Bowman

[Gerry]

I have read small snippets in the trade press of Bowmans sliding into receivership and saw an ad in the FT a few weeks ago where the receivers were trying to find a buyer for the yard, equipment, goodwill etc. Then I read somewhere that the whole operation had been closed down and everything had/was to be sold off. Is this correct? We went to the yard in September to look at the possibility of commissioning a new Bowman and when I asked a direct question about the possibility of bankruptcy was told that there were no problems . Fortunately we didn't go ahead there and then and boy am I grateful!

Does anyone know who(if anyone) will stock spare bits and pieces for the boats still out there- I know they had problems a few years ago but this all seems to have happened rather quickly and there seems to have been little coverage in the press, surprising given the small number of British Yards still building.

 

[sleepy_2]

The receivers have sold the assets and the company is no longer trading. Whether anyone will buy the Bowman moulds with a view to continuing production remains to be seen.

I can’t imagine that anyone will stock spare “bits and pieces” unless someone buys the moulds and starts building Bowmans again.

Unlike you I bought a Bowman last year. Dealing with the receivers has been a tremendous learning experience and for sure, my contract with a boat builder will be very different next time! But I am still glad I bought a Bowman, another yard is finishing my boat and soon, I will have my Bowman – which may be the last ever produced!

 

[Gerry]

Gosh! As you say that must have been one hell of an experience- out of interest when did you commission your boat?
We only decided not to go ahead as we felt we didn't have enough knowledge to specify a new build and have bought a used Bowman- the idea had been to trade up in a couple of years once we knew what we were talking about- strange how things turn out. I wish you well with your boat-they are a fabulous yacht.

 

[webcraft]

Bowman Website

The website is still up and running . . . some sort of Flying Dutchman doomed to sail through cyberspace for ever.

 

[Guest]

Re: Bowman Website

could someone provide a link to the Bowman website?
Presumably it's independent of the company. I've owned a 36 (CB) for 14 years.

Martin