FEEDBACK - 2 (BACK TO FEEDBACK ONE)

We offer support by Email, or Skype from Plans to completion & for the LIFE OF THE BOAT! Here is some FEEDBACK FROM BUILDERS OF OUR BOATS. We receive THOUSANDS of feedback letters from our customers - here are some of the previous ones.

JULY 2010 NEW LAUNCHING: VOYAGER 388

Hi Bruce, V388 was delivered to Korean Buyer as the charter boat with complement 22 p classed by KST. Mast & rig Spar Craft, France Engine 40HP with fixed pitch propeller, VETUS, Holland Genset 6kw Northern Lights, USA Thruster 5hp DC Kind regards, BC Kim

15th July 2010 Hi Bruce, My Roberts 31 is sailing very well under Gaff Cutter rig. Very smart little boat! Signed Mike Moore

ALUMINUM SPRAY 22
Hi, Here are some of the pictures from the weekend , We had a slip for 5 days and made the most of it. We did raise the mast up and a jib and we took her sailing, it handle really well. the winds must of been around 20 kmh and we had good speed ... The little engine pushes her at 10 kmh . it is vary quick to respond whether it be under sail or power.

I couldn't be more please. everything worked as it should and for a small boat its vary stable. lots of good comments from other boat owners. Unfortunately we had to take her back out. That was a little depressing. We are going to paint her up now and finish all the rigging and hardware. Georges Leduc

VOYAGER 542 - ALUMINUM KIT

Hello Bruce!

We haven't communicated for a while, so I thought I would bring you up to date on things over here. Its time for my annual pilgrimage to the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, and once again, I have a new mission to accomplish. In the past, I would attend the show and gather ideas for our "dream boat." More recently, I would go and meet with your U.S. representative, Hal Whitacre of Whitacre Yacht Design, to enable the incorporation those ideas into one of your vessels. Now that the first aluminum Voyager 542 kit is being built by Kanter Yachts in St. Thomas (London), Ontario, I am traveling to select and begin purchasing the equipment for a "dream boat" that is now becoming our reality. The forward progress is exciting!

I have been continually impressed by the education, support and work provided to me by ... Hal Whitacre through your Annapolis office has provided advice throughout the entire process of the project, and for the comprehensive answers he provides to those occasional questions asked by Manfred Kanter. Manfred and I have both been impressed by the work done by Edgar van Smaalen in Holland. The fit of the pieces and the quality of the material are impressive, and the large-size hull plates make smooth sections much easier to achieve. This is important for us, because the hull will be left as raw aluminum for ease of maintenance, with only cove and boot stripes as accents. No fairing and painting will cover any waves or blemishes that might be present, so great care is being taken in the build process.

The build by Kanter Yachts showcases the skills of their entire team, which is befitting a Cruising World "Boat Of The Year" winner. They have had previous experience building your steel designs in the past, and now work a great deal with aluminum. Their welding abilities are ensuring a wonderfully fair hull. They will also be performing the installation of the key systems that will allow me, after delivery in early Summer 2009, to power her on her own bottom from Lake Erie to Port Huron, where I will complete the interior fitting-out over the next 2-3 years. Manfred has made his portion of the process quite enjoyable, and I appreciate the quality time he spends with me when I visit his facility. I am very pleased that I chose Kanter Yachts as my builder.

That's about it for now - probably too "gushy" anyway - but I will periodically keep you informed of our progress as we achieve it. I have attached some photos so you can see what a beautiful yacht she is becoming. Best regards, Gordon Hellman

TRADER 65 Ciganka is safe and sound in the Abacos, Bahamas........May 6th

We sailed out of Luperon, Dominican Republic Saturday May 1st at 7:30 AM. It was Thomas' birthday so he was happy to have Ciganka under full sail out in the ocean with steady 18-20 knots and gentle waves. Ciganka was sailing along at 8-9 knots and all was good. The whole trip was pleasant and "uneventful". We had good wind until we were off the north end of Eleuthera. So we cranked up the motor and motor-sailed the last 12 hours of our ocean journey.

We entered the Abacos at Little Harbour cut at 4:00 PM on Tuesday. We then shut down the engine and had a wonderful sail heading north to Man-O-War Cay. Up early Wednesday morning we raised full sail with a nice wind to sail us to Green Turtle Cay (about 25 miles) to clear Bahamas customs and immigration. Clearing into the Bahamas went quick and easy so we had time to set sail and make it back to Man-O-War Cay for the evening. In total we sailed about 700 miles in 4 days and only used 15 gallons of fuel. We like that!! Ciganka is such a great sailing ship and we are both very proud of how well she performs.

It is nice to be back in the Abacos. We have 2 weeks before our charter season starts. We were talking last night that we are looking forward to this season. It going to be a fun run! Hope all is good for you. Please keep in touch and we will do the same. Our Love, Thomas & Linda Owens

ROBERTS 532

Hello Bruce - I happened onto "Western Grace" in Campbell River, BC yesterday - you need to see the exterior finish, and attention to detail on the deck of this boat! - stainless steel inserts where ever a screw goes into the hull - inset windows (now I see why you promote them) - the best thought out combination of bulwarks, chocks and cleats I've ever seen - bulwark design also makes the railing/stanchion incredibly straight forward - engine air intake, tank vents, fills, and power connections well located and concealed - wide 45 degree intersections at the cabin top/side joint (you know, you could easily incorporate that feature into your kit hulls, and make them really stand out).

The exterior simply has incredible details that should be on your site - and a level of finish that leaves you trying to figure out what the boat is made of. The inside finish is also superb, the various installations well thought out and executed. Norm Facey (Now owner builder of Voyager 495

NEW YORK 46

Hi Bruce, First good sail was 120 nm ocean. We had only been out for 2 hrs sailing previously, though we had been motor testing / system testing for a few hrs as well prior to the trip. Less than 14 hrs from point to point!! Happy as I am! Had varying winds (5 to 17 knots) from 40 degrees apparent to about 200 degrees on the port side 90% of the time. Smooth seas with a 3 metre swell. Will keep you informed and will send you some photos . Have only some on boat photos and am awaiting some more to be emailed. Komeova is great and I could not be happier!! Great design! Kind regards, Ray Crake

CENTENNIAL SPRAY 38
Hi Bruce, We finally, we have taken time off doing the interior jobs to do a sailing sea trial! A sedate and gentle sail of around 40 nm over 2 days, and our yacht performed wonderfully. In a steady 20 knots, we didn't bother to run the mizzen and and even partly furled the main, just to "get a feel" for how she handles. Just off the breeze we were easily able to achieve 6 knots, even making 7 knots and better at times. We had the full main set for an hour or so, and our yacht was well balanced and sailing with very little heel just off the breeze. Regards Rob McGill and Nina Morissette

SEPTEMBER 2010 Hi Bruce, Thank you for this wealth of information you have sent me. And thank you for those kit prices, again very important info. I will obviously need some time to digest all this information properly, but I am very keen to make my selection and move on with my boatbuilding project. Now that I am back home in Sydney, I’ve got the best conditions to do that. I also purchased your book “Choosing for Cruising” and I will read it with interest and purpose.

