Seeking information on Bryan Lello offshore designs

[boreal]

Bryan Lello is or was a South African designer/builder who was active in the industry during the 1980's and before. I'm searching for information and critique on his offshore design. The 34 is a 6 ton displacement, glass hull, with a draft of 6' 4'' , beam of 9', and a full cutaway keel that rises fairly sharply aft with the rudder integral to the keel. Auxilary power is is offset slightly to the centre line with propullsion aft of the rudder. As a neophyte, I curious about its sailing characteristics and construction details if anyone happens to know the vessel or designer. Lello is or was apparently well known domestically, but outside of South Africa, virtually unkown. Thanks.

[gouloozeyachts]

Hello. Mr Brian Lello past away long time ago. The Lello 34 was built by a Mr henry Vink (also dead) in Walkerville S.A. He was going to replace the mould with our Marinu 35 but went broke before he could finish The 'factory' of Mr Vink is now owned by a Mr Copal E-mail:coplanboats@metriweb.co.za but you better hurry because Mr Copal is not so young either.

[gouloozeyachts]

Hello. Mr Brian Lello past away long time ago. The Lello 34 was built by a Mr henry Vink (also dead) in Walkerville S.A. He was going to replace the mould with our Marinu 35 but went broke before he could finish The 'factory' of Mr Vink is now owned by a Mr Copal E-mail:coplanboats@metriweb.co.za but you better hurry because Mr Copal is not so young either.

[Splash Gordon]

The Lello is a super little sea-boat, bit it's a little hobby-horsey in a lumpy sea (Durban's North-Easter makes anything do that, though!) The are many examples of them and several of them have popped up in some very strange places. They're very reasonably priced, too, and built like the proverbial brick you-know-what, with a fairly conservative rig held up with agricultural-gauge rigging.
If you're looking at buying one at a reasonable price, do so- there's huge scope to make them into very sensible blue-water cruising-boats, and I'll hazard that they'll swallow pretty much any sort of a beating you'd like to endure sailing-wise!

[kingnuggie]

The lellos are very strong narrow deep keel boats, long overhangs mean little room inside but very nice motion in a seaway. I have had one for 10 years and can attest to there strength. Round the cape of south africa 7 times, trip deep down in the southern ocean, extensive east coast south africa cruising and some southern atlantic sailing as well. The early boats had a timber deck that was prone to rot but the later ones are all solid glass with no core. The rudders is badly made and often fail but no big deal to improve the design. Check out pictures at www.getjealous.com/peterjfacci to get an idea of what the boats look like.

[boreal]

Gentlemen,

Thank you for your replies. I had found, in fact, a 1980 vintage 34 Lello in Michigan, USA, and was seriously considering a rebuild, the price was right. Unfortunately, it seems the vessel had been left unattended (owner illness) for a number of years with an accumulation of rainwater inside the hull, high humidity and subsequent apparent delamination and rot. I certainly now have an appreciation of Mr. Lello's work, thank you.

[robby_mnemonic]

I bought the Michigan Lello last March. Patched her up and replaced all her windows. She is a very sturdy and dependable design. She sails fast, straight, and rock steady, however she really needs a lot of work before she can be considered "comfortable".
I just got back yesterday from a single handed attempt at the chicago to mobile thing. Tried to take the Lello down to Florida where I could get a job and live on her and fix her up. Got as far as Starved Rock, Ill, and turned back home. My experience was much different than those described in the media, but not all bad.
Now the Lello is back in Michigan, and getting ready for a 2 year restoration behind Torresen Marine........ the finest working marina in the world as far as I am concerned.
Anybody know anything about the self-steering mechanism? The rigging? Downhaul? How about the fuel tank vent system? The wind generators need props too...... where can I find them?

[sailpower]

Hey Robbie,

What do you think this boat might be worth?

Thanks.

http://au.yachtworld.com/core/listing/boatFullDetails.jsp?boat_id=2172678&ybw=&units=Feet&currency=USD&access=Public

[robby_mnemonic]

It's worth a lot. But I see it's sold now. Did you buy it?

[wouter vink]

Hallo,

I came across your enquiry some years ago by accident. My brother (as Henry Vink Boat Builders Pty Ltd) built some Lello's in the eighties, one for own use. I possess photographs of stages in construction. If you are interested I could forward them to you.

Yours, Wouter

[robby_mnemonic]

Yes my email is robstrib@msn.com
Any pics or information would be greatly appreciated.
The boat is solid as a rock, and I get many many many compliments on the beautiful lines of this boat. Most compliments come when she is out of the water.
Thanks!