This is the Virtess 420, one of the brand’s best-sellers. It’s been around since 2013, so it’s not the newest design on the market, but it’s still going strong - and with good reason.
Over the years, it’s had a series of updates and refinements, and it’s now available with either stern drives or Volvo Penta IPS pod drives, giving buyers a bit more choice when it comes to setup. Pricing starts just under €500,000, excluding VAT, and has a three-cabin layout. While a lot of the market has shifted focus to two-cabin boats in this size bracket, the Virtess 420 gives you that extra flexibility if you need more berths.
Bavaria Virtess 420 Fly Key Facts
- LOA 13.6m
- Model Year 2023
- Cabins 3
- Max Speed 32 knots
- Status In Production
- Yacht Type Flybridge
- Use Type Weekending
Bavaria is best known and loved for its range of smart, capable, value-for-money sportscruisers, but its flybridge boats have always sold well across Europe and beyond.
The Virtess 420 is interesting on several levels. Below decks, there are three cabins as opposed to the usual two. Yes, you lose the latest fly design’s ability to deliver a full-beam owner’s cabin but you win six berths and twin toilet and shower compartments. The three-cabin layout pushes the galley up into the salon, taking over the port side, but there is a proper aft lounge.
On the main deck, things get even more accommodating. A J-shape rail system allows two seating modules and a table to slide around the cockpit and cater for pretty much all occasions. You can open the deck up completely, have the seats in a traditional central location or push them to each side. The process is a little agricultural but with no electric motors it is also completely reliable.
The Virtess 420 has a decent 4.2m (13ft 9in) beam but as an older design it feels a little tight and exposed up on the flybridge. It does still deliver a proper dining area, forward sunapd and a helm station for two.
This yacht’s friendly and flexible style also stretches to performance, with Volvo Penta shaft or pod drive engines available. As with all Bavaria’s, the Virtess is focused on smooth, swift cruising with around 30 knots on tap.
As a final act of accommodation, the Virtess is also available as a sports yacht with the same interior and main deck plan.
The saloon layout is fairly conventional, but there are some smart decisions at play. The key one is having the galley up and forward. A choice that frees up valuable space below for three proper cabins.
The rest of the setup is familiar but well executed, with a dinette here and a set of stools that feature pop-up backrests for added comfort. The sliding doors can open right out onto the deck, so the dining area becomes flexible, easily extended out onto the aft deck when you want more space or a change of scene.
Guest Accommodation
The owner’s stateroom on the Virtess 420 is spacious, private, and well-appointed. There's a good-sized ensuite to starboard; access is slightly narrow at the entrance, but once inside, the layout is generous and practical. It has the atmosphere of a true stateroom, not just a larger forward cabin, which is impressive on a boat of this size.
This is a three-cabin layout, which remains relatively rare on a 42ft (12.8m) flybridge yacht. While the forward cabin design is slightly more traditional, many of the newer models offering full-beam owner’s suites amidships are limited to two cabins. So for anyone who needs proper accommodation for guests or family, the Virtess 420 still holds strong appeal.
The starboard guest cabin is the pick of the two, offering noticeably better headroom and twin or double berths depending on the setup. There’s good storage throughout both guest cabins. The port cabin is more compromised, headroom is limited due to the deck saloon sole above - but it still functions well as part of a three-cabin layout, which is no small feat at this length.
The tour boat runs on IPS drives, though you can spec it with stern drives. That €500,000 ex-VAT starting price refers to the stern drive version; going for IPS bumps the cost. This one has IPS 600 units, each producing 440hp, while the stern drive option gives you 380hp, both using the Volvo Penta D6 block. Either way, the boat will comfortably reach 30 knots, so performance isn’t in question.
Joystick control is available on both systems, but it’s optional. On this boat, the joystick is forward, with the throttle controls behind. Some might prefer it the other way round as it just makes it easier to manage the controls without leaning across. Still, the ergonomics are solid, and the double helm seat is a proper one.
Forward visibility is excellent, helped by a lower screen that gives a better line of sight. The helm design is showing its age a bit with only room for a single multi-function display, where two would be more useful. But overall, it’s a straightforward, practical driving position. The sightlines through the single-piece windscreen are superb, and it feels like a helm you could happily settle into for a long day’s cruising.
The aft deck of the Virtess 420 appears quite simple at first glance, and that’s deliberate. This is a versatile layout, which replaces the standard fixed transom bench with a pair of modular seats mounted on tracks. They can be pushed together, set across the transom in a conventional arrangement, or positioned opposite one another for a more sociable setup. The cockpit table slides with them, adapting to whichever layout you choose. It’s a flexible space that earns its name - versatile by design and in use.