I wish to say that I am positively impressed with your attention and support even at this very early, informative stage of my project. With this, you are rapidly gaining my interest and trust, both key decision factors in selecting the best design for my Dream Boat. As we move on, I hope we can build further on this two-way cooperation.

Now, I’ll go to do my homework. It is a critical and inevitably a time-consuming process, yet I will most certainly come back to you as I make some progress. Thank you very much. Yours, Alan Rusyak Sydney Australia

A BIT OF HISTORY !

I built your 53 foot cutter rigged sloop in Singapore in 1986 and then your 65 footer a year later and as far as I know both vessels are still going strong.

I Sailed the South East Asia region for 6 years with the 53 footer before selling it to buy myself an ex Russian trawler to do dive salvage, only to loose the whole shooting match in an armed piracy.

Sorry but my photos were all on Cariad my dive vessel and as I left at 2 AM over the dark side railing to spend the next 6 days in the jungle
in nothing but my gaunch I must apologize for no photos.

The 53 footer ended up in Pataya Beach apparently still doing chippy charter work there and from what I can gather the 65 ended up as some
sort of club vessel for the Lisbon Sailing club in Portugal.

Now I stay active in my retirement coaching people getting involved in larger vessels and simply wanted your E books as I know they will include a lot of sage advice. Best regards CY

CHECK OUT NEW LARGER PHOTOS OF THESE BOATS!
Roberts 345, Centennial Spray 36, SPRAY 36, Roberts 310, Roberts 31, Roberts 370, Centennial Spray 45, Roberts 392, Roberts 36, Centennial Spray 38 , Spray 370

VOYAGER 388 See new photos of recently launched V388 built by GHI in Korea

Roberts P.C.F. 40

Hi Bruce, I recently purchased a PCF40 after recovering the boat from a reef on Guam, where it had been aground for about 6 years. We are in the process of bringing her back to sea worthy condition. The boat's name is the Pearl.

She was originally built in Papua New Guinea in 1978 and has crossed the Pacific four times over her past life. She was used primarily as a small cargo transport between the Pacific Islands. I don't have the original drawings or specs on the boat (other than what's on the website). All of the paperwork, manuals, and it looks like the original plans were lost when she went aground. What I'm looking for is info on the design water line and recommended ballast weight and placement. Is this information available on line or will I need to purchase the full set of plans Thanks for any information that you can provide on this. Best Regards, Bruce

BRUCE ROBERTS-GOODSON REPLIES:

In your case in view of your tenacity in restoring this PCF 40 then I suggest that a set STUDY PLANS will suffice and also I will put you on the plans register for future reference. Regards, Bruce Roberts-Goodson

REPORT ON ANOTHER ... EURO 1200

Hi Bruce, I spoke to the owner who’s very happy with the way she handles, stability perfect, manoeuvring great.

He had some trim tabs fitted as advised by someone in Poland but had these removed as no noticeable effect.

He hopes to receive around Euro 300.000, and will then start building another boat, perhaps the Atlantic40. Regards, Edgar

The Launching of 'MY Bethany'
PHOTOS SEE Waverunner 38A

Hi, I would like to share with you some pictures of the MY Bethany, a 38 ft. waverunner that was built from the plans I bought from you, specifically the Waverunner 38A Aft cockpit version, semi-displacement steel hull, twin engine. I started building the boat in September, 2007 and after over a year, finally we launched it into the sea yesterday, Nov. 16, 2008. The interiors are not fully done yet and we will continue working on it while it is in the water.
My sister, who sailed from Vancouver, Canada to Davao, Philippines (where we live) with her husband, in their sailboat, the "Wiskun", has written articles about the launching; SEE BELOW

MY Bethany finally got introduced to her natural home – the sea. She is not quite finished but what is left to be done is mainly finishing the interior and installing the deck rails.

Reflecting back, the construction is not all hunky-dory. The experiences Kjartan went through may have to be a separate article. All I can say now is that he really needs time for himself – no swarms of Filipino workers around him, no boat talk, no “sir this” and “sir that”. He is a quiet man, with lots of patience, but I can say that his patience had really been tested well here.

MY Bethany – named after the first grandchild of Boboy and Gene Bangayan , is a 38 foot motor yacht, Bruce Roberts design.

It has the following hardware:

Seastar hydraulic steering system
Twin engine dual stations (lower deck and fly bridge)
2 x 185hp Deutz Marine inboard engines
Quick electric windlass and 16 kg. bruce anchor
7Kw Mase marine diesel generator
Coolmate marine air conditioner – seawater cooled
Raymarine Radar and GPS
Waeco Refrigeration
Rigid inflatable Westmarine dinghy

Electricals, instrumentation, navigation and indoor lights, wet exhaust system, pumps and plumbing, anchoring, exterior, deck and interior hardware, windows, Lewmar hatches and ventilation parts and supplies, and including the above (except engines), are all from USA and Canada. All others, including engines, alternator, batteries, propellers and shafts are either purchased or fabricated locally. Diesel and water tanks are also fabricated, each with a capacity of 200 gallons approximately.

The forward cabin has a queen sized bed, closets and shelves. The galley is fitted with a sink, a 2-burner stove and microwave. There is a separate toilet and a shower room. The spacious saloon also incorporates the lower helm position, settees on both sides with plenty of room underneath for storage. The aft section and fly bridge have seatings all around for outdoor entertainment and fishing. It is also equipped with swim n rinse shower head for quickly rinsing off after a swim in the ocean. Dinghy davits are on the fly bridge to keep the dinghy from obstructing the aft section of the lower level. Nothing is complete without a state-of-the-art stereo system to entertain and relax.

EURO 1400 September 2008

Bruce, I have been referred to you by one of your current kit builders who highly recommended your products. He is currently building a Euro14 and has been very satisfied with your product and customer service.

I would like to enquire as to the price of a Euro 14 and Euro 16 Steel Kit delivered in the UK. I am, as yet, undecided on which boat I would like to purchase and am trawling through your site looking at spec’s. I am drawn to the Euro Range and anticipate purchasing either the 14 or the 16.

Do you have a brochure that is easy to read offline so I can sit and read it rather than clicking through webpages? I would be grateful if you could give me a brief quote as above and a little insight into the pro’s and cons of each. Kind Regards, Dale

WAVERUNNER 38 FG.

Hi Bruce,

Nice to speak with you too and thanks for your email. I look forward to receiving the plan and getting to grips with the reading material. The more I look at the write-up on your website the more excited I get about this project!!

Regarding your website Bruce, its a goldmine of information!! Very well done!! One of the best I've seen, and I've looked at a lot of them searching for a suitable project! Thanks once again for your help. Take care!
Kind regards, Ian Simmonds.

