BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC
SC 13D, 1998-03-03
ELECTRONIC PARTS & EQUIPMENT, NEC
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                              UNITED STATES
                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                         Washington, D.C. 20549

                              SCHEDULE 13D
               Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                           (Amendment No. *)

                         Bell Microproducts Inc.
                            (Name of Issuer)

                              Common Stock

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    (Title of Class of Securities)

                              078137106
                            (CUSIP Number)

                         Eric M. Sippel, Esq.
                     Shartsis Friese & Ginsburg LLP
                     One Maritime Plaza, 18th Floor
                         San Francisco, CA 94111
                              (415) 421-6500
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
       (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to
                 Receive Notices and Communications)

                              September 19, 1997
          (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to
report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is
filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following
box / /.


Note:  Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be filed
with the Commission.  See Rule 13d-1(a) for other parties to whom copies are
to be sent.

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of
securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which
would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section
of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however,
see the Notes).

Potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information
contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays
a currently valid OMB control number.

SEC 1746 (10-97)
<PAGE>
<PAGE>

CUSIP No. 078137106                                    Page 2 of 11 Pages

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1    NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
     SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

     Spinnaker Technology Fund, L.P.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*      (a)       /X/
                                                            (b)       / /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
3    SEC USE ONLY
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4    SOURCE OF FUNDS*

     WC
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
5    CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO
     ITEMS 2(d) or 2(E)                                               / /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
6    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Delaware
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     NUMBER OF           7    SOLE VOTING POWER
      SHARES                  0
   BENEFICIALLY          --------------------------------------------------
     OWNED BY            8    SHARED VOTING POWER
       EACH                   438,000
    REPORTING            --------------------------------------------------
      PERSON             9    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
       WITH                   0
                         --------------------------------------------------
                         10   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                              438,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
     438,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
                                                                      / /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
     5.1%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
     PN
<PAGE>
<PAGE>

CUSIP No. 078137106                                    Page 3 of 11 Pages

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1    NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
     SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

     Spinnaker Founders Fund, L.P.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*      (a)       /X/
                                                            (b)       / /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
3    SEC USE ONLY
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4    SOURCE OF FUNDS*

     WC
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
5    CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO
     ITEMS 2(d) or 2(E)                                               / /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
6    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Delaware
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     NUMBER OF           7    SOLE VOTING POWER
      SHARES                  0
   BENEFICIALLY          --------------------------------------------------
     OWNED BY            8    SHARED VOTING POWER
       EACH                   0
    REPORTING            --------------------------------------------------
      PERSON             9    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
       WITH                   0
                         --------------------------------------------------
                         10   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                              0
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
     0
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
                                                                      / /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
     0.0%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
     PN
<PAGE>
<PAGE>

CUSIP No. 078137106                                    Page 4 of 11 Pages

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1    NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
     SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

     Bowman Capital Management, L.L.C.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*      (a)       /X/
                                                            (b)       / /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
3    SEC USE ONLY
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4    SOURCE OF FUNDS*

     AF
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
5    CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO
     ITEMS 2(d) or 2(E)                                               / /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
6    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Delaware
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     NUMBER OF           7    SOLE VOTING POWER
      SHARES                  0
   BENEFICIALLY          --------------------------------------------------
     OWNED BY            8    SHARED VOTING POWER
       EACH                   861,000
    REPORTING            --------------------------------------------------
      PERSON             9    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
       WITH                   0
                         --------------------------------------------------
                         10   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                              861,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
     861,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
                                                                      / /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
     10%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
     IA  00
<PAGE>
<PAGE>

CUSIP No. 078137106                                    Page 5 of 11 Pages

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1    NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
     SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

     Lawrence A. Bowman
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*      (a)       /X/
                                                            (b)       / /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
3    SEC USE ONLY
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4    SOURCE OF FUNDS*

     AF
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
5    CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO
     ITEMS 2(d) or 2(E)                                               / /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
6    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     United States
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     NUMBER OF           7    SOLE VOTING POWER
      SHARES                  0
   BENEFICIALLY          --------------------------------------------------
     OWNED BY            8    SHARED VOTING POWER
       EACH                   861,000
    REPORTING            --------------------------------------------------
      PERSON             9    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
       WITH                   0
                         --------------------------------------------------
                         10   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                              861,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
     861,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
                                                                      / /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
     10%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
     IN
<PAGE>
<PAGE>

CUSIP No. 078137106                                    Page 6 of 11 Pages

ITEM 1.   SECURITY AND ISSUER.

This statement relates to shares of Common Stock (the "Stock") of Bell
Microproducts Inc. ("Bell").  The principal executive office of Bell is
located at 1941 Ringwood Avenue, San Jose, California 95131-1721.


