Recent posts

#1
Polls & Yacht Opinions / Re: Bavaria 47 Cruiser, 2001, ...
Last post by UP - July 23 2026, 22:23
FIY - we started the circumnavigation today! They say leaving the port is the hardest part. We'll, we're past this milestone :)
#2
Bavaria Yacht Help! / Re: Jefa Rudder Bearing Housin...
Last post by GeoffV - July 23 2026, 10:07
There is a video either on the Jefa website or Tube showing a technician doing the 3 year service.

It looks very strait forward. The key to it all is the greasing of the bearing and holder stopping the corrosion which stiffens up the whole thing.

Yes on YouTube: 'Jefa Rudder and bearing service'
#3
Bavaria Yacht Help! / Re: Jefa Rudder Bearing Housin...
Last post by sean c - July 22 2026, 11:30
I replaced the lower rudder bearing and housing on my 47 Cruiser 2009 last December. I had a lot of trouble identifying the bearing size as the Jefa drawing for my model did not list it.
Yours appears to be on their site though.

https://jefa.com/ftp/old_boat_spare_parts/Bavaria/Bavaria36_A36_2010-2013/Bavaria%20NC36%20type%20A36%20rudder.pdf

They sell the complete housing, ball and nut kit.

https://jefa.com/ftp/old_boat_spare_parts/Bavaria/Bavaria36_A36_2010-2013/5BT084-129.PDF

Have a look around the Jefa site. It is badly laid out and difficult to navigate. They recommend not putting copper based anti-foul within 50mm of the bearing housing. They also recommend ball bearings be removed every 3 years and thoroughly cleaned. Not sure this is practical if you have to destroy it to get it out.
The original bearing housing I removed had a stamped JP3L/SW.I ended up getting a JP3 non roller bearing. They sell a blank and I got the hole machined out to their spec after I had the rudder out.
The SW on the housing I was told stands for SeaWay who made the bearings on license to JP3 from Slovenia. They had some issues with deviating from the standard design.
When I got the new bearing housing it was 40mm shorter than the one I removed. The JP3 agent advised this was the correct spec and I need to modify my boat to fit the bearing. It all ended up OK with a good fiberglass technician modifying the hull.
When I walk around boats on the hard stand they are almost 100% anti-foul on the bearing housing same colour as the hull. I don't believe many people follow the manufacturers recommendations.
Sean
#4
https://www.youtube.com/@mrjweate  this link should take you to a guy who has a pretty good explanation of how it all goes together
#5




Go Earth Ltd are pleased to present this Bavaria 450 Sports Coupe, a highly specified example kept in excellent condition by experienced boat owners. Built in 2015 and Part-One registered, she offers a rare combination of performance, comfort and versatility.

Powered by twin Volvo Penta D6-400hp EVC diesel engines (2015) with stern drives, she has 475 hours and a full service history. The boat is equipped with Volvo Aquamatic joystick DPH control, making handling and close-quarters manoeuvring simple. A Sidepower bow thruster further enhances control.

A standout feature of this vessel is the sliding electric roof and electric slide-down rear window, allowing the cockpit to transform from fully enclosed to open in moments. She also benefits from a hydraulic swim platform, supplied with a 2017 Excel Virago 290 RIB with aluminium hull, helm console and Suzuki 15HP outboard (low hours), making tender operations effortless.

Accommodation & Interior
The boat offers accommodation for up to 6 guests across 3 cabins. There is a forward island berth in the foreship, plus two mid cabins that can be configured as twin or double berths, and a king-sized master layout configuration. Interior finishes include upgraded dark brown leather upholstery, oak woodwork, ocean line flooring, covered panel ceiling, settee seating and a solid wood saloon table.

Additional features include:
Reading lamps and LED roof lighting
Blinds and flyscreens on hatches plus blinds in heads
Webasto heating system
Mounted 22-inch TVs in saloon and cabin 2
Fusion audio system throughout vessel with cockpit, saloon and cabin speakers plus subwoofer in engine room

Galley
The well-equipped galley includes:

Ceramic stove top and twin hob
Double stainless steel sink with cover
Free-standing microwave
Waeco 110L fridge
Waeco 30L fridge drawer
Waeco 40L chest freezer

Systems & Navigation
6.5kW Fisher Panda generator
Mastervolt inverter
CE fire extinguishing system and 6 fire extinguishers
Navigation lights (BSH certified) and acoustic signal system
Sumlog-sonar, Bidata system
Garmin chart plotter / GPSMap 7412
Garmin Autopilot GHP10
Garmin 4kW radar
Garmin VHF 300i AIS

Deck & Exterior
Finished in a white hull with grey stripe, the boat features 7 opening hull windows, 7 hatches, and 2 cockpit windows. The GRP hardtop includes a sliding electric roof system. The cockpit is self-draining and well designed for entertaining with:

Wetbar including Isotherm 55L drawer freezer, Waeco 50L fridge and BBQ grill
Sink and tap
Cockpit table in solid wood
Helmstand with double seat and co-pilot sun lounge seating
Integrated cockpit lighting and windscreen wipers with synchronous control
Stainless steel fittings including cleats, bow rail, handrails and cup holders
Adjustable sports steering wheel and security glass windscreen

Additional exterior highlights include a teak bathing platform with ladder, stern shower (hot and cold), and ample stowage including space under the aft sun pad suitable for a folded RIB.