SERVICE ! Hi Bruce: Well your email is right on time as I expected it would be. When I entered the order I was waiting for an area to scribble in which designs I needed, but before I knew it, the order had been placed without the info. So I thought to myself......"Oh well, Bruce will send me an email in due course." Thanks for your help, Robert

January 2010 Hi Bruce, I have just received your DOWNLOAD or on CD - YOU CHOOSE DOWNLOAD OR CD. it's wonderful I will study it for some time, and call you back to discuss "Boat of My Dreams". Thank you and regards, Milorad Milatovic

EURO 1200

The quality of cutting file is really super ! As, when the parts are now cut from plates all parts fit together perfectly. My uncle and cousin are working for shipyard in sheet metal and welding jobs. They look how parts fit together as professional peoples are doing and comment that " that can not be done better" They mean the design and cutting job. Thats all know, Best Regards, Jussi Sippola

EURO 1400

Hi Bruce, I was having a look at your site and saw the customer feedback. The hull is all done and my sterling paint will be with me this coming week. I bought a blaster and I am very happy with the end result. Fitting out will hopefully get done in the coming months, I have lots of it purchased already. My Blog has me talking to other builders…Jussi in Finland (about to start), Rick in Scotland. Nearly as far as me. We hope to get the Euro1400 sisters together next year.. ! By the way, when I finish this,, I want to build a E 23 or 24, !! Any chance of a study type drawing in cad? I see the plans are 6-7 K , that’s a bargain for that size of boat. Regards, Dirk.

TRAWLER YACHT 520 - JULY 2009

Bruce, We have now been building for 5 weeks here in Singapore and the hull is now taking shape, no major problems everything is fitting together nicely I will send a couple of mails with some photos of the progress to date. Dave

CHECK OUT NEW LARGER PHOTOS OF THESE BOATS!

CAT 35, WAVERUNNER 65, EURO 1200, LONGBOAT 21, TRAWLER YACHT 620, TRAWLER YACHT 43,

SPRAY 33 Aleah January 2010

Pretty good shape for a 25 year old + steel boat. I knocked some paint off the hull when I had her pulled. The hull was flame zinc’d when it was built. There’s no rust what so ever, anywhere. Even the hollow rudder is sound and tight….. rather impressed. The yard at South Park has filled up fast, so I’m not sure where they’re going to put me for the winter and until spring when I can repaint her…….. but I’ll be able to re-do the interior in the mean time. The Miller 140 welder with Argon fits well into the cabin, and I’ve been welding foundations for the Nav station, and better storage. The Marina is alive with stray current and the zincs were on their last leg, after two years in the water, they were fried. Am going to install two ICCP Cathodic systems into the hull, and re-do the zinc anodes. Mike Dooley

Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2010 9:21 PM

To: Andrew Slorach

Subject: Re: Bruce Roberts Design Inquiry

Hi Andrew, WOW... your website doesn't lie.......... you really do respond to mails quickly... most impressive. !!

I am currently in Tokyo on business... so where ever you are (Aust / NZ) ...it has to be close to midnight.

Many thanks for the info... I will go over it and get back to you. Regards Peter

Hi Bruce,

It is with a happy heart that I write this email. I have finally, after +-8 years of research, doubt, fear, anxiety / hundreds of hours in the internet / costing etc. etc. taken a big step to fulfil my dream of building a BOAT. (Some of the correspondence I've had with you date back 5/6 years.) (Actually, We - my brother Johan and I) would like to thank you for extending the special offer for this week after we've returned from our summer holiday on Monday to find out we have missed out.

We ordered plans for the Euro 910, Waverunner 38 and Waverunner 55. Andrew was extremely helpful taking our calls and returning our Mail promptly and professionally every time. We have to stick out 3 weeks now for the plans to arrive, but its going to be worthwhile. Thanks again! Will be in contact soon. Regards Deon

ROBERTS 36 .... ANYONE HELP ?

Hello Bruce, Many years ago (1988), I crewed aboard a Roberts 36 by the name of "Sadko". The name of the fellow (a Canadian citizen (Czech) ) was Vince Vokal. The boat was great and we did extensive cruising around Baja, including sailing 150 miles offshore to "Isla Isabella".

I also wanted to mention that "Sadko" was a very seaworthy vessel. I never had one moment's fear, even when a huge grey whale came right up to us in the Sea of Cortez! I was hanging over the side snapping photos! Vince was concerned he/she might snap the keel off, but no worries, the whale was a friendly as could be!

I'm trying to contact him and wondered if you know any information regarding the boat or Vince. Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated. I'm trying to write a book about my travels.

CONTACT BRUCE TO PASS ON ANY MESSAGE.
Thank you in advance! Cheers, Kellie Slater

DECEMBER 2009 ROBERTS 432

Hello Bruce

Thank you for your email. It was good to hear from you and to see that your service is a good as ever. We did speak with you on one or 2 occasions while building Kimani and were most grateful for your advice.

As I mentioned in my email, we have lived on board and cruised Kimani since launch in 1985. We originally started cruising with our 3 children but they are all in Australia and we have Kimani to ourselves now. We are now in Port St Louis du Rhone at the mouth of the Rhone river.

We originally built Kimani with the intention of entering the French canals. We were intending to have a 5'6" draft, but this is more like 1.8m now. While this restricts the number of canals we can use, we still have many friends with the same draft who have cruised the canal. Any advice an information you are able to supply would be most appreciated.

We are undecided at this stage with regard to the conversion to the wheel house version but would be very interested to see your plans.

Thank you for designing such a sturdy and roomy boat as the Mauritius. Although we have encountered some unpleasant weather and conditions over the years we have never had a concern about the safety of the boat. We have often said that the boat always handles the bad conditions better than the crew.

Look forward to hearing from you, Paul and Yvonne Addington

DECEMBER 2009 SPRAY 28

Hi Bruce,

I had a very successful launch on Nov 7th in San Carlos, Mexico. I have updated my web-site

http://public.fotki.com/robtm373/bobs-boat-project/bobs-boat/

Many photos of the launch. Feel free to use any photos for your DOWNLOAD or on CD - YOU CHOOSE DOWNLOAD OR CD. . .
e-book BUILD YOUR OWN SAILBOAT.

I have taken the boat out a dozen times since the launch and am very happy with its performance. It does well on all points of sail and really loves 15-20kts! I am very happy with the results of my years of labor and am very appreciative of your timely responses to all my questions over the years.

Thanks, Robert Millikin SEE ALSO www.inoneday.ca

Bruce .... I wanted to thank you for very rapid delivery of my order, I ordered it the same day as my wife ordered a jacket from LL Bean, mine arrived already and it came from Overseas. You run a good show Bruce.

Thanks again and I very much look forward to eventually building with you. It looks like its going to be between the Roberts 532 or the Voyager 542. The decision will be to either do it entirely myself, or have it fabbed out here at one of the metal shops using the DOWNLOAD or on CD - YOU CHOOSE DOWNLOAD OR CD. . .
. It will depend on cost difference verses savings. I'm going to call around see if I can get an idea on what to expect in cost. I envy you , I spent much of my life travelling for the US Navy, I enjoyed The UAE Dubai & Abu Dabi as well as Hong Kong, . I studied Stability and Bouyancy & was The Ships Oil King, took care of moving all the fuel and water about.. So I have great respect after reading your book. Thanks again John M. Newell Plant Support Specialist

BUILD YOUR OWN SAILBOAT.

