Bavaria Motor Boats 25DC Review
Issue: April 2004
You know the old saying Good things come in small packages’ and it’s certainly true when we refer to the new BMB 25DC. This smallish express cruiser delivers loads of quality and style in one small, but manageable package. Once you get this cruiser up and running you have to pinch yourself to be remYou know the old saying ‘Good things come in small packages’ and it’s certainly true when we refer to the new BMB 25DC. This smallish express cruiser delivers loads of quality and style in one small, but manageable package. Once you get this cruiser up and running you have to pinch yourself to be reminded that this smart craft is only 25ft long, because its outdoor areas have all the elements, and then some, of a run of the mill 30 footer. The BMB 25DC’s cockpit is extremely roomy and the whole craft exudes luxury from aft to bow.
Running only a single screw with a short LOA, the BMB25DC fits neatly into the category of a pocket-sized luxury express cruiser. But the BMB 25DC is in no way a compromise ‘ she will impress all that board her, but with a price tag around $130,000 there are few in this class that can compete against her The top-notch build quality starts with the teak-laid swim platform, with shower, ladder and massive storage bay, through to the walk-through stainless steel bowrail and enormous anchor well. Duck below decks and you can see how Bavaria Motor Boats have managed to build such a small, but desirable day cruising package.
The mahogany trimmed saloon is stylish but compact. The settee converts into a twin berth. The galley is small, but fully functional with a fridge and cooker and the head is a slide-out removable affair that tucks away under the stairs. And there’s still plenty of room for a load of storage and lockers. The main saloon has plenty of headroom, lovely upholstery and ample natural light. For a couple, this boat easily fills the role of a top overnighter, but BMB make no claims about it being anything else – the BMB 25DC’s predominant role is that of a luxurious day cruiser. And that she is. Topside the BMB 25 has seating for eight on twin forward bolster seats, an L-shape settee and a large sun pad. There’s also a removable table, large under4floor storage areas, a big fridge, small sink and a plethora of stainless steel drink holders.
Moving around topside is easy, because the bowrail extends right back to behind the driver, centre steps access the bow through the split windscreen and there are wide walkways around the gunwales, so you do have to soil the white sun pad when boarding from the swim platform. As with all the BMBs we have tested, the 25DC has a walk-through bowrail (with cable safety rail), which makes it a snitch to drop someone off on a beach or wharf, while the electric windlass also makes it a one-person job to anchor the craft. This boat displayed a functionality we have come to expect from BMB boats and certainly had the ‘I want one factor’. But the good news is that she’s more within the reach of most of the Modern Boating team than her bigger sisters. Who knows, dreams may one day become a reality.
Then, all we would have to do is round up a collection of well-tanned young ladies to scatter about the boat, or perhaps they follow naturally’ The helm features power-assisted hydraulic steering, the dash and sports steering wheel are finished in black Graphite and there’s a range of instruments featuring tacho, fuel gauge, temp, oil, tacho, bi-data speed and depth, trim tab position and a stainless steel horn. Other standard features include a stereo CD player, fenders, bimini cover, compass, CE Fire suppression system, shore power and twin batteries. The swim platform freshwater shower is cold water only and there isn’t a hot shower below decks, or hot water to the galley. But she has a huge engine room, so a heated cockpit shower would be possible if that luxury was required.
A single 5.7lt GXI DPS 320hp V8 Volvo petrol engine spinning stainless steel Duo Props through a Volvo leg powered the test craft. This single power unit was ample for a boat this size and the economic rationale behind running a single engine is obvious. The only problem is if you break down you’ll need a tow! Out on the water we managed to get a GPS reading of 40 knots at full stick, but found a conservative cruise speed of 20 knots at 3200rpm was ideal. She handled the chop out on the harbour well and had both trim tabs and leg trim to deliver balanced ride.
Although getting used to the ideal trim setting for the first time took a little fiddling, but this was where the trim gauge cames in handy. Into the wind the BMB hull hovered gracefully with the windscreen providing good protection from the slipstream. Plus, the bolster helm seat offered a choice of steering positions. The 320hp engine produced the characteristic rumble of a V8 at full stick, but noise levels subsided noticeable as we approached cruise speeds.
The engine warning systems worked well and at one stage the engine alarm was activated (and the engine slowed) when we picked a plastic bag on the sterndrive leg, which blocked the cooling water intake. It’s a new year and I am thinking of adopting a new perspective on boating. From my own recent experiences with boats, I am finding big isn’t always better and big is definitely more expensive to run. Quite often smaller craft with an excellent fit-out like the BMB 25DC can deliver all the pleasures of luxury boating without those big boat running costs.
