Bahia 46: In General

[Palarran]

Definately. If I do get a Bahia, I'm going to pull the oven out and put a front loading fridge/freezer there. Then I'll replace the stove top with a stove/oven combo unit. The reason they don't have it that way now is that it would cut into the berth area which is right about that sink you've posted. Then you can make the rest of the midship berth area into a pantry, which the boat needs. The existing fridge/freezer could be made into a mid-temp veggie cooler.

[catman]

I owned a F/P Fidji for a few years and it had a compromised fuel tank.
To remove the fuel tank I had to cut out the entire galley fiberglass frame.
The new owner had to refabricate a whole new galley which took awhile and cost over $5000.
Tricky cats those F/P's. Not exactly built for easy modifications.
Cheers

[Full Sail]

I have had my Bahia now for a little over a month. I plan on living aboard it this winter. I have been wrestling with a number of solutions to put up some sort of curtain or blind across that big currved asymetrical window across the front of the salon, both for privacy and heat abatement. Any owners out there willing to share their solutions? Thanks

[catman]

From my building experience it is important to first keep the sun from touching the window. Once the sun hits the window the heat is transfered through.
The most effective method to keep the sun out is to cover the window from the outside with some type semi-transparent shading.
If possible attach the sunscreening to the eyebrow edge to keep the sun from touching the window. Manta and Leopard use slated window shade/steps in front of their windows.
Cheers

[catman]

Hello Full Sail,
Would it be possible for you to give me the exact headroom clearances at the galley, heads, passageways and berths?
I have conflicting reports as to the clearances.
I am still considering a Bahia as my choice for a full time liveaboard cruising catamaran, with a few modifications.
What year is your Bahia?
Cheers

[Palarran]

Here's a new Yachtworld listing for a Bahia. It has pictures of the outside screens. I would agree with catman that covering from the outside makes more sense. Keeps the plexiglass from clouding also.

[Lucky]

Hi Catman,

Cut this from another tread on FP range, but only for the saloon area. I believe that the headroom below os moore than in the saloon area, it is in my Belize.

Fountaine Pajot - Headroom data

Good luck on a Bahia, which was my dreamboat but the Belize was closer at hand and have proven that I made a good choice.

Happy lead free sailin!

[catman]

Thanks Lucky.
A seller told me that the headroom clearance at the galley was 6'4" because of a recess in the floor at the galley. I can not confirm that and the information on the list does not confirm that either.
Cheers

[Full Sail]

Hi Catman-

Haven't been ignoring you, I just haven't been to the boat in a few days. I will get you those exact measurements when I do. There is a recess in front of the galley. I'm 6'3" and can stand there. Sometimes my head rests against the headliner if I lean over the burners. Something I try not to do too often!! The boat is a 99 BTW

[Full Sail]

Hi Catman-

Got those measurements for you.

The Galley is 6'4" by the sink. standing in front of the stove, it is 6'3". The pasage ways are 6'3" and tthe heads are 6'5". I only have 2 heads in my boat. It was described to me as an owners version. I don't think the Maestro was being coined back then. The 2 aft berths are 6'5" also

Regards!

[catman]

Thanks so much Full Sail
You have no idea how many times I have to ask about headroom clearances and how seldom do I get a response. Often it is to much effort so they guess.
I am pretty sure that a Bahia is back on the list of prospects for me.
I will be very interested in any mods that you make to your Bahia.
It appears to be a good voluminous cat that can carry all those items that a live aboard type cruiser might carry aboard.
Got any leads on a decently priced Bahia?
Cheers

[teneicm]

Been on a couple of Bahias (just looking, not sailing) and despite the fact that they are reported to be good sailors and come in at the right price point, I keep coming back to a few things that keep me from loving the boat:

Interior hulls (especially amidships) seem very dark
Kitchen seems cramped, could probably live with the fridge set-up, but it seems not to have much storage
Nav station seems clunky, both in looks and useage.

I want to like the boat, and there seems to be a lot of people who do, so can anyone who owns one tell me if my concerns are unfounded or too critical? Some of these things probably wouldn't matter for a charter or limited useage, but we are looking for a full time liveaboard.

[yeloya]

Teneicm,

Yr observations are absolutely correct. Probably the best ever sailing capabilities within FP range, but very poor design inside.. The most striking for me are the size of cabins in a 46 ft catamaran..
Most of the problems you mentioned otherwise can be resolved.
Cheers

Yeloya

[DtM]

Yeloya,

You have probably seen as many Bahia as anyone.

If you could buy at the right price is it feasible to rip the insides out and start again? Decent size cabins, an office /workspace etc etc.

Or is it that the space just isn't in proportion to say the Mahe/ Lipari/Orana.

d

[Gordon]

Hi Daniel,
We have our Orana on the market to upgrade in the FP range. Drop us a line if you are interested. Save all the anguish and you have virtually a new boat with many options and all our extras ready for immediate delivery, just a short sail north from Port Hacking.Tempted??
Gordon.