I'm not a big fan of bowsprits but I would not raise it to a buy or not buy kind of level except on a really long one. Aside from the financial hit you take at many marinas here, they just seem to be problematic to me over time given the extra structural support they need and the ease of damage. I also don't like having to go out on one to mess with a problem in heavy weather.
The only upside I can see is making the sail plan on a cutter work better....and of course...they tend to look traditional and pretty!