Thank you Bruce,
I just wanted to also tell you how much i have enjoyed the build your BUILD YOUR OWN SAILBOAT e-book i feel it really opened my eyes to what needed to be done.
great job ... Mike

ROBERTS 370 From: Esko Lehtonen, Finland

Dear Bruce, I am sending this email on behalf of my friend, Mr Veli Kärkkäinen from Finland. He built a Bruce Roberts 370 in the late eighties after getting the plans from you in 1985 or 1986. He is very satisfied to the yacht and has been sailing last years in the arctic region (Greenland east coast 2009).

He has an intention to build the Coaster 36 workboat of aluminium during next wintertime. Regards Esko

SPRAY 28 November 2009

Hi Bruce, I'm the proud owner of Gypsy a Spray 28, worked all summer, sandblasting and repainting, redoing the coachhouse with mahogany and doing some repairs to the wooden mast and fibreglassied it with 6.5 oz cloth and epoxy and going to give it 6 coats of Bristol varnish next spring because it has gotten too cold to work outside, winter is coming. When she is complete I will e-mail you some pics for your website. Thanks Greg Kern. Ps Love my Spray 28

ROBERTS 53 / ROBERTS 532 September 2009

Hi Bruce thanks for this and we have found the 53 E to go very well, were rapt in fact . this day in winter to small island in bay on return trip as you see, in the light we were doing 6.5-7 knots a mate who sailed muilti-hulls was very surprised and in the rough she charges with 35-40 knots of wind with good control good self steering up wind off sails only and the water leaves the stern well under power and in sail, well done again I think, the old saying still holds if it looks right it is thanks again Bruce please stop in if your ever down this way Thanks Ian Edelston

Hi Bruce, I just received my holiday Patagonia catalog and a Roberts 53 Sea Bear is featured. Kudos Patagonia is the world leader in outdoor clothing and have great catalogs and stories about active folk enjoying the outdoors land and sea. Sea Bear is sailing in Patagonia with some surfers. I love Patagonia clothing and have been wearing it camping and sailing for 25 plus years. Sea Bear is the sailboat we re rigged in Chile. cheers Dane

FROM STUDY PLAN BUYER ...October 2009

Hi Bruce, Your files sent by email was totally unexpected by highly appreciated. They make interesting reading, I cannot wait for the DOWNLOAD or on CD - YOU CHOOSE DOWNLOAD OR CD. . .to arrive. Thanking you, Clinton Williams South Africa

ROBERTS 35 - September 2009

Bruce, I had a Roberts 35 called Nepenthe2, it was slightly modified before I got it for one it was steel but round, not chined the keel and rudder configeration was a bit different from the keel back there was just an arm that came down to hold the prop shaft the rudder was fully free with about 15% forward of the pivot axis and pivot only from the hull (used turn within its own length) other than that, it looked exactly like the drawing of the centre cockpit version other than the fact the it was a mast head cutter rigged sloop with a 45’ deck mounted stick ( had it up to 15knots down wind and 8 into it i sailed from Australia to japan in it with my wife and two kids, the weather in 2001/02 was the worst in the north pacific in 30 years 3 monsoon troughs and 2 typhoons hit us. This yacht out performed plastic yachts 10’ longer in races in Japan and handle 24’ close seas no problem I want another the same configuration Matthew

Tom Thumb 26 September 2009

Hi Bruce, I am the proud owner of a Tom Thumb built by Mike Hornsey in the UK. It’s a fantastic little boat and has already got me safely and without fuss through some serious weather and all the mistakes a learner can make. I am now ready to move to something bigger and I think the Voyager Ds 440 in steel is the one for me. Is the anywhere I can get some idea of cost without labour to complete the build. I realise it’s a pretty dumb question and will depend on the quality of the fit out and standard of equipment but any help you can give with this would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Barry Murphy

SPRAY 22 September 2009
Hi, I received the boatplans last week, I was almost overwhelmed by all the information, but/and it looks great: I will study it more carefully when I have some time off from work, and then I will come back to you with more feedback and questions. Best regards, Benjamin

SEPTEMBER 2009 VOYAGER 388

Hi Bruce, If it is still early enough I would like to change the selection of study plans. Instead of the voyager 495 I'd like to have the study plan of the voyager 388
Would be great if you could still consider this. If not, well never mind. Thank you Bernhard ... IT WAS TOO LATE THE ORDER HAD BEEN SENT BUT WE MADE ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR BERNHARD TO GET WHAT HE WANTED !

Hi Bruce, I'm looking forward to the study plans. Thank you very much for the extra information on the 388 you attached in your email I very much appreciate it. Kind regards Bernhard

AUGUST 2009

Dear Bruce Roberts, Thank you for study plans on DOWNLOAD or on CD - YOU CHOOSE DOWNLOAD OR CD. . .
. You have the best boat design web site that I have ever seen. my wife and I have today a 35 foot steel boat as we are very pleased with, but it will be a little small for us. Therefore we want to buildt a Trawleryacht: Your Voyager 43: I have worked 25 years in boat factory so I think I can buildt the boat. I vaunt to built the hull in a female mold and the hous on a male mold. One questions: Is it possible to built the hull 2 feet longer in the aria of steering house because I vaunt the big steering house and also have the A. version of cockpit. Also I vaunt to do the after deck 2 feet lounger because vi vaunt to putt a table on the deck and four fishing. I don’t need to have a new design, I do it directly in the moll if its OK. For you. Anyway I vaunt to order Passagemaker Trawler 43 kit or plans to fibreglass divinysell Could you send me a link to the place to order this planes. and the price. Best Regards Knut-Erik Jensen MY ANSWER TO ALL THE ABOVE WAS YES ... WE CAN DO EXACTLY WHAT KNUT-ERIK WANTS !

Hello Mr. Roberts, I hope you might have a few moments to help us find a supplier of very good quality Stainless Steel Ball or Cone valve fittings for thru-hulls. The application in particular is exhaust for main engine and generator. We have owned a few boats of your design, a 45 Mauritius and 40 steel ketch. Both great boats, and your name came to mind first when I couldn’t find what I needed in the steel boat realm. Thanks! Brian Duff (We were able to direct Brian to a suitable supplier)

While we usually avoid giving advice on OTHER PEOPLES designs ... sometimes when the designer is no longer available then we do try to 'help out' ... Here is one such case that happened today.

Greetings:

In your book "The Complete. Guide to Metal Boats" (which I just purchased), page 207, references " 'beefing up' ...skegs...", directing one to the Bruce Roberts site. I find there, in "Newsletters", reference to "Safety Skeg" and the note to email you.