Just ahead, triple bifold doors connect the deck saloon to the cockpit, creating a single, flowing living area that works well whether you're dining, relaxing, or entertaining. While this seating arrangement is an option, it adds real value, particularly on boats used for inland cruising or lake hopping, where flexible deck space is key. There’s also a hi-lo hydraulic platform, another option that further extends the deck space, dropping down to provide direct access to the water. The result is a broad, adaptable deck that feels much larger than it looks.
The flybridge deck of the Virtess 420 is the selling point of this model. There’s a long run of seating along the starboard side, with space for a hi-lo table in the centre. That allows for a full-length sun pad when needed, which makes this a really versatile area for lounging or socialising. It’s positioned directly opposite a wet bar, which has an optional grill, a fridge tucked underneath, and even room for an ice maker if you want to go all-in.
The layout up here is designed to bring people together - there’s plenty of seating, and the standard-fit bimini canopy gives good protection overhead. Space-wise, it does feel a little narrow by today’s standards, but it’s worth remembering this is a design that’s been around for nearly a decade. Still, it feels safe. The raised mouldings and solid backrests give you a reassuring sense of being held within the boat, rather than perched on top of it.
It’s a fairly straightforward flybridge, but one that makes the most of the space. For example, the backrest at the aft end drops down, so it’s working double duty. One noticeable detail is the hatch into the deck saloon below which is a bit of a throwback. Sometimes called a “sandwich hatch”, it was originally designed so someone in the galley could pass food up to the skipper on the flybridge, but it also adds ventilation and natural light.
Our Verdict
The 420 Virtess is popular for a reason. Fitting three decent double cabins into this shell is an impressive feat, and it's a boat that feels like a good step up from a day boat or weekender. The joystick options on both drive trains build into this, too. The design is feeling its age in places, but the 420 still makes a good case for itself in a sector where options are diminishing.
Reasons to Buy
- Joystick option for both drive types
- Galley-up frees up cabin space
- Flexible cockpit seating on tracks
Things to Consider
- Design is showing its age
- One guest cabin has low headroom
- Helm only fits one display
Looking to own a Bavaria Virtess 420 Fly? Use YachtBuyer’s Market Watch to compare all new and used Bavaria Virtess 420 Fly Boats for sale worldwide. You can also order a new Bavaria Virtess 420 Fly, customized to your exact specifications, with options for engine choice and layout configuration. Alternatively, explore our global listings of new and used boats for sale and find your perfect boat today!
Rivals to Consider
The Bavaria Virtess 420 Fly sets a strong pace with a cruising speed of 29 knots, a top speed around 32, and three cabins that sleep six - making it a solid choice for performance and comfort. The Sessa Marine Fly42 runs close, cruising at 26 knots with a top speed of 36 knots. It edges ahead in outright speed and its 429-nautical-mile range gives it real potential for longer cruising.
The Princess F43 isn’t far behind either. It cruises at 27 knots and, while it only has two cabins, it still sleeps six and feels well-suited to smaller groups or shorter trips. It strikes a good balance between performance and comfort.
The Rodman Muse 44 matches the Virtess on both speed and accommodation. With three cabins and a cruising speed of 26 knots, it’s equally capable for family trips or weekends with friends.
The Prestige 420 takes a different route. It’s slower, cruising at 22 knots, but focuses on comfort and stability. Its layout includes a full galley on the main deck and a roomy feel throughout, making it an easy-going cruiser for those who don’t mind taking their time.
Considering a new boat? Explore Bavaria's entire current range to find the model that best suits your needs, and compare it with alternatives from competitors to ensure you make the perfect choice.
Specifications
- Builder Bavaria Yachts
- Range Virtess Line
- Model Virtess 420 Fly
- Length Overall 13.6m
- Beam 4.21m
- Draft 1.11m
- Hull GRP
- Cabins 3
- Berths 5
- Yacht Type (Primary) Flybridge
- Use Type (Primary) Weekending
- Cruising Speed
- Max Speed
- Fuel Capacity 1,200 Litres
- Fresh Water Capacity 410 Litres
- Engine Model 2x Volvo Penta D6-380
Bavaria Virtess 420 Fly Layout
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Flybridge
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![Flybridge Bavaria Virtess 420 Fly]()
The flybridge is a good size with a mix of seating and lounging options
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Main Deck
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![Main Deck Bavaria Virtess 420 Fly]()
The modular seating design in the cockpit is simple but effective
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Lower Deck
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![Lower Deck Bavaria Virtess 420 Fly]()
Three decent cabins and two bathrooms. A layout hard to come by on a boat of this size
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