Kombucha
New Member
I'm considering buying a Bowman 40 and would be grateful if anyone has any opinions of them. Also, does anyone know of a similar boats that are cheaper as Bowmans do seem a little pricey. Thanks in advance for any help...
Bowman 40 advice
- Thread starter Kombucha
- Start date
Tranona
Well-Known Member
Welcome
There are few boats that are similar, and those that are will also be expensive, for the simple reason that there are few about, they were expensive to build and there is always a steady demand for niche boats. You might look at Rivals, Victorias and Tradewinds, plus of course HRs, Malos, Najads. However many of these will be equally or even more expensive for the same reasons.
There are few boats that are similar, and those that are will also be expensive, for the simple reason that there are few about, they were expensive to build and there is always a steady demand for niche boats. You might look at Rivals, Victorias and Tradewinds, plus of course HRs, Malos, Najads. However many of these will be equally or even more expensive for the same reasons.
Sybarite
Well-Known Member
Welcome to the forum.
Bowman's are expensive because of their (perceived?) quality. Do you need/want that quality? There are probably similar sized boats for half their price. Look for example at a Sun Legende and ask Robin of this forum what he thinks.
V1701
Well-Known Member
Rustler 36, Rival 38?
Ex-SolentBoy
Well-Known Member
Not sure which Bowman 40 you are looking at, but you would do well to call Simon Carter at Red Ensign in Falmouth. As Rustler/Bowman's official broker they know a lot about the boats and I am sure Simon would be happy to offer advice, even if you were buying elsewhere.
They are very solidly built boats with proper joinery and fittings.
They are very solidly built boats with proper joinery and fittings.
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doug748
Well-Known Member
Treat the following stuff with caution, I think I recall......
There were two Bowman 40s, the later one was designed Chuck Paine. A very pretty boat and probably the one you have your eyes on.
The earlier design was by Laurant Giles and a development of the Giles 38, it was also a smashing looking boat, but a quite seperate design. A Giles 38 might interest you, tho they will be getting on a bit by now.
I hope the above is correct, no doubt others can fill in the gaps and patch the errors.
There were two Bowman 40s, the later one was designed Chuck Paine. A very pretty boat and probably the one you have your eyes on.
The earlier design was by Laurant Giles and a development of the Giles 38, it was also a smashing looking boat, but a quite seperate design. A Giles 38 might interest you, tho they will be getting on a bit by now.
I hope the above is correct, no doubt others can fill in the gaps and patch the errors.
laika
Well-Known Member
If you're looking for something 12m-ish for 2/3rds the price of a Bowman, the Westerly Owners Association will (I understand) be showing an Oceanlord on the tuesday and wednesday at this year's southampton boat show.
Mr Cassandra
Well-Known Member
I have a Sun Magic44 from 1988 I know people will say b*l****s. I have yet to see one of these niche overpriced boat better fitted out or with better quality winches and rig than her
Kurrawong_Kid
Well-Known Member
Also Wauquiez boats, various at that size.
I once crewed in a Bowman 40 from the Spanish Rias to the UK. The boat did the business, but boy did she slam when beating round Cape Finisterre! Sleep was impossible and the Skipper put into Caralalimas (if that's how you spell it) for anchorage for 8 hours so crew could recover before setting out across Biscay. I think it was the flat sections forward. Also the cockpit was quite small for the size of the boat. Well built and appointed down below.
jdc
Well-Known Member
Great boat
I've sailed quite a bit in a Bowman 40. It is a great boat, yet there are quite a few about at reasonable prices (£90 - 100k ish), although the export market (often to France) keeps the price up to quite an extent. The quality isn't just 'perceived', it's real. Same stable as the Rustler, hence Red Ensign is good, as suggested by Ex-SolentBoy.
The Bowman range is really designed as a blue-water boat for a live-aboard crew, ie probably a couple. It's not a modern big-crew-but-only-comfortable-in-a-marina craft. So what are you? Sailing round the world as a small family or husband and wife? Go for the Bowman: after all what's your life worth? Entertaining while in a marina? Something imported is better value (and, lest you think I'm being snotty, let me admit that most of us, including me, are somewhere in between!). The engine position is great for access but takes up a lot of cabin.
It has a great characteristic: the weather helm hardly changes with heel which make it perfect for wind self-steering. It has a bad characteristic: the port-lights leak. In summary, there are few boats I'd rather be in in a gale. I also love the Rival 36 (the 38 is reputed to be slow): it's difficult to beat Chuck Paine's designs for sea-kindliness.
I've sailed quite a bit in a Bowman 40. It is a great boat, yet there are quite a few about at reasonable prices (£90 - 100k ish), although the export market (often to France) keeps the price up to quite an extent. The quality isn't just 'perceived', it's real. Same stable as the Rustler, hence Red Ensign is good, as suggested by Ex-SolentBoy.
The Bowman range is really designed as a blue-water boat for a live-aboard crew, ie probably a couple. It's not a modern big-crew-but-only-comfortable-in-a-marina craft. So what are you? Sailing round the world as a small family or husband and wife? Go for the Bowman: after all what's your life worth? Entertaining while in a marina? Something imported is better value (and, lest you think I'm being snotty, let me admit that most of us, including me, are somewhere in between!). The engine position is great for access but takes up a lot of cabin.
