Hi Bruce,

Finally after seven years of building we had our first test sail on 3 of August.  She handle great and we did good speed in the light winds.  (4-5 knots in 3-5 m/s wind). We only had the staysail, because some wrong measurement (the genoa jib was made 20 cm too long). The rig is hollow glass-fibre spares of our own construction.

Johan and Lise Levin
Boat Corinne af Västerås Sweden

BRUCE's COMMENTS:

The builder has customized his boat by adding a pilot house similar to the one that is shown on our Spray 52 and several other Spray models.  We agree that the boat is a credit to Johan and Lise.

Wow ! You can see many more photos of this magnificent wood epoxy Centennial Spray  45 on the Study plans on CD

Here are some comments from a broker in South Africa who sold a Centennial Spray that was built in Vietnam:

Centennial SPRAY 45

We ordered preliminary plans for the Spray from Bruce and started adapting our layout to the 45 foot hull. When Bruce released his round bilge version, the we were convinced this was the perfect hull for us. The hull characteristics were a major for our layout without compromising the sailing characteristics.

We sent our deck and cabin layout to Bruce and contracted with him to do a set of drawings using them.

A wonderful thing happened when working with Bruce. We had originally drawn the deck with a doghouse over the companionway. He, faithfully, had a doghouse in the drawings that he did for us, but he also made a slightly different version of the cabin which used a pilothouse with a steering station on a platform on the starboard side. He sent this alternate design to us as a gift.

We so much like the idea of the open pilothouse creating a bright open space out of the saloon and galley that we adopted it. We were able to take the general concept and implement it in the final design.

Regards Ben Smith

Note: Small accomodation shows standard lay-out .. these are all in the study plans on CD.

One of several CS45's built by Put Veini

Dear Bruce, I can tell you my own impression of sailing the Centennial Spray 45. I made a trip cross the Baltic sea.

She steering herself really, just need to carefully put sails on right position. I did not touch the steering wheel for more than 20 minutes, just look at compass.

Excellent performance, just nice. Thank you very much for smart design. Best Regards, Victor V. Tchaburko

Dear Bruce, We have now built NINE steel boats to your plans.

One of the best things to happen to builders is when former customers come back for another new boat. Yes the customer for whom we built a Robert 58 in 1998 has ordered a new Spray Classic for delivery completed this year including the interior.

I am very proud and happy to build boats from your plans for people who have such a high estimate of your design & my workmanship. Victor Tchaburko

Centennial SPRAY 45

"Bruce, I and two Estonian master mariners motored Mother of Perl to Vastervik, Sweden for sails and rigging and sailed her back to Tallinn in the end of October. A truly great hull in every respect. We also barely touched the steering and this was going straight downwind under  sail. With a little experience, I know that I could balance this boat on any point of sail. Fantastic! I'll let you know more about our adventures with Mother of Perl as we travel this next few years on both sides of the Atlantic and hopefully Pacific.... Regards Ben Smith"

STUDY PLAN PACKAGES ON CD GIVE ACCESS TO HUNDREDS OF step by step BOAT & KIT ASSEMBLY PHOTOS ... See details

My name is Gary. I had ordered two sets of plans for the Spray, one in  fiberglass, one in steel from you. I followed your recommendation and went over to Sweden and arranged with Sven to build the Spray in tribute to my wife who had passed away, There was a big write up in Sweden and the U, K. about the "Nancy Ann."

She's getting quite well known. We stopped at the Azores and this whole family came running over to the "Nancy Ann" They had pictures of her and had also heard about me.  Am sending pictures of "Nancy Ann" and my last discussion with Sven.

I feel that you should be kept well informed of the history of the "Nancy Ann" as she's designed by you.  Am hoping that your enjoying your trip, your pictures will be waiting for you when you return to the U.S.

Respectfully, Captain Gary. L. Olson