The Bowman 36 Sailboat

The Bowman 36, a long-keeled offshore cruiser, was designed by Holman & Pye and built in the UK by Bowman Yachts Ltd.

A Bowman 36 sloop.

Most were ketch-rigged, but a few (like 'Tilly Whim' shown here) have the Bermudian sloop configuration. There was also a lifting-keel option.

Published Specification for the Bowman 36

Underwater Profile: Long keel

Hull Material: GRP (Fiberglass)

Length Overall: 36'0" (11.00m)

Waterline Length: 26'8" (8.1m)

Beam: 11'4" (3.5m)

Draft: 5'8" (1.7m)

Rig Type: Masthead Sloop

Displacement: 19,500lb (8,845kg)

Designer: Holman & Pye

Builder: Bowman Yachts (UK)

Year First Built: 1970

Published Design Ratios for the Bowman 36

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 12.2

Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: not available

Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 459

Under 100: Ultralight
100 to 200: Light
200 to 275: Moderate
275 to 350: Heavy
Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 40.3

Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.7

Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Bowman 36

eBook: How to Avoid Buying the Wrong Sailboat

Download this eBook to make sure you buy wisely!

1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of just 12.2 suggests that the Bowman 36 will need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go.

2. The Ballast/Displacement Ratio is not available for the Bowman 36.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 459, tells us the Bowman 36 is firmly in the ultra-heavy displacement category. Load her up as much as you like and her performance will be hardly affected, not that it was ever startling. Few if any sailboats are built to this displacement category these days - but they remain popular with some long-distance sailors.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 40.3 suggests that crew comfort of a Bowman 36 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a heavy bluewater cruising boat. Pitching and rolling will be well damped - your cup of coffee on the salon table stands a reasonable chance of staying there in most conditions.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.7 tells us that a Bowman 36 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.