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"SEE ABOUT BRUCE"

 EMAIL BRUCE		 Bruce Roberts Yacht Design
 Official BRUCE ROBERTS WEB SITE FOUNDED 1966    

BOAT BUILDER'S NEWSLETTER
LATEST INFORMATION ON LAUNCHINGS, NEW DESIGNS & MUCH MORE !

Gwenda
Roberts-Goodson

LATEST NEWS - See also FEEDBACK FROM BUILDERS

We do have world wide coverage ... current custom design projects include 65 ft timber medical vessel for Indonesia, 50 ft - 50 knot Aluminum fishing boat for Arab Emirates, 78 ft and 85 ft Fiberglass Motor Yachts for series production in China, fiberglass Pilot Boat for Romanian Government entity plus 78 ft Steel motor yacht for German client ... these are just a few of the ongoing design projects at this time.

From Ian Edelston in New Zealand

Here is the Roberts 53E we launched last month

It went off really well everyone pleased.

She sails really well and we are all wrapped!

Well done Bruce

We have updated our Plans & Kits PLUS several new CUSTOM DESIGNS

1. NEW VOYAGER sailboats are now available as WOOD EPOXY or FIBERGLASS plans and patterns see THIS LINK

2. NEW EURO AND TRAWLER YACHT powerboats are available as WOOD EPOXY or FIBERGLASS plans and patterns see THIS LINK

3. Several sailboat plans & kits are now available with the Roberts 'SAFETY SKEG' ... EMAIL for details.

4. New aluminum plans ... 65 ft ... EURO CAT 2000 will be available soon. EMAIL for details.

5. Coaster 36  Wood Epoxy TRAWLER plans now available.

6. NEW Atlantic 55 Sport Fisherman wood epoxy plans soon available  ... EMAIL for details.

7. NEW Voyager DS 544  sailboat featuring unbroken sheer and safety skeg ... our latest sailboat design.

8. NEW Mediterranean 450 ... 45 ft / 13.72 Wood Epoxy sport boat with galley, head and  2 sleeping cabins

AT LAST THE REAL THING !   TY 52O LAUNCHED  

DATE - 9TH October 2007 ...

DEAR BRUCE,  IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE OUR LAST COMMUNICATION. WELL IT HAS BEEN VERY BUSY INDEED  BUT FINALLY OUR TY 520  "ANEMONE"  JOINED THE SEAS  ON 28TH OF AUGUST AND WE SAILED DOWN TO BODRUM FM ISTANBUL IMMEDIATELY. WE HAVE BEEN ENJOYING HER EVER SINCE, WE ALREADY HAVE MORE THAN 2000  MILES ON OUR LOG !

SHE IS A FANTASTIC BOAT, STEADY, WELL BALANCED, VERY COMFORTABLE , SEAWORTHY AND BEAUTIFUL. EVERYWHERE WE GO PEOPLE COME AND EXPRESS THEIR ADMIRATION.

"ANEMONE" IS  A  GREAT TRAWLER,  FIRST OF ALL SHE IS A REAL TRAWLER; EVERYWHERE WE GO PEOPLE COME AND ADMIRE  HER, ASK FOR OUR PERMISSION TO TAKE PHOTOS.

SHE IS NOT ONLY BEAUTIFUL BUT ALSO A VERY TRUSTWORTHY BOAT IN ALL RESPECTS.  WE  WENT INTO FORCE 7  WINDS AND SEAS, NO PROBLEM  SHE CAN HANDLE MUCH MORE VERY EASILY.

WE EXTENDED THE FLY BRIDGE PRO RATA WHICH ENABLED  US TO PARK OUR TENDER  (  4,30  MTRS ) AND A VERY COMFORTABLE SITTING CORNER FOR  MORE THAN  6  PEOPLE.

I PLACED A VERY SUFFICIENT KITCHEN ON THE BRIDGE THUS  THE LIVING BECAME ENORMOUS, NEARLY 20 SQM. I ALSO ADDED  A  HUGE  STORAGE BOX ON THE FORE DECK, IN FRONT OF THE PORTUGUESE BRIDGE  WHICH IS ALSO A VERY COMFORTABLE SETTEE.

UNDER THE DECK WE MANAGED  TO PLACE 1 MASTER CABIN AND 2 REASONABLE GUEST CABINS  ALL WITH ENSUITE HEADS AND SHOWERS. 

