After Bavaria had made several moderate changes to its 34s over the years and also adapted the size designations to "360", the "iron design broom" is now being applied. Away from cosmetics and towards visible and striking changes. And not just on the outside, but also below deck.
The biggest change is on deck, where the sunbed, which is otherwise positioned above the engine compartment, has been replaced by a rear bench with table. However, the sunbathing area is not lost, but with the table lowered, the stern bench can be converted into a sunbed. At the time of the test, the table could still be lowered electrically, but this will be done manually in the future. The seating area in front remains, but has been modified. Whereas this seating group used to be directly connected to the rear sun lounger, there is now a passageway, which favours a different cockpit layout. The Sport 360 is available in three variations. As usual as "Open" with an open cockpit and equipment rack above. Secondly, with a fixed cockpit roof and side windows as a "hardtop version". And as a third variant (coupé) completely closed including sliding glass door. Depending on the model, a sliding roof can be opened either mechanically or electrically so that everything does not appear too closed off in the versions with a hardtop.
Below deck, the Bavaria impresses first and foremost with its woodworking, which need fear no comparison with the renowned southern European shipyards. The entire interior also makes a high-quality and pleasing impression. The lines fit, nothing disturbs the eye. The bow cabin with double berth, saloon with dinette and galley, WC/shower room and the aft cabin with two single berths, which can be closed off with inserts to form a continuous area, have been retained. The generous amount of space on the eleven metre long boat has also been retained.
The fact that the shipyard has raised the quality bar bit by bit in recent years speaks for itself. Now, however, a new era seems to have finally dawned in which Bavaria is increasingly going on a quality offensive. The new Sport 360 shows the way and is therefore also listed under "New Sport" when you visit the Bavaria homepage.
There is a choice of black or green engines: Mer-Cruiser or Volvo Penta. The basic engines are two black V8 petrol engines in the engine compartment, which can be replaced with more powerful ones for an additional charge. The standard version costs €178,381. Diesel engines cost more, ranging from a 370 hp Volvo Penta to two 300 hp Volvo Penta engines or two 265 hp MerCruisers. And if you want to use a joystick to manoeuvre the boat in any direction at slow speed, you need to select the "Aquamatic Joystick" option with MerCruiser or Volvo Penta.
The smallest diesel twin package consists of two D3-220s from Volvo Penta, which also powered our test boat in the Mediterranean off Barcelona. In the harbour, we let the two 220 hp diesel engines rev up to a maximum of 1000 rpm and head out to sea at a speed of 5 knots. To prevent the waves from rising to disturbing heights, we limit the speed at the harbour exit to a maximum of 6 knots and 1200 rpm.
Offshore, we then put both control levers "on the table" and switch from displacement to planing speed with the Sport 360 Coupé from 2500 rpm or from 11 knots. This causes the bow to rise and temporarily hinders foresight, which is also due to the driver's seating position, which is to be raised in future. On the test boat, only the extended trim tabs helped. Once planing, the test boat behaves very well and completes all manoeuvres, even the extreme ones, without any negative surprises for skipper and crew.
Due to the lack of waves, the usual chapter on rough water is omitted. However, the same hull has already proven in previous tests that it has no problems with this. The GPS logs a maximum speed of 32 knots, while both engines turn a maximum of 3800 rpm, which is 200 rpm less than the manufacturer allows.
In terms of range, this means that the furthest you can go is at a slow speed, and you are travelling economically at a speed of 22 knots and 3400 rpm. In theory, one tank of fuel is enough for 161 nm plus 15% reserve. However, for a boat in CE category B, certified for "offshore waters", this is not enough for us. We demand at least 200 nm plus reserve for such boats and yachts.
The fact that the transition from displacement to planing speed takes some time and that the drives have to remain fully trimmed up to a speed of around 26 knots or 3500 rpm and can only be trimmed a little afterwards is primarily due to the propellers on the test boat being too steep. However, the lavish equipment is also not entirely innocent of this behaviour.
The hardtop with windows, doors and almost full equipment, not to mention the other loads such as people, luggage and fuel tanks, also have a noticeable effect on the scales and therefore on the driving performance. If you are mainly travelling in sea areas where long distances are covered at a gliding speed, you should consider a more powerful diesel twin package.
As far as safety is concerned, it should be noted that the designers of the Bavaria 360 have spent a lot of time on details such as the new handrail arrangement. However, the fact that water alarm sensors in the fuel pre-filters cost extra and the 12 V fuses are still awkward to access from the underfloor cabin is less of a success. Otherwise, there is little to criticise about the boat. It's a good fit, as is the equipment, which now comes as standard.
CONCLUSION
It remains to be seen how the redesign of the deck layout will be received by customers. We say it fits - as does the fact that Bavaria has once again improved the quality. The safe and balanced sailing characteristics of this hull are beyond question for us.
Shipyard Bavaria/Germany
Type Sport 360 Coupé
CE category B = outside coastal waters
Plastic hull and deck
Overall length 10.80 m
Width 3.59 m
Weight from 6951 kg
Draught 1.15 m
Clearance height 3.36 m
Fuel tank 520 litres
Water tank 150 litres
Cabins 2
Berths 4
Possible motorisation 1 x 273 kW (370 hp) to 2 x 235 kW (640 hp) diesel/petrol engines with Z-drives
Test engine 2 x Volvo Penta D3-220 162 kW (220 hp) each
Test boat price (standard)195 151 €
