Bavaria 36 (2002-2004)
Built 2002–2004 by Bavaria Yachtbau (Giebelstadt, Germany)
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About the Bavaria 36 (2002-2004)
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 2002–2004
- Builder
- Bavaria Yachtbau (Giebelstadt, Germany)
- Designer
- J&J Design
- Length
- 37.4 ft
- Waterline
- 30.84 ft
- Beam
- 11.81 ft
- Draft
- 5.41 ft
- Displacement
- 12,125 lb
- Ballast
- 3,307 lb
- Hull / keel
- fin keel
- Rig
- sloop
- Propulsion
- saildrive
- Fuel
- 40 gal
- Water
- 79 gal
- Holding
- 21 gal
- Water heater
- factory option
- Stern thruster
- not fitted
- Steering
- pedestal cable
Tank capacities — where the figures come from
-
Fuel 40 gal
“a 150 l plastic diesel tank” — owner's manual (2002-2003), bavariayacht.orgThe Bavaria 36 (2002/2003) owner's manual gives one 150-litre plastic diesel tank under the aft berths (39.6 US gal). Several listings also say 150 litres; one French listing says 100.
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Water 79 gal
“two water tanks with a capacity of altogether abt 300 l” — owner's manual (2002-2003), bavariayacht.orgThe owner's manual gives two water tanks of about 150 litres each, one to port under the aft-cabin berth and one in the bow, about 300 litres in all (79 US gal). The 210 litres (55 gal) in some listings and spec sites isn't supported by the builder.
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Holding 21 gal
“Holding tank: 80ltrs” — search excerpt (2003), bachyachting.com · “Holding tank is approx. 85 litres” — search excerpt, networkyachtbrokers.com · “Holding tank: 50 litres” — search excerpt (2003), yachtworld.com · “1 holding tank (option) abt 80 l in the locker in bath on starboard side” — owner's manual (2002-2003), bavariayacht.orgThe owner's manual lists a holding tank of about 80 litres (21 US gal) as an option, so boats without it have none. Listings give 50-85 litres, mostly 80-85, consistent with the manual.
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Water heater factory option
“24 Water heater (Optional) Boiler (Option)” — owner's manual (2002-2003), bavariayacht.orgThe builder's owner's manual (in English and German, hosted by the Bavaria owners' forum) marks the water heater as an option in its electrical legend and shows it in the fresh-water diagram. Shore power and a battery charger were also options. No capacity is given.
Tanks are often replaced or added on older boats — check the tank labels or a survey for yours.
Thrusters and steering — where this comes from
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Bow thruster unknown
The builder's 2002/2003 owner's manual does not mention a bow thruster.
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Stern thruster not fitted
Our earlier figure of none has no source; the owner's manual is silent.
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Steering pedestal cable
“It is operated by hand from the steering wheel at the steering post in the cockpit. Transmission of power is realised by” — owner's manual (2002-2003), bavariayacht.org · “A chain is laid over a tooth-wheel of the hub.” — owner's manual (2002-2003), bavariayacht.orgBavaria's owner's manual (a copy on an owners' forum) describes a wheel on a steering post with a chain over the hub sprocket and Bowden cables in conduits to the rudder quadrant, plus an emergency tiller; an autopilot drive is optional. No maker is named.
Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.
Fractional sloop, cast iron fin (lead deep keel 6.4 ft optional), spade rudder. LOD 35.96 ft. Displacement, ballast and fuel were reported lower for boats built before July 2003 (10,362 lb / 2,954 lb / 24 gal). Saildrive per owners of 2002-2003 boats with Volvo 2030 engines.
Engines fitted
-
Volvo Penta MD2020 — 19 hp, diesel, single
standard
Sailboatdata (search excerpt) lists the MD 2020 at 19 hp. A 2002 boat on the Bavaria owners' forum has it at 14 kW / about 19 hp (search excerpt). Boatsales.com.au says the factory's listed engine was 19 hp.Sources: sailboatdata.com · bavariayacht.org · boatsales.com.au · listingsport.com
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Volvo Penta MD2030 — 29 hp, diesel, single
factory option
The 29-hp upgrade on saildrive. The Australian distributor fitted it in place of the listed 19-hp engine (2002 test boat), and it appears on many 2002-2004 boats, including a Sailing Breezes test boat and a 2002 De Valk listing (search excerpts).Sources: boatsales.com.au · sailingbreezes.com · devalk.nl · bavariayacht.org
Boats of the same model can differ — check which engines yours actually has before ordering parts.
