Lament after buying study plan

If you want to see some comments by genuine builders of Bruce Roberts’s boats then check out this link. These are REAL PEOPLE who have built and sailed Bruce Roberts designed boats and not ghost writers with an axe to grind!! There are over 35,000 Bruce Roberts designed boats in service world-wide … see what some of these REAL PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY ! http://www.bruceroberts.com/public/HTML/FEEDBACK.htm TO SEE CUSTOMER FEEDBACK ... COPY AND PASTE THE ABOVE URL INTO YOUR BROWSER.

 

Report spam?

How does somebody post four messages, each of which states "Posts: 1"?

 

OPPS: As an unfamilar poster to these forums seems I made an error !! Regards to all Bruce

 

Reply to Bruce Roberts Lament

The incident quoted happened about 10 years ago and obviously Mr. Roberts memory is not as good as he professes. I do not desire to engage in a pi$$ing contest, but Mr. Roberts should really check his sales records. I purchased the Offshore 38 plans in the late 70's and the boat was built by T.K. Atkinson and sons, Browns Bay. As stated, I attempted to discuss this with Mr. Roberts years ago, but he was never available. It was finally settled by e-mail.
About the same time I attempted to contact Mr. Roberts, I drove to a town in Maryland just south of Baltimore, and attempted to speak with his son who was running that office. I volunteered to make an appointment and come any time, but he was never available and I ended up always speaking with the secretary.
This is my last word on the subject as I am getting too old and tired for this sort of thing.

 

"The incident quoted happened about 10 years ago" Regards the incident quoted ... as I have lived in Europe for past 25 years I doubt that I would have been available for personal contact in the US ... Sorry that Chuck did not get the service he deserved ... Regards, Bruce

 

Bruce Roberts

I am fully aware of your residence. I believe at the time you were living in the U.K. but were headed for vacation in Spain. You initially responded from Spain stating that you would soon be home.....I waited 2-3 weeks before trying to make contact again.
Thank you for responding.
Best regards,
Chuck
Incidentally......I circumnavigated in the Offshore 38. When built, we strip planked and then cold molded it, 2 layers of fabric/epoxy over.

 

Thanks Chuck ... The Offshore 38 was a very popular and sucessful boat as is its replacement the Roberts 370 ... I truly regret we did not make contact earlier !!! Regards, Bruce

 

Wow, way to impress with your customer service skills.

You, sir, have just proven your critics right and crossed yourself off the list of people I would consider buying plans from.

 

BRUCE REPLIES June 2013:
Firstly most of the comments here are very old and I have to admit that I obviously cannot satisfy everyone … however if you want to see the HUNDREDS of completed sail and powerboats built from our plans and the HUNDREDS of emails for satisfied clients then please go to our web site and see for yourself … www.bruceroberts.com also if you want to see what sort of service we offer then just send us an email and you will see that we do offer prompt and fulsome replies. As to the quality of our plans … our custom designs cost between $9,850 and $45,000 so believe me these clients demand complete plans and patterns etc. Our stock plans cost between $500 and $3000 and are often the same plan that has cost a previous client 10 times as much. If you read this and are a serious intending boat builder then ask me for a FREE study plan to get you started! Good boatbuilding Bruce

 

BRUCE REPLIES June 2013:
Firstly most of the comments here are very old and I have to admit that I obviously cannot satisfy everyone … however if you want to see the HUNDREDS of completed sail and powerboats built from our plans and the HUNDREDS of emails for satisfied clients then please go to our web site and see for yourself … www.bruceroberts.com also if you want to see what sort of service we offer then just send us an email and you will see that we do offer prompt and fulsome replies. As to the quality of our plans … our custom designs cost between $9,850 and $45,000 so believe me these clients demand complete plans and patterns etc. Our stock plans cost between $500 and $3000 and are often the same plan that has cost a previous client 10 times as much. If you read this and are a serious intending boat builder then ask me for a FREE study plan to get you started! Good boatbuilding Bruce

 

Chuckle... I think "wog" generically applies to almost all european immigrants. I certainly wear the wog badge with honour even as a first generation Australian.

