English
A classic example of one of the most legendary bluewater yachts of all time in super-practical aft cockpit raised saloon format. Extensively fitted out for serious short-handed offshore adventures and with the benefit of a major 2023/4 refit.
FURTHER BROKER’S COMMENTS:
KELPER BAY is a 1992-launched aft cockpit, raised saloon example of the highly desirable Chuck Paine designed and Rival Bowman built Bowman 48 ocean cruising yacht.
Fitting in at the top of the Rival Bowman range above the Bowman 45 and 40/42, the Bowman 48 shares many design similarities with the US-built Morris Yachts, both of which were widely regarded as being the very finest quality build and designs in the bluewater cruising yacht market on their respective sides of the Atlantic.
This enormously capable bluewater yacht design was manufactured to Lloyds specifications in Southampton by Rival Bowman Yachts from the early 1990s until they were purchased by Rustler Yachts in 2002 and then offered as an option by Rustler Yachts thereafter.
As Hull No.3, KELPER BAY was originally commissioned and custom finished (as with all larger Bowman’s) for a Dutch yachtsman and named ‘HIGHLAND FANCY’. Her first owner sailed her from the Rival Bowman shipyard in the UK to the Caribbean via two seasons in the Mediterranean, where she remained for several seasons before returning to Europe via the Azores. Sailing on to the Med’, she was decommissioned for a year or two when her owner became too ill to continue sailing.
After passing through a second Dutch ownership, she was sold to a UK yachtsman, renaming her ISLAND BREEZE, who then enjoyed three seasons of liveaboard sailing before succumbing to a back injury that eventually forced her sale to her current UK-based owner.
KELPER BAY is now offered for sale fresh from a comprehensive 16-month refit where her systems and equipment were refreshed, overhauled or replaced to create a 100% reliable ocean cruiser suited to short-handed bluewater sailing. Her specification highlights include:-
• Aft cockpit with raised deck saloon profile
• 3-cabin interior arrangement plus 2-heads and showers
• Teak interior joinery
• Alcantara upholstery
• Forward sail locker arrangement with watertight bulkhead
• Teak laid side decks
• Skeg-supported rudder
• Shoal-draft lead ballast keel
• Lewmar electric primary and halyard winches
• Cutter rig furlers for yankee and staysail
• Fully-battened mainsail system with Frederisken battencars, 3-reefs led aft to cockpit and lazyjacks/lazybag.
• Twin spinnaker poles
• Furling gennaker and spinnaker
• Perkins M90 diesel engine with MaxProp 3-bladed feathering propeller
• Vetus bowthruster
• Westerbeke generator
• Watermaker
• Raymarine updated plotters plus radar, AIS and navigation instruments
• SSB radio
• Bimini and sprayhood
• Simpson davits
• Tender and outboard
• Passarelle
• Holding tanks
2023-24 REFIT HIGHLIGHTS:
• Hull stripped and epoxy treated
• Coppercoat system applied
• Rudder completely rebuilt with new foam core
• Interior flooring removed to allow checking and retorquing of keel bolts
• Teak decks and teak cockpit overhauled
• Teak capping rail and rubbing strake overhauled and with new sections fitted as required
• Interior bilge spaces repainted
• Stern gear overhauled and refurbished
• Major service to engine and generator
• New bowthruster motor fitted
• Winches serviced
• Furling gear serviced
• Standing rigging inspection by Selden appointed agent
• Running rigging replaced
• Sails laundered with new UV strips fitted where required
• New canvas including sprayhood, bimini, stackpack and cockpit cushions
• Anchor windlass overhauled
• New anchor chain and swivel
• Electrical installations checked and serviced
• New fresh water pump system
• New hot water tank
• New seacocks and skinfittings
• Full overhaul of fresh, grey and blackwater systems with new pumps etc
• Inspection, cleaning and descaling of tanks
• New water pump fitted for refrigeration system
• Interior lighting upgraded
• Renovation of interior teak joinery
• Laundering of cabin upholstery and curtains
• Deckhead hatches overhauled with new seals and perspexes where required
• Deck saloon windows rebedded
• Tender overhauled
• Outboard engine serviced
OWNER’S COMMENTS:
I purchased KELPER BAY through Grabau International in the summer of 2023. I was searching for a well-founded, high-quality cruising yacht capable of taking me and my family across any ocean in comfort and safety. The reputation of the Chuck Paine-designed Bowmans is legendary, and with the Bowman 48 being the queen of the fleet, finding an aft cockpit, raised saloon version for sale made for a very obvious and easy choice.
