Bavaria Vida 33 HT Review (2022 Edition) by Aquaholic

On Deck

The Bavaria Vida 33 has a clever exterior wrap that shifts colour from green to purple depending on the angle. It's a wrap, not paint, so owners can remove it if they prefer.

The cockpit space is huge. Bavaria has pushed it right out to the edges and made it long, creating a large, open area. The cockpit table folds out simply and rests on supports when opened. Stainless steel cup holders are built in. The hardtop has a sliding roof, and the back sections can be filled in for protection if needed.

Access to the foredeck is unusual. Instead of walking back and along the sides, a door next to the helm and steps lead directly up. The area over the cabin is given over to a large sunbathing space. The walk-through makes it much easier to get forward compared to more traditional layouts. The hardtop with its sliding roof sits overhead.

At the back, despite having outboards, the boat keeps good water access. The bathing platform raises and lowers, solving the usual problem of outboards blocking the way.

The Bavaria Vida 33 is a cockpit-focused boat, so the interior is compact. The main cabin has a dinette with a table tucked underneath. An infill cushion sits nearby, so the dinette can be converted into a sleeping area using a telescopic leg to drop the table.

There is a separate toilet compartment fitted with a shower, a sink, and a toilet. It makes the boat practical for a day out or an evening ashore. The space works well for changing after a swim or getting ready for dinner.

Switch gear and a VHF radio are also installed inside, adding to the practical features.

Underneath the cockpit floor, hatches give access to batteries, tanks, plumbing, and other engineering elements. Another hatch further back opens into a big storage area, handy for stowing canopies and other gear.

The galley space, located outside at the wet bar, includes a small sink, a gas cooker, an electric cooker, and a fridge underneath. This setup suits the boat’s outdoor, sociable nature.

The Vida 33 runs with a pair of V8 300 hp Mercury outboard engines. Top speed is over 40 knots. Cruising speeds range from 30-35 knots but 25 knots is more relaxed, depending on how brave you're feeling.

The outboard design means no traditional engine room. Instead, batteries, tanks, and other engineering elements are tucked under hatches in the cockpit floor, making them very get-at-able.

Big meaty throttles, a bow thruster, and a large windscreen with wipers support the helm setup. Twin Simrad multi-function displays sit at the helm along with a VHF radio, inductive phone charger, switchgear, and a compass.

The Bavaria Vida 33 is built as a weekender and party boat rather than a cruiser. It leans heavily into outdoor living, with a massive cockpit, practical water access despite outboards, and a compact interior that covers the basics for a fun weekend afloat.

It's ideal for someone wanting a lively, good-looking boat at a marina, perhaps alongside a villa in somewhere like Palma. It's not a cruising boat, but as a stylish, fast day boat or weekender, it hits the mark beautifully.