Voyager 532 STEEL AND ALUMINUM KITS plans boatbuilding instructions

Bruce Roberts-Goodson
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BRUCE ROBERTS
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Gwenda Roberts-Goodson
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Prototype of fiberglass ROBERTS 532 built in Canada and cruised world-wide

ROBERTS 532 Radius chine STEEL or Fiberglass boat plans & FULL SIZE frame patterns.
The Voyager 542 is the STEEL KIT & Cutting Files version ... Voyager 543 is the WOOD EPOXY version

The Roberts 532 was developed from the successful Roberts 53 & over 600 of this design have already been built in fiberglass & steel. This one great cruising boat & a proven charter boat should you want to earn your living whilst sailing the oceans of the world.

NEW ! SUPER STUDY boat plans ! ANY THREE STUDY boat plans ON DOWNLOAD or on CD The study boat plans have lists of materials & equipment etc ... these will be a great help in costing out the completed vessel. Each DOWNLOAD or on CD. Contains - ALL the construction drawings of your choices of ANY THREE STUDY boat plans with up to 25 sheets per plan! Lists of materials - Technical information - Numerous construction drawings. You can view & print the drawings in full or in sections. PLEASE INDICATE WHICH STUDY boat plans YOU WANT TO ORDER in the SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS BOX on the ON-LINE-ORDER-FORM + FREE e-book BUILD YOUR OWN POWERBOAT included on DOWNLOAD or on CD HUNDREDS OF STEP BY STEP BUILDING PHOTOS ARE INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE. Us $99 - Euro €75 ORDER NOW

L.O.D.	16.45 m	54' 4"
L.W.L.	14.8 m	48' 8"
BEAM	4.9 m	16' 0"
DRAFT	2.03 m	7' 0"
DISPL.	30,845 kg	68,000 lb
BALLAST ( includes weight of steel keel structure )	7,484 kg	22,000 lb
S/A - Displacement ratio		20.86

V542-SAILING.jpg (24870 bytes)

Roberts 532
Radius chine Steel, Aluminum or Fiberglass

R 532 / V542 under sail - You can charter this boat ... PLUS build your own ! See below for more details !

V542-DOCKING.jpg (25251 bytes)

Roberts 532
Radius chine Steel, Aluminum or Fiberglass

R532 / V542 in one of the dozens of harbours that she has visited in the past two years - You can charter this boat ... PLUS build your own ! See below for more details !

Roberts 532
Radius chine Steel, Aluminum or Fiberglass

R 532 / V 542 in Italy

Roberts 532
Radius chine Steel, Aluminum or Fiberglass

R 532 / V 542 in Italy

STUDY PLAN PACKAGES ON DOWNLOAD or on CD - YOU CHOOSE DOWNLOAD OR CD. . . GIVE ACCESS TO MANY step by step BOAT CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS + PHOTOS OF COMPLETED BOATS ETC. S EE DETAILS ORDER STUDY boat plans

ANOTHER ROBERTS 53 ( R 532) SAILS AROUND THE WORLD - TWICE + SO FAR !

Hello Mr. Roberts, We own a 53' Steel ketch of your design built by Perry Smith of Milwaukee Wisconsin. She started to be built by Mr. Smith, a retired navy welder in 1981

Lisa Marie was renamed "Jump up" and was sailed around the world by John Flannigan an his family . She was then sold to Chuck and Dianne Osgood and was again sailed around the world, completing her second circumnavigation June 2010. They Renamed her "Bear".

We purchased her last October in Maryland and brought her to Florida. We set Sail May 20, f 2010 for Bermuda, then a straight sail to Ireland. Upon arrival, we met John, who built a Spray in the Middle East. He said that you lived locally. Please let me know if you are not to busy to get to get together to show you
"Bear" Thank you. We have a beautifully designed boat of yours. She is really well made. Mark Clarke S/V Bear

ROBERTS 532
Radius chine Steel, Aluminum or Fiberglass

Voyager 542 in Italy

V532-P2.jpg (19079 bytes)

ROBERTS 532
Radius chine Steel, Aluminum or Fiberglass

Voyager 542 ... Fore-cabin top.

ROBERTS 532
Radius chine Steel, Aluminum or Fiberglass

There are several ways that the Voyager 542 can
be laid out below decks.

ROBERTS 532

SEE INTERIOR PHOTO GALLERY

Note the two double cabins aft ... This is a proven charter layout as used in Western Grace.

LONG-KEEL.jpg (9174 bytes)

MODERN LONG KEELS: Above is shown the long keel design for the Voyager 542. This keel has been developed over the past 30 years and benefits from our own experience & the hundreds of reports from owners of Roberts designed boats plus the use of advanced computer design techniques.