Although well-updated and upgraded in her previous ownership, upon taking ownership, I embarked on a major refit program to bring KELPER BAY back to her original glory, with every system overhauled and in complete working order. The quality of her fitted systems and equipment meant that much of the work involved professional overhaul and refurbishment rather than outright replacement with equipment that arguably might be of a different quality. Along with this overhaul and servicing program, her underwater sections were inspected for osmosis (none found) and then stripped, dried and epoxy treated as a future precautionary measure before being copper coated, her internal structures (bulkheads/stringers) checked for cracks or delamination (none found), her keel bolts retorqued, her rudder completely rebuilt, and her exterior teak refurbished.
Unfortunately, family commitments have changed, and our original bluewater cruising plans have been put on hold. Rather than seeing KELPER BAY sitting in a marina, I have decided to sell her and replace with a small motor yacht to potter up and down the coast. Whoever buys KELPER BAY will, therefore, benefit from over 12 months of hard work and approaching £100,000 investment in her refit and restoration.
DESIGNER’S COMMENTS:
The Bowman 48 has been long recognized by the British yachting establishment as being the finest British built design ever offered to the conservative long-distance sailor. She came about in response to the success of our Bowman 40, of which some 60 beautiful examples have been built since its introduction in the late 1980's. Those are small numbers to the mass production crowd, but indicative of a wonderful response by the high-end yachtsmen who prefer a customized vessel and are willing to bear the attendant higher costs. Ten Bowman 48's are now cruising the world's oceans…
This design is an excellent representative of the more traditional design style which we have always specialized in at our office. The process is to select an aesthetic treatment that is timeless in its appeal, and to combine that shape with fully modern appendages, such as the highly successful Paine Keel with its efficient bulbed endplate, and updated interior treatments. While such a design will never approach the speeds of Bermuda Series types, they are fast in comparison with traditionally styled yachts of a few years ago, and have a lovely motion and forgiving steering and stability characteristics at sea.
The design is completely optimized with all of the necessary gear, tankage, etc. to begin world cruising immediately after launch. In this way, the potential embarrassments of designing for weekend coasting and then adding the weights necessary for a round the world voyage are eliminated. Even the generator is included in the standard design and sales package and the yacht sails brilliantly with full cruising equipment, because she was designed with these weights in mind from day one.
The deck features an integral pilothouse which permits large windows to be fitted in order to avoid the cramped feeling that can result from the conventional low house. The feeling of light and air that results is wonderful, as can be easily discerned from the accompanying photo. All of the long distance cruiser's needs are anticipated, and owners may be assured that the deck fittings are oversize for their loads, and the bow roller adequate for the oversize anchors that he is liable to fit aboard what is in most instances his home for the duration of the voyage.
A long and cordial relationship has existed between Bowman Yachts and the Paine office. The Bowman 48 will take you anywhere your heart desires in safety, comfort, and at excellent speed.
THE RIVAL BOWMAN STORY:
“Peter Gregory of Victoria Yachts never tired of finding ways to attract customers. For the 1983 London Boat Show he came up with an idea of stationing his designer at a drafting table in the act of designing yachts.
I had my weather eye open for a new British customer and Rival yachts were at the top of my list. Their previous designer had passed away and the time would come when they would want a new design. I didn't want to be an ambulance chaser so struggled with how I would introduce myself without appearing overly aggressive. I was spared the trouble.
Just in case an opportunity might arise I decided to spend my time stuck at that drafting table sketching my idea of the next Rival Yacht. The largest yacht in the Rival line was a 41 footer and the next smaller a 38 so I figured 40 feet was about right. I had the sketch just about finished on my 3rd day standing at Peter's drafting table when 2 impeccably dressed "city types" walked over and peered down curiously at what I was doing. It turns out they both owned Rival 36s and were at Earls Court looking at larger boats. They loved their Rival 36s and would have preferred to stay with the same builder if only he had something larger. They took one look at my sketch and they had the answer. They dragged me and my sketch over to the Rival stand and introduced me to Charles Maunder, the Managing Director of Rival Yachts. They said in unison "Charles, if you build this design and add it to your line, we'll both order one."
