Bavaria 34 with 20HP engine

[Smeaks]

I am considering a Bavaria 34 (2001) fitted with the 20HP engine I am a little concerned regarding the performance of the with what is a 35 ft boat.

Can any current owners give me their opinion on the performance against sea and close boat handling situations.

Thanks

[Clivert]

We've had 2001 Bav34 for eight years.
We have the 29 hp engine and would recommend the bigger engine

[Symphony]

Probably the majority of that model have the standard 20hp engine and it is adequate for the displacement of the boat. Clearly the 30hp option gives more power. It allows cruising at lower RPM for a given speed and a bit more of a margin in adverse conditions.

[Salty]

I have the MD2020 engine on my B36(2002), actually 19 horsepower in a boat 11.4 metres in length, and this will give me 7 knots plus on about 2800 rpm, but obviously less in adverse weather conditions, as with any other engine that could be fitted comfortably within the boats existing engine compartment. Up to now, and I’ve had the boat since 2010, it has more than coped with providing at least the boats waterline speed. If I was going to re-engine the boat I’d most likely go for the 2030, where I think it would be more frugal on diesel fuel, but cannot fault the 2020 which has been a good solid and reliable machine that gets on with its business without any fuss (so far !), and on very low noise levels.

[IslandAlchemy]

Depends where you will be keeping the boat and what kind of sailing you want to do.

If you are in a place with strong tides (Severn Estuary, Channel Islands, etc.), then the bigger engine is worth having.  If you are a Solent Warrior, who wants to hoon to the next marina at 7kts to get to the pub before everyone else, then the bigger engine is worth having.

Otherwise, the 20hp will be fine.

I just re-powered by Bavaria 49 from a 105hp to a 50hp and hardly notice the difference.  You can have to big an engine aswell you know.

[Salty]

Depends where you will be keeping the boat and what kind of sailing you want to do.

If you are in a place with strong tides (Severn Estuary, Channel Islands, etc.), then the bigger engine is worth having.
.
Otherwise, the 20hp will be fine.
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“If you are in a place with strong tides (Severn Estuary, Channel Islands, etc.), then the bigger engine is worth having.” ......
.......Or, like me and many others, you learn to live with the tides and go with them rather than against them, and yes, with my 19hp Volvo MD2020 engine I’ve seen speeds of ten knots and more over the ground, but thanks in no small measure to a bit of voyage planning and using the incoming or outgoing tide to my advantage.

[Symphony]

The main determinants of HP required are displacement and LWL. The greater the displacement the greater the required power to reach a theoretical hull speed in flat water. Approx 20 hp is enough up to a displacement of +/- 5000kgs and an LWL of approx 30ft which gives a hull speed of around 7.3 knots. The Bav 34 fits in this bracket comfortably at 4500kgs and the propeller fitted as standard will achieve this. However once you start adding windage, waves, dirty bottom etc inevitably the maximum speed falls. The larger engine will reduce this loss and allow maintenance of cruising speed at a lower rpm - although fuel consumption will be the same as the same power is being used.

A comfortable cruising speed of these boats is 5.5 knots at around 2400 rpm with the 20hp and 2200 with the 30hp. The larger engine will allow you to up the cruising speed to close to 6 knots at 2400rpm with a small increase in consumption.

One of the problems with the Volvo engine range is the big gap in power between the models, jumping by one third in output from the 2020 to the 2030 and ideally a 25hp would be a better choice for the 34 and similar age 36. It is only when you jump to the 37 (like I had) and 38 does the 2030 become necessary because displacement then is above 5500kgs.

As a matter of interest the newer Farr designs are much heavier (my 33 is 5500kgs) and the LWL is much longer so speed potential greater. Even then the standard engine is the D1 20 although most UK owners, like myself choose the D1 30.

As ever boat and engine choice is a compromise. If I were in the market for an early 2000s 34 my priorities would be condition and equipment and the larger engine option a bonus but nowhere near a deal breaker. They are great boats and deliver what they promise.

[IslandAlchemy]

Agree with Symphony on this.

I used to have a 36ft Beneteau with a 19hp Yanmar, and that was perfectly adequate.

[Smeaks]

well i took the plunge cleaned the elbow and can report the engine has more than adequate manouvering power went stern in the marina with very strong cross winds with no problem and we motor sailed the boat back from essex to northumberland with an avearge speed of 6kts the engine working when required with no issues.

very happy

[IslandAlchemy]

Jolly good.

[Dr.Thomas Eisele]

Hello from Germany, resp. Netherlands!

I am new here and have a Bavaria 34, built 2010. The engine has 29 HP and I feel fine with this. Depending on what kind of sailing you intend to make, I could imagine that 20 HP is enough.
cheers Thomas