Bavaria
Bavaria 30 Cruiser
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We are confirming an exact hull photo for this model. Specifications and survey notes are complete.
The Bavaria 30 Cruiser is one of Northern Europe's most recognisable production sailboats. Designed in-house by Bavaria Yachtbau and built from 2005 to 2007, an estimated 1,500–2,000 hulls left the Giebelstadt yard — an entry-level Bavaria cruiser and a Baltic charter fleet staple. With 9.5 m LOA, 3.22 m beam, and about 4,000 kg displacement, the model suits couples and small families cruising the Baltic, Skagerrak, and North Sea. The Bavaria 30 Cruiser targeted volume buyers and charter operators: straightforward deck layout, Yanmar auxiliary, and interior ergonomics that work for four berths without complexity. High production volume makes it one of the most common sub-10 m cruisers in northern European marinas and on second-hand portals. Price discovery is brutally practical: ex-charter maintenance history, chainplate leaks, Yanmar 3YM30 hours, and teak wear separate quick sales from project boats. First-time buyers compare against Hanse 301, Jeanneau SO 32.2, and older Scandinavian classics — advisory focus is total cost of ownership, not brand prestige. Annual costs can stay toward the lower end of the 9–10 m class (60,000–150,000 kr) if maintenance is current — but deferred charter wear triggers refit spikes. Document every impeller, saildrive seal, and hull moisture survey for resale. FairHelm tracks Bavaria 30 Cruiser listings because these hulls trade constantly on Blocket, Scanboat, and German brokerage sites. Buyers are rarely choosing between "good" and "bad" boats — they are choosing between documented maintenance and deferred work. A polished teak cockpit or new plotter does not cancel unknown rigging age, keel-bolt corrosion, or moisture at chainplates. That is why survey discipline matters more here than brand romance. For Nordic ownership, Bavaria 30 Cruiser works as a coastal weekender with occasional longer passages when equipped for cold-water sailing: reliable heating, solid ground tackle, and a realistic technical reserve beyond berth and insurance. Compare adjacent models in FairHelm's [model guides](/en/yachts/models/) and read survey notes before committing a deposit. The cheapest asking price on Blocket is rarely the cheapest boat to own over three seasons.
At a glance
Quick facts
- Production
- 2005–2007
- LOA
- 9.47 m
- Beam
- 3.28 m
- Model
- Bavaria 30 Cruiser
Technical data
- Length overall (LOA)
- 9.47 m
- Beam
- 3.28 m
- Production years
- 2005–2007
Typical problems
- What chainplate water ingress issues appear on Bavaria 30 Cruiser?
- Deck moisture near chainplates is a common Bavaria family issue — map before purchase.
- What Yanmar 3YM30 service history issues appear on Bavaria 30 Cruiser?
- Neglected cooling and saildrive seals cause expensive overheating repairs.
- What teak cockpit wear issues appear on Bavaria 30 Cruiser?
- Charter boats show heavy teak and hardware wear; budget rebedding or replacement.
- What hull moisture issues appear on Bavaria 30 Cruiser?
- High-hour charter hulls need moisture survey despite a young model year.
- What owner modification issues appear on Bavaria 30 Cruiser?
- Galley and electrical refits require traceable documentation for insurance.
Design History
Bavaria launched the 30 Cruiser in the mid-2000s as a compact charter and private-market platform — part of the yard's push into high-volume GRP cruisers with wide interiors and Yanmar saildrive auxiliaries. In-house design shaped the hull for predictable manners in Baltic chop and North Sea swell. Production ran from 2005 to 2007; registry and brokerage data suggest approximately 1,500–2,000 completed hulls.
Bavaria scaled the 30 Cruiser for holiday fleets and private buyers alike — a production strategy that still defines entry-level Baltic liquidity.
Mid-production changes were mostly interior trim, engine options, and deck hardware rather than fundamental hull revisions. That means survey condition, winter storage history, and rigging invoices usually matter more than the model year printed on the brochure. When you evaluate a Bavaria 30 Cruiser on Blocket, treat the maintenance story as part of the specification — not a footnote after the asking price.
Annual Ownership Costs
| Cost item | Low (SEK) | High (SEK) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marina berth | 18,000 | 38,000 | 9.5 m class, Stockholm/Gothenburg |
| Insurance | 8,000 | 22,000 | Agreed value and cruising area |
| Haul-out + winter | 12,000 | 28,000 | Yard package varies by region |
| Antifouling + hull care | 6,000 | 16,000 | Materials and labour |
| Engine / drivetrain | 5,000 | 16,000 | Service intervals and saildrive |
| Rigging reserve | 7,000 | 20,000 | Standing rigging age |
| Deck / structural reserve | 6,000 | 22,000 | Bedding, moisture follow-up |
| Total annual | 58,000 | 162,000 | Excludes major refit years |
Annual ownership for Bavaria 30 Cruiser is predictable when service records are complete. Berth, storage, and insurance dominate fixed costs in Sweden. The largest variables are rigging replacement timing and any survey-led deck or drivetrain work triggered after purchase. Keep a separate technical reserve so routine season costs stay stable — especially on Blocket boats marketed as "ready to sail" without invoices.
Pre-Purchase Survey Checklist
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist: Bavaria 30 Cruiser
Hull, Keel and Underwater Body
- Moisture-map the underwater hull; document osmosis or barrier-coat history on Bavaria 30 Cruiser GRP of this era.
- Inspect keel-to-hull joint, keel bolts (if external iron), and backing structure for movement or recurring fairing cracks.
- Check rudder bearings and steering linkage under load during sea trial.
Deck and Hardware
- Test bedding at stanchions, tracks, and winches; open nearby interior access if damp stains appear.
- Inspect hatches and portlights for seal compression and core moisture at corners.
- Verify chainplate areas internally for rust staining or soft laminate.
Rig and Sail Systems
- Confirm standing rigging age with invoices; treat unknown age as near-term replacement on club-used hulls.
- Inspect mast step, spreaders, and terminals for corrosion or fatigue marks.
- Operate furling and reefing systems under realistic load.
Machinery and Systems
- Review engine and saildrive service including cooling, exhaust elbow, and mounts.
- Audit batteries, charging, and owner-added electrical work for safe fusing.
- Check tanks, bilges, and hoses for age-related seepage.