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Bombardier 48
 ·  Builder: Bombardier Ltd. (Can)  ·  First built: 1982
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About the Bombardier 48

Built by Canadian manufacturer Bombardier Ltd. starting in 1982, this compact 15.83-foot centerboard dinghy represents an accessible entry point into recreational sailing. The fiberglass construction provides durability while keeping the 300-pound displacement manageable for trailering and launching. With its fractional sloop rig and generous 128 square feet of sail area, this dinghy offers spirited performance for its size. The substantial sail area-to-displacement ratio of 45.75 indicates excellent light-air performance and responsiveness, making it well-suited for lake sailing, protected coastal waters, and sailing instruction. The centerboard design allows for shallow-water exploration while providing adequate stability when the board is deployed. The 5-foot beam strikes a practical balance between stability and transportability, while the moderate capsize screening value of 2.99 suggests reasonable stability characteristics for a boat of this type. This makes it appropriate for day sailing, sailing education, and recreational family use rather than serious offshore ventures. Bombardier's reputation for quality manufacturing extends to their marine products, and this model represents solid construction values from an established industrial company. The design caters to sailors seeking an affordable, trailerable boat for weekend adventures and skill development in protected waters.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 15.83 ft / 4.82 m
Beam 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Max Draft 3.83 ft / 1.17 m
Min Draft 0.50 ft / 0.15 m
Displacement 300.00 lb / 136 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 128.00 ft² / 11.89 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Centerboard Dinghy
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Builder Bombardier Ltd. (CAN)
First Built 1982
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Performance Ratios
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
54.98
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
3.81
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 4.92 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1.44 pounds/inch
How It Compares

vs. Balboa 16, Mistral 16, Neptune 16

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Bombardier 48 ★
15.8 ft
Balboa 16
16.0 ft
Mistral 16
15.8 ft
Neptune 16
15.8 ft
LWL
Bombardier 48 ★
Balboa 16
14.7 ft
Mistral 16
14.0 ft
Neptune 16
13.5 ft
Beam
Bombardier 48 ★
5.0 ft
Balboa 16
7.5 ft
Mistral 16
6.1 ft
Neptune 16
6.2 ft
Displacement
Bombardier 48 ★
300 lbs
Balboa 16
1 lbs
Mistral 16
365 lbs
Neptune 16
900 lbs
Ballast
Bombardier 48 ★
Balboa 16
400 lbs
Mistral 16
Neptune 16
200 lbs
Sail Area
Bombardier 48 ★
128 sq ft
Balboa 16
117 sq ft
Mistral 16
141 sq ft
Neptune 16
115 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Bombardier 48 ★
Balboa 16
18.8
Mistral 16
44.2
Neptune 16
19.8
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Bombardier 48 ★
3.8
Balboa 16
7.0
Mistral 16
3.5
Neptune 16
8.7
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Bombardier 48 ★
Balboa 16
3.00
Mistral 16
3.41
Neptune 16
2.56
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Bombardier 48 ★
54
Balboa 16
141
Mistral 16
Neptune 16
Hull Speed
Bombardier 48 ★
4.9 kts
Balboa 16
5.1 kts
Mistral 16
5.0 kts
Neptune 16
4.9 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Bombardier 48 ★
Balboa 16
3.8
Mistral 16
Neptune 16
3.5
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