Yacht survey Bavaria 38 in Punat (Croatia)
Extract from a yacht survey on a Bavaria 38 Sport HT in Punat (Croatia)
Assignment data
Yacht type
Motor yacht
Make | Model | Year of manufacture
Bavaria 38 Sport HT
2012
Location of the survey
Marina Punat
Croatia
Survey Scope
Pre-Purchase-Survey
SEAWORTHINESS
Seaworthy
Technical Condition Index (TCSI Score)
Summary of the report
As part of the contract in question, a pre-purchase survey was carried out on a Bavaria 38 Sport HT in the Marina Punat (Croatia).
The inspection was carried out on land (dry dock) and at the water berth, including sea trials, on the basis of a standard inspection scope without dismantling work.
The hull, hull-deck connection, underwater hull and deck superstructure were structurally sound. The moisture measurements in the laminate were in the non-critical range and no signs of osmosis were detected. The antifouling coating, on the other hand, was already built up in several layers and partially peeling, so that a complete rebuild was recommended.
The overall condition of the yacht was rated as “average”. The yacht was considered seaworthy, but had 17 documented defects in various categories. Of particular relevance to safety were the loose wiring of the main battery switch, the inadequate fire extinguishing system in the engine compartment, an oil pressure alarm on the BB engine that had not been conclusively clarified and various limitations of the on-board electrical and navigation/alarm systems.
For the final risk assessment of the oil pressure alarm, an oil sample was taken from both engines and sent for analysis.
The result of this analysis and the detailed findings of the expert opinion provided the buyer with a solid basis for decision-making and negotiation for a successful conclusion of the purchase agreement.
The checkpoints
The focus of this assessment was on the following inspection points:
- Visual inspection of hull & underwater hull on land incl. moisture measurement, assessment of antifouling and sacrificial anodes
- Inspection of the drive train (Z-drives, propellers, bearings, bellows, potential equalization) and machine system with visual inspection, test drive and evaluation of the motor parameters.
- Inspection of fuel, cooling and exhaust systems incl. visual inspection of tank, lines, valves and seawater filters.
- Assessment of water, bilge and sanitary systems including fresh and black water installations, sea valves and onboard outlets.
- Functional testing of comfort systems (air conditioning, galley, TV/audio systems) as well as navigation and cockpit systems (radar, chart plotter, reversing camera, windshield wipers, autopilot, etc.).
- Comprehensive testing of DC and AC on-board electrics including batteries, charging equipment, shore power connection, galvanic insulation and generator (Fischer Panda 4500).
- Systematic classification of defects according to repair priority and preparation of a condition assessment and recommendation for further steps.
Yacht profile and gallery
The Bavaria 38 Sport HT is a modern cruising motor yacht with a hardtop and large bathing platform, which is ideally equipped for comfortable weekend cruises and longer coastal trips in the Adriatic.
The combination of two Volvo Penta D4-300 diesel engines and Z-drives (duoprop) enables fast planing and good handling in harbor maneuvers – supported by a bow thruster.
- Length overall: 11.65 m – Width: 3.99 m – Draught: n/a
- Hull material: GRP (glass fiber reinforced plastic)
- Propulsion: 2 × Volvo Penta D4-300, total 600 BHP, Z-drive (duoprop)
- Area & purpose: Coastal cruises and vacation cruises in the Adriatic, with a focus on Croatia
- Character: sporty glider yacht with large cockpit, hardtop and distinctive bathing platform for bathing and tender operation
Identified defects
Category A Defects
Category B1 Defects
Category B2 Defects
Category C Defects
The main safety-relevant deficiencies (category A and B1/B2) included, among others:
- Loose cabling on the main battery switches (category A) with increased contact resistance and fire risk.
- Fire extinguishing system in the engine compartment with clearly insufficient filling pressure and without a valid test certificate (category A).
- Oil pressure alarm on BB engine (category B): recurring warnings after driving at full throttle.
- Insufficient equipotential bonding of the BB-Z drive (category B) with increased resistance and reduced protection against galvanic / electrolytic corrosion.
- Jammed anchor pin (category B) that could not be released with normal force.
- Defective audible engine alarm buzzer (category B) – alarms were visually displayed but not audibly signaled.
Recommendations
- Electrics & safety: Replacement of the main battery switch and professional installation of all cable connections; repair of the engine compartment lighting; retrofitting of a polarity indicator and a galvanic isolator for the shore power supply.
- Fire extinguishing systems: Maintenance of the automatic engine compartment extinguishing system by a certified specialist company including test certificate; testing and, if necessary, replacement of other fire extinguishers on board.
- Machine system & drive: In-depth diagnosis of the oil pressure alarm on the BB engine (pressure gauge measurement) and engine oil analysis on both machines.
- Antifouling & underwater hull: Complete removal of the existing antifouling layer, rebuilding including primer to restore a homogeneous protective layer.
- Navigation and cockpit systems: Repair of the acoustic engine alarms, windshield wipers, radar display, reversing camera and single-lever function as well as calibration of the autopilot; testing of the battery capacity of the consumer circuit and renewal of the consumer batteries.
After implementation of the essential measures, a follow-up survey is recommended in order to check the work and to finally assess the seaworthiness of the yacht for the intended use.
Gallery of defects & video
Challenges
The biggest challenge in the assessment of this Bavaria 38 motor yacht was to achieve the most comprehensive risk assessment possible with regard to the temporary oil pressure alarm after full load sailing.
After several repair attempts (replacement of the oil pressure sensor or filter housing) failed to change the findings, an oil analysis in a laboratory specializing in marine engines was recommended.
With the data obtained from this, the condition of the affected port engine could finally be objectively assessed.
Thanks to our report, the buyer was then able to obtain an appropriate risk discount in the purchase price negotiations.
Do you need a yacht appraisal in Punat?
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Links
Country information Croatia
Further reference surveys
Definition of defect categories
Category A defects
Defects that acutely endanger seaworthiness, navigational safety and/or the safety of persons and require immediate rectification.
Category B1 defects
Defects that represent an incipient failure mode in a primary structural system (e.g. keel-hull connection, standing rigging, propulsion engine).
Category B2 defects
Defects that only restrict the convenience or usability of secondary, non-safety-critical systems (e.g. insufficient freezing capacity or minor electrical faults).
Category C defects
Defects that do not pose a safety threat and are predominantly cosmetic.
Further appraisals in Punat, Croatia
In addition to the Bavaria 38 Sport HT, we also inspected the following yachts in Punat:
RAFFAELI STORM S90
Purchase appraisal for a motor yacht Raffaeli Storm S90 (1995) in Punat
Azimuth 42
Purchase appraisal for a motor yacht Azimut 42 (2000) in Punat
Formosa 51
Seaworthiness certificate for a sailing yacht Fomosa 51 (1985) in Punat
Dufour Gib Sea 43
Purchase appraisal for a sailing yacht Dufour Gib Sea 43 (2003) in Punat
Your valuer in Punat, Croatia
This yacht appraisal in Punat was carried out by
Ing. Ingolf Schneider, MASc (AffIIMS)
Certified Marine Surveyor for Boats and Yachts up to24m. (LLoyds Maritime Academy, American Boat and Yacht Council). Member of the International Institure of Marine Surveying and the Royal Institution of Naval Architects.
