Looking at the development of the Bavaria shipyard of the last few years, the construction of a flybridge boat is the logical consequence. Not yet properly on the water, the Virtess 420 Fly is already winning prizes, such as the Nautical Design Award 2012, which is awarded each year to the boat with the most innovative and sophisticated design. As if that wasn't enough, it has also been nominated for the industry's most important prize, the European Powerboat of the Year 2012/13.
Bavaria boldly presents two pre-series models to the public, which were built almost simultaneously. It was calculated that this would initially attract some criticism as well as the hoped-for praise. However, the criticism received was seen as an opportunity to improve the product, which will flow into series production from build number 3. The fact that Bavaria is building the Virtess 420 with the same hulls for IPS and Z-drives also seems exciting and unusual.
Z-drives. In addition, there are three wood options, two side panel colours, four flooring materials and twelve upholstery variants to choose from, which can be combined according to taste.
At the end of October 2012, we exclusively tested the boat that had received so much advance praise, namely construction number two in the Oslofjord. First impression: the proportions are right. Where Bavaria has tended to be somewhat rounded up to now, the Virtess 420 Fly appears unusually slim, especially in the hull. A unique feature of the Virtess 420 Fly is that the cockpit can be completely opened up by sliding the two-part bench seat and table back and forth. In addition, the slightly offset bathing platform together with the cockpit and saloon form almost one level. The Samba staircase to the flybridge is inconspicuous and delicate.
The impression is no less strong when you enter the boat through the sliding saloon glass door: to port a sideboard with adjoining galley, opposite an L-shaped bench seat with electrically height-adjustable table plus two stools that can be folded out into chairs; in front of the seating area is the raised driving position. Plenty of light and air ensure a cosy atmosphere, nothing disturbs the eye, all the gaps are correct, the woodwork and upholstery are flawless.
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 cabins have roughly the same floor plan and each has two full-size berths. While the berth dimensions are the same, the headroom is different. The starboard side is generally more comfortable than 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. In terms of space, 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 Bavaria standard.
We drive the test boat with two Volvo Penta D6-370 with Z-drives and optional joystick steering. The latter allows the boat to manoeuvre easily in all directions. But even with just the control levers plus bow thruster (extra), there are no problems. If both motors run synchronised at the push of a button, straight-ahead running is guaranteed. We sail the slow passages at 6 knots to keep the waves generated by the boat at an acceptable height.
From 11 knots or 2200 rpm, the test boat begins to planing, and from 2600 rpm or 17 knots it changes to fast planing. The trim of the test boat is low during the transition, which provides good foresight. At full throttle, the engines turn 100 rpm more than the manufacturer allows, which is fine considering the low load. The top speed is just over 32 knots. The test boat is economical when travelling at a speed of between 24 and 27 kn when both engines are turning 3000 to 3200 rpm.
The diesel tank holds 1200 litres, which is enough for around 830 nm plus 15% reserve at slow speed. At fast planing speed, the theoretical range is just under 230 nm and at full throttle just under 210 nm, until you have to look for a bunker station to get the reserve. This means that the test boat only fulfils our requirement of a minimum range of 270 nm if the reserve is used up. The sound pressure level receives both praise and criticism: while our test unit does not exceed 77 dB/A in the saloon with the door closed at full throttle, the 85 dB/A comfort limit in the cockpit is already exceeded at 3000 rpm. The shipyard wants to improve this with further insulation.
The topic of extreme manoeuvres is quickly ticked off, as nothing extreme happens when you push the boat at top speed. It is only on the slalom course that you can safely cause it to swing over its longitudinal axis, and when cornering, the side view is reduced at the saloon driving position as the saloon roof swings into the field of vision. In the absence of rough water, the Virtess 420 Fly has to cope with its own waves without complaint.
There is nothing to criticise about either driving position. The driver and co. sit on a shared, non-adjustable bench that offers no lateral support towards the centre of the boat. This is less of a problem on the Fly than on the saloon driving position. A grab handle is provided for this purpose. Windscreen wipers and defroster nozzles are standard on the saloon helm, which is not only a plus in northern cruising areas. Access to the flybridge is via an easy-to-climb Samba staircase. Upstairs, seating and loungers offer everything your heart desires. It goes without saying that there is also a well-equipped galley upstairs.
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 (extra) in the fuel pre-filters warn of water in the diesel. Fire extinguishing system, electric and manual bilge pumps are standard. - Electronics rule in the Virtess 420 Fly. This starts with the multi-touch screen at the helm stations, continues with the relay-controlled main battery switch and ends with the future monitoring of the boat from home.
Almost everything we criticised was or is on the shipyard's "to-do list". These are rather small things, such as the one or other missing handrail, laying of cables and pipes in the engine compartment, access to the latter via the ladder. Bavaria offers the Virtess 420 Fly ready to sail and offers the "Basic", "Advanced", "North" and "South" equipment packages in addition to the standard version.
Conclusion:The boat is packed with practical ideas and innovative solutions that would go beyond the scope of this article. The Virtess 420 Fly has what it takes to become the absolute class leader if the shipyard manages to get to grips with minor initial problems.
Data sheet: Bavaria Virtess 420 Fly
Shipyard: Bavaria GmbH
Type designation: Bavaria Virtess 420 Fly
CE category: B - Outside coastal waters
Material of hull and deck: Plastic
Length: 12,39 m
Width: 4,21 m
Displacement: 11,40 t
Price: 355.810,00 €
