With the new Bavaria SR 33, the SR series has been extended, or rather rounded off at the bottom. The SR 33 is the smallest boat in the series. But its big sisters, the SR36 and the SR 41, show her what it means to be a successful boat. The 36 was nominated for the European Power Boat of the Year Award 2022 and the 41 won a similar prize. It is therefore not surprising that the new SR once again features the popular lounge, which faces aft and offers a view of the sea. As with all SR-Line models, Bavaria says that space for life on deck was emphasised when designing the boat. At the same time, it aims to score points with a well thought-out space concept below deck. So is she a real all-rounder family boat? She celebrated her world premiere at Boot Düsseldorf 2023.
As far as the hull of the Bavaria is concerned, the figures are confusing. If you look at the overall length of the SR33 compared to the SR36, you realise that the 33 is longer, by a whole 2 centimetres. That's not much, but a 33-foot boat that's longer than a 36-foot boat? That sounds wrong. Marcus Schlichting, press spokesman at Bavaria, who accompanied us on the test in Neustadt, clarifies this for us: On the 33, the bathing platform is permanently mounted and is therefore included in the length. On the 36, it is attached and therefore does not have to be counted. In fact, the hull is 88 centimetres shorter and 40 centimetres narrower than on the 36. Otherwise, the two are very similar.
Layout on board
Our test boat is moored in Neustadt in Holstein on the Baltic Sea. The holiday destination for many owners is calm today and the waves are ideal for a test with a height of 30 centimetres. We are on the official build number one with Swedish twin engines. The two Volvo Penta engines each produce 300 hp and run on diesel. The engine compartment in which they are installed is large and tidy. Everything is easily accessible and clearly organised. Nothing stands in the way of routine maintenance, except perhaps the slightly too small engine compartment flap in the cockpit. At 42 x 48 centimetres, it is narrow, but still large enough to fit through.
The steering position is clearly arranged and equipped with a normal double throttle grip and a joystick. The steering wheel is easy to grip when sitting or standing and the seating position is also good. The gearstick and steering are electric. If you want to view the engine data, you can do so on the Simrad plotter. Two 12-inch screens are installed on our test boat; the boat is supplied with just one 7-inch screen as standard. An induction charging cradle for the smartphone, the control element for the bow thruster and toggle switches for controlling the deck light and bilge pumps were also installed.
There is a berth on the port side, which is 1.78 metres long and 0.63 metres wide. Next to it is a co-driver's seat. Further aft, with a view over the stern and to starboard, an L-shaped sofa has been installed. Up to eight people can sit and eat here at the teak table. The backrest to the stern can be folded down so that you can either sit at the table or use the sunbathing area in the stern. This is large (1.72 x 1.28 metres).
A special gimmick is the extendable table in the rear. This means you can also sit at a table in the stern. A small galley with fridge, two-burner hob and plenty of storage space is of course also available and should not be missing on a family boat. The upholstery is in grey and white, which looks very modern and elegant. The upholstery is well and neatly finished. The floor is covered with plantation teak, which has been expertly done. You can stand in the entire cockpit without any problems.
Spacious below deck
A large double bed (1.80 metres x 1.99 metres) and a seating area adorn the interior of the boat. The light oak wood and colour-contrasting upholstery give the interior a fresh and airy feel, just as you would expect from a boat from the year 2023. The centre cabin offers a double bed (1.60 x 1.97 metres) as well as a sofa and plenty of cupboards. A bathroom with electric toilet, washbasin and shower are installed on the starboard side. The shower cubicle and washbasin in the bathroom are separated by a glass door. There is plenty of storage space throughout the boat, which emphasises the focus on a family boat. All in all, it can be said that you can comfortably spend a longer holiday cruise with 4 people on the Bavaria SR33.
Test drive with the Bavaria SR33
Now it's time to cast off and see what the new Bavaria can do. The 9.6 tonne boat slowly pushes out of the harbour towards the open Baltic Sea. At slow displacement speed, the boat travels straight ahead as if on rails. She doesn't yaw and doesn't make any other mistakes. Thanks to the twin engines, joystick steering and additional bow thruster, manoeuvring is easy even in the tightest of spaces. When we step on the gas, the boat starts to glide at around 2100 revolutions per minute. The speed is 14 knots. In our opinion, the best speed for a good ride is 3000 rpm. The boat then runs at around 24.2 knots. Visibility is good and the boat is stable. When we put the lever on the table, the plotter shows a boat speed of 31.2 knots with a diesel consumption of 118 litres for both engines. With a noise level of 85 dB(A) at the helm, the boat is not exactly quiet.
If you now turn the rudder fully, the SR33 will take a bend unimpressed. Visibility in port turns is somewhat restricted, which is due to the position of the helm position. As soon as the boat heels less, you can see everything again. She performs the slalom parkour unspectacularly well, and she also handles the tacks to starboard or port cleanly. The boat sits well on the rudder during all manoeuvres and gives the helmsman good feedback at all times. The turning circle forwards is good at one and a half boat lengths. When the boat is lying in the water without speed and the wave comes from the side, you notice the narrower hull compared to the 36. It feels a little tippy. But when the wave comes from aft, it's no problem at all. Then the boat lies like a board in the wave. In terms of workmanship and equipment, the SR33 has nothing to hide. Both the interior and the exterior are manufactured and finished in an exemplary manner.
With the SR33, Bavaria has succeeded in building a well-made family boat. The twin engines make it easy to handle in any situation and even mooring with the family is no problem thanks to the bow thruster and joystick steering. All in all, a very successful boat with good workmanship and a well thought-out concept.
Technical details
- Shipyard: Bavaria Yachts/D
- TypeSR 33
- CE category: B/8 persons; C/10
- Hull and deck: Plastic
- Length over everything: 11,40 m
- Width: 3,46 m
- Displacement (with motors): 9,600 kg
- Depth: 0,85 m
- Clearance height: 3,13 m
- Fuel tank: 1x 500 l
- Water tank: 250 l
- Cabins: 1
- Berths: 4
- Test motorisation: 2 x Volvo Penta D 4 300 (221 kW)
- Price (standard boat): from 296 191 €
- Manufacturer: www.bavariayachts.com