Generator
The manual's electrical section lists optional 230/110V shore connection and charger only; no generator.
Manuals and brochures online
- Document Bavaria Owners Forum downloads page - links the Bavaria 36 (2002/2003) owner's manual (EN) and other Bavaria manuals (2002-2003) — bavariayacht.org
- Owner's manual Bavaria 36 (2002/2003) owner's manual (EN) - tank capacities, plumbing, fuel system (2002-2003) — bavariayacht.org
Hosted by the builder or an owners' association; they own the copyright.
Known problems for this model
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Saildrive diaphragm replacement interval running gear
Volvo Penta recommends renewing the saildrive hull diaphragm about every 7 years; owners report old seals often look fine, but insurers may ask for proof, and the job means sliding the engine forward and lifting the drive out (roughly a day of yard labor).bavariayacht.org
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Keel-to-hull joint after groundings hull
A 2005 Bavaria 36 showed lateral keel movement after a grounding, blamed by one surveyor on delamination at the keel attachment; other owners dispute that this is typical, but all agree any grounding needs a professional check of keel bolts and the bonded floor grid.bavariayacht.org · cruisersforum.com
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Reputation vs reality other
Yachting Monthly considers the model a sound family cruiser that is partly stigmatised by the brand image and by keel stories.yachtingmonthly.com
Engines & parts
Volvo Penta MD2010 / MD2020 / MD2030 / MD2040 parts: good
Factory standard engine — you entered “Volvo Penta MD2020”
Shibaura-based small diesels (MD2030 is a 3-cylinder, 29 hp, built 1994–2006 per a Swedish rebuild shop). Parts are still sold through the Volvo Penta network and some cross-reference to related Shibaura engines; aftermarket stainless exhaust elbows (replacing Volvo 861906) are widely sold. Often paired with Volvo 120S/130S saildrives, whose rubber diaphragm seal Volvo says to replace at least every seven years.
Parts sources: AB Marine Service (exhaust elbow 861906), FYB Marine (saildrive diaphragm seal kit), Parts4Engines
Common problems (3)
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Exhaust elbow corrosion and clogging exhaust
The cast exhaust elbow and pipe corrode or clog with seawater scale and carbon; stainless aftermarket elbows are a common fix.meksta.com · ab-marineservice.com
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Saildrive diaphragm seal replacement running gear
Volvo's 7-year saildrive diaphragm replacement (sometimes an insurance requirement) is a frequent question; DIY is possible in a day with a haul-out, while yard quotes vary widely.forums.ybw.com · bavariayacht.org · fybmarine.shop
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Blocked heat exchanger, broken impellers, glow plug faults cooling
Other frequent faults are internally blocked heat exchangers, disintegrating raw-water impellers, failed preheat/glow plugs and carboned injectors.meksta.com
Maker’s service schedule (20)
| Engine oil & filter change Early engines (1993 instruction book 7735333-2: MS2 reverse gear / 120S drive) | 100 hrs or 6 mo | “Service every 100 hours of operation, or at least once every 6 months” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Engine oil & filter change Later engines (2002 operator's manual 7741986: MS10/MS15 reverse gear / MS25S drive) | 100 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 100 operating hours or at least once a year” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Fuel filters & water separator | 200 hrs or 1 yr | “Service every 200 hours of operation, or at least once a year” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Raw-water pump impeller | 200 hrs or 1 yr | “every 200 hours, or at least once a year:” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Transmission fluid change | 200 hrs or 1 yr | “Service every 200 hours of operation, or at least once a year” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Check / adjust idling speed | 200 hrs or 1 yr | “every 200 hours, or at least once a year:” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Take apart and clean the vacuum (siphon-break) valve | 200 hrs or 1 yr | “Take apart and clean the vacuum valve, if fitted.” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Lubricate the rubber propeller-shaft seal (shaft installations) | 200 hrs or 1 yr | “Lubricate the rubber propeller shaft seal (inboard engine).” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Check S-drive / reverse-gear corrosion protection (zinc ring / anodes) | 200 hrs or 1 yr | “Check the S-drive’s zinc anode (zinc ring).” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Coolant replacement & freeze-point test Glycol antifreeze mixture (the normal fill) | 400 hrs or 2 yrs | “every 400 hours, or at least once every other year:” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Coolant replacement & freeze-point test Anti-corrosion-agent mixture without glycol (later manual) | 200 hrs or 1 yr | “If the freshwater system is filled with an anti-corrosion agent mixture it must be changed every year.” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Air filter / intake silencer | 400 hrs or 2 yrs | “Service every 400 hours of operation, or at least once every other year” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Heat exchanger & oil cooler cleaning | 400 hrs or 2 yrs | “Check that the heat exchanger is not blocked.” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Injector test / service | 400 hrs or 2 yrs | “every 400 hours, or at least once every other year:” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Valve clearance check / adjust | 400 hrs or 2 yrs | “every 400 hours, or at least once every other year:” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Re-tighten cylinder head bolts (workshop) Early engines (1993 instruction book 7735333-2: MS2 reverse gear / 120S drive) | 400 hrs or 2 yrs | “every 400 hours, or at least once every other year:” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Check the seawater filter Early engines (1993 instruction book 7735333-2: MS2 reverse gear / 120S drive) | 50 hrs | “Service every 50 hours of operation” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Check the S-drive rubber seal (hull/drive) Later engines (2002 operator's manual 7741986: MS10/MS15 reverse gear / MS25S drive) | 1 yr | “S-drive. Check rubber seal (hull/drive)” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Replace propeller-shaft seal (reverse-gear installations, workshop) | 500 hrs or 5 yrs | “Every 500 operating hours or at least every fifth year” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Replace S-drive rubber seal between drive and hull (workshop) | 7 yrs | “Every seventh year” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
Service part numbers (7)
| Oil filter MD2010 / MD2020 |
Volvo Penta 861473 | “p.90 "MD2010, MD2020, MD2030, MD2040" block: Oil filter (MD2010/2020) — 861473” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “# Volvo Penta MD2020B … [OIL FILTER] Part Number: 861473” — dealer, marinepartsexpress.com |
| Oil filter MD2030 / MD2040 |
Volvo Penta 3840525 | “p.90 "MD2010, MD2020, MD2030, MD2040" block: Oil filter (MD2030/2040) — 3840525” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “# Volvo Penta MD2030B … [OIL FILTER] Part Number: 3840525” — dealer, marinepartsexpress.com |
| Raw-water impeller MD2010 up to SN 5101203008; MD2020 up to SN 5101309052 (VP footnote 3) |
Volvo Penta 3586494 Also: Johnson 09-806B, Jabsco 4528-0001, Sherwood 9979 |
“p.90 "MD2010…MD2040" block: Impeller kit 3) — 3586494; 3) MD2010 SN -5101203008, MD2020 SN -5101309052” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “MD2010A**, MD2010B**, MD2010C, MD2010D / MD2020A**, MD2020B** … Volvo Penta: 875807-0 803729 3586494 876689” — dealer, poseidonmarine.eu |
| Raw-water impeller MD2030 / MD2040; MD2010 from SN 5101203009; MD2020 from SN 5101309053 (VP footnote 4) |
Volvo Penta 22222936 | “p.90 "MD2010…MD2040" block: Impeller kit (MD2030/2040) 4) — 22222936; 4) MD2010 SN 5101203009-, MD2020 SN 5101309053-” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “IMPELLER KIT … MD2010,MD2010B,MD2010-C,MD2010-D,MD2020,…,MD2030,…,MD2040-D” — dealer, volvopentaparts.shop |
| Thermostat MD2010 / MD2020 |
Volvo Penta 861911 | “Volvo Penta thermostat for various MD2010 and MD2020 engines … 861911” — dealer, ab-marineservice.com · “Fits engine versions MD2020-A, MD2020-B, MD2020-C, MD2020-D / Volvo thermostat part number 861911” — dealer, parts4engines.com |
| Thermostat MD2030 / MD2040 |
Volvo Penta 3580365 | “Thermostat designed to replace Volvo part numbers 3580365 … MD2030A … MD2040D” — dealer, piecesbateaux.com · “# Volvo Penta MD2030B … [THERMOSTAT] Part Number: 3580365” — dealer, marinepartsexpress.com |
| Drive belt MD2010 / MD2020 (alternator, cogged V-belt) |
Volvo Penta 973534 Replaces 966898 |
“Current part number: 973534 Previous part number: 966898 … MD2010A … MD2020-D” — dealer, marinepartsystem.com · “# Volvo Penta MD2020B … [V-BELT] Part Number: 973534” — dealer, marinepartsexpress.com |
From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.
Model sources (11)
sailboatdata.com · bavariayacht.org · bavariayacht.org · yachtingmonthly.com · bavariayacht.org · boatsales.com.au · listingsport.com · sailingbreezes.com · devalk.nl · bavariayacht.org · bavariayacht.org
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Other Bavaria models
- Bavaria Cruiser 38 2000–?
Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.