splash BAVARIA 37 AVANTGARDE New Custom Options Words & Images; WILTEL MARINE Bain promptly commissioned market research on the Bavaria products to find out what their dealers and consumers expected from the brand. The results would form the cornerstone of the future growth for the company and would lead to their recent announcement that Bavaria will introduce brand new custom options on the 37 series. The 37 series is the top selling model in the Bavaria stable, so it seems to be a natural choice to focus on in order to keep sales at an optimum level. Bavaria s strength has traditionally been its exceptional value for money a direct result of high production volumes and corresponding purchasing power. These strengths did, however, limit the number of options with regards to customisation for the consumer. So, the introduction of the new Highline and Avantgarde options means a total shift in its traditional thinking and shows a commitment to address the needs of consumers and dealers. This heralds a new and even more aggressive stance to retaining its leading position in the marketplace. 16 PRESTIGe
The global private equity giant, Bain Capital, acquired Bavaria Yachtbau in 2007. The industry has been holding its breath to see what changes and innovation would follow at Bavaria, the largest boat manufacturer in Europe, which had dominated the market with 3,500 boats being sold in the previous year. www.prestigemag.co.za 17
Although the traditional 37Sport and 37HT (Hard Top), with its mahogany interior and white and blue styling, will still be available, the customer can now choose to upgrade to the Highline version. The Highline option offers the consumer a choice of a further four interior upholstery colours: turquoise, grey, cream and dark blue. Bavaria s top end option will be the Highline Avantgarde. The choice really moves the goal posts in terms of customisation. Apart from the Highline option, the customer has further material options for Melange: in light brown, dark grey, beige and dark brown. The other upgrades include a choice of wood interior finishes, which are selected to offer complementary wood trim and flooring looks. Walnut panelling with oak flooring or light oak panelling with light nut flooring provide for an array of colour combinations to reflect your own style. The cockpit variations are probably the widest range of colours offered in the industry. The seating colours afford a true break from tradition, to replace the standard white upholstery and blue line found on so many craft, and consumers now have a variety of colour alternatives for the extremely bold, right down to the more conservative. Colours like red, nut brown, orange, dark blue, cream and white probably covers the whole spectrum of feasible options. These options will initially only be available on the top-selling 37 series, but who knows what the future holds with the new owners who do not seem to be afraid of addressing the needs of the various customers and markets. The Bavaria series is represented in South Africa by Wiltel Marine, one of our most successful and professional local boat distributors. Wiltel has a team of permanent representatives in each of the major boating cities, and there are several boats on the water in each location. This strategy allows prospective customers the real opportunity to step on-board and to get out on our local waters to experience the phenomenal handling of Bavaria s sturdy manufacture. Go and take a good look around your local marina to see exactly how popular Bavaria has become among local boat owners. Wiltel has also developed a rather innovative suite of ownership options. The new owner has the choice between the outright purchase of a pre-owned boat (Bavaria owners love upgrading for larger models of Bavarias). Or, you can use one of Wiltel s customisation or finance options to order your own new Bavaria. Alternatively, you can buy a share in one of Wiltel s Boatshare programmes where
A NEW CLASS OF BOATING when you expect nothing but the best... AICON YACHTS COLLECTION FLYBRIDGE 85 75 64 58 56 OPEN 82 72 62 0860 MARINE Nationwide 0860 627463 www.bavariaboats.co.za www.aiconboats.co.za www.boatshare.co.za New Offices: 1st Floor, Block A, 7 West Quay, West Quay Road Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa Sales Offices in Cape Town, Knysna and Richards Bay Tel: (021) 421-8426, Fax (021) 421-8346 All Hours: 082 562 5145 www.prestigemag.co.za 19
the boat is registered as a company. The new owner only pays one-tenth of the price along with other owners, and Wiltel manages all the arrangements relating to this floating company, including maintenance and even crewing if requested. Part of the phenomenal success of Bavaria internationally and domestically must be attributed to its very competitive pricing. Entry level pricing through one of the Boatshare models start at about R500,000. The ever popular 37Sport HT (Hard Top) sells at approximately R2,695,000, depending on the various options that an owner may or may not add. Try buying a three bedroom apartment in the Cape for that price! The Bavaria series includes the 27Sport, the 30Sport, the 30Sport with Hard Top (great for the unpredictable Cape weather), and then both Sport and Sport Hard Top models in sizes 33 foot, 37 foot, and 42 foot. Truth be told, these boats are actually all a bit larger, as Bavaria measures only the usable length in water of their craft, which adds almost 2 foot to each boat. The Bavaria series has earned its spurs in South African waters, as the growing popularity of the boat around our coastline testifies. If you are ready to ease your family into the beauty of the boating lifestyle, there is no more reliable a place to start than talking to the people from Bavaria. Contact Wiltel Marine: 0860 Marine (0860 62 7463) www.wiltelmarine.co.za www.bavariaboats.co.za www.boatshare.co.za