Design and Construction
The 48 was semi-custom built to Lloyd’s 100A1 standard, with a solid fiberglass hull and lead fin keel. At 48 ft 2 in overall, 39 ft 5 in waterline, 14 ft 2 in beam, and 5 ft 10 in draft, her 31,700 lb displacement reflects a genuinely heavy, ocean-capable hull rather than a light cruiser.
Rig and Handling
Bowman offered the 48 with a centre cockpit and a cutter rig of about 1,066 sq ft. Given a good breeze she will maintain good speed on long passages; the heavy displacement that aids steadiness offshore limits liveliness in slack air. A skeg-hung rudder and moderate fin keel suit a yacht of this tonnage on long passages.
Accommodations
The semi-custom build means layouts varied, but the centre cockpit divides the hull into fore and aft cabin zones. With 200 gallons water and 100 gallons diesel in built tanks, she supports extended voyaging; the 14 ft 2 in beam gives room without extreme width.
Refits and Ownership
Only ten were built, so each yacht’s history is individual. The Lloyd’s-standard solid hull and lead keel survey straightforwardly; later upgrades track 1990s bluewater norms rather than a fixed spec.
The Verdict
A heavily built semi-custom cruiser for the sailor valuing a Lloyd’s-classed solid hull over light-air speed; rarity demands careful survey.
Pros
- Lloyd’s 100A1 solid hull with lead ballast, virtually bulletproof
- Heavy displacement and moderate fin/skeg profile for offshore passages
- Largest of Paine’s Bowman designs
Cons
- Heavy displacement limits light-air performance
- Semi-custom, low production count means no standard refit baseline
