BOWMAN 49 KETCH
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 49.17 ft |
| LWL | 39.25 ft |
| Beam | 14 ft |
| Draft | 7.83 ft |
| Displacement | 37,000 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 8.4 kn |
About the BOWMAN 49 KETCH
Specs above are from Bristow's Book of Yachts, Sail & Power, 22nd edition, 1991
The Bowman 49 Ketch is a rare, heavy-displacement cruising yacht designed by Holman and Pye and built by Rival Bowman Yachts in 1979. With a displacement of 37000.0 lb and a comfort ratio of 40.3, this vessel represents a specific era of robust, fin-keeled ketch designs, though the exact total hull count remains unverified in available records.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for experienced coastal cruisers or conservative bluewater voyagers who prioritize motion comfort and seaworthiness over high-speed performance. Its heavy displacement and ketch rig make it ideal for those seeking a stable, manageable platform for extended passages.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a capsize ratio of 1.68 and a displacement of 37000.0 lb, the Bowman 49 Ketch exhibits strong inherent stability and resistance to capsizing, making it well-suited for offshore passages despite its single-year production run.
- Comparables:
- Comparable vessels include other late-1970s heavy-displacement ketches such as the Hallberg-Rassy 43 or the O'Day 42, which share similar design philosophies of safety, comfort, and moderate sail area. These boats are comparable due to their emphasis on a high D/L ratio (273.17) and low capsize ratio (1.68) for offshore security.
Performance
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the BOWMAN 49 KETCH yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 49.17ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the BOWMAN 49 KETCHyet to publish model-specific findings we'd stand behind — but here's a free general inspection checklist, built from our research into what actually goes wrong on boats of this kind.
Drawn from 7,029 documented issues across 2,391 models, ordered so the areas that most often turn up problems come first.
Own a BOWMAN 49 KETCH? Reports from owners are what turn this into a model-specific checklist — and they're the reason the boats above it have one.
Similar Sailboats
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Used sails that fit the BOWMAN 49 KETCH
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