It has a great characteristic: the weather helm hardly changes with heel which make it perfect for wind self-steering. It has a bad characteristic: the port-lights leak. In summary, there are few boats I'd rather be in in a gale. I also love the Rival 36 (the 38 is reputed to be slow): it's difficult to beat Chuck Paine's designs for sea-kindliness.
Carolwildbird
Well-Known Member
Bowman 40
I have a Bowman 40 and I would agree with much of what is written below...I realised what a gem she is whilst, on our first year of real cruising, accidentally meeting a F9 crossing over to Ireland (forecast a F6).. she coped fine. Oh..my area of disagreement? My port lights don't leak and never have.
Not really an ideal family day sailing med. boat, but excellent blue water prospect for a couple, as jdc says.
I will be (very reluctantly ) selling mine, but not because I don't like her.. just want a house after 5 years of living aboard :-( (And if she doesnt sell, I may, after a period ashore, decide to go up to the baltic/norway).
Carol
I have a Bowman 40 and I would agree with much of what is written below...I realised what a gem she is whilst, on our first year of real cruising, accidentally meeting a F9 crossing over to Ireland (forecast a F6).. she coped fine. Oh..my area of disagreement? My port lights don't leak and never have.
Not really an ideal family day sailing med. boat, but excellent blue water prospect for a couple, as jdc says.
I will be (very reluctantly ) selling mine, but not because I don't like her.. just want a house after 5 years of living aboard :-( (And if she doesnt sell, I may, after a period ashore, decide to go up to the baltic/norway).
Carol
KellysEye
Well-Known Member
Bowman 40s are indeed great boats and were built to Lloyds A1 thus well built. It was designed by Chuck Payne and is a 20/20 boat, 20 degrees heel at 20 knots then reef. Most modern boats are 15/20 or les. The only issue I've heard was a couple we know bought one for ocean sailing but decided the storage wasn't big enough. They were going to carry two sets of kite surfing kit, so no surprise they changed. They sold it and bought an aluminium Ovni.
hannahman
Well-Known Member
Yep, my parents had one of the early Bowman 40s (Giles 38) built in 1979. Cracking boat she was too.
The later Bowman 40s seem to be fab boats also.
Good luck in your search.
Doug
E39mad
Well-Known Member
Vancouver 36 was a competitor - almost as heavy with similar beam ... the V36 wrongly used to get compared with the Rival and Rustler 36's because the lengths were similar whereas their competitor was the Vancouver 34 due to similar internal volumes etc
Seven Spades
Well-Known Member
You have not told us what sort of sailing you Hardin mind, casual cruising or extended blue water use. might I suggest you look at Starlight 39s they are cheaper for Sadler built versions, but the Bowman built Starlights will cost about the same price as a similar sized Bowman.
Brilliant boats, few made and. Dry sought after.
Brilliant boats, few made and. Dry sought after.
Gerry
Well-Known Member
Had our Bowman for 12 years now, just returned from a 10 year cruise to Caribbean and central America. She is a fantastic boat.
Never had a portlight leak. Now have an aging teak deck but as its glued not screwed its a cosmetic problem not structural.
She is a solid, safe and forgiving boat. Sails superbly in light airs. We usually manage 3-4k in under 6 k of wind. Equally reefed down she will keep you safe in the worst of weathers. Just came through 5 days of severe squalls of the USA coast with winds up to 70k at times. Not fun but the boat was always in control.
We sail with 2 up but have had all the kids on board and a little crowded with 6 but certainly possible. Do not agree about a small cockpit, we can seat 8 for drinks or 4-6 for dinner round the cockpit table.
Excellent stowage, can carry 6-9 months supplies, including propane etc.
If you are thinking of offshore sailing you could not do better than a Bowman. She is a boat will take you anywhere safely and in comfort
Never had a portlight leak. Now have an aging teak deck but as its glued not screwed its a cosmetic problem not structural.
She is a solid, safe and forgiving boat. Sails superbly in light airs. We usually manage 3-4k in under 6 k of wind. Equally reefed down she will keep you safe in the worst of weathers. Just came through 5 days of severe squalls of the USA coast with winds up to 70k at times. Not fun but the boat was always in control.
We sail with 2 up but have had all the kids on board and a little crowded with 6 but certainly possible. Do not agree about a small cockpit, we can seat 8 for drinks or 4-6 for dinner round the cockpit table.
Excellent stowage, can carry 6-9 months supplies, including propane etc.
If you are thinking of offshore sailing you could not do better than a Bowman. She is a boat will take you anywhere safely and in comfort
snowleopard
Well-Known Member
I sailed on Carol's Wild Bird and was impressed by her power and speed going upwind. I had recently done a long passage on an Island Packet which was a lot less impressive and was a bit cynical about heavy monos.
Halcyon Yachts
Well-Known Member
We delivered a Bowman 36 this year from Ireland to the Solent... The Skipper (an extremely experienced sailor) spoke very highly of her. They do seem to hold their value very well for good reason!
All the best,
Pete
Tranona
Well-Known Member
Not sure about holding value - they were very expensive boats when new, and have just stayed expensive compared with the current price of production boats of the same era.
However, they look positively cheap compared with build costs now - if anybody was brave enough to try and build boats like that. (I know Rustlers do similar, but their prices illustrate the point)