ITEM 2.   IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND.

The persons filing this statement and the persons enumerated in Instruction
C of Schedule 13D and, where applicable, their respective places of
organization, general partners, directors, executive officers and controlling
persons, and the information regarding them, are as follows:

     (a)  The persons filing this statement are Bowman Capital Management,
L.L.C. ("LLC"), Lawrence A. Bowman ("Bowman"), Spinnaker Founders Fund, L.P.,
a Delaware limited partnership ("Spinnaker Founders") and Spinnaker
Technology Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("Spinnaker Tech").

     (b)  The business address of LLC, Bowman, Spinnaker Founders and
Spinnaker Tech is 1875 South Grant Street, Suite 600, San Mateo, California
94402.

     (c)  Bowman is the manager and principal member of the LLC which serves
as the investment adviser to, and the general partner of, Spinnaker Tech and
Spinnaker Founders, investment limited partnerships.

     (d)  During the last five years, none of such persons has been convicted
in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar
misdemeanors).

     (e)  During the last five years, none of such persons was a party to a
civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent
jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a
judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or
prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities
laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

     (f)  Bowman is a citizen of the United States of America.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>

CUSIP No. 078137106                                    Page 7 of 11 Pages

ITEM 3.   SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION.

The source and amount of funds used in purchasing the Stock were as follows:


Purchaser           Source of Funds               Amount

LLC                 Affiliate                     $7,158,213 (1)
Spinnaker Tech      Working Capital               $3,582,099
Spinnaker Founders  Working Capital               $   -0-

(1)  This amount represents purchases of the Stock for Spinnaker Tech and
Spinnaker Founders and for separate account clients of the LLC.

ITEM 4.   PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION.

The principal purpose of the acquisition of the Stock is investment. 
Although the persons named in Item 2 of this statement may dispose of
additional securities of Bell, such persons have no current plans or
proposals that relate to or would result in:

     (a)  The acquisition by any person of additional securities of Bell; 

     (b)  An extraordinary corporate transaction, such as a merger,
reorganization or liquidation, involving Bell or any of its subsidiaries;

     (c)  A sale or transfer of a material amount of assets of Bell or of any
of its subsidiaries;

     (d)  Any change in the present board of directors or management of Bell,
including any plans or proposals to change the number or term of directors or
to fill any existing vacancies on the board;

     (e)  Any material change in the present capitalization or dividend
policy of Bell;

     (f)  Any other material change in Bell's business or corporate
structure;

     (g)  Changes in Bell's charter, by-laws or instruments corresponding
thereto or other actions which may impede the acquisition of control of Bell
by any person;

     (h)  Causing a class of securities of Bell to be delisted from a
national securities exchange or to cease to be authorized to be quoted in an
inter-dealer quotation system of a registered national securities
association;

     (i)  A class of equity securities of Bell becoming eligible for
termination of registration pursuant to Section 12(g)(4) of the Act; or

     (j)  Any action similar to any of those enumerated above.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>

CUSIP No. 078137106                                    Page 8 of 11 Pages


ITEM 5.   INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.

The beneficial ownership of the Stock of the persons named in Item 2 of this
statement is as follows at the date hereof:

                    Aggregate
                    Beneficially 
                    Owned               Voting Power   Dispositive Power
Name                Number    Percent   Sole Shared    Sole Shared
                              
Bowman              861,000   10%       0    861,000   0    861,000

LLC                 861,000   10%       0    861,000   0    861,000

Spinnaker Tech      438,000   5.1%      0    438,000   0    438,000

Spinnaker Founders     0      0.0%      0       0      0       0

The persons filing this statement effected the following transactions in the
Stock on the dates indicated, and such transactions are the only transactions
in the Stock by the persons filing this statement since July 21, 1997:  

               Purchase                 Number         Price     
Name            or Sale  Date           of Shares      Per Share 