Dimensions
Length overall: 14.99m
Length on deck: 13.83m
Length at waterline: 13.22m
Beam: 4.41m
Min draft: 0.75m
Max draft: 1.1m
Cabin headroom: 2.1m

Summary
This Bavaria 450 Sports Coupe is a highly capable and exceptionally well-maintained cruiser with extensive specification, innovative opening roof system, strong performance twin diesel engines, and practical features throughout. Known to the broker for several years, she has been carefully used and regularly serviced, representing a rare opportunity in the UK market.

Location: Isle of Wight
Price: £285,000

Website

Apollo Duck
#6
The photo of the assembled tang does not indicate any significant misalignment or side load on the swage which may cause  a premature failure. The stay terminal is not tight in the tang fitting which would allow for some misalignment.

If you are tightening the D1 when sailing to remove movement this may be overloading the D1. When sailing the leeward shroud and D's will all have some slop in them as the vessel flexes and the windward shrouds/D's stretch slightly under load, this is quite normal.

If the mast moves out of column (straight) when under load then the D's will need to be adjusted to bring the mast back to straight in the loaded condition.
#7
Bavaria Yacht Help! / Re: Volvo Penta D1-30: Engine ...
Last post by SteveB62 - July 11 2026, 02:44
Thanks for sharing, this is very useful and interesting information. I am super impressed that you have a spare fuel pump on board!!
#8
Bavaria Yacht Help! / Re: Cleaning the heat exchange...
Last post by Rapita - July 10 2026, 09:27
My md 2030 also had the same fracture due to vibration,I removed the unit and mounted it on a piece of grp sheet(the type that van and caravan sides are made from)Then earthed with a piece of wire.This has not failed in 10 years.
#9
Bavaria Yacht Help! / Re: 39 Cruiser Keel Depth
Last post by sunshine - July 09 2026, 10:28
The tonnage on my builders cert for a Bav30 is also a fantasy figure.
#10
Bavaria Yacht Help! / Volvo Penta D1-30: Engine losi...
Last post by gadisac - July 09 2026, 09:27
Hello everyone,

I'd like to share an issue I recently experienced on my 2006 Bavaria Cruiser 37 equipped with a Volvo Penta D1-30 and SD130 saildrive. The engine has approximately 2,600 operating hours, and I hope this information may help someone facing similar symptoms.

While motoring at a steady 1,500 RPM (I have an Autoprop propeller), the engine suddenly started losing RPM and eventually stalled. After restarting, it would no longer idle properly and was unable to maintain its normal idle speed of around 900 RPM in neutral.

Interestingly, no engine alarms or warning lights were triggered.

At the beginning of the winter lay-up, I had performed the annual service, including changing the engine oil, the oil filter, and the fuel filter. The fuel tank was also completely full, so contaminated fuel did not seem to be an obvious cause.

Once back in the marina, I started with the usual checks. I replaced both the Volvo fuel filter and the Racor pre-filter, and I inspected the diesel for microbial contamination. The fuel was clean, with no sign of algae or debris. Both filters were also surprisingly clean.

However, while replacing the engine fuel filter, I noticed that it was only about half full of diesel. This suggested that the fuel supply to the filter was insufficient, leading me to suspect the mechanical fuel lift pump.

Fortunately, I had a spare fuel pump on board, so I replaced it.

Afterwards, I disassembled the original pump out of curiosity and discovered something I had never noticed before: inside the pump, beneath the small cap on the top, there is a small serviceable mesh filter.

This internal filter was almost completely blocked by algae and microbial deposits.

After installing the spare pump, the engine immediately returned to normal operation. It now idles perfectly and runs smoothly throughout the RPM range.

Lesson learned: even if the primary fuel filter and the Racor filter are perfectly clean, don't forget that the mechanical fuel lift pump itself contains a small internal filter that can become clogged. It is easy to overlook because it is not part of the normal service routine, but it can seriously restrict the fuel supply.

From now on, I will inspect and clean this small filter during every annual service.

I hope this experience helps other Bavaria and Volvo Penta owners. Has anyone else come across the same issue?