Jeff,
I have a 36 with the standard cast iron keel but have seen a few on the hard over the last few years with the shoal keel.
Whilst they look durable enough and one owner I spoke to said they had no issues with it they will affect your ability to go to windward as the shallower the keel the lower the pointing ability and the greater the leeway.
Some will argue that this is not the case as they are designed to give lift and help you point but if that were the case more boats would be sold with them.
When or if I upgrade and get a newer bavaria I will go for the deeper lead keel. Better sailing ability and none of the rust problems that you get with the standard fin or shoal keels.
Unless you need the shallower keel then I’d leave it in Germany in my opinion.
Regards
Rick