Please supply the information to "beef up" an existing skeg. This is on S/V BLUE, a 34' steel Ganley Shadow cutter. Thank you. Best regards, Jerry Purmal

REPLY FROM BRUCE ROBERTS: On Mon, 2/2/09, BOATDESIGNS wrote:

From: BOATDESIGNS <boatdesigns@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Safety Skeg
Date: Monday, February 2, 2009, 10:23 AM

HI Jerry, Attached is our 'fix' for some older skegs plus DRAWINGS ... Also ... our latest thinking is on this link.

http://www.bruceroberts.com/public/HTML/CUSTOM-440.htm Best Regards, Bruce Roberts-Goodson

Thank You!!!! I have it. Jerry

Dear Bruce,

We like to send you pictures from my fiberglass twin keel Roberts 432 SY DASI. The white one was from 2000 in skagerak and the others was 2008 in Minden / Weser. We have sailed now 28000 Miles. Greetings from Ulli Lanzke and Sissi

Roberts 432

RESCUED ROBERTS 25.

Hi Bruce, In 2005, we bought a very sorry-looking yacht we were told is a Bruce Roberts 25'. She had met up with some rocks and 1/4 of her port side was a gaping hole. When we first saw her, she was completely gutted, with her bilge full of water and littered with tools that the previous owner had left behind.

We have no history on "Spirit of Indulgence", other than we bought her off someone that thought he could do her up but then his marriage broke up and he moved to Australia. I realise you're in America and we're in New Zealand and maybe someone else actually built "Spirit", but we would be delighted if you know anything at all about her.

We launched "Spirit" last Tuesday and are delighted with how much room she has, considering she's the same length as our other yacht, a Spencer Stiletto (now for sale!). We had a couple of nights away on her with our two children (8 yrs and 2-1/2 yrs) and enjoyed a really good sail home (winds too light on the way out).

Thank you for your time. Regards, Alison

Hello Bruce, I haven't emailed you since last spring, I believe it was when I was fairing out the hull. Anyhow I thought this would be a good time to give you an update on my project. A couple of months ago I got the word from the wife that we were relocating to San Diego, California. This presented a problem since the boat was not ready to sail and it was sitting in a boatyard along the Thames.

I kind of knew it was a possibility about a year ago so I stepped up my effort but to no avail there was just too much work even with my trusted and ever so helpful Bulgarian mate. There were times when we both used a lot of sign language! During the summer we finally got he hull where we wanted it and commenced the spraying process.

The images you seen show the tent we used over the boat for the operation down on the ground and in shambles, it did the trick though. I used Jotun Hardtop AS two-pack polyurethane, we put 4 to 5 coats over the epoxy primer. This paint is fantastic but the logistics with compressors, air-fed masks, body suits was somewhat of a nightmare. Over time we got a system down that worked well. The deck and wheelhouse we started at the end of August and really just finished it in October.

The reliably crappy British weather this past autumn didn't help either! The images you see are from about a week ago and just today we somehow got it out of the yard unscathed and on a lorrie down to Southampton. The crane at the yard (I think you can see in the distance in one of the images) could barely lift the boat. Tomorrow they will load it on the container ship. First across the Atlantic, through the Panama Canal then onto Los Angeles. I have made considerable progress on the interior but have no late-model images to send. Regards, Dave

SEE PHOTOS of this Spray 36 in our e-book BUILD YOUR OWN SAILBOAT.

From Ian Edelston in New Zealand

Here is the Roberts 53E we launched last month ( Now R532 )

It went off really well everyone pleased. She sails really well and we are all wrapped!

Well done Bruce

Hi Bruce,

I hope you remember me. I had a boat building business in Alaska for several years. Polar Boat and Yachts. George Carter and Vince Mach. We built three Roberts hulls and brought about six or seven sets of plans. I am currently living on an Aluminum Cutter, build from a set of Roberts 53 plans. It is a great boat and I constantly get compliments on it. Last year I changed the Main to rollerfurling. It is a FurlBoom from Australia and works great, however now I have an extra boom and Main. The Main was made by Banks Sails in Oregon. It is a very stout sail and in like new condition. Thanks, Vince Mach

Hi Bruce, I have received your latest e-book ‘BUILD YOUR OWN SAILBOAT’ and I found the article on my Boat Building for Beginners Course on P77 Chapter 7, it looks great thank you. I am most impressed with the e-book and feel it will be a great tool to assist students understand the different methods of boat building. I will keep you informed of the response when the course gets going early next year, and I greatly appreciate your assistance with this project.

Regards, Barrie Callaghan

VOYAGER DS 440 & e-book BUILD YOUR OWN SAILBOAT
Dear Bruce , With Many thanks received our ordered DOWNLOAD or on CD - YOU CHOOSE DOWNLOAD OR CD. . .
today .

The content for Build your own Sailboat and Study plans for DS440 is great and better than we expected, Could you please send me the same as per your following quotation, thanks & best regards N. Monavari

ROBERTS 345

Hi Bruce, Here are the Picture of my ROBERTS 345 Sailboat I'm very Proud of, everywhere I go other sailor and a lot of people ask me what is the brand of your sailboat? I tell them its a Bruce Roberts and then they all finish with that phrase "what a beautiful sailboat'' ,,, the hull shape the lines, its a real sea vessel strong stable fast and beautiful. THANK YOU .. Francois

ROBERTS 434 WOOD EPOXY

Hi Bruce, I have recently received your e-book BUILD YOUR OWN SAILBOAT and it looks great! I have had a chance to read through much of it and have found it to be of additional help. Some of the questions I had lingering in my mind have been answered by tour book. I wish to thank you for sending your book to me, I very much appreciate it.

I have completed the deck and am now building the transom. I am building the sugar scoop type with a small swim platform and steps. I want 3 access doors to store two 30# lpg tanks, life raft, 2.5 gal gasoline container and 4hp outboard, 2 scuba tanks. The doors need to be flat to use piano hinges and be water proof so I am building a flat stern.

I am trying to incorporate as many bulkheads and corners to add strength in case the boat gets pooped by a wave. I prefer to have a curved transom for the strength that it gives but find it too difficult to build with all the features I want. I have anchored the staircase solidly to the bottom hull and the deck so as to act like a bulkhead. Also the stair sides are built like a laminated beam 16" thick. I am also building my own dingy davits out of wood formed into an arch. I will send photos when I have them.

Have a Great Day ! Earl

VOYAGER DS 440

FROM VOYAGER DS 440 BUILDER IN UK.
Hi Bruce, Thanks for the E-mail addresses. It'll be good to keep in touch with the other projects. I have maintained contact with Norbert already. I also received your latest e-book BUILD YOUR OWN SAILBOAT, thank you. Not had a lot of time to revise yet but on first browse it looks like a real mine of information, I shall look forward to reading it properly. Best Regards, John Beal

ROBERTS 53 ROBERTS 532 VOYAGER 542 These are more or less the same design.