Roberts 53 (R532) "Pelican"

"Bruce, I have a Roberts 53, which has been very well built, of GRP in 1985. I bought it in 1995. We have sailed around most of the coast of Australia and in a couple of long distance races. The 11 day race from Fremantle to Indonesia gave us line honours as well as a handicap trophy.

We recently got back to Australia from a trip through Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu. I am very pleased with her design, building and performance as a cruising ketch. We have been accepted as an entrant in this years Sydney Hobart Race, cruising section. Regards Gil Waller

MORE:

Harrison "Smitty" Smith built the AKVAVIT in Stanwood, Washington, with a lot of help from his girlfriend Lori. Smitty taught Lori to weld and apparently she did a lot of the welding on the AKVAVIT. I haven't found any bad welds yet.

Smitty sold the AKVAVIT in about 1997 to a couple of partners who fished the boat for albacore. They fished the west coast and out to Midway and down to Samoa. I bought the boat from them in 2003

ROBERTS 53 / 532 SUCCESSFUL FISHING BOAT !

Dear Mr. Roberts – Goodson,

I am the current owner of a steel hulled Roberts 53 ( Now R532 ) ketch. It was built in 1985 by a commercial fisherman for commercial salmon and albacore trolling and thus it has a fish hold where there would typically be cabin space. I have owned this boat for five years and I use it for commercial salmon trolling in Alaska. I have owned and worked on dozens of different boats and this Roberts 53 is my favourite of them all. I hope to continue making a living on this boat for as long as I am healthy enough to do it. This is more than a job to me, it is a life that I love.

There are not many sailboat/commercial fishing boat combinations that work well, but this is one of them. I use the sails to get out to, and back from the fishing grounds when the wind is favourable. I use the engine for actual trolling, and for running in no wind or un-favourable wind. The engine (a Detroit Diesel 371) also powers hydraulic fishing and anchor winches. The boat holds 1400 gallons of diesel, and on a typical 5 day fishing trip burns around 120 gallons of fuel.

Sincerely, Frank Murray owner/operator of f/v AKVAVIT

WANT TO SEE MANY ROBERTS 53'S ... THESE WERE PROTO-TYPES FOR ROBERTS 532 ?
CLICK HERE
& MORE CLICK HERE

Hi Bruce. Hope you are well. Attached a update about "Western Grace" and her adventures. We have spoken to numerous people who are interested and had some taken a cruise to evaluated. Had a look at Tim Christensen in Sidney and your new TRAWLER YACHT 55 on the go. Looks great. The kit you supplied is fitting great. Only way to go.

Another year has gone by. Western Grace is now on here 4th voyage down South and we have now 43000 NM ( In 3.5 years) under the keel. Needles to say we are now even more confident about her than ever. As we run a charter operation we are very much on a schedule and this means we need a all weather vessel what can take some punishment. The 532 is certainly the vessel for the job. By all standards we are a very heavy vessel but very comfortable. This spring on the passage from Hawaii to Victoria we encountered a full Gale of 55 Kts for about 24 hrs. Behind the low a secondary low formed, a small weather bomb. Around noon the barometer was at 1008 MB and be 2300 hrs 985. (45 KTS) Within 30 minutes down to 980 MB and winds of 75 KTS. Needles to say a bit of a ride but we all did stay dry and warm in the pilot house. By daylight seas where about 33' and breaking over the deck. A few grandaddies shook us up as we where a few time clobbered and had tons of water over the decks.

We sustained some damage as the dodger blew to pieces and the stay sail ripped to shreds due to the traveller car ripping of the track. This was all equipment failure but the vessel it self came through with flying colors. On our return in Canada we learned that a older fiberglass sailing vessel who was within 20 miles of us during the worst of it suffered hull damage (tin canned) hull.

So if anyone who is considering serious offshore sailing we feel a moderate displacement steel vessel is the only way to go. The combination of a properly designed vessel like the 532 combined with a skilled builder like Tim Christensen will result in a strong, safe and magnificent good looking vessel. Top quality metal vessels retain there value as well. By the way when we departed Sidney (Vancouver Island) we went to see the new trawler Tim is constructing from one of your kits. Everything seems to be fitting well and the time savings are significant. Building from a kit is the only way to go. Till next time, Joanne & John Van Strien SV Western Grace

SEE EARLIER REPORTS FROM WESTERN GRACE BELOW.