The first Bowman 40 was introduced at the London Boat Show a year later. I had already seen it earlier that fall, when I flew over for sea trials. They had that first boat in the water and the first thing Charles said was "It floats 2 inches deeper than you said it would." I said "It can't possibly" But I took the freeboards and he was right. I had done all my laborious calculations using a VisiCalc estimate in excruciating detail - how could it possibly be that much heavier? They explained that of course they could not build the boat to the scantlings I had shown on my American style construction plans. "We can't build boats as lightly as your drawings showed - to sell boats on Britain we have to use Lloyds scantlings" And that was the answer. Lloyds scantlings assumed the use of more fibreglass mat and less woven roving than we were used to using in America. And since mat is weaker than roving, you have to use more of it to achieve adequate strength. I even considered making some concession to Charles on the royalty to compensate for my failure to estimate the weight correctly but fortunately I held my tongue.
Then we sailed the boat. It was windy, as it always is on the Solent on the fall and the boat stood up to all that wind beautifully and went like a train on rails. Charles was overjoyed with the way it sailed - much faster than the former Brett designs. The boot-top was repainted two inches higher on the hull, the displacement figure was changed on the sales brochures and Bowman Yachts went on to build more than fifty of the yachts and came back to me for 3 more designs.”
Words by Chuck Paine and reproduced from the Rival Owner’s Association.
SPECIFICATIONS
CONSTRUCTION
RCD Status:
• Our understanding is that the yacht is exempt from the essential safety requirements of Directive 94/25EC (Recreational Craft Directive) as she was built and placed into use within the EU prior to 1998.
• Construction drawings are approved by Lloyd's Register of Shipping.
Hull Construction:
• Reinforced with longitudinal stringers, the GRP hull provides a structure which conforms to the company’s own stringent standards, as well as the highest internationally recognized quality monitoring systems of Lloyd’s Register of Shipping.
• For added safety, the hull is constructed with a watertight bulkhead between the forward stowage locker and the forward cabin.
• Teak capped side rubbing strake – Refurbished with new insert and varnished – 2023/4
• Underwater sections gel-stripped, sanded and epoxy treated – 2023/4
• Coppercoat antifouling system – 2023/4
• White gelcoat hull finish – cut back and polished 2023/4
• Boot topping stripe repainted with Awlgrip – 2023/4
• Interior bilges repainted – 2023/4
Deck & Superstructure Construction:
• Off-white isophthalic gel with non-slip areas moulded in - cut back and polished Autumn 2024
• Lay-up is of chopped strand matt and woven rovings with non-woven polyester core, stiffening and insulation.
• Teak laid side decks – Overhauled Autumn 2024
• Teak laid cockpit sole and seating – Overhauled 2023/4
• Teak capped bulwarks – refurbished with new sections and varnished 2023/4
• Teak grabrails on coachroof top.
• Deck saloon windows – rubber inserts replaced Autumn 2024
Keel & Rudder:
• The design offers moderate, stable sections and the unique Chuck Paine elliptical bulbed keel provides a remarkably responsive yacht with a very low centre of gravity.
• Fin keel with deep encapsulated GRP stub and lead ballast externally bolted with stainless steel bolts.
• Keel bolts inspected and retorqued – 2023/4
• The encapsulated stub and attached lead ballast are profiled to provide a full depth bilge sump at the aft end of the keel structure and provide increased resistance to impact damage through shear stress.
• GRP rudder blade well-supported by three-quarter length GRP skeg.
• Rudder rebuilt – 202/4
MACHINERY
Engine & gearbox:
• Perkins M90 4-cylinder diesel engine producing 84hp @ 2,800rpm
• Hurth mechanical reduction gearbox – refurbished 2023/4
• Aquadrive anti-vibration mountings - 2011
• Single lever throttle and gearbox control.
• Engine located within box adjacent to galley, allowing excellent access for maintenance and easy removal through disassembly of furniture.
Maintenance & Performance:
• Engine was ‘zero-houred’ in 2010/2011 with removal of unit and complete overhaul.
