Seeking information on Bryan Lello offshore designs

Discussion in 'Sailboats' started by boreal, Feb 29, 2008.

  1. boreal
    Joined: Feb 2008
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    Location: Alberta, Canada

    boreal New Member

    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.
     
  2. gouloozeyachts
    Joined: Jun 2008
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    Location: south africa

    gouloozeyachts Junior Member

    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.
     
  3. gouloozeyachts
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    Location: south africa

    gouloozeyachts Junior Member

    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.
     
  4. Splash Gordon
    Joined: Apr 2008
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    Location: Cape Town

    Splash Gordon Junior Member

    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!
     
  5. kingnuggie
    Joined: Aug 2008
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    Location: Australia, Africa

    kingnuggie New Member

    Lello 34 yacht sailboat

    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.
     
  6. boreal
    Joined: Feb 2008
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    Location: Alberta, Canada

    boreal New Member

    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.
     
  7. robby_mnemonic
    Joined: Nov 2010
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    Location: Muskegon, Mi.

    robby_mnemonic New Member

    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?
     
  8. sailpower
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    Location: Fort Lauderdale

    sailpower New Member

  9. robby_mnemonic
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    Location: Muskegon, Mi.

    robby_mnemonic New Member

    It's worth a lot. But I see it's sold now. Did you buy it?
     
  10. wouter vink
    Joined: Jun 2011
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    Location: Netherlands

    wouter vink New Member

    lello 34

    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
     
  11. robby_mnemonic
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    Location: Muskegon, Mi.

    robby_mnemonic New Member

    lello

    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!
     
  12. KazzSA
    Joined: May 2014
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    Location: South Africa, Durban

    KazzSA New Member

    Lello 34 SA Website in progress

    Hi Wouter greetings from South Africa,

    I know that this thread is old but it is worth a try.
    We are currently working on getting a Lello owners website and any info from your end would be appreciated. Two Lello's (Umlelo and Excalibur) were part of the fleet of the 1984 Wilbur Ellis Vasco da Gama Race from Durban to East London. I currently own Umlelo, going through complete refit.

    Any Info, photo's, drawings etc would be greatly appreciated.

    kashmirsingh@telkomsa.net
     
  13. wouter vink
    Joined: Jun 2011
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    Location: Netherlands

    wouter vink New Member

    lello

    Hello Kashmir Singh,

    My brother, Henry Vink ( Boatbuilders Pty Ltd, Walkerville), built Lello's in the seventies and eighties, and kept one ("Senta") for private use in Durban. After his death in a car accident in 1990 Senta was sold in that year, or the next.

    I have some pictures of Lello's under construction, but no blueprints or other drawings. If you wish I would be happy to forward the pictures to you.

    Regards, Wouter
     
  14. KazzSA
    Joined: May 2014
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    Location: South Africa, Durban

    KazzSA New Member

    Lello 34 Umlelo

    Hi Wouter,

    Thank you kindly, much obliged to receive the photo's.
    my e-mail: kashmirsingh@telkomsa.net

    I will make some enquiries about Senta's whereabouts locally and keep you posted. A lot of interest has been generated about the Lello locally and a few vessels are getting refitted. We know that the Lello was based on a traditional design and the Bristol 24 closely resembles the Lello's Hull shape.
    Once the blog is set up i will forward the link to you as well.

    Look forward in hearing from you.

    Regards


    Kash
     

  15. KazzSA
    Joined: May 2014
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    Location: South Africa, Durban

    KazzSA New Member

    Hi Gents,

    Long time no hear. if you have been battling with my e-mail address you can try me on my G-mail kaz.ptpsteel@gmail.com
    I have been going great guns on the rebuild of Umlelo.
    The information coming through has been sporadic and I am going to have a go at the website this December.
    This may be of interest to other Lello owners. Umlelo is a Centre Cockpit version.
     
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