I reviewed the web page showing some of the details of SV WESTERN GRACE. (Voyager 542 / Roberts 532) I recently chartered a cabin on this vessel while in Alaska. The boat is absolutely divine! The design is awesome and the performance is superior. Under sail in a mild breeze (20kts or so) we made 6 kts going wing and wing. I sailed the boat and she handles like a dream. Western Grace is truly a showpiece of a vessel & Christensen Yachts LTD Sidney British Columbia (Vancouver Island) Canada did a top notch job in building her. Sincerely Randy Murrah Joshua, TX

Hi Bruce, Western Grace ( R542 / V542 ) is a amazing vessel and we learn every day more about her. We have now 10,800 NM under the keel since June 2002, and cruised in all kinds of weather, and are totally happy with the design & performance. We sailed in Ice conditions as well as the tropics and feel safe in any condition.

The most weather experienced so far was 50 Kts for a 20 hour period in the Gulf of Tehuantepec of the Pacific Coast of Mexico. We were running about 100 miles offshore and made a steady 7 Kts close reach under Staysail and a bikini size piece of Genoa. The boat was well balanced in fact so that we turned of the autopilot. She maintained a steady course throughout with a lot less strain on the rigging than when steered by autopilot. In all this we sat dry inside the pilot house watching the decks going awash from time to time. Waves were steep as there was a large current.

Another time in Costa Rica we had a couple onboard evaluating the design and encountered Papagayo's wind of 40 Kts in the Gulf of Nicoya. Needles to say that Western Grace excels in these conditions and under foresail alone is quit manoeuvrable and fast. They were impressed and since ordered the boat plans and commissioned a smaller version of the 532/4.

Her manoeuvrability is not limited to under sail conditions alone as we are quite capable manoeuvring her in closed quarters. She backs up with no problem despite her modified full keel, thanks to the enlarged counter balanced rudder.

A heavy all weather vessel like the R532/ V542 does not have to be a slug either. Most cruiser are looking for a weather window with light conditions, while we take it as it comes and have no trouble in 30 or 40 Kts and have a great sail. We just set a 24 hour record of the coast of Costa Rica of 203 NM in a 24 hour period.

Bruce the 532/4 is a truly remarkable vessel and we can recommend the design for everyone who looks for a beautiful looking, safe, comfortable proven all weather cruiser. Thanks again for a great design. Regards John & Joanne Van Strien SV Western G

Dear Bruce:
I reviewed the web page showing some of the details of SV WESTERN GRACE. (Voyager 542 / Roberts 532) I recently chartered a cabin on this vessel while in Alaska. The boat is absolutely divine! The design is awesome and the performance is superior. Under sail in a mild breeze (20kts or so) we made 6 kts going wing and wing. I sailed the boat and she handles like a dream. Western Grace is truly a showpiece of a vessel & Christenson Yachts Ltd Sidney British Columbia (Vancouver Island) Canada did a top notch job in building her. Sincerely Randy Murrah Joshua, TX

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.

I realize there is a web link to Western Grace from your site, but it does not show the awesome details incorporated into this boat. This is a poster boat for both your designs, and steel sailboats in general - if you ever get a chance to inspect it, take your camera! Norm Facey

Hi Bruce, Greetings from Alaska. We have sailed (mainly powered) Western Grace to Alaska from Victoria. We logged 1600 nm. The boat performs awesome and we are very please with the performance under power. Our average fuel use has been 1 litre per hour or about 5,5 litres per hour at 6 KTS including heater and gen-set. We found that she handles very good and we have full control over the vessel in reverse despite her modified full keel. We have increased the rudder somewhat by adding a counter balance of about 5 ". This works very well.

We have seen you are thinking off redesigning your Roberts 532 as the VOYAGER 542 . As far as we can see the hull is fine. The only things you can possible incorporate in your kits/designs is some changes in the deck plan finish. Western Grace is a custom version and the builder has come up with some nice addition to boat plans. We have opted for 4 pilot house windows mainly out of strength concerns but also for looks. We find the vessel looks a lot larger because of it. A good example in reverse is the Grand Banks. Some of the larger Grand banks look from a distance smaller that they are because of using to large of windows.( just a observation)

We are very proud of this vessel and believe we can be a rep for your company by showing the vessel to potential builders and possible taken them for a cruise. The vessel is a real head turner and we have met on our travels several very interested parties who want to build there own version. Our web site does not do the vessel justice and we will send you some pictures on disk if you are interested. We look forward hearing from you. Regards John Van Strien

WANT TO SEE MANY ROBERTS 53'S ... THESE WERE PROTO-TYPES FOR ROBERTS 532 ?
CLICK HERE & FOR MORE CLICK HERE

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