• Date of last engine service – Autumn 2024 (major service)
• Cruising speed – approx. 7 knots @ 1,800rpm
• Maximum speed – approx. 8 knots @ 2,300rpm
• Fuel consumption at cruising speed – approx. 6 litres per hour
Propulsion & Steering:
• Vetus 24vDC 95kgf tunnel bowthruster with control at helm – 2015 and fully refurbished 2023/4
• New bowthruster motor fitted – 2024
• MaxProp 3-bladed feathering propeller – refurbished 2023/4
• PropSpeed propeller antifouling system – Autumn 2024
• Spare 3-bladed fixed propeller
• Stainless steel prop-shaft – shaft pulled and cutlass bearing replaced 2023/4
• Edson wheel steering system with hide covered stainless steel wheel – Steering system inspected and serviced 2023/4
• Emergency tiller
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
Voltage systems:
• 24vDC domestic system with 12vDC start circuits and 220vAC via shore-power or generator.
• Electrical systems inspected – 2023/4
Battery Banks:
• 2x 12v DC 110Ah Varta Black engine starting traction batteries - 2020
• 1x 12vDC 800Ah Varta generator start battery – 2020
• 6x 8vDC 175Ah Trojan T875 service batteries joined in series and parallel to supply 350Ah @ 24vDC - 2020
• Engine and start batteries can be joined.
• Battery wiring replaced – 2013
• Battery monitoring system – Refurbished 2023/4
Charging / Inverter:
• 24vDC Victron Skylla 50Amp automatic battery charger for charging service battery bank
• 12vDC Duric 10Amp battery charger for charging Generator start battery banks
Alternator:
• 12vDC engine-mounted alternator
• 24vDC high-output secondary engine alternator
• Sterling Power Pro Split R Alternator Distribution System - 2017
Generator:
• Westerbeke 220vAC 50Hz 4kw diesel generator – 1992
• Generator hours: approx 2,000 hrs as of Autumn 2024
• Generator was ‘zero-houred’ in 2010/2011 with removal of unit and complete overhaul.
• Date of last generator service – Autumn 2024 (major service)
Other Electrical:
• 220vAC shore power with earth leakage strip, circuit breaker and shore power cable
• 12v electric sockets throughout
• 220vAC sockets throughout
• Grounding wire replaced – Autumn 2024
PLUMBING & GAS SYSTEMS
Fresh Water:
• 24vDC pressurized water pump for supplying fresh water – 2023/4
• Fresh water supply pipes replaced 2011
• Hot water supply via engine calorifier and 220vAC immersion heater element in Isotemp Spa 25 litres hot water tank heated by shorepower – 2023/4
• Service water manifold refurbished with fitment of new valves and fittings – 2023/4
Watermaker:
• Bespoke 220vAC reverse osmosis watermaker producing 60 litres per hour with Corning filter, new spare filter onboard. Feeder pump and pressure pump industry standard and available worldwide. Simple control system and pressure control. - Fitted 2018 and serviced Autumn 2024
Bilge Pumps:
• 2x Manual bilge pumps – main bilge and forward sail locker – pump replaced 2023/4
• 2x automatic electric bilge pumps with manual overrides at chart table – main bilge and forward sail locker - pump along with float switches and alarm switches replaced 2023/4
• Bilge pumping system modified creating an option to fit a 3rd unit included in the system – 2023/4
Black & Grey Water:
• Heads discharge to tank or to sea.
• All sinks discharge to grey water tank
• Showers discharge via 24vDC pumps – replaced 2023/4
• Grey and black water pumps replaced or refurbished – 2023/4
Gas System:
• Self-draining gas locker.
• Manual valves at tank and galley.
Seacocks & Through Hull Fittings:
• Through hull fittings removed and replaced with new “Trudesign” – 2023/4
• Through hull vents replaced with new chrome units – 2023/4
• Sea strainer for service water and engine raw water refurbished and refitted with new through hull valves – 2023/4
TANKAGE
Fuel:
• Total fuel capacity approx 817 litres in 2x stainless steel tanks plus additional converted fresh water tank
• Tank Tender manual fuel monitoring.
• Tanks inspected, cleaned, descaled and refitted – 2023/4
Fresh Water:
• Total water capacity approx 418 litres in 2x tanks.
