The yacht Chronos - Bavaria 50 holidays
Sailing Yacht Chronos (SY Chronos) was acquired by us in 2019 from a German family who had purchased her new in 2019. Her name was “Belle Monde” at the time. (More about changing a yacht’s name in our blog). We named our yacht Chronos, named after the Greek god of time to remind us just how precious every moment is. (You can also read more about her acquisition on our About Us page.)
We are proud to be only the second owners in her 26-year lifespan.
Chronos is a Bavaria 50 Holiday, designed by Nautor Design, who were highly respected in the industry at the time. This model carries a special place in Bavaria’s history, as it was the first 50-foot yacht ever built by the yard and served as their flagship during those years.
Around this period, yacht manufacturing was undergoing significant changes. Bavaria was one of the first — if not the first — yacht builders to introduce chain-production techniques into boatbuilding, a major innovation at the time. This allowed them to offer this Bavaria 50 model at a price around 30% lower than competitors, who were still building yachts individually and by hand.
This efficiency caused quite a stir in the industry. British and French competitors criticised Bavaria’s approach, claiming the boats would not last. History has proven the opposite: the Bavaria 50s from those years remain strong, reliable yachts still happily sailed by their owners — us included.
Why did we choose to buy a Bavaria 50 cruiser -Our buying criterias
We were looking at the time for a well build, seaworthy 5 cabin yacht to organise our Greek Sailing Vacation cruises. Five cabin allows a lot of flexibility.
- We were not living on board at the time but i always had in mind to liveonboard one day and this criteria was part of our choice.
- With a warm interior made out of lasting hard wood.
- With good sailing performances and easy handling.
- A boat which could last for a few more decennies while maintaining it’s resell value. The yacht has everything to become a classic.
The inside - Your home for your next Sailing Vacations in Greece
Inside, she feels like a home away from home—warm and inviting, with polished hardwoods that shine in the natural light pouring through the windows. The atmosphere is cozy and comforting, a perfect retreat after a day on the water.
Guest port double bed aft cabin
The port aft cabin is the most spacious cabin on Chronos and features direct access to the adjacent bathroom and shower. It’s typically the preferred cabin for parents during family cruises.
The cabin offers a comfortable 160 × 220 cm bed and excellent ventilation thanks to three hatches and a built-in fan. You’ll also find two USB charging ports for your phones and devices.
Storage is well-suited for a one-week cruise, and you can easily stow your bags in the dedicated storage cabin—one of the many advantages of having a five-cabin yacht used for a maximum of eight people.
Guest bunk cabin - Midship
The bunk cabin, featuring two superposed single beds, is surprisingly spacious and comfortable. Each bed is 2 meters long and 60 to 80 cm wide, making it suitable for adults as well as children.
A large overhead hatch provides abundant natural light and excellent ventilation. The cabin also includes the largest drawer on the yacht, often appreciated—and occasionally shared—by other guests.
Like all our cabins, it is equipped with two USB charging ports.
Guests staying in the bunk cabin share the forward bathroom with the front cabin.
Guest front cabin - The romantic cabin
The forward cabin is slightly smaller than the aft double cabin, yet still perfectly comfortable for two younger guests or one adult. It’s an excellent choice for a teenager, offering privacy and direct access to the foredeck.
The forward cabin shares its bathroom with the adjacent bunk cabin, making it a practical and cozy option for families.
The lounge area
Stepping inside the yacht, the first thing you’ll notice is the remarkable volume and openness of the lounge area. Even for a 50-foot yacht (15.4 meters), the 2.10-meter headroom is exceptional. Two large deck hatches and six side hatches flood the space with natural light and provide excellent ventilation.
The beautifully crafted hardwood dining table comfortably seats up to 10 people, perfect for shared meals, conversations, or evening games. Although most of our summer days are spent outdoors, the lounge is a wonderful place to relax, cool off, or gather for a cozy moment.
As this yacht is also our home, you’ll find a well-stocked library with a selection of good novels waiting to be enjoyed.
The kitchen (Galley in a yacht)
Whenever we spend time on land in places with large, modern kitchens, we’re often surprised by how non-functional they can be. On Chronos, everything in the galley is thoughtfully designed and within easy reach. Small spaces often inspire smarter solutions, and this certainly results in a more efficient and practical galley.
Over the years, we’ve refined and improved it through daily use. The top-opening cooler offers generous storage and effortless access—far more convenient than many standard fridges.
(You’ll find more details about fridges and coolers in our blog.)
The exterior of the yacht - The sailing, relaxing and social area
The spacious deck invites you to stretch out and soak up the sun, while the wide walkways ensure safe and easy movement as you sail. It’s the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the beauty of the sea. A well designed space.
The cockpit area
The cockpit is one of the most important spaces on board. It’s a safe, sheltered area, well protected from the elements, and the main outdoor hub for social life—whether you’re enjoying a relaxed brunch, sharing one of Yuliia’s delicious meals, or simply getting creative in the open air. Thanks to the large bimini, it also offers generous shade from the sun.
Chronos features an especially spacious cockpit with a comfortable settee area that easily accommodates six adults. One of our favourite elements is the cockpit table, designed with plenty of clever storage to keep everything tidy and within reach.
One of the unique features of the early Bavaria 50 model is its clever deck layout, with the genoa winches positioned forward on either side of the companionway. This smart arrangement allows the crew to work the winches efficiently without interrupting anyone relaxing in the cockpit—quite a contrast to many newer designs, where winch handling often happens right beside seated guests.
The sideworks and front deck
Large sidewalks with hard inox railing (rare feature) provide a safe passage to the front desk.
The frontdeck is large and perfect for sunbathing or just to erlax and chill out.