Bavaria R55 Flybridge, Specs, Prices and Owner Notes

An Autobahn brief for Bavaria's biggest powerboat

When the Bavaria R55 made its debut at Boot Dusseldorf in January 2018, project manager Robert Chaffer told Power and Motoryacht that he had spent his weekends after joining Bavaria visiting car builders and museums. His argument was simple: Germany is known for cars that handle well in the fast lane, and people should expect the same from German yachts. The R55 was the result, the largest Bavaria powerboat to that point and the flagship above the R40 in the R-line.

Like the R40, the R55 was drawn by J&J Design. Motor Boat and Yachting previewed it as a 58 ft (17.7 m) flybridge with a classy, cohesive look and called it a potential star of the show. YachtBuyer dates production from 2017, when the first hull was built for Dusseldorf, to 2023.

Deadrise, S-chines and an IPS-only running surface

Chaffer was proudest of the hull. He described deadrise of 45 degrees at the bow, 20 degrees amidships and 16.5 degrees at the transom, so the V stays deep all the way aft. Instead of conventional C-shaped chines, the R55 uses progressive S-chines that keep the sharp entry further aft and break wave energy higher on the bow, which should throw spray away and give a drier ride.

Because the boat was designed exclusively for Volvo Penta IPS pods, the chines widen as they run aft and their running surfaces turn to minus 5 degrees near the stern. The intent is to keep the boat planted when tracking straight and to stop it sliding in tight turns, a common complaint on pod boats with flatter aft sections.

IPS800 or IPS950: 30 knots or close to 35

Two engine packages were offered. Standard power is a pair of Volvo Penta IPS800 pods with D8 engines rated at 600 hp each, which Bavaria claimed would deliver about 30 knots. The upgrade is twin IPS950 with D11 engines rated at 725 hp, for a claimed top speed of 34 knots. YachtBuyer quotes a cruising speed of about 24 knots depending on engine choice.

Bavaria's brochure argued that forward-facing, contra-rotating IPS propellers give better acceleration with up to 30 percent less fuel and 40 percent more range than conventional shafts. Treat those as manufacturer claims, since no independent fuel curve for the R55 was published in the sources we found. The fuel tank holds 2,000 liters (528 US gallons), and fresh water is 600 liters (158 gallons).

A galley across the stern of the saloon

The main deck uses a galley-aft layout that splits the kitchen across the beam and opens it out to the cockpit. That puts the cook next to the outdoor dining area and leaves the forward part of the saloon free for seating. Power and Motoryacht measured 7 ft 5 in of headroom in the saloon on the show boat, and noted that fit and finish seemed to improve with each new Bavaria.

The arrangement suits Mediterranean and Florida cruising, where most meals happen in the cockpit. In colder climates, buyers who prefer a galley forward near the helm should compare the R55 with more conventional flybridges.

Three ensuite cabins and a crew option in the garage

Below, the R55 has a conventional three-cabin layout, and Motor Boat and Yachting confirmed that all three are ensuite. YachtBuyer lists one cabin with a fixed double and two with convertible berths, which lets the two guest cabins switch between twins and doubles depending on who is aboard. Power and Motoryacht measured 6 ft 5 in of headroom in the staterooms.

Aft, the transom holds a cavernous toy garage. Owners could instead order a crew cabin in that space, which YachtBuyer lists with its own head. For a boat that will be run by a skipper in charter or for long seasons, the crew option is worth finding; for owner-operators, the garage is the better use of the space.

• Owner's cabin with fixed double and ensuite
• Two guest cabins with convertible berths, each ensuite
• Optional aft crew cabin with its own head in place of the garage

A low flybridge and a sociable foredeck

To keep the profile sleek, the flybridge is relatively low and not as large as a Princess 55's, according to MBY. It still has a sunbathing area, a dinette, a wet bar and a grill, and Power and Motoryacht thought six adults could easily linger there. Rounded helm seats underline the sporty theme.

Forward, the deck is set up as a lounge rather than just a sunpad, with seating that lets guests sit up and talk under a fold-up bimini. That reflects a shift Power and Motoryacht noticed across the industry, with owners preferring sociable forward seating over flat sunbeds.

A short production run and what it means for owners

Within three months of the R55's debut, Bavaria Yachtbau was in insolvency proceedings. Investor CMP Capital Management Partners took over the yard in late 2018 and kept the production lines running, and YachtBuyer shows the R55 in production until 2023. It no longer appears in Bavaria's motor boat lineup, which today includes the R40, the S and SR lines, Vida and Virtess.

For owners, the practical effect is small on the machinery side, because the Volvo IPS drivetrain is supported by Volvo Penta dealers worldwide. Hull-specific parts such as windows, hatches and trim need to come through Bavaria and its dealers, so check availability before you buy and keep a list of part numbers.

Valuing a used Bavaria R55

With a launch price from 871,200 GBP and only one recent listing to go by, a 2019 boat at 870,000 euros, the market is thin. We estimate most R55s trade between $760,000 and $1.1 million depending on year, engines, hours and options such as the crew cabin and the IPS950 upgrade.

Because comparables are scarce, a buyer has leverage: ask for full IPS service history, recent pod seal and anode replacement, and a survey that includes thermal imaging of the engine room and an out-of-water inspection of the pod mounts.