Bavaria
Bavaria 39 Cruiser
The Bavaria 39 Cruiser is one of Northern Europe's most recognisable production sailboats. Designed by Bavaria Yachtbau and J&J Design and built from 2000 to 2008, an estimated 600+ hulls left the Giebelstadt yard — a high-volume Baltic cruiser and charter fleet staple. With 11.99 m LOA, 3.84 m beam, and about 6,235 kg displacement, the model suits couples and small families cruising the Baltic, Skagerrak, and North Sea. The Bavaria 39 Cruiser continues the yard's wide-beam, two- and three-cabin formula that still dominates Boot24 and Scanboat search volume. FairHelm buyers compare Bavaria 40, Hanse 370, and Jeanneau SO 39i when prioritising interior space per euro in the 12 m class. Ex-charter and early-owner boats differ sharply in maintenance — plotter upgrades do not replace saildrive, rigging, and chainplate documentation. Expect 70,000–180,000 kr annual baseline for a 12 m Bavaria in Nordic marinas. Budget standing rigging and deck-hardware reserves on 15–20 year old hulls before offshore plans. FairHelm tracks Bavaria 39 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 39 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. When you shortlist a Bavaria 39 Cruiser, build a simple survey scorecard: hull moisture, rigging age, drivetrain service, and chainplate integrity. Owner forums and yard quotes from Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Helsingør help you separate cosmetic refresh from structural deferral — especially on boats marketed as "ready to sail" without invoices.
At a glance
Quick facts
- Production
- 2000–2008
- LOA
- 11.99 m
- Beam
- 3.84 m
- Model
- Bavaria 39 Cruiser
Technical data
- Length overall (LOA)
- 11.99 m
- Beam
- 3.84 m
- Production years
- 2000–2008
Typical problems
- What standing rigging fatigue issues appear on Bavaria 39 Cruiser?
- Unknown rigging age is common on Bavaria 39 Cruiser; budget replacement if invoices are missing.
- What chainplate leak issues appear on Bavaria 39 Cruiser?
- Chainplate bedding failures often show as ceiling stains — moisture mapping before purchase.
- What deck core moisture issues appear on Bavaria 39 Cruiser?
- Stanchion bases and tracks concentrate water ingress without periodic rebedding.
- What saildrive seal service issues appear on Bavaria 39 Cruiser?
- Saildrive and engine service history should be complete before Baltic purchase.
- What keel bolt inspection issues appear on Bavaria 39 Cruiser?
- Keel bolts and grounding history need professional survey on older imports.
Design History
Bavaria and J&J Design developed the 39 Cruiser in the early 2000s as a core volume model between the smaller 37 and the later 40 lines — wide beam, multiple cabin layouts, and production scale aimed at charter operators and family buyers across Northern Europe. Production ran from 2000 to 2008; registry and brokerage sources suggest approximately 600+ completed hulls.
Bavaria scaled 39 Cruiser output for Baltic holiday fleets and private buyers alike — explaining strong second-hand liquidity on Blocket and German brokerage portals today.
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 39 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 | 22,000 | 48,000 | 11.99 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 | 62,000 | 172,000 | Excludes major refit years |
Annual ownership for Bavaria 39 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 39 Cruiser
Hull, Keel and Underwater Body
- Moisture-map the underwater hull; document osmosis or barrier-coat history on Bavaria 39 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.