• Tank Tender manual fresh water monitoring on both tanks.
• Tanks removed, inspected, cleaned, descaled and refitted – 2023/4
Holding Tanks:
• Black water holding tanks servicing and all hoses replaced to both heads – 2022
• Grey water holding tank - 2010
• Tank material – stainless steel
• Holding tanks discharges to sea beneath waterline or via deck extraction point.
• Wema holding tanks level gauges
• Tanks removed, inspected, cleaned, descaled and refitted – 2023/4
NAVIGATION & COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT
At Helm:
• Raymarine Axiom colour WiFi GPS chart plotter – 2021
• Raymarine GA200 GPS antenna - 2021
• Raymarine ST6000 autopilot - 2011
• Autohelm ST60 instruments at companionway showing speed, depth, log and wind - 2015
• Rigel Poseidon steering compass at helm pedestal
.
At Chart Table:
• Raymarine C99 W colour GPS chart plotter – 2011
• Raytheon R20X radar display
• Autohelm ST50 Multi-repeater
• Autohelm ST50 GPS display
• GPS connection for laptop computer
Communications Equipment:
• Standard Horizon GM2100 VHF with DSC and AIS – 2012
• Standard Horizon handheld VHF with DSC and charge cradle at chart table – 2018
• Raymarine AIS transceiver transmitter - 2021
• Icom IC-M710 SSB radio
• Shipmate VHF speaker
DOMESTIC EQUIPMENT
Galley:
• Taylors 041 2-burner gimballed gas stove with gridle, oven and grill
• Panasonic 220vAC microwave oven
• Top-loading fridge with Isotherm water-cooled compressor – 2012
• New fridge cooling water pump fitted – 2023/4
• Dometic CFX 35 12/24 and 240vDC portable compressor fridge/freezer
• Twin stainless steel sinks with hot & cold pressurised fresh water supply
• Additional manual fresh and salt water supplies - 2013
Heads:
• Jabsco manual marine heads – 2011
• Forward and aft heads pumps replaced 2023/4
• Hot & cold pressurised water supplies with shower cubicles
Heating & Ventilation:
• Eberspacher diesel-fired hot air cabin heating system
• Hella DC ventilations fans in cabin areas
Interior Lighting:
• Interior lighting upgraded – 2023/4
Entertainment:
• Pioneer CD/radio with Bose speakers
• Waterproof speakers in cockpit
ACCOMMODATION
Summary of Accommodation:
• Up to 7 berths in three accommodation cabins plus two heads plus with further sea-berth in saloon
Accommodation Finish:
• The finish throughout is of honeyed teak.
• The joinery is a combination of veneer and solid timber.
• The interior joinery has been rubbed down and re varnished (3 coats) in 2015 with further refurbishment 2023/4
• Internal hatch surrounds refurbished – Autumn 2024
• Teak and holly cabin sole.
• White deckhead panels with teak trim
• Alcantara upholstery – 2011
• Coachroof side windows and deck head perspexes replaced – 2011
• All hatches have blinds and mosquito nets
• Lee cloths for aft berths
• Bunk cushion covers and curtains professionally laundered 2023/4
Description of Accommodation from Forward:
• Owner’s cabin: double berth, hanging stowage and vanity unit with stool. En-suite WC with shower.
• Saloon: U-shaped seating to port with drop leaf table with ample cupboards and shelving. To starboard there are two rotating easy chairs, the aft of which also serves the navigation area. Drinks cabinet/table in between.
• Galley: large U-shaped forward facing galley in white with teak trim.
• Aft WC and shower in moulded GRP and teak trim to starboard with en-suite door to starboard aft cabin.
• Port aft cabin double with infill.
• Starboard aft cabin double with infill.