THE  ENGINE ROOM IS THE SAME AS ORIGINAL PLANS SIZE WISE. BUT WE HAVE 2 TWIN VOLVO ENGINES 265  HP EACH AT 2300 RPM. WE HAVE A CRUISING SPEED OF 10 KNOTS AT 1800 RPM  AND  MAX. SPEED IS 12 KNOTS. THE FUEL CONSUMPTION IS ABOUT. 50-60 LITRES PER HOUR.  WATER TANKS ARE IN THE ENGINE ROOM, ABOUT 5500  LITRES. GREY AND BLACK WATER, 500 LITRES  EACH. THERE IS ALSO A DRINKING WATER TANK OF 700  LITRES UNDER THE AFT DECK. EVENTUALLY A  WATER MAKER  CAN BE INSTALLED AND EXISTING WATER TANKS CAN BE USED FOR FUEL FOR LONG PASSAGES. THE ENGINE ROOM HAS  ACCESSES FROM THE AFT VIA A HATCH ON THE AFT DECK OR THE WATERPROOF DOOR ON THE TRANSOM. UNDER THE EXTENDED AFT DECK WE PLACED  A VERY COMFORTABLE CABIN FOR THE CREW WITH TWO SEPARATE BEDS AND ALSO A BATHROOM.  WE  STILL HAVE LOTS OF STORAGE SPACE . WE HAVE AN ONAN 17KWA GENERATOR AS WELL AS 2  x   3000 KV INVERTERS, 2 BATTERY CHARGERS,2 ISOLATION TRANSFORMERS 22  (TWENTY-TWO )  200  AH   GEL BATTERIES.  A  SEPARATE EMERGENCY LIGHTING SYSTEM ETC.

THE  FIRST PLATE WAS TACK WELDED ON AUGUST 3, 2006  AND WE SLID HER DOWN TO THE SEA ON THE 18TH OF AUGUST 2007.

SO IT TOOK US 1 FULL YEAR TO FINISH HER COMPLETELY I.E. ALL SYSTEMS INSTALLED, ALL FINISHING DONE.

THANKS ONCE MORE FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND  BEING SUCH A GREAT DESIGNER.                       KIND REGARDS, ALI

February 2008 - Trawler Yacht 520 - SEE ABOVE.

DEAR  BRUCE,

THANKS FR YR MAIL.  PLEASE FINS ATTACHED  SOME MORE PICS  OF "ANEMONE"   WHICH ARE ALREADY IN MY OUT BOX.
I WILL ALSO SEND YOU MORE PICTURES  TAKEN DURING CONSTRUCTION.
 
BELIEVE ME "ANEMONE" IS THE BEST LOOKING BOAT OF HER KIND IN BODRUM, OR EVEN  IN TURKEY. EVERY TIME I
AM ON BOARD I CAN'T HELP ADMIRING HER  AND PRAISE YOU FOR YOUR  WORK.
 
WE  HAVE INSTALLED   2 x  VOLVO "D7C TA"  ENGINES  WHICH ARE RATED  265  HP AT 2300 RPM. 
WE ARE CRUISING  AT  10  KNOTS/ HR AT  1900  RPM.  THE FUEL CONSUMPTION  AT THIS SPEED  IS  ABT. 60 LITERS / HOUR.
OUR MAX. SPEED IS 12  KNOTS/HR  ALTHOUGH WE HAVE ONCE SEEN  13  KNOTS TOO  BUT THERE WAS A FAVOURABLE CURRENT.
AT 1600  RPM WE EASILY  MAKE  8,5  KNOTS  WHICH SAVES  A LOT OF FUEL THOUGH I HAVEN'T CALCULATED IT YET.
AT 1300  RPM WE  MAKE  A  NICE  7 KNOTS /HRS  WHICH IS AN EXCELLENT SPEED  FOR PASSAGE MAKING AND THEN THE FUEL
CONSUMPTION  WILL  CERTAINLY NOT EXCEED  30 LTRS/HR.
I ALSO CUT OFF ONE ENGINE DURING CRUISING WHICH SLOWED THE BOAT LESS THAN 1  KNOT !
I MUST ADD THAT SHE IS CONSIDERABLY  HEAVIER THAN THE ORIGINAL PLANS AS  WE  EXTENDED HER FR  ABT. 2 METERS
AND REALLY LOADED HER UP.  ACTUALLY SHE WEIGHTS 60 TONS  MIN.
 
