Bavaria 28 Sport

Bavaria delivers an affordable cruiser with attitude

The Bavaria 28 Sport comes with a daringly different look with a muscular hull that dominates the boat’s profile. There is just a smidgen of lift to the coachroof and a small lip of windscreen exaggerates the hull’s muscle.

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With its overhead skylights, oak sole and white panelled sides, the main cabin on the Bavaria 28 Sport is a bright and inviting place to be, although as feared the headroom isn’t amazing.

Just 6ft in the entrance way and head-thumpingly low frames on the doorways running into a small toilet and the roomy mid cabin.

There is a long bench seat inside, two opening ports, a useful 5ft 10in of headroom in the entrance and plenty of stowage space.

The practical design continues outside with the cockpit layout delivering more seating than sunpad. The deck access on this boat is good right up to the radar arch, whereupon the ankle-high windscreen makes you feel a little exposed as you head further forward.

Surprisingly the tiny screen does a superb job if you’re sitting down and so provides a good place to hide if conditions deteriorate.

In terms of power, the test boat’s twin 225hp 4.3lt V6 petrol engines are a smooth and cheaper option than either a single 260hp/300hp D4 or twin 160hp D3s.

We hit 37 knots with twin 225hp petrol engines but Bavaria has recorded 34 knots (with four crew) from a single D4-300, so whichever option you go for you’re going to be getting places pretty fast.

Score

70%
  • Overall score:
    70%

Pros

  • Great hull and fun handling with progressive styling

Cons

  • You will have to pay extra for diesel

Price as reviewed:

£103,061.00

Verdict

Bavaria is back and it means business. We’re still not sure if this is a big small boat or a small big boat but the mix of progressive styling, good handling and smart fitout is just what this market needs

Details

Displacement: 4 tonnes
Fuel Capacity: 115gal (520lt)
Beam: 9ft 9in (2.9m)
Water Capacity: 24gal (110lt)
Air Draught: 9ft 3in (2.8m)
RCD Category: B
Length Overall: 29ft 3in (8.9m)
Engines: Twin Volvo Penta 4.3GXI
Boats for Sale: Search for a Bavaria 28 Sport for sale
Reprints: Buy the full review
Contact: Bavaria Boats

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