Back in 2021, our colleague Torsten Moench published the test report of the Vida 33 published. At that time, Bavaria had taken over the hull and deck from the Greenline Neo in order to gain a foothold in the outboard boat market. Version number three of the VIDA, which has now been tested, has a number of new features, including the motorisation option: not only are outboards from Mercury available, but also from Suzuki. The price list includes 2 x Suzuki DF 200, 2 x Suzuki DF250 or our test motorisation with 300 hp outboard in a twin pack.
Our test boat also had the Ultraflex joystick system (including autopilot and main stay function) installed, which costs €14,875 extra. Our boat also has an optional bow thruster, which provides additional safety when manoeuvring. Mooring and casting off is easy with the Ultraflex system, but even without it, the Vida has tight turning circles forwards and backwards when engaged and average manoeuvring behaviour.
Test drive with the Bavaria Vida on the Main
On the Main at a slow speed of between around 4.5 knots and a good 6 knots, the Bavaria sails straight ahead well. Weight shifts can't put her on the wrong track either. Then I quickly push the lever forwards, and at around 2,000 rpm the transition from displacement to planing begins. During this phase, the foresight remains good and the propellers briefly catch some air in between before they become completely friction-locked and accelerate the boat quickly to a maximum of 41.2 knots. This top speed is 1.2 knots higher than the version tested at the time with two 300 hp Mercury engines.
At full throttle, the Suzukis consume around 0.17 litres per nautical mile more than their American counterparts and are also 2 dB/A louder. At cruising speed, the two test boats are roughly equally fast; the Mercury engines allow the Vida to travel at 24.2 knots at 4,500 rpm, while the Suzuki variant manages 24.7 knots at 4,000 rpm. This gives the Suzuki motorisation a range advantage. With 188 nautical miles (plus 15 % reserve), it reaches 58 nautical miles further than the Mercury variants from 2021. In terms of noise, the lower revving (500 rpm) Suzuki also has an advantage of 2 dB/A.
Control with sensitivity
Both test boats show similar handling behaviour in fast bends. In this situation, the Vida leaned heavily on its side and made sporty laps. With a sensitive steering and throttle hand, the situation is easy to master. The same applies on the slalom course. The rider sits on a three-seater bench as standard, the front seat cushions of which can be folded up for a comfortable ride while standing. A tubular bar serves as a footrest for seated skippers. The steering wheel (height-adjustable) and joystick are well positioned; the shipyard intends to optimise the gearstick position. You have a good view of the instruments and especially the two Simrad monitors with only minor reflections. To ensure that the driver does not lose visibility in rainy weather, the shipyard has installed a solid double-arm wiper with washer system. A defroster unit (electric) is also fitted on the test boat. Reflections in the windscreen are minimal, as the driving position is kept dark.
Above all, a top is enthroned, which is equipped with a kind of sliding roof (soft top) and, when opened, lets the sun in at the driving position and the seating area. The seating area has also changed: The L-shaped bench in the centre has remained, but the rear bench has been changed and equipped with two folding backrests. To create a huge sun lounger, the backrests are folded down, the table lowered and covered with cushions (optional). In the normal position (backrests folded up), there is now so much space between the bench seat and the outboards that you can easily reach the bathing platform on the starboard side. Another plus: there are high handrails and safety steel cables and a stern door in this area.
Bavaria Vida comes with all-round bathing platform
Another new feature can also be found at the stern: a circumferential bathing platform (€5,652.50 surcharge) is installed here, which ensures a safe route in and out of the water, as well as to the engines and for mooring the boat. A version with a hydraulic unit (for raising and lowering) is also on the list of accessories, but this costs an additional €29,975.
The wet bar in the cockpit on the port side can either be equipped with an electric grill and cooker or ordered as a gas version, depending on preference. It is not possible to mix and match, and the electric version is intended for use with shore power. If you prefer a fully-fledged double berth in the cabin, order layout variant 1, which then also provides a raised sunbathing area on the foredeck - which can be reached safely via an access on the port side. If you prefer a seating area with a table, choose layout number 2, but you will then have to make do with a seating area and table below deck.
The headroom in the wet room, which is equipped with a marine toilet, suitable storage space, mirror and shower, is 1.86 metres and 1.89 metres in the cabin area (in front of the berth). The shipyard specifies a headroom of 1.88 m under the top at the driving position. The workmanship of the plastic, furniture and upholstery is good. The technical installations with fixed wiring also make a good impression.
Technical data
- CE category: B/8
- Length over all incl. bathing platform: 11,19 m
- Width: 3,43 m
- Displacement: approx. 5,034 kg
- Draught (bottom drive): 1,06 m
- Clearance height (without antenna): 2,80 m
- Fuel tank: 700 l
- Max. motorisation: 2 x 221 kW (300 hp)
- Test motorisation: 2 x Suzuki DF300AP, 221 kW (300 hp)
- Base price ex shipyard with test motorisation: 258.587 €
- Dealer proof: bavariayachts.com
Measurement results
Conclusion
The Bavaria Vida is a stylish outboard motor boat with many possible uses. The boat offers plenty of space on deck for family and friends. For overnight stays on board, layout variant 1 offers a full double berth, and the fully equipped wet room makes it easy to plan trips for two.
Advantages
Good manoeuvring characteristics with the joystick.
Wide range of engine variants.
A large double berth in the cabin is now available.
Ralf Marquard
Deputy Editor in Chief BOOTE