TANKS :
FUEL TANKS      :  4500  LITERS ,  DOUBLE BOTTOM, UNDER THE GUEST CABINS
FRESH  WATER  :  5000  LITERS, STAINLESS  STEEL, IN THE ENGINE ROOM
GREY / BLACK WATER   :  2 x 600  LITERS, STAINLESS STEEL, UNDER CABINS
DRINKING WATER    :  700  LITERS, STAINLESS STEEL, UNDER THE AFT DECK.
 

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM   : 

22 (TWENTY-TWO) x  200  AH    GEL BATTERIES
17,5 KV  ONAN  GENERATOR
2 x INVERTORS
3 x BATTERY CHARGERS
2 x  24 V. AUX. ALTERNATORS
2 x ISOLATION TRANSFORMERS
2 x 50 A  SHORE CONNECTION
INDEPENDENT  EMERGENCY POWER  SYSTEM
 
ELECTRONICS   :   2  STATION  FULL SIMRAD  PACKAGE  INC. RADAR, AUTO PILOT, CHART PLOTTER ETC.
 
HYDRAULICS  :  CENTRAL SYSTEM CONTROLLING WINDLASS, BOW THRUSTER, DAVITS
 
STEERING    :  MANUAL  AND  ELECTRO HYDRAULIC,  2  STATIONS
 
PUMPS    :
3  x BILGE PUMPS,  60-90 LITER / MIN.
2 x  FIRE STATIONS
1  ELECTRIC  SEA  WATER PUMP
1 MECHANICAL BILGE PUMP
1  x FUEL TRANSFER PUMP
4  x MACERATOR PUMPS
2  x FRESH WATER PUMPS
 
MISCELL  :
4  x  ELECTRICAL TOILETTES
CENTRAL  AIR CONDITIONING  ALL  AROUND  (HEATING + COOLING )
2  x VHF
SATELLITE  TV
4.20  MTRS  INFLATABLE  +  50 HP OUTBOARD
THIS  IS  ALL I CAN THINK OF FOR THE MOMENT. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLSE DO NOT HESITATE TO  CONTACT ME.
KIND REGARDS, ALI

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
NEW photos of CAT 35 hull
NEW HOUSE BOAT version of the Trawler Yacht 620

BOATBUILDER AVAILABLE. If you are looking for a fine boatbuilder to fit out your sail or powerboat we have found the best !  The boatbuilder's along the Thames in England are famous for their fine wood-working skills - we believe we have found the best !  Fine wood-work is not cheap ... But if you want a superior job then Email Bruce for more details.

There have been several new boats launched in the past couple of months .. see details and some new photos from the links below.

Bruce was guest of honor and after dinner speaker at the Cruising Association ( London headquarters ) annual dinner and prize giving ... this was a most enjoyable experience and we can recommend this association to any who plan or are currently undertaking serious cruises ... the Cruising Association has over 4,000 members world wide and offers advice and back up to cruising yachtsmen throughout the world.   SEE http://www.cruising.org.uk/

The new VOYAGER DS 440 sailboat kit is proving very popular and we have delivered another Kit to Faversham Kent.

The new VOYAGER DS 544 sailboat kit featured the now shape deck salon and Roberts SAFETY SKEG.

E23M.jpg (24428 bytes)

NEW  ... Euro 2150 Wood / Epoxy Motor Yacht

NEW  COASTER 36   Wood / Epoxy plans or Aluminum KIT
 


 NEW  ... COASTWORKER 28 Trailerable KIT or CUTTING FILES

Please check out the items below as well as our latest   Special OFFERS !

Note how small the TY 620 Sonata looks amongst this scenery !

Hi Bruce,

Going on three years of live aboard and haven't regretted one minute It's been a great life on a great boat.

We are currently in Auke Bay (just north of Juneau). We departed Petersburg on July 17th and proceeded to Windham Bay where we anchored for the night in a small cove near the entrance to the bay.  On a subsequent trip we went in all the way and really liked the spot.  The next day on our way to Taku Harbor we spotted our first icebergs.  Taku Harbor has a nice dock (no power/water) which allows some walking around on the shore.  Although we didn't try for crab and there were many commercial pots, the few cruisers that were there were still pulling in good numbers of crab (in only a single pot). 

