. The highlight of the boat, however, is that the filigree Samba steps of the Fly have been retained, allowing access to a comfortable sun lounger for two on the roof.
As the 420 Flybridge and 420 Coupé are built with the same hull, the latter can still be equipped with both IPS and Z-drives. The fact that you can also choose from three wood options, two side panel colours, four flooring materials and twelve upholstery variants speaks for flexibility. After sailing the flybridge in the Oslo Fjord at the end of October 2012, we tested the 420 Coupé in the Aegean Sea six months later.
Saloon glass door and sliding roof
First impression: the proportions are also right. The completely open cockpit fits perfectly. Thanks to the easy-to-use mechanism, the two-part bench seat and table can be moved as required. When the three-part saloon glass door and the sliding roof are open, you have the feeling of sitting in an open boat, where the boat and the sea seem to merge thanks to the recessed bathing platform - especially as the cockpit and saloon form one level. When you enter the boat through the sliding saloon glass door, you see a sideboard with an adjoining galley and an L-shaped bench seat opposite with an electrically height-adjustable table plus two stools that can be folded out into chairs. The driving position rises up in front of the seating area.
In terms of quality, the Coupé has done everything we criticised in the Fly. There is only one thing that doesn't seem to be quite right, even if it complies with CE regulations: the cockpit floor drainage, which in our opinion is inadequate. Furthermore, the handrails on the roof seem too short and too high. As far as the interior of the deckhouse is concerned, we have seen better on the previous model: Whereas on the Fly the edges of the ceiling panels were almost perfect, here we are looking at wavy lines. However, whereas we criticised the engine compartment of the Fly, the entire electrical and technical installation of the Coupé looks just as you would expect from Bavaria. There is also nothing to criticise about the woodwork and upholstery.
Bathroom with shower and WC for the owner
Three steps lead down to the living area, where the owner stays in the forward cabin and has his own bathroom with shower and toilet. To the side of the companionway, under which a washing machine fits, there is access to the underfloor guest cabins. Both have roughly the same floor plan and each has two full-size berths. While their dimensions are the same, the headroom is different: It is more comfortable to stand on the starboard side than on the port side, where you sometimes have to bend down to reach the inner berth. The day bathroom with shower and WC is located between the bow and port cabins. Both bathrooms are more than tidy and there is no feeling of claustrophobia in the cabins. The fact that there is plenty of storage space in cupboards, under berths, in lockers and under the floor is standard in Bavaria.
This time we are driving the test boat with two Volvo Penta D6-400 with Z-drives and optional joystick control. The latter allows the boat to manoeuvre easily in all directions. But even with just the control levers plus bow thruster (extra) there is no difficulty. If both motors are synchronised at the push of a button, straight-ahead travel is guaranteed. We sail the slow passages at 6 to 7 knots to keep the waves generated by the boat at an acceptable height. From 12 kn or 2000 rpm, a smooth water break forms at the stern, and from 2400 rpm or 18 kn, the Bavaria switches to planing. The trim is low during the transition, which provides good foresight. At full throttle, the engines turn 90 rpm more than the manufacturer allows, but this is fine given the low load.
After no more than 275 nautical miles to the bunker station
The maximum speed is just under 35 knots; economically, you are travelling at a speed of 25 knots at fast planing speed when both engines are turning 2800 rpm. The diesel tank holds 1200 litres, which is enough for around 830 nm at 6 knots at slow speed or just under 750 nm at 7 knots plus 15% reserve. At fast, economical planing speed, the theoretical range is just under 275 nm and at full throttle 225 nm, until you have to look for a bunker station. This means that the test boat fulfils our requirement of a minimum range of 270 nm at fast planing speed. The sound pressure level receives both praise and criticism: while our test device in the saloon with the door closed does not display more than 79 dB/A at full throttle, the 85 dB/A comfort limit in the cockpit is exceeded from 3000 rpm. The shipyard wants to improve this with further insulation.
Choppy water causes no problems
The topic of "extreme manoeuvres" is quickly ticked off, as nothing happens if you "maltreat" the boat at top speed. It is only on the slalom course that you can safely cause it to swing over its longitudinal axis. When cornering, the side view to port is reduced at the driving position, as the transparent sliding saloon roof swings into the field of vision and the reflections in it are distracting when the sun is in an unfavourable position. If it is open, however, there is no impairment.
The Virtess 420 Coupé ploughs through rough and choppy water without complaint; if spray gets on the windscreen, it is easily removed by two windscreen wipers. - There is almost nothing to criticise about the driving position. The driver and co-driver sit on a shared, non-adjustable bench that offers no lateral support towards the centre of the boat. We missed the analogue compass fitted as standard on the 420 Coupé (whether it had been forgotten to be fitted or removed for inspection could not be clarified on site). Thanks to the defroster nozzles behind the windscreen (standard), the Bavaria Virtess 420 Coupé is also suitable for northern cruising areas or for extending the season in spring and autumn.
Electronics rule in the Virtess
The engine compartment under the cockpit floor is spacious, as there is plenty of room in front of the engines in the Z-drive version. The diesel flow is regulated by solenoid valves, and alarm sensors (Ex-tra) in the fuel pre-filters warn of water in the diesel. Fire extinguishing system, electric and manual bilge pumps are standard. - In the Virtess 420 Coupé, "electronics rule". A multi-touch screen at the helm provides information on all the boat's statuses. The engines are operated "keyless", i.e. without an ignition key, and the main battery switches are operated via relays. Bavaria offers the Virtess 420 Coupé ready to sail and, in addition to the standard version, also offers the "Basic" and "Advanced" equipment packages plus individual options.
Conclusion: Like the Fly version, the boat is packed with practical ideas and innovative solutions. The Virtess 420 Coupé will make its mark if you manage to optimise the finishing touches here and there.
Data sheet: Bavaria 420 Virtess Coupè
Shipyard: Bavaria GmbH
Type designation: Bavaria 420 Virtess Coupè
CE category: B - Outside coastal waters
Material of hull and deck: Plastic
Length: 12,39 m
Width: 4,21 m
Displacement: 11,00 t
Price: 385.917,00 €
