BAVARIA NAUTITECH 40 OPEN TESTED

We had the pleasure sailing and testing a brand new NAUTITECH 40 open catamaran from “BAVARIA YACHTS” last summer sailing it over 1500 nautical miles from the factory in La-Rochelle via the Bay of Biscay through the Gibraltar satire and the Mediterranean.

We got the boat in La-Rochelle at the end of August. The boat that we got was an owner version that has three cabins, and not the charter version that has four.

Immediately looking at the boat you see a sleek and flow design with two large bathing platform where the two powerful 40 HP Volvo Penta engines lie (upgraded from the two standard 30HP).

Our first impression after getting to know the boat still at the dock was that it is very comfortable, build using the latest technologies and well equipped. The first thing that comes to mind is the two steering wheels that make a huge difference when sailing and docking. The aft deck is huge and can seat comfortably 8 people around the main table and two or three more on the bench across from the table bench on the port side. All upholstery was very pleasant to touch and made out of good quality washable materials, and well fitted with the yacht colors and design.

While inspecting the yacht the second thing that comes in mind for sea going sailors is the navigation and control system that allows control from each of the helms and from the main cabin. The wheels are covered with a leather lid and the seats are very spacious and facile as it should for a cursing yacht. Our yacht was classified as class A meaning ready for open water as was proven later during the voyage. When entering the main cabin, we immediately see that a huge effort was invested in human engineering. The panoramic view is spectacular and the roomy folding chart-table is an excellent idea that allows both usages of the chart table for logging the voyage as well as chartwork and reading area, but when folded at the anchorage allows for a spacious place to sit or lay and have a drink or read a book.

The main control is a “NAVICO” application with manual overrides installed on the main chart plotter and allow for easy access and control to all systems on board (example lights, bilge pumps, shower pumps, navigation etc.)

the saloon is spacious enough but not wastey.

The galley is well designed with more than enough storage area for verything that is required from kitchenware to groceries and much more. The stove and oven are well placed for easy operation, and the large sinks allow for easy immersion of the dirty dishes and quick and efficient wash preserving water.

The work area in the galley is large enough to allow any chef performing anything he has in mind.

The three freeze\fridge combination allows a very comfortable cruise with plenty of space for groceries ice and drinks to be stored. The main fridge located across from the galley while the main freezer is huge and located at the hall before the entry to the bow starboard cabin. And the third one is located at the aft deck on the port entry to the main cabin.

Going down the steps to the port we find the owner cabin installed with a large double bed at the aft center part of the boat, allowing for easy access from both sides. There is a large makeup\office table in the center and a large head divided to the toilet, wash counter with a large sink and a shower at the bow. A door separates the head from the sleeping area.

There are more than enough wardrobe cabinets for clothing and storage area under the floor. In the cabin and head, there are more than enough outlets DC\AC to support any need at sea or shore.

Taking the steps down at the starboard side reveals a wide corridor that leads to two spacious cabins one at the aft and one at the bow while in the middle there is an entry to the combined toilet\shower. In the corridor as well as in the cabins there is more than enough drawers, wardrobes and storage space. All cabins are equipped with a generous number of outlets for any need.

To maximize the comfort hatches have been placed in all of the cabins and heads.

At the deck level in the bow there are two extremely large lockers, the net in the bow and the clever mattresses fit and the appliance allows for a comfy tan during a smooth voyage or at the anchorage.

Two additional very large lockers could be found on the forward part of the boat on the two sides of the mast. The starboard one holds in a special cube the chain for the anchor.

The cockpit is one of the largest known in this size of a catamaran and it is equipped with all the gear necessary to sail the vessel from the cockpit.

On the starboard side, we can find all of the sheets and halyards, two winches one for the main halyard (electric, in our case) while the headsail uses a self-tack mechanism for easy handling of the boat. Although self-tack, the user may set the preferred tack by locking the car onto a preferred position.

At the stern of the cockpit, there is a very long track and car for the main sheet with two winches and jammers to allow complete control over the main sheet.

The boat that we sailed was equipped with a 70sq m gennaker sail with a bowsprit with an anti-torsion furling luff rope. Which become very handy in week beam to broad winds. The two sheets can be laid via blocks to two winches one on the port side and one on the starboard side.

The main sail 678sq ft fully battened makes the experience of powering and depowering the main sail easy even for unexperienced sailors.

But let’s stop the nonsense and take her up to the sea. Immediately as we did the sea trials it feels that the boat has a lot of power both under engines and under sail.

The sleek design and light weight make the boat sail fast and very comfortable like should be on a catamaran. No roiling of any kind and the pitching is controllable.

The maneuverability of the boat under power is excellent and the controls are responsive both in forward and backward motion. Together with two 215ltr diesel tanks and an average fuel consumption of just under 3ltr an hour per engine at 2100rpm gives us a nominal cruising range under power at an average speed of 7.5kt around 500 nautical miles.

Under sail at about 10kt winds the boat did with jib and main around 6kt and with the asymmetrical spinnaker around 7.5 kt.

At 25kt broad winds under first reef the boat reached a nominal speed of 13kt.

We manage to sail the boat effectively 45-50⁰ to wind at an average speed of 9kt.

Quick Summary:

The NAUTITECH Open 40 from BAVARIA is a splendid catamaran that combines both comfort and speed. With its sleek design, advanced manufacturing technologies and its lightweight, it sails fast even in weak winds and sails well at all points of sail.

The engines and controls are precise and allows even novices to maneuver the boat under power at confined spaces.

The boat is seaworthy. Sailing it in the harsh conditions of the Bay of Biscay and the North Atlantic, as well as in the Mediterranean, the boat behaved well and was comfortable and spacious, with a lot of spare room for storage of any kind as should a cruising yacht be.

The main drawbacks are the boat comes with engine controls only on the starboard side (though you can opt for twin electronic throttles on both sides), and the AIS system installed when received many alerts may from time to time reset the navigation system (though it was solved with a quick software update).