DECK EQUIPMENT
Rig:
• Kemp masthead cutter rig with two sets of spreaders and fore & aft lowers
• Anodised aluminium mast and boom
• Keel stepped mast resting on a bottom construction
• Stainless steel 1x19 wire standing rigging – 2011 – Professional inspected by Selden agent – Autumn 2023
• Slab-reefing mainsail with Frederiksen low-friction battencars attached to mast track
• Lazyjacks with stackpack bag for fully-battened mainsail
• 3x mainsail reefs with lines led aft to cockpit
• Furlex genoa furler - Refurbished 2024
• Seafurl staysail furler plus checkstays - Refurbished 2024
• Mechanical adjustable backstay – insulated to act as SSB aerial
• Kemp rod kicker
• Topping lift
• Lewmar mainsheet system on coachroof with adjustable track
• Lewmar genoa tracks on side decks and staysail tracks on coachroof
• Lewmar jammers at companionway
• Mast-stowed aluminium twin alloy spinnaker poles with associated equipment
• Running rigging replaced as required – Autumn 2024
Winches:
• Lewmar 2-speed self-tailing winch package – Serviced 2023/4
• 2x 62CEST electric primary winches in cockpit positioned aft for easy control by helmsman when sailing short-handed
• 2x 50CST manual secondary winches in cockpit
• 2x 48CEST electric companionway winches for all halyards, control lines and mainsheet
• 1x 48CST mast-mounted halyard winch
Sails:
• Jeckells Sails – Dacron fully-battened mainsail – 2018
• Jeckells Sails – Dacron furling yankee – 2018
• Jeckell Sails – Dacron furling staysail - 2018
• Hood – Dacron furling yankee – 2001
• Hood Sails – Nylon symmetrical tri-radial spinnaker – 1997
• All sails sent to sailmaker for inspection, cleaning and repairs as required – 2023/4
• New UV strips applied to yankee and staysail – 2023/4
General:
• Simpson stainless steel tender davits
• Sturdy stainless steel pulpit and pushpit
• Port & starboard boarding gates
• Guarwires replaced – 2019
• Removable teak and stainless steel side boarding ladder – refurbished 2023/4
• Stainless steel and teak passarelle with guardrail – refurbished 2023/4
• Teak cockpit table
• Outboard engine bracket
• Dorade ventilators with stainless steel protective pulpits - refurbished 2023/4
• Lewmar opening deckhead hatches with mosquito nets and sunshades – Perspexes replaced where required – 2023/4
• Hard dodger frame - removed and refurbished 2023/4
• Stainless steel outboard / MOB recovery davit
Anchoring & Mooring:
• Reinforced stemhead with twin integrated bow rollers
• 24vDC electric anchor winch with remote control for windlass at helm – refurbished with new deck and cockpit switches fitted – 2023/4
• Rocna 33kg Main Anchor – 2018
• 100m 10mm galvanised anchor chain – 2023/4
• Anchor swivel – 2023/4
• CQR secondary anchor
• 20m 10mm chain and 100m of 10mm warp for spare anchor – 2023/4
• Mooring and spring cleats
• Fore and aft mooring lines
• Warps & fenders
Covers, Cushions & Canvas:
• Sprayhood with stainless steel frame and grab rail – 2023/4
• Custom bimini with stainless steel frame – 2023/4
• Lazybag for mainsail – 2023/4
• Cockpit cushions – 2023/4
• Sunshades for deckhead hatches
• Wheel and helm pedestal cover - 2023/4
Tender & Outboard:
• 2.2m aluminium bottom inflatable tender – 2016 and refurbished with new bottom paint 2023/4
• Yamaha 4hp 4 stroke outboard engine – 2018 and professionally serviced 2023/4
Spares:-
• ISLAND BREEZE carries a comprehensive spares package including tool sets, large Halfords Socket set, Pilot Books for Med and Atlantic Coasts, various meters, digital callipers, many spare engine parts seals and gaskets fittings and most sizes of o rings and boxes of fastenings etc.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT:
General note on safety equipment: Any safety equipment such as liferafts, Epirbs, fire extinguishers and flares etc. are usually personal to the current owner(s) and if being left on-board as part of the sale of a used vessel may require routine servicing, replacement, or changing to meet a new owners specific needs.
Navigation Lights:
• Full navigation lights plus tricolour, steaming light, deck light and anchor light
Life saving:
• Ocean Safety 6-person cannister liferaft stowed on coachroof – 2012 – Service now due
• 406Mhz EPIRB - 2017
• 2x Horseshoe buoys
• Danbuoy
• Blipper-style radar reflector on mast
• Manual fire extinguishers – recertified Autumn 2024
• Automatic fire extinguisher in engine space - recertified Autumn 2024
• Fire blanket in galley