Hi Bruce, We are the happy owners of a Roberts 53G built in a Gawler SA Australia engineering workshop many years ago. Its our boat Enzio has admired and he wants to build his own, on similar dimensions to ours. We recently spent 46 days safely crossing NZ to Chile three storms and mostly confused seas, our beautiful Roberts excelled in the conditions. -regards Eoin aged 63 and Susan aged 61

NORFOLK 43 - MODS.

Bruce, Many thanks for answering in person and so soon and thank you for the updated design – I will now study this against the original drawings that I have to start working out what is involved / required to make the keel / rudder modification. And thank for you invitation to contact you directly for more information, as I may need to take you up on this offer further down the track, once I get into the actual details of the modification.

Your personal support in this matter is most appreciated. Best regards, John Casey

NEW YORK 55 OWNER / BUILDER

Hi Bruce. Have attached a few pictures of my NY55. I have relocated it, for finishing the interior, and she will most certain go into the water by end of Aug.

If you are interested I will send you some more pictures when afloat, and rigged. Although it has taken me 6 years to get this far, I must say that the design has been a pleasure to built, straight forward and uncomplicated. ( no kit ). I am especially proud about the way the hull looked before getting filler, so the total use off filler is less than 200 kg. Filler thickness between 2 & 4 mm. The crane operator said that the weight of the boat was 24.5 Metric Ton, and that includes 10t off Lead in the envelope keel. Its by the way build in Marine grade Aluminum. ( Hull 6mm, Superstructure 5mm ) I am extremely exited to see how she behaves under sail. Do you have any feedback from other builders ??? Kind Regards Kim Andersen

Hi everyone! Thanks for the quick response to my SOS. FYI, was able to resolve 'fuzzy' image issue by trying a different software. It's nice to know that help is just a few keystrokes away. Thanks again. More power to you! Joel Aton

Dear Bruce,

Thank you very much for the replacement DOWNLOAD or on CD - YOU CHOOSE DOWNLOAD OR CD. . .
! I just received (and got it out of the case undamaged) and its great! Best regards, Benjamin

Hi, I have just received my DOWNLOAD or on CD - YOU CHOOSE DOWNLOAD OR CD. . .
and I enjoy it. There are a lot of information and pictures.

Stéphane Henaff

SPRAY 33
Dear Bruce, I took the Kangaroo (ex Bellavia) for a test sail today. Simply pure joy. The pilot house has not hanged anything. Now my wife came along (her first time on a sailboat) she loved the boat. I will send you some pictures soon of her with the sails up in a good breeze. I want to be on your Spray website. Best regards Asi

Thank You Bruce for your advice, I recalled that you were very easy to work with back in the late 70's when I built my Offshore 38. I see that same persona still exists. Thanks your for the advice on boat selection. Regards Glen

Good day, I just received the study plans for the Trader 65 and I'm impressed. It looks like a fine vessel and perfect to my needs. I was wondering if you can recommend any yards on the west coast of the U.S that's familiar with building from your kits? Much appreciated. Sincerely, Curtis P. Bray

SPRAY 370

Dear Bruce,
Finally some pictures of her sailing! I have had a few trips up and down the coast from Fujairah and as always she behaves well. I am lifting her out later this month for antifouling and I am using Cuprotect System as it is guaranteed 5 years and purported to be a 10 year plus treatment. I will let you know how I get on with that. She now has davits on the back with a Niccollslite NN10 nesting dinghy hanging from them. On long trips I can put the dinghy nested on the foredeck. The watermaker is on the way Ultra Whisper 600 from Sea Recovery.

I would just like to say how pleased I am with the Spray 370 and thank you for all the support you and Hal have given me during the build. Best regards Bill Wigan, Dubai. NOTE: THE LATEST SAILING PHOTOS OF THIS SPRAY 370 ARE INCLUDED IN THE STUDY PLAN PACKAGE.

Hi Andy, Bruce, OK , Thanks for the answer , I didn't expect a response so quickly.

Bruce, I have had the boat for 20 Years and it suits me fine , Moving from Sandringham to the Gippsland lakes. Thanks for a great boat. Regards Ian Gale

Waverunner 52
Hello, Bruce! It's Mike. I've received my E-book & I'm processing to study of information. Thank you so much for interesting and useful knowledge. I hope on the further dialogue. Best regards, Mike.

12th January 2008 A feedback about the Voyager DS440 plans:
Norbert Toth has sent us a number of photographs of the Voyager DS 440 for use in the study plan pack and for use in my forthcoming book Illustrated CUSTOM BOATBUILDING ... Norbert writes:

Hi Bruce, Now we have some experience with your Voyager DS440 plans. We always read on your site (mostly in the newsletters, builders feedback) that your kits fit together nicely. I think we have better than average possibilities creating the steel parts. We only had the cutting files, and we did cut the kit from steel sheets. Now that we have something assembled, we can say that the parts fit together like a charm.

The plans are extremely accurate, we occasionally have to pull the parts together, but only a few milimeters. Not bad at all, considering the sizes of the DS440! Excellent plans, thank you very much!

Best Regards, Norbert and Tamás Tóth

SPRAY 40.

I purchased this boat on e-bay from a family who's father had been working on the boat since the mid 1970's. The gentleman died before completion. Just thought you might like to look at this rather unique example of your great design. We plan to finish it in a classic tradition. I enjoy your site. If there is an appropriate place on your site to place my link I would appreciate it. www.slocumsboat.blogspot.com Thanks, Jim Combs

TRADER 65 - "CIGANKA" AVAILABLE FOR CHARTER

Hey Bruce,

It's Thomas Owens and Linda Maruna that worked with you on the design for the "Trader 65". Remember us??

She sails like dream. She is the fastest boat in the Abacos, Bahamas where we run our charter business. She has hit 12 knots....sailing like a freight train! She is stoutly rigged and heavily ballasted.

She lends herself so well as a live aboard in the charter business. We have enough of our own space in the aft cabin and our own head and shower that we don't mind having a heavy charter schedule. The galley is fantastic with plenty of space. We even put in a 6 burner stainless steel restaurant stove
and oven.

We LOVE the pilothouse! We have 20 windows that go up and down so we can get the fresh breeze and it gives us a panoramic view. We have a huge table that can seat 12 people. This is really where we "live" ourselves. We eat, read, do our computer work, and hang out all the time in the pilothouse.

Thomas did such a beautiful job on the whole project, doing it all by himself! You wouldn't believe how smooth the hull came out and we have never put any filler on the hull. The best compliment was when we were in a boat yard and we were down below. We heard this light tapping on the hull. We came up to see what it was. Two guys looking across the boat yard had made a bet. One said our hull was a fiberglass hull and the other said it was steel! So they had to tap on it to see who won the bet.

We are extremely proud of our accomplishments with this project. And are happy having our home and business aboard "Ciganka"!

Thought you would enjoy an update!

We are doing super and absolutely love our boat! You can go to our website and see what we are up to and some pictures of the building process.