Spinnaker Tech      P    8/07/97          7,000         9.925000 
Spinnaker Tech      P    8/07/97         33,000         9.830300
Spinnaker Tech      P    12/30/97       107,200         7.625000
Spinnaker Tech      P    12/31/97       108,000         7.875000
Spinnaker Tech      P    12/31/97         6,000         7.934800
Spinnaker Tech      S    1/16/98          7,000         7.187500
LLC                 P    8/07/97          5,500         9.825000
LLC                 P    8/07/97         30,000         9.830300
LLC                 P    9/09/97          1,500         9.500000
Spinnaker Founders  P    9/09/97         40,000         9.500000
Spinnaker Founders  P    9/12/97          6,000         9.583300
Spinnaker Founders  P    9/12/97         25,000         9.375000
Spinnaker Founders  P    9/16/97         20,000         9.909700
Spinnaker Founders  P    9/16/97         40,000         9.992200
Spinnaker Founders  P    9/17/97         15,000        10.000000
Spinnaker Founders  P    9/18/97          6,000        10.375000
Spinnaker Founders  P    9/18/97         16,000        10.351500
Spinnaker Founders  P    9/19/97         23,000        10.358700
Spinnaker Founders  P    9/22/97          7,500        10.500000
Spinnaker Founders  P    9/30/97         30,000        10.916700
Spinnaker Founders  P    10/07/97        50,000        11.237500
Spinnaker Founders  P    11/18/97       100,000         9.125000
LLC                 P    11/28/97        20,000         8.625000
Spinnaker Founders  P    12/19/97        45,000         7.180600

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

CUSIP No. 078137106                                    Page 9 of 11 Pages

               Purchase                 Number         Price     
Name            or Sale  Date           of Shares      Per Share 

Spinnaker Founders  S    12/30/97       212,000         7.625000
LLC                 P    12/30/97       104,800         7.625000
LLC                 P    12/31/97       103,500         7.875000
LLC                 P    12/31/97         5,500         7.934800
Spinnaker Founders  S    12/31/97       211,500         7.875000
LLC                 S    1/16/98          4,000         7.182500

All purchases and sales were executed as open market transactions.

ITEM. 6.  CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH
          RESPECT TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.

LLC serves as General Partner to Spinnaker Tech and Spinnaker Founders
pursuant to Limited Partnership Agreements which provide LLC with the
authority to purchase, vote and dispose of securities for Spinnaker Tech and
Spinnaker Founders.  LLC is entitled to fees based on assets under management
and special profit allocations based on realized and unrealized gains and
losses, if certain conditions are met.  Pursuant to Investment Management
Agreements, LLC is authorized, among other things, to invest funds of its
various investment advisory clients and to vote and dispose of those
securities.  Such investment management agreements may be terminated by
either party on notice as provided in such agreements and provide for fees
payable to LLC based on assets under management and realized and unrealized
gains.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

CUSIP No. 078137106                                    Page 10 of 11 Pages

ITEM 7.   MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS.

A.   Agreement Regarding Joint Filing of Statement on Schedule 13D or 13G.

SIGNATURES

     After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge, I certify that
the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

DATED AS OF:   February 17, 1998

               Spinnaker Technology Fund, L.P.

               By:  Bowman Capital Management, L.L.C., General Partner

                    By:  /s/ Lawrence A. Bowman     
                         Lawrence A. Bowman, Manager


               /s/ Lawrence A. Bowman
               Lawrence A. Bowman


               Bowman Capital Management, L.L.C.

               By:  /s/ Lawrence A. Bowman     
                    Lawrence A. Bowman, Manager

               Spinnaker Founders Fund, L.P.

               By:  Bowman Capital Management, L.L.C., General Partner

                    By:  /s/ Lawrence A. Bowman     
                         Lawrence A. Bowman, Manager
<PAGE>
<PAGE>

CUSIP No. 078137106                                    Page 11 of 11 Pages

                                                            EXHIBIT A

AGREEMENT REGARDING JOINT FILING
OF STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 13D OR 13G

The undersigned agree to file jointly with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") any and all statements on Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G
(and any amendments or supplements thereto) required under section 13(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in connection with purchases
by the undersigned of Common Stock of Bell Microproducts Inc.  For that
purpose, the undersigned hereby constitute and appoint Bowman Capital
Management, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, as their true and
lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority for and on
behalf of the undersigned to prepare or cause to be prepared, sign, file with
the SEC and furnish to any other person all certificates, instruments,
agreements and documents necessary to comply with section 13(d) and
section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in
connection with said purchases, and to do and perform every act necessary and
proper to be done incident to the exercise of the foregoing power, as fully
as the undersigned might or could do if personally present.

DATED AS OF:  February 17, 1998.

               Spinnaker Technology Fund, L.P.

               By:  Bowman Capital Management, L.L.C., General Partner

                    By:  /s/ Lawrence A. Bowman     
                         Lawrence A. Bowman, Manager


               /s/ Lawrence A. Bowman
               Lawrence A. Bowman


               Bowman Capital Management, L.L.C.

               By:  /s/ Lawrence A. Bowman     
                    Lawrence A. Bowman, Manager


               Spinnaker Founders Fund, L.P.

               By:  Bowman Capital Management, L.L.C., General Partner

                    By:  /s/ Lawrence A. Bowman     
                         Lawrence A. Bowman, Manager

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