Gone with the Wind - Bavaria Boats: HOME

oat reviewThe helmsman gets to perch onan adjustable, flip-up chair before acomprehensive panel of analogueinstrumentation, monitoring theengine and boat’s every move.Standard features include log, depthfinder, and voltmeter, rev counter,engine temperature display and hourcounter, illuminated compass andgauges monitoring fuel and oil pressure.The steering wheel comesstandard in carbon design, and is fullyheight adjustable. The safety glasswindscreen is fitted into a stainlesssteel frame and comes with a windscreenwiper and transportation andcamper covers.The cockpit area is fully drainingthrough the transom, and illuminatedin the hard top. It comes completewith a tinted sliding cabin door, sternshower with both hot and cold water,and a handy sink with stainless steeldrink holders.Moving from under the shelter ofthe hard top and towards the sternof the craft reveals a teak bathingplatform and ladder. Standing at thebow gives you true appreciation ofthe size of the 35sport HT. A stainlesssteel bow rail and toe lip trackthe circumference of the bow as anadded safety extra. A great optionalextra here is the sun bed, which, inmy mind, makes the absolute perfectspot to catch some rays. Stainlesssteel drink holders on the foredeckare (thankfully) standard – what isa day full of sun and sea withoutsomething to wash it down with?Other standard features at the boware a stainless steel bow fitting withanchor roller, a self-draining anchorlocker, a 1 000 W electrical windlasswith anchor and chain, and six stainlesssteel cleats.The 35sport HT’s interior is equallyimpressive in terms of space, witha good-sized saloon, galley, marinehead and two double-berthed cabins.Plush carpeting is removable, andfurniture is crafted from mahoganyand veneer. In the saloon, a U-shapedbench seat curves around the tableforming a nice eating area. Storageareas are provided under the benchseating, and together with otherlockers and shelves, provide decentstorage space. The saloon companionablyfaces an open-plan galley,which comes standard with a cutlerydrawer, stainless steel sink and cover,pressurized water system, two-flamecooker, 12 V refrigerator and AC/DCoutlets. The galley set up works well,making it a simple, user-friendly areain which to work. The marine headparticularly impressed me, and isactually bigger than you might firstexpect. The shower has both hot andcold water with an electrical pump.The washbasin has a handy wallmountedmirror above it, and the seatoilet has a manual pump and holdingtank. And for those of you that spendthe majority of your time at sea eitherhanging green-faced off the bow or inthe head, you’ll be pleased to knowthat the door locks.The 35sport HT’s fore ship cabin iscentred around a sleek double berth,which has a nifty storage compartmentunderneath. Plenty of shelvingand two wardrobes provide lots ofstorage space. The aft cabin also hasa double berth, as well as a smallersleeping bench. The cabin is fittedwith hanging lockers and two wardrobes.Both sleeping areas are fully litwith AC-outlets, and have portholesto maximize light and ventilation.When behind the wheel of the35sport HT, there’s no denying theexcellent manoeuvrability of thecraft’s stern drive system. This boatcan be moored using the standardbow thruster and one engine alone,and turns on her own axis using bothengines in the dual prop system, withone in reverse and one in forward.She can be easily handled by justtwo people, which cuts out theinvolvement of large crews of experiencedpeople. “I’ve witnessed manypeople buy expensive boats andthen be too nervous to take themout without a whole crew of experiencedboaters”, explains WillieTruter, Managing Director of Wiltel.“That doesn’t happen with this boat.It’s so easy to manage.”24leisure boatingdecember 2005

oat reviewThe boat responds immediatelyto the slightest move of the steeringwheel, and corners beautifully. Thethrottles do take some getting usedto, however, as they are extremelysensitive. With a draft of less than ametre, she can be eased onto almostany mooring, and can be taken toSpecificationsLOA11.40 mHull length10.85 mBeam3.68 mApprox. height above waterline 3.25 mApprox. draft, drive raised 0.60 mApprox. draft, drive lowered 0.92 mApprox. weight7 100 kgFuel tank800 lWater tank250 lMax. persons CE B 10Cabins 2Berths 4Approx. height in cabin 1.90 mEngines tested 2 x Volvo-Penta D6-310EVC/DPH- Duoprop./include. Propeller 183kW/248HP at the propellerplaces like Kraalbaai, for instance,where most other boats of her sizecannot go.So, if I you have a spare couple ofmillion in the bank, which, let’s behonest, most of us will never have,then this would rate as one of my topfive things to purchase. The 35sportSome optionalextrasGeneratorDeck suctionBeech wood cockpit tableBeech wood serving tableCockpit fridge and electric grillRay Marine C80 with GPS and plotterRadarRudder indicatorAir conditioningCabin DVD with LCD screenCockpit CD and MP3 tuner comboCockpit and cabin carpeting(fully removable)Bow sun bedHT starts at R2.2 million, and the35sport starts at R2 million. Bothprices include twin petrol engines.For more information about this boat,or others in the Bavaria range, contactWillie Truter of Wiltel on (021) 7904378 or 082 789 0319, or email himon willie@wiltel.co.za.Standard electricalsystemsElectrical trim flapsBow thruster SP 552 x 140Ah domestic batteries plus mainswitchStarter batteries plus main switchBidata Sumlog-EcosounderAC-shore supply20-litre warm water boilerNavigation lights (BDI)Engine compartment ventilatorCheck-control-panel by diesel engine45Ah battery charger (3-channel)Bilge pumpHornElectrical engine hatch lifterStereo-radio with CD player2 x saloon speakers2 x cockpit speakersOther standard featuresVHF radioCE certification, category BCE fire extinguishing system2 x fire extinguishers26leisure boatingdecember 2005