Thomas & Linda
Websites:
www.sailingshipcharter.com for private charters
www.venturingcrew.org for youth charters

Roberts 434 wood / epoxy version

Thanks for the advice, I have taken it on board and revised my opinion on the straight transom – now I will put a slight curve on it. As for the rudder stock and Bearing, that is great to know thank you very much. I will change my transom plans accordingly so that I can now put step, life raft, Swimming platform and “Windows” in it. The problem I had before was that the rudder stock went through any useable space I had so this will certainly help. Finally I have completed the turn over and here is the first photo I have of “Laeticia” the right way up. Hopefully she will stay this way up for many years to come !

All the best Phil

Hi Bruce,
Here are some pictures from launching of our Trawler Yacht 43 in Norway. Everything went well, and the boat sits in the water perfectly. We are very pleased.
Best regards Geir Fossan

Dear Bruce,
Thanks for the skeg plan, you are the best.
Neville James Hartmann.

Hello Bruce and company!

It is very pretty that you are interesting about builder of Roberts yachts. It is very nice that you have interest even small yacht builder like me. I am Alfred Belavsky from Latvia. I am purchased Roberts 25. I am working hard almost every weekends in the summer time and I hope next spring my Roberts 25 will be ready to put to water. I passed all difficulties connected with delivery of the raw materials, specially epoxy, stainless steel, aluminum mast, led ballast and other special materials what is not popular in Latvia. I had almost 2000 km trip to Poland city Gdansk to purchase mast. The Roberts 25 is good for me. It is not so big and is possible to build for amateur like me. I see, that construction of Roberts25 will be safety for the trips of the Baltic, even in other seas too. Thanks for nice project!

Best greetings for whole company of Bruce Roberts. Alfred Belavsky

Hi Bruce, Hope you are well. The Kit arrives on Tuesday 30^th October, I have to say. Edgar is an amazing guy to deal with. We have made some changes and sorted all the cut-outs, stern gear etc.I have also extended the swim platform by 500 mm to aid entry when parallel moored on a pontoon, also gives me a handy gas storage area and have added a second hatch on the transom,

I cant wait to get started. Currently levelling the RSJ frame as its on what was a lawn. See our boat progress day by day ... http://deboet.blogspot.com Think cork man saying “the boat”…! Haven’t named it its just for fun. Talk soon. Dirk.

WOOD EPOXY 434 BUILDER.
SEE START TO FINISH STEP BY STEP PHOTOS OF THIS BOAT IN OUR e-book BUILD YOUR OWN SAILBOAT.

Hi Bruce,

Here is an update on my boat construction of your 434. The more I get into this project the more I am admiring your skills as a navel architect. I just realized that the engine can be made to easily be pulled up thru the cockpit floor without damaging the rest of the vessel. Fantastic! When I attended the Chicago boat show last winter, I did not see that at all on the factory models; in fact the engine compartment was so compact, I pitied the mechanic that had to work on it.

Have a Spiffy Good Day! Earl

REPORT ON ANOTHER ... EURO 1200

Hi Bruce, I spoke to the owner who’s very happy with the way she handles and sails, stability perfect, manoeuvring great.

He cruised for about 100 hours on her in 2006 (inland and coastal waters only) but did not get her up to full engine power. She does 9.5 kn on 2800 rpm and he estimates she will do 10 to 10,5 kn on full throttle. He had some trim tabs fitted as advised by someone in Poland but had these removed as no noticeable effect.

He hopes to receive around Euro 300.000,= and will then start building another boat, perhaps the Atlantic40. Regards, Edgar

Roberts Spray 28 “Gypsy”

Built 1984 Steel hull & deck, insulated above the waterline. Length: 28’ 6” Beam: 10’ 6” Draft: 3’ 6”

NOW SOLD. Subject: Re: SPRAY 28 listing

Thanks for your help .... our boat has sold and I need to post this on the Bruce Roberts' sight under our 28ft Spray SOLD! Thanks. Pat Muller

SPRAY 58 BUILDER:

Dear Bruce,

THANKS! This time the usual "Hi" does not feel right, because I am so grateful and impressed both by the job you have done for me (and for others all over the world), and your regular way of being so helpful, that I have to show it with a personal address !

Best regards Arni

SPRAY TRAWLER YACHT 475 - TURKEY 25TH SEPTEMBER 2007

Hi Bruce,

I think I have been a little late sending the pictures to you. Sorry.

We sailed in Gokova for three weeks while Burkut ( my son ) was attending his first sailing school at the Gokova Sailing Club.

We had a wonderful trip and no regrets whatsoever for choosing and building your 475 TY. KARA 1 is just the boat I dreamt for and for three days 14 (fourteen) of us lived

aboard with no problems.

Thanks again BRUCE!!!!!!

P.S Some friends of mine are seriously thinking of building their own family cruisers and I suggested them your Coastworker 35/37 and Euro 1000 Coastworker designs.

As I am part of the BRUCE ROBERTS club

TRAWLER YACHT 43 KIT ... September 2007

Hi Bruce, We have now ready to launch the boat. Everything has gone very well. The kit was great to work with. I have no complains whatsoever.

We will try to send you some pictures when we transport it to the quay.

Best regards Geir Fossan

VOYAGER KIT BUILDER

In deciding what type of material to build the boat from, steel was the clear choice for me. Steel is well regarded as one of the strongest materials to make a boat from. The only two drawbacks are it weight and more recently its price.

In choosing a yacht designer, I scoured the internet for months looking at the various designers. Bruce Robert's name came up again and again. As it turned out he now lives in Ireland. Having bought the design and having received the steel, I'd like to say I am delighted with the service Bruce Roberts has provided. The steel was cut and marked perfectly, and of the 300 pieces, we have yet to find one missing. All of his emails are answered within the day, if not within the hour. Thanks Bruce & Edgar.

The hull is constructed entirely of steel alloy. The electronic plans are received on a DOWNLOAD or on CD - YOU CHOOSE DOWNLOAD OR CD. . .
and can then be sent off to a steel yard where the plates are cut with NC plasma cutters. We choose to have Bruce Roberts cut the steel and arrange its transport which worked out quite reasonable compared to some of the steel yards in Ireland.

VOYAGER 542 - USA - 25th AUGUST 2007

Hi Bruce, Attached are 2 more photos of my V542, as of Jul29 (last month). we're currently working on putting the radius plates in place.

We've been very happy with how the kit comes together and your quick replies to my email questions. Regards, Manuel

EURO 1200 - Argentina - 20th August 2007

Hi, Bruce:
I am sending you a few more pictures of the Euro 1200 that Mr. Abella and his company, CVA Argentina, are building here in Buenos Aires. Everyone here is very happy with the boat design and the way the work is progressing. Kind regards, Jorge Sanviti

Hello Bruce,
Appreciate the quick response from you and your company; I received the DOWNLOAD or on CD - YOU CHOOSE DOWNLOAD OR CD. . .
study disc very promptly in Dubai, four days after placing the order, quite unique for the Middle East, I wait with awaited breath for the remaining part of the order to arrive, anyway enough of my piffle.

