Bavaria Yachts transformed from a private boatbuilding concern into a public company two years ago and the new owners decided that improved design had to be part of the fundamental reorientation of the business.

"We could have employed a genius from Italy to design some beautiful looking boats for us," says Bavaria CEO Andres Cardenas, "But it not just about drawing pretty lines." He decided that design needed to be incorporated into the manufacturing process to achieve a harmonisation between design and series production.

Bavaria signed up DesignworksUSA, an international design consultancy and subsidiary of the BMW Group. It has been a decision that has made waves.

DesignworksUSA launched a comprehensive reorientation of Bavaria's range of motor boats and sailing yachts, along with Farr Yacht design. Not only were the existing boat lines and types modernised but each line was given a concise character that could be transferred to all boat classes.

While a clear differentiation between each class of boat was the main focus, Bavaria and its new partner thought it crucial to secure design consistency within the company's products to not only offer customer familiarisation but also to strengthen Bavaria as a brand.

Now, just two years after the start of the reorientation, Bavaria is boasting discerning new design while offering a better choice, optimised spatial concepts plus enhanced quality and familiar prices.

First, as part of the new design strategy, the company's largest sailing yacht, the Cruiser 55, was introduced; then the Sport 28 motor boat (pictured) was a hit; and the Deep Blue line offered a glimpse of the future. Last year Bavaria achieved substantially better sales in the European and American autumn boat shows than in times of a booming yacht market.

Now the Cruiser line offers functionality and premium styling to give owners sheer sailing pleasure.

The Sport line of motor boats, featuring new bullet-shaped hulls, combines a sporty, vibrant and agile appearance with a pilot-oriented cockpit and generous seating and sunbaking areas. The new Deep Blue line appeals to those who want classic boat design as well as generous and innovative spatial interiors and deck layouts.

Already the new boats have attracted a swag of awards and the future promises more sophisticated offering from Bavaria.

Check out the Bavaria website for more details.