The Bowman 57 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Bowman 57 is a classic bluewater cruising sailboat designed by the renowned British naval architects Holman & Pye in the mid-1970s. Built by Bowman Yachts in Southampton, England, the boat features a sleek hull, a split rig, and a spacious interior that can accommodate up to eight people in four cabins.

The boat is known for its elegant lines, sturdy construction, and balanced performance in various sea conditions. Many owners have sailed their boats across oceans and around the world, enjoying the comfort and safety of this timeless design.

A Bowman 57

Published Specification for the Bowman 57

Underwater Configuration: Fin keel & skeg-hung rudder
Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall: 57'00" (17.4m)
Waterline Length: 44'0" (13.4m)
Beam: 14'8" (4.5m)
Draft: 8'3" (2.5m)
Rig Type: Staysail ketch
Displacement: 42,000lb (19,051kg)
Designer: Holman & Pye
Builder: Bowman Yachts (UK)
Year First Built: 1975

Published Design Ratios for the Bowman 57

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 17.1

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 38.1

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 220

4. Comfort Ratio: 37.6

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.7

Bowman 57 Q&A's...

Based on the published Design Ratios for the Bowman 57, how would you expect the boat to perform under sail?
These ratios indicate that the Bowman 57 is a moderate displacement cruiser, which means it can carry a lot of cruising gear without compromising its performance. The SA/D ratio suggests that the boat has enough sail area to move well in light winds, but not too much to become overpowered in strong winds. The B/D ratio shows that the boat has a good amount of ballast to provide stability and stiffness. The CSF value indicates that the boat has a low risk of capsize in rough seas.

Is the Bowman 57 still in production and, if not, when did production end and how many of these sailboats were built?
The Bowman 57 is no longer in production. Production ended in the late 1980s after about 20 boats were built.

What, if any, alternative versions of the Bowman 57 were built?
There were two main versions of the Bowman 57: the standard (or owner's) version and the optional (or charter) version. The standard version had four cabins: an aft cabin with a double and a single berth, a saloon with a U-shaped settee and a port settee, and two forward cabins with two bunk berths each. The optional version had five cabins: an aft cabin with a double berth, a saloon with a U-shaped settee and a port settee, and three forward cabins with two bunk berths each. The optional version also had an extra head and shower.

How many people can sleep on board a Bowman 57?
Depending on the version of the boat, a Bowman 57 can sleep up to eight or ten people on board. The standard version has four cabins with seven berths: an aft cabin with a double and a single berth, a saloon with a U-shaped settee and a port settee, and two forward cabins with two bunk berths each. The optional version has five cabins with ten berths: an aft cabin with a double berth, a saloon with a U-shaped settee and a port settee, and three forward cabins with two bunk berths each.

How did the sailing press review the Bowman 57?
The sailing press gave positive reviews to the Bowman 57, praising its design, construction, and performance. For example, Cruising World magazine described it as "slender, elegant, and spirited" and "a standard with refined styling". One popular website called it "a perfect example of what a bluewater cruising yacht should be". Berthon International yacht brokerage said it was "a silhouette that is immediately recognisable as a Bowman 57" and "perfect for ocean sailing".

What do owners of the Bowman 57 have to say about their boats?
Owners of the Bowman 57 have expressed their satisfaction and appreciation for their boats, highlighting their beauty, comfort, and reliability. For example, one owner said: "She’s a ‘boat-shaped boat’ with beautiful lines, a delicate transom, and a wave-splitting bow. She’s very comfortable underway and at anchor". Another owner said: "She is a very comfortable and fast cruiser for crossing oceans, coastal cruising and/or living aboard. Her classic lines and tumble-home hull never cease to draw other sailors to ask about her".

What is the history of the builders of the Bowman 57 and is the company still in business?
Bowman Yachts was founded in 1964 by Norman Buckley in Emsworth, England. The company specialized in building high-quality fibreglass cruising yachts designed by Holman & Pye. Some of their most famous models include the Bowman 36, 40, 42, 46, 48, and 57. In 1986, Buckley sold the company to Rival Yachts, which continued to produce some of the Bowman models until 1992. In 1996, Rival Yachts was acquired by Starlight Yachts, which also took over the production of some of the Bowman models until 2002. In 2003, Starlight Yachts went into liquidation and ceased operations. Since then, no new Bowman yachts have been built.

The above text was drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; we believe it to be accurate to the best of our knowledge.