The more I study your plans, my requirements are definitely more toward the New Voyager DS 542 model featuring the more modern rounded ‘deck salon’, sheerline and incorporating the safety skeg. Regards, Jim Bowie

EURO 1600 BUILDER:

Bruce, Thank you for sending along the DOWNLOAD or on CD - YOU CHOOSE DOWNLOAD OR CD. . .
. It is very helpful. Several outstanding questions were answered. I appreciate your help. My son and I just completed putting on the first coat of paint on the hull. We are going to do a bit of fairing work, paint again and eventually take it to a professional painter for the finish work. I'll send you some pictures a little later in the summer. Regards Jim Fox

EURO 2600
The boat is fine, we just brought it back from Canada. Boat runs & handles great. I am learning to drive her myself. Having a ball. Wesmar stabilizers fitted. Regards John Gamble
Performance: Engines ... 2 x Lugger 700 hp, 19 kts top cruise, 10.5 long distance , 8.5 on one engine, (Double range at this speed)

SPRAY 33 "Plucky Lady" Gaff Cutter

Here we are on our way from the Cabo Verde Isl. To Guadeloupe. "Plucky Lady" is a Spray 33 - steel version. She's custom built and was launched in 95. She's a very fine, seaworthy and comfortable boat. We are very happy with her. Best regards L.D. France

FROM SPRAY 370 BUILDER:

Subject: Re: Spray 370 A ... I have finished cutting my kit using your cutting files; I would like to thank you for the time & effort you put into the nesting. I thought it would be good but I am amazed at the ease with which the machine just chugged along and the result with all the alignment marks and part numbers etched on, brilliant! The file modifications for the aft cabin roof and the etching for the walk thru all appeared on the plate. It really is good to deal with professional people. The construction of the hull is going smoothly. I cannot say how pleased I am with the result of your cutting files ! Thanks and Regards Bill Wigan Dubai ...SEE MORE

Hi Bruce,
Just had a great sail up the coast from Fujairah to Dibba and back. 2 days at anchorage. The Spray 370 is a brilliant and
comfortable boat. Still no pictures sailing. I shall have to maroon a member of the crew so they can take some! Cheers Bill Wigan.

EURO 1200 BUILDER.
Hi, Bruce: we are sending you some pictures of our Euro 1200 project. As you can see, we have already cut the steel and we are now preparing it with the primer before welding it. Fortunately, we have been able to find a very comfortable and roomy place to work in. We are very enthusiastic about this project and that is why we want to share our experience with you. If you are
interested, we will continue sending you pictures of the whole boat building process. Best regards, Jorge Sanviti, CAVA-SA Argentina.

Euro 1200 sea trials Thursday 8^Th May 2003. We gladly accepted the opportunity to be on board the Bruce Roberts Euro 1200 built by Kregting Jacht services on the 8^th of May at Jirnsum in the heart of Holland’s cruising paradise, the province of Friesland for some sea trials.

The pleasant surprise was the size of the saloon, enhanced by the cockpit on the same level as well as the size of the front windows, creates an atmosphere of space and light which is unusual for a boat of this size. All facilities like inside steering position, kitchen, shower / toilet and master bedroom, all with build-in storage lockers were completed by the owner to a high standard.

The engine compartment is accessed by a hatch in the saloon floor and is well laid out and professionally done with a refurbished DAF engine (120HP) water lubricated propeller shaft, batteries, boiler, tanks, electric converter and there is still sufficient space for a generator or additional fuel- and or water tanks.

Two 3-step stairs on either side of the aft cockpit give access to the side decks and a third staircase with very nicely shaped steps leads you to the flybridge which is somewhat uncommon for Northern Europe, but what a pleasant feature to have, providing the best possible view for the captain as well as the passengers and the perfect place to be under good weather conditions. You really feel to be a King (or Queen) on the water.

As we left the docks for our trial voyage we noticed the ship’s smooth response to the throttle and the rudder, as well as the absence of any vibration and hardly any engine noise, in spite of the non-insulated engine compartment and the reputation of refurbished DAF engines being noisy.

We were motoring at the relaxed speed of some 8 knots at 1800 rpm at 25% throttle along the canal towards one of the many lakes in Friesland. Our next stop being a waterside terrace at the lake brought along a fair number of spectators, asking the question about the material of the hull, assuming this being GRP judging from the rounded shapes and lines. Our answer of a steel hull & deck always prompted them to knock the hull in verification.

Some inclement weather during our return voyage prompted us to use the inside steering position which offers good visibility view all around for both passengers and captain on the slightly raised steering position. The spacious saloon comfortably accommodates 10 persons, 6 seats on the build in bench along the starboard side and 3 separate chairs behind the steering position at port side.

We challenged the captain to demonstrate the full forward to full reverse capabilities. At a speed of 12 knots it takes less than half the ships length to stop which is an excellent achievement. All in all a most enjoyable and enlightening experience, the Euro 12 is all you claimed she would be – and more! Thanks for a great experience, Yours, Edgar

SPRAY: "Spray of Dell Quay" July 2007

Dear Bruce,

I have had the pleasure of sailing "Spray of Dell Quay" for her owner from Wales to Ireland in 2001 and from Ireland to Yarmouth, Isle of Wight in 2002.

This year I have had the chance to sail Spray from Lymington to Ireland again. This time arriving in Youghal and proceedimg along the south coast of Ireland visiting Kinsale, Castlehaven, Baltimore, around Fastnet to Skull, Bear Island, Castletownbear, through the Dursey sound and on to Sneem, out around the Skellig's, Caherciveen, Dingle, in and around the Blasket Islands Ballydavid, Fenit, on to Foynes and then to Limerick docks where the mast was lowered for her trip up the Shannon to near Lanesboogh. I had no shortage of crew volunteers for any stage of her voyage and some left and returned for different stages.

Everywhere we went she drew great attention and of course Joshua Sloacum was mentioned by many of the admirers. I am home a week now and I am suffering seperation anxiety. it was awonderful trip. Spray is going for a much needed paint job and refit and hopefully will return to salt water next season. Regard's Robert H Sharpe

Dear B. Roberts, Our congratulations for your outstanding services. We appreciate your company experience and effort to sustain and improving technology in the field.

Thanking you for the kind cooperation in assisting our work. Looking forward for more successful years to come.

Best regards. Ali Shafeeg.

Hello, Bruce!
I was surprised by how fast I received your study plans. You sent me the DOWNLOAD or on CD - YOU CHOOSE DOWNLOAD OR CD. . .
on August 23th, and I got it on August 29^th! Thank you very much!

Regarding both options I ordered for studying, the Voyager 388 and the Voyager DS440, my best choice will probably be the first one, inspired by what you say in the book, ‘choose the smallest boat that will satisfy your current requirements’. Thomas Ogrizek

Hi Bruce,

The Launching of 'MY Bethany' PHOTOS SEE Waverunner 38A

The Launching of 'MY Bethany'
PHOTOS SEE Waverunner 38A