Bavaria Yachts Virtess 420 for sale

Yachting Address Review — Bavaria Virtess 420 Coupé and Fly: the sport-cruiser Bavaria shouldn't be hiding behind its sailboats

The Bavaria Virtess 420 is the most ambitious proposal from Bavaria's motorboat range — a 14-metre sport-cruiser powered by Volvo IPS with up to 880 hp, designed to go fast, live well aboard and manoeuvre single-handed in the busiest Mediterranean marinas. It is a very good boat. And it is a boat that French and Italian buyers have been looking for under the wrong keyword for years, typing "Bavaria sailboat" when they should be typing "Bavaria motorboat".

Bavaria is one of the global leaders in production sailboats. Its motorboat division — BMB, Bavaria Motor Boats — is far less well-known, but it has been producing serious, well-built motorboats for over a decade with the technical rigour that characterises the Bavarian brand. The Virtess 420 is the flagship of this range in the 14-metre category.

Coupé or Fly: two boats, two experiences

The Virtess 420 is available in two architectures that deserve clear distinction before any viewing.

The Virtess 420 Coupé is the integrated hardtop version — a rigid structure over the helm station and cockpit, without a flybridge. Its profile is lower, more sporting, less imposing at the dock. The absence of a flybridge simplifies manoeuvring under bridges and in marinas with limited air draft, and gives the boat a more dynamic line. This is the version for boaters who want to go fast with reasonable weather protection, without the elevated architecture of a flybridge.

The Virtess 420 Fly is the full flybridge version — a second elevated helm station with lounge, table and additional living space. At anchor in the Mediterranean, this is where most of life aboard happens in good weather. The flybridge of the Virtess 420 is generous for its size — it comfortably seats six for dinner at anchor, with a panoramic view that the Coupé simply cannot offer. Its trade-off is a higher centre of gravity and increased windage in a breeze.

On the second-hand market, both versions coexist on this page between €349,000 for a 2019 Coupé at Ancona and €470,000 for a 2020 Coupé in Sardinia. The 2016 Fly in the North Adriatic at €385,000 and the new 2026 Fly at €650,880 incl. VAT at Saint-Mandrier define the flybridge version price range.

The Volvo IPS powertrain: what the joystick actually changes

This is the central technical point of the recent Virtess 420 — and it is explicitly mentioned in the 2016 Croatia listing: "Volvo Joystick". This is not a commercial detail. It is a real difference at the helm and in harbour.

The Volvo IPS (Inboard Performance System) is an inverted pod-drive configuration under the hull, with pulling propellers. This system is coupled with a manoeuvring joystick that allows the boat to move laterally, rotate on its axis, and approach a pontoon at any angle without muscular effort. On a 14-metre boat, backing into a tight berth with a Force 4 southerly in July in the Mediterranean, the difference between a Volvo IPS joystick and conventional shafts is the difference between a calm manoeuvre and a stressful one.

The Virtess 420 powertrain ranges depending on version between 2 × 380 hp and 2 × 440 hp in IPS configuration — 760 to 880 hp combined. These outputs push this sub-20 tonne boat to cruising speeds of 28-35 knots and top speeds exceeding 40 knots depending on configuration. This is the speed profile of a premium sport-cruiser, consistent with its direct competitors on the European market.

The length anomaly in listings

Listings on this page show very variable lengths for the same model: 11.95 metres for the 2020 Coupé in Sardinia, 12.39 to 12.51 metres for 2019-2024 examples, 13.60 metres for 2013-2016 examples. This is not a model inconsistency — it is the same variable measurement convention we documented on the Cap Camarat range: some brokers measure hull length alone, others include the IPS pods and aft swim platform in the overall length. The actual usable deck length aboard is identical across all these Virtess 420 examples.

The real Virtess 420 generations

Two genuine generations coexist on the market and do genuinely differ.

The first generation (2013-2016) is the founding version — more classic lines, first and second generation Volvo IPS powertrain. These examples are now 9 to 12 years old and have navigated the Mediterranean throughout this period. The 2016 Fly in the Adriatic at €385,000 with "cushions fully renewed in 2025" and complete Garmin electronics is representative of this segment.

The second generation (from 2018-2019) brings more modern exterior lines, significantly improved interior finishes, and more advanced technology integration. The 2019 Coupé at Ancona at €349,000 and the 2020 Coupé at €470,000 in Sardinia illustrate this generation. The €121,000 gap between two similar model years deserves explanation: the Sardinia listing describes "the incarnation of luxury, design and performance" — which may reflect a significantly superior level of factory options.

The real competitors of the Virtess 420

The previous text on this page cited Schaefer, Rodman and Duretti as comparable models. These brands have no active presence in the Mediterranean second-hand market — they are not the real competitors of the Virtess 420. Here are the comparisons that actually matter.

Against the Prestige 420 — its most direct competitor by size, price and positioning — the Virtess 420 offers comparable IPS propulsion and similar habitability. Prestige has the advantage of stronger brand recognition in France and a deeper resale network. The Virtess has the advantage of slightly more rigorous construction on certain technical details.

Against the Galeon 420 Fly, the Virtess 420 is comparable in size and power. The Galeon generally offers a more modular cockpit; the Virtess benefits from Bavarian engineering rigour in construction.

Against a Princess V40 or Sunseeker Predator 39, the Virtess 420 is significantly larger and more powerful — these British boats play in a slightly different size segment.

The genuine difference between the Virtess 420 and most of its direct competitors is commercial: Bavaria remains little-known in the premium motorboat segment in France and Italy. This lack of recognition translates into second-hand prices slightly below those of an equivalent Prestige or Galeon — and therefore into a real opportunity for the informed buyer.

What to check when buying second-hand

The Volvo IPS pods are the first check specific to this model. These drives require specialist servicing by certified Volvo technicians — IPS joint membranes, pivot bearings and electric steering controls require regular servicing with Volvo invoices. On a first-generation Virtess 420 (2013-2016) now approaching 12 years, a full pod service on both units should be budgeted if not recently documented.

High-power engines (760-880 hp) on a sub-20 tonne boat imply more expensive annual services and significant full-throttle fuel consumption. Full service records with invoices for both engines are non-negotiable.

Electronics on first-generation models (2013-2016) are partially obsolete. The 2016 Croatia example mentions a "Garmin multifunction chartplotter" and a "Volvo joystick" — these systems may need software updates or screen replacement. Minimum electronics upgrade budget on a 2013-2016 example: €8,000 to €18,000 for a complete, current-spec setup.

Exterior cushions and upholstery on Mediterranean examples deserve inspection — Mediterranean sun rapidly degrades foam and fabrics. The Ligurian Fly listing mentioning "cushions completely renewed in 2025" is a positive signal — a recent renovation represents €4,000 to €8,000 of real value.

Bavaria Virtess 420 market prices in 2025-2026

Indicative ranges, market May 2026. VAT included unless otherwise stated.

Our verdict

The Bavaria Virtess 420 is a serious, well-built 14-metre sport-cruiser, with Volvo IPS propulsion that genuinely distinguishes it from competitors in harbour manoeuvring. Its primary market weakness is limited brand recognition compared to Prestige and Galeon in the same segment — which translates into second-hand prices slightly below its true value. For the buyer who makes the effort to compare it honestly with direct competitors, it is frequently an excellent purchase. Vigilance on the IPS pods and engine service records is non-negotiable — the rest is generally solid.