The BMB 25 DC fits well into this scenario. She may be the smallest in the BMB fleet, but she still has plenty to offer those boaters looking for a smaller big boat. For further information call Andrew Howden at BMB Powerboats, Rose Bay Sydney (02) 9363 2755.
Words and Photos by Andrew Richardson
inded that this smart craft is only 25ft long, because its outdoor areas have all the elements, and then some, of a run of the mill 30 footer. The BMB 25DC’s cockpit is extremely roomy and the whole craft exudes luxury from aft to bow.
Running only a single screw with a short LOA, the BMB25DC fits neatly into the category of a pocket-sized luxury express cruiser. But the BMB 25DC is in no way a compromise ‘ she will impress all that board her, but with a price tag around $130,000 there are few in this class that can compete against her The top-notch build quality starts with the teak-laid swim platform, with shower, ladder and massive storage bay, through to the walk-through stainless steel bowrail and enormous anchor well. Duck below decks and you can see how Bavaria Motor Boats have managed to build such a small, but desirable day cruising package.
The mahogany trimmed saloon is stylish but compact. The settee converts into a twin berth. The galley is small, but fully functional with a fridge and cooker and the head is a slide-out removable affair that tucks away under the stairs. And there’s still plenty of room for a load of storage and lockers. The main saloon has plenty of headroom, lovely upholstery and ample natural light. For a couple, this boat easily fills the role of a top overnighter, but BMB make no claims about it being anything else – the BMB 25DC’s predominant role is that of a luxurious day cruiser. And that she is. Topside the BMB 25 has seating for eight on twin forward bolster seats, an L-shape settee and a large sun pad. There’s also a removable table, large under4floor storage areas, a big fridge, small sink and a plethora of stainless steel drink holders.
Moving around topside is easy, because the bowrail extends right back to behind the driver, centre steps access the bow through the split windscreen and there are wide walkways around the gunwales, so you do have to soil the white sun pad when boarding from the swim platform. As with all the BMBs we have tested, the 25DC has a walk-through bowrail (with cable safety rail), which makes it a snitch to drop someone off on a beach or wharf, while the electric windlass also makes it a one-person job to anchor the craft. This boat displayed a functionality we have come to expect from BMB boats and certainly had the I want one factor. But the good news is that she’s more within the reach of most of the Modern Boating team than her bigger sisters. Who knows, dreams may one day become a reality.
Then, all we would have to do is round up a collection of well-tanned young ladies to scatter about the boat, or perhaps they follow naturally’ The helm features power-assisted hydraulic steering, the dash and sports steering wheel are finished in black Graphite and there’s a range of instruments featuring tacho, fuel gauge, temp, oil, tacho, bi-data speed and depth, trim tab position and a stainless steel horn. Other standard features include a stereo CD player, fenders, bimini cover, compass, CE Fire suppression system, shore power and twin batteries. The swim platform freshwater shower is cold water only and there isn’t a hot shower below decks, or hot water to the galley. But she has a huge engine room, so a heated cockpit shower would be possible if that luxury was required.
A single 5.7lt GXI DPS 320hp V8 Volvo petrol engine spinning stainless steel Duo Props through a Volvo leg powered the test craft. This single power unit was ample for a boat this size and the economic rationale behind running a single engine is obvious. The only problem is if you break down you’ll need a tow! Out on the water we managed to get a GPS reading of 40 knots at full stick, but found a conservative cruise speed of 20 knots at 3200rpm was ideal. She handled the chop out on the harbour well and had both trim tabs and leg trim to deliver balanced ride.
Although getting used to the ideal trim setting for the first time took a little fiddling, but this was where the trim gauge cames in handy. Into the wind the BMB hull hovered gracefully with the windscreen providing good protection from the slipstream. Plus, the bolster helm seat offered a choice of steering positions. The 320hp engine produced the characteristic rumble of a V8 at full stick, but noise levels subsided noticeable as we approached cruise speeds.
The engine warning systems worked well and at one stage the engine alarm was activated (and the engine slowed) when we picked a plastic bag on the sterndrive leg, which blocked the cooling water intake. It’s a new year and I am thinking of adopting a new perspective on boating. From my own recent experiences with boats, I am finding big isn’t always better and big is definitely more expensive to run. Quite often smaller craft with an excellent fit-out like the BMB 25DC can deliver all the pleasures of luxury boating without those big boat running costs.
The BMB 25 DC fits well into this scenario. She may be the smallest in the BMB fleet, but she still has plenty to offer those boaters looking for a smaller big boat.
Words and Photos by Andrew Richardson