Game, set and Match for 38

The German-built yacht, Bavaria Match 38, adds a race-oriented approach to the company's production range. ROBIN BAILEY reports

Just as New Zealand launches its first production racer/cruiser in more than a decade, along comes a German import that targets the same sailing segment, but with a considerable price advantage.

The local boat is the Z39, which won a one-design contest organised by Yachting New Zealand to establish a new rigidly controlled and specified class to follow on from boats such as the Farr 1020 that helped to establish a golden era of one-class racing here and internationally.

Designed by Brett Bakewell-White, the first Z39, built by Hakes Marine in Wellington, has just been launched. Another is being built and indications are that the class will quickly grow. It hits the water with a price tag of $465,000, including GST.

The import is the $300,000 Bavaria Match 38, the first of a series from one of the most sophisticated boatbuilding facilities in Europe. It has been imported by International Yacht Brokers for Waiheke Island sailor Mike Spratt.

From the maximum-length waterline to the powerful hull sections and tall, performance-oriented rig, the Match 38 takes Bavaria Yachts in a new direction, adding a more race-oriented approach to its well-established and proven production range.

Already 200 Match series yachts have been sold in Europe, and in Australia the racing success of the Match 38 Game Set is making an impression.

It has recorded a third in the five-day Australian keelboat series - finishing just 40 seconds behind the gun boat, a Farr 50 - and a second in the Mooloolaba race, beating the Sydney 38 fleet.

The deck layout is based on the match-racing premise that a boat with good gear is easier to sail. So the placement of sheets, halyards and controls is optimised to make the Match 38 easily sailed on the race course and equally suited to family cruising.

A deep-draughted rudder with a semi-elliptical shape gives excellent control of the powerful hull sections.

From the board of JJ Design and built in one of the most modern production facilities in Europe, all Bavaria yachts are distinguished by attention to details and high-quality equipment as a base-line specification.

Standard equipment for the Match series includes a keel-stepped two-spreader fractional rig and high-quality deck equipment.

Despite its racing heritage, the Match 38 is a true racer-cruiser with an interior fit-out of the highest quality with expert design attention to comfort aligned with practicality.

The interior concept features three cabins - two aft and one forward - with a comfortable saloon area, a practical and efficient galley to cater for the requirements of both racing and cruising modes, a big toilet/shower area and plenty of stowage space.

The Match 38 fits the New Zealand cruiser/racer concepts established in this country by the Farr 1020, Young 11 and the Elliott 1050.

It will come up against all these proven yachts when it begins racing with the Royal New Zealand yacht Squadron this year.

Owner Spratt has taken aboard Rodney Keenan of Quantum Sails as skipper. Keenan will oversee the programme as the boat is fully tested with a sail wardrobe from his loft to ensure that the first 38 achieves its full potential.

A class association is planned as soon as the pool of New Zealand owners of the Bavaria Match 38s heads out on the water in Auckland.

SPECIFICATIONS

LOA: 11.39m

Beam: 3.70m

Waterline length: 10.35m

Max sail area: 88.5 sq m

Draught: 2.35m

Ballast: 2000kg

Engine: Volvo 21kw

Price: $300,000-plus depending on owner options.