From Taku we proceeded on to Juneau where we were given moorage in Aurora Harbor.  The marinas in Juneau are quite far from most conveniences so I started calling to rent a car for a couple of days....NO LUCK!!!!  The next day, I tried again at the Ford dealership who indicated they might have a car returned.  Sure enough we got one....so I quickly made a reservation for the next week as well when we would be in Juneau again.  Although we didn't like all the noise (and traffic) in Juneau, we did like being back in civilization to go to Costco, Fred Meyer and several other stores.  We needed prawn bait (pellets) and after checking in several stores, we finally found it at a place called Harri's Plumbing and Heating (go figure!!!).  We met a nice couple  (Bill/Michelle Bressler--OUR ISLAND)  who are also liveaboard s.  They are restoring a 1962 65' Defever built by Skallerud  and are doing a great job. 

Unlike the previous week, by evening the dock was full and a number of boats were anchored out.  The following morning we had planned to go just as far as Tracy Arm Cove, but the weather was good and the skies clear, so we decided to continue in to see the glacier.  There was much more ice on the water than when we went in the previous year so we were not able to get close to the glaciers though we could see South Sawyer Glacier from a distance.

The North Glacier was visible from the Y the previous year, but it had receded so much over the past 12 months that it could not be seen from where the channel splits.  There was one large iceberg that was quite beautiful so the folks on another cruising boat (TESLA--62' Nordhavn) and we agreed to stop for photos which we happily exchanged later back that day back in Tracy Arm Cove.  It was difficult to choose just one photograph.

The next morning we left in search of halibut near the Sandborn Canal.  We saw lots of "jumping" fish (presumably some kind of salmon) but they were not interested in being caught.  Leo finally caught a small halibut off the swimstep which we later enjoyed eating.  There were many commercial crab traps in Sandborn so we didn't have any luck with that endeavour....but we certainly enjoyed a large bounty of prawn!!!.  Later that afternoon, Bill/Joy (PATIENCE) and their son Gus, came by for "tiddlies".  They are beginning their trip south (as are many of the cruisers we have met).

On the way back to Juneau, we went to the far end of Windham Bay and were surprised to see several cabins and a lodge.  We were invited to look around by the contractor/caretaker who told us it is for sale and would be advertised the coming week in the Wall Street Journal.  We then went to Taku Harbor again (and didn't try for crab though lots were being caught).  We arrived back in Juneau (Auke Bay) on 7/29.  Leo and Gisela had one more day so they visited the Mendenhall Glacier Observatory/Museum.  After one more game of Mexican Train and one last movie....we had to say good by.  It was very sad to see them go as it was when Christina left us last year.  We certainly hope we continue this tradition of having Swiss guests each summer.....so, to our Swiss friends (who have come before....or have yet to come), we look forward to your visit!!!!!

We are now re-provisioned, cleaned etc.  Gary, our friend from Fresno who joined us for several weeks on the trip up, has just flown in and will be with us for the next two weeks.  Our tentative plan is to go to Hoonah and either north to Elfin Cove area....or south to Tenakee....(who knows!!!!).  We will be back in Juneau one last time midmonth when Gary flies back to Fresno and other Fresno friends

Diane and Lee  MV Sonata  TY 620 B

Thanks for being an important part of a great life experience. Thanks again for the great design and project,  Lee Simpson 
NEW Photos and report on Trawler Yacht 620 B

NEW Build from scratch radius chine aluminum or steel Roberts 410  features the Roberts safety skeg.

NEW  ... VOYAGER DS 440  Sailboat featuring the Roberts SAFETY SKEG

NEW photos of Euro 2300, 2400, 2600
Hi Bruce,   Yesterday we baptised KARA and set her free. Attached are just a few pics and the CD will follow.
I just can not express the joy and happiness. Thank you.      Erhan KUM

SEE NEW PHOTOS OF THE SPRAY TY 475
NEW CAT 65 MS - FIRST PHOTOS 3 D MODEL being developed

so we can offer this CAT 65 as a KIT ... Steel, Aluminum or Fiberglass.
DEAR  BRUCE,   I  AM  PLEASED  TO  SEND  YOU SOME  MORE  PICTURES  OF  OUR  TRAWLER "ANEMONE"  UNDER  CONSTRUCTION  IN  TULSA -  ISTANBUL.
THESE  WERE  TAKEN  IN  JANUARY  AND  IT'S  AMAZING  TO  SEE  HOW  WELL  WE  MANAGED  TO  IN  LESS  THAN 5  MONTHS
CONSIDERING  THAT  WE  STARTED  ASSEMBLING  THE  JIG  ON  1ST  OF  AUGUST  2006.
 
