Bowman 48, BOANDARO

Broker’s Comments

BOANDARO is a very rare centre cockpit Bowman 48. Built in the UK, these Bowmans have long been recognised by the British yachting establishment as being the finest British built design ever offered to the conservative, long distance sailor.

BOANDARO is no exception and has been very well maintained by the current owner with comprehensive refits over the years and an extensive list of equipment, allowing an owner to tackle any ocean. These yachts are famous for their stable and safe seagoing qualities and on deck you will find a heavy duty rig offering easy shorthanded sailing or space for plenty of crew when needed. Down below she offers three spacious cabins, a comfortable interior saloon plus large linear galley. Overall, she is fully equipped and ready to go for her next adventures.

Sales Video

Owner’s Comments

BOANDARO is a truly excellent sailing yacht. She has served as an ideal family sailing boat for summer holidays, as well as a long-legged blue water heavy weight for trips to Iceland and Greenland. More recently she has been an excellent boat to live aboard; very comfortable with plenty of storage space. She has a superb motion, a good turn of speed and can hold high average speeds. She is also surprisingly easy to sail single handed, and I have done some long trips in such a fashion. She is beautifully built and very strong. In challenging conditions she just digs in and settles. There is no drama, and she gives a great sense of confidence.

BOANDARO is a very well-balanced yacht and the cutter rig is very powerful with enough sail area to keep her moving in light conditions as well as adequate power beating in brisk offshore conditions. You cannot make her slam, and downwind her keel and balanced ends means that she tracks very steadily.

BOANDARO is the only Bowman 48 Centre Cockpit, as the mould was changed for the later Deck Saloon model that has become the trend. However, I have found her layout ideal. In fact, the lack of large windows means that she is delightfully cool in hot bright summer conditions down below, and conversely warm and dry in arctic conditions. It is also worth noting that she is very well behaved in Marinas. I have debated fitting a bow thruster, and indeed already have a dedicated circuit breaker ready for one. However, each year I manage without, even singlehanded. My view is that now she has a properly specified propeller with controllable prop wash, and 40° of rudder available, she just doesn’t need one. Choosing the right moment, and using ropes and springs appropriately is all that is required.

It is a very hard decision to put her up for sale, but a smaller boat would now be more suitable, and she probably needs another family to delight and look after her. For those looking to go further afield she just needs fuel and food and she is well found and completely ready to go anywhere.