1995 Bowman 45

Design and Heritage
The Bowman 45 is a true modern classic of British yacht design and craftsmanship. Built by Bowman Yachts and designed by Chuck Paine, she combines a fine entry and well-balanced hull form with the strength, seakeeping, and performance for which Bowman and Rustler yachts are renowned. First commissioned following her display at the London Boat Show in 1995, she remains a highly respected bluewater cruising yacht.
Sailing Characteristics
Fast, capable, and reassuringly robust, the Bowman 45 offers a confident and rewarding sailing experience. Her design delivers excellent balance and control, making her well suited to offshore passages as well as coastal cruising. As a result, she appeals to experienced sailors seeking performance without compromise on comfort or safety.
Rig and Handling
‘Piano’ is configured with a cutter rig, moderate draft, and an easily managed sail plan, making her particularly well suited to short-handed voyaging. These features support efficient sail handling and provide flexibility across a wide range of conditions, especially on longer passages.
Accommodation and Interior
Below deck, the interior is spacious and practical, offering two double cabins, two heads, additional pipe cots, and generous storage throughout. This layout makes her well suited to extended bluewater cruising or comfortable liveaboard life for a couple or small family.
Ownership and Refit History
‘Piano’ has been owned by three meticulous owners and has cruised extensively in European, Atlantic, Caribbean, and US waters. She was professionally refitted by Rustler Yachts in 2009 and has been maintained to a high standard since. Because of this careful ownership, she presents as a well-proven and thoughtfully upgraded cruising yacht.
Condition and Readiness
Overall, this Bowman 45 is well equipped for extended bluewater cruising and offers a reassuring ownership proposition. The combination of proven design, professional refit, and consistent maintenance makes her ready for further serious use.
Location and Viewing
‘Piano’ is currently lying in Solomons, Maryland (Chesapeake Bay), USA, and is available for viewing by prior arrangement with her owners.
For further information, please contact Simon at the Falmouth office on 01326 313143.
Equipment and Information
Construction & Deck Equipment
Designer: Chuck Paine
Builder: Bowman Yachts Ltd, Southampton
Year Built: 1994 (commissioned 1995)
Construction: GRP hull and deck with teak cap rail and rubbing strake
Length Overall: 14.56 m (47’9″)
Beam: 3.96 m (13’0″)
Draft: 1.75 m (5’9″)
Displacement: Approx. 14 tonnes
Engine: Yanmar 4JH2E 50hp diesel (approx. 3,330 hrs)
Generator: Westerbeke 4.0BCD 4kW (approx. 5,940 hrs)
Fuel Capacity: 560L stainless steel tank
Water Capacity: 890L stainless steel (3 tanks)
Rig: Cutter rig with Kemp mast and boom, slab reefing, and furling headsails
Accommodation: 2 double cabins, 2 heads, saloon berths and pipe cots
Rigging & Sails
Kemp keel-stepped mast with twin spreaders and mast steps
Standing rigging replaced 2009 (Riggers UK, Falmouth)
Flying forestay with Wichard ratchet tensioner for hanked sails
Lewmar Ocean winches throughout (8 primary, secondary & halyard)
Sails:
Mainsail – Ullman (2014) – slab reefing, 5 battens
Yankee – Doyle (2012) on Harken MkII furler
Staysail – Ullman (2015) on Harken MkII furler
Multi-purpose Genoa – Hood original (light use)
Storm trysail – Hood original (unused)
Spinnaker gear with twin poles
Machinery & Systems
Engine: Yanmar 4JH2E, 50hp, Aquadrive coupling, Maxprop 3-blade propeller
Outboard: Mercury 10HP 2-stroke
Exhaust manifold and elbow replaced 2021
Bowthruster: Sleipner Sidepower 7hp
Generator: Westerbeke 4.0BCD (heat exchanger replaced 2021)
Wind generator: Rutland 913 with HRDX controller
Battery banks:
2x AC West Marine starter (2025)
3x Trojan domestic 130Ah (2020)
Master chargers, Sterling regulators
Fuel filters: Lucas CAV system for engine, generator, and heater
Heating: Newport diesel cabin heater with stainless day tank
Water system: 3 stainless tanks (890L), pressurised hot/cold, Katadyn filtered drinking water, and foot pumps
Hot water: via engine calorifier or 2kW immersion
Navigation & Electronics
Raymarine Smartpilot S3 autopilot with dual controls (ST7002 controller at helm and ST7000 at nav desk)
B&G Hydra wind/depth/speed instruments
Furuno GP-32 GPS and radar (black box with ARPA)
Comar Class B AIS transponder using Comer AST100 splitter for VHF masthead antenna
SEA-ME radar enhancer (visible and audible indication of X-band)
NASA PC Navtex Pro 2
Vertex DSC VM-3500E DSC VHF with Standard Horizon remote mic
Cassens & Plath steering compass
Horizon HX270E (submersible) hand-held VHF
ICOM IC-M801E MF/HF DSC transceiver with AT-141 Automatic Antenna Tuner
PACTOR modem for data/email at sea
Navigation PC with multiplexed NMEA data
Accommodation
Layout: Forward double/twin cabin, forward heads, large saloon with convertible berths and two pipe-cots, galley to port, navigation station to starboard, workshop area, aft heads, and aft double cabin.
Forward Cabin: Twin/double berths, drawers, wardrobes, storage, fan
Forward Heads: Shower/hip bath, sink, Soba washing machine, Porta Potti
Saloon: U-shaped seating, large folding table, diesel heater, MEOS 22inch flat-screen 12V TV , Alpine multi-speaker entertainment system, pipe-cots, extensive storage, precision analogue barograph.Concealed pipe-cot rolls out over the settee and settee- can be used as a berth, fitted with a lee cloth
Galley: Corian worksurfaces, twin stainless sinks, GN-Espace stove (4-burner/oven/grill), large fridge/freezer, filtered drinking water, ample stowage
Navigation Area: Full chart table with dedicated seat and full instrumentation
Aft Heads: Lavac toilet, pump-out system, wash basin, optional shower setup. (New Raritan Electro Scan US Coast Guard Certified Type 1 Marine Sanitation device complete with Control Unit plus the Raritan Powerflush, 12 volt with manual pump Model P101E12/01 are available)
Aft Cabin: Double berth, drawers, wardrobe, vanity, fan
Workshop Area: Workbench with vice, grinder, wet locker
Ground Tackle
Rocna 33kg primary anchor (2011) with 91m of 10mm chain (2014)
Fortress FX37 kedge anchor + 50m warp
Bruce 30kg spare, CQR 9kg kedge/dinghy anchor
Tender & Outboard
AB Alumina 9.5 RIB (2015)
Mercury 10HP 2-stroke
Security cable and motor lock
Inventory & Spares
Extensive selection of engine, generator, rigging, and systems spares
Safety equipment including EPIRB, lifelines, and harness points