AS  OF  TODAY  THE  WELDING  IS  COMPLETELY  FINISHED ,  ENGINES, SHAFTS, RUDDER, GENERATOR, ALL  TANKS  ETC.  ARE  INSTALLED.
WE  ARE  ACTUALLY  WORKING  ON  THE  ELECTRICAL  SYSTEMS  AND  ALL  OTHER  MECHANICAL  WORKS.
THE PAINTING  IS  EXPECTED  TO  BEGIN  IN  2  WEEKS.
 
AS  YOU  KNOW  WE  ADDED  2  MORE  FRAMES  TO  THE  AFT  AND  TOOK  THE  SWIMMING  PLATFORM   BEHIND  THE  TRANSOM  WHICH  ENABLED  US  TO  HAVE  A  VERY  LARGE  AFT  DECK  WHERE  WE  CAN  INSTALL  A  BIG  DINING  TABLE WHERE  MIN. 8  PEOPLE  CAN  WE  SEATED.
THE RESULT  AS  YOU  WILL  SEE  ON  THE  PHOTOS  HAS  COME  OUT  REALLY  NICE.
SHE  IS A  FANTASTIC  BOAT.
 
THANK  YOU  ONCE  MORE  FOR YR  PERFECT  PLANS AND  CUTTING  FILES. WILL  KEEP  YOU  POSTED. KIND  REGARDS,   ALI 
SEE MORE ON TY 520
NEW - Photos of the Waverunner 38 built in Brazil
RUSSIAN BUILDER OF SPRAY 27 SENDS PHOTOS AND SAILING REPORT.
Voyager 542 - TWIN KEEL version now available - Contact BRUCE for more details.

NEW CAT 65 MS - FIRST PHOTOS 3 D MODEL being developed so we can offer this CAT 65 as a KIT ... Steel, Aluminum or Fiberglass.

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.

Has anyone else completed building this boat?  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
 TRADER 65  for more photos and details on the plans and kits.

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

JUST RECEIVED ... FROM ... Bill Wigan Dubai.
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.

ROBERTS SAFETY SKEG: Back in the late 1960’s when we started to design boats with skegs they seems to be the answer to all steering and handling problems sometimes associated with the long keel / rudder hung off the back of the keel configuration. Alas time has proven that the skeg is one of the most vulnerable items of the underwater area of your sailboat. One solution was the Roberts ‘Contemporary Long Keel’ which has proved to have most of the benefits of the skeg and none of the vulnerability of the normal skeg.  A more recent development in combines the benefits of a skeg and long fin keel arrangement; this is achieved by tying the aft end of the keel to bottom of the skeg by way of a bar or heel; see sketch for detail.

ROBERTS SAFETY SKEG:
The Roberts safety skeg is designed to take the best features from the LONG FIN / SKEG combination and add a SAFETY FACTOR.  Many of you may be aware that skegs in general are vulnerable to damage so here is our answer to this problem. EMAIL Bruce to more details of this development.

CUSTOM SERIES:
DECK SALON CRUISING SAILBOATS.

NEW - On the left is an illustration the new CUSTOM range which are available in sizes from 44 ft / 13 m to 85 ft / 26 m. These performance cruising sailboats are available for construction in steel or aluminum KITS or as plans and patterns for building in FIBERGLASS or Wood / Epoxy.

Email BRUCE and outline YOUR requirements.

NEW CUSTOM 440  Sail boat Kit

We have sold the first kit for this boat - if you are interested in a KIT then we will make you a very special offer ... this is one beautiful boat and we want to get many under construction as soon as possible.  ALSO note there are SIX alternate layouts for the Voyager DS 440 including a charter version.

EMAIL BRUCE FOR SPECIAL OFFER ON THE VOYAGER DS440 KIT ... EMAIL TODAY !
 

 

 
ROBERTS 53 - LONG DISTANCE CRUISE.

Hello Bruce,
It had been long since we last exchanged e-mail and I wanted to give you an update about Aliza our Roberts 53G steel ketch and ask for some information from you.  First about us, we finished our 9 years circumnavigation on August 2003.  Since then we have sailed from Israel to NYC via the Caribbean and Venezuela, we are now on the hard doing prep and maintenance for the next phase of sailing. (4 years in the eastern Atlantic followed by.... everywhere we would set our targets for cruising.)  Efraim and Moshe Schwartz SV Aliza

See FEEDBACK FROM BUILDERS

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