In my corner of Melbourne, dago, was more specifically an Italian.

 

I'm delighted to see others too have had a great relationship with their designers/design firms.

My designer, Roberto Barros, is half-way around the world and English is his second language.

Without fail, I receive a response to email within the day, and depending on when I'm actually at the keyboard, a response can arrive within the time taken for him to hammer out/type his reply.

His responses are detailed, thorough and always helpful. He humours my endless and at times ignorant questions with good advice and there is always a practical lesson he is prepared to teach/share.

I've even enjoyed recipe sharing with his wife.

Now, this, I would suggest is a great relationship between yacht designer and builder. I don't suspect, I firmly believe, that Mr Barros is genuinely interested in each of his customers built outcomes.

That to me is very reassuring as I challenge myself, and learn new skills to build a rather large and complex object.

 

Bruce Robert is winning. Its what happens when you are a salesman and not a naval architect.
And if by my mistake is a naval architect, well in that case is a salesman/naval architect

I never heard Olin Stephens winning, nor Britton Chance, or any other yacht designer. And they don't use the Spray name until it get out of your ear. Like a bad music. And it is.

 

SPRAY 40
Hi Bruce, Sorry for the delay, I was really busy at work. Quijote is a beautiful sailboat! You probably already know, but here in Argentina you have many admirers.

I know two other projects in Argentina similars to Quijote. Both are BR340. One is the www.antarktikos.com.ar conducted by a group of Argentine friends. They are also sailing in the Antarctic region.

The other one is the ypake.blogspot.com. A beautiful family, sailing around the world. Including a dog and a cat!.

I'll send you pictures of my experiment shortly. Regards, Alberto
SPRAY 36
"Did you know that the first Brazilian sailor to complete the globe circumnavigation on solitaire did it in a Bruce Roberts 36 Sailboat ? His name is Aleixo Belov in 1982 .*The boat was the "Tres Marias" built for himself.*And he completed two more laps to the world with the same boat."
Luiz Carlos S. Silva Campinas(SP) - Brasil .
I was involved in a discussion a while back on this site with regard to the sailing abilities etc of Bruce Roberts Spray's.
I had purchased a Gaff Cutter in Greenwich and intended to bring her to Greece where I live. Well..I did just that. I had her trucked to Marseille..to Port Napoleon. This was by far the most professional and well run yard that I have ever seen. Then to Corsica..had a damper plate failure..fixed it..then to Sicily...on to Methoni.

The boat was absolutely superb. She handled bad weather..which we encountered most of the time..very well and I stayed dry without a dodger. She seemed to shoulder the waves out of the way!. We averaged 5 knots on 1200 miles and at one point were surfing in the high 8's. She also pointed reasonably well for a shoal draft boat. The sails needed to be trimmed just right and when I found the best set up she sailed herself. You need to be alert for weather changes as the gaff rig can be a handfull when short handed.
So..anyone thinking these boats are slow slouches...well they are most definately not. Of course it depends on the set up and all but I am so pleased with mine. She looks good... Has loads of space...very comfortable..and I got her for an amazing price.

Now comes the fun part..I am setting up a charter business here in Methoni. Talk about sailing into a storm. Greek beaurocracy is just appalling...Any tips on this one welcome...I am getting there but very slowly.
Cheers
SPRAY 38 - 2013
Dear Bruce, This email is 28 years overdue. In 1985 we purchased your blueprints for the 38' steel spray and the next year and a half we spent all our time and energy building her in San Diego, Ca. At that time I , Jules, was 35 and my wife, Suzie, was 22. My wife learned how to weld for the project and so she did all of the welding. I did all of the cutting, grinding and general encouragement. It took us another 5 years to equip the boat and save the funds before we left in 1992 for Hawaii.
The next 20 years we sailed between 45 south and 55 north in the Pacific ocean. She has been our full time home ever since. She is very comfortable and a safe cruiser during the gales and storms of high latitudes. We even went unscathed during Hurricane Iniki in Hawaii 1992. We would like to thank you for the fine design for which we have received many compliments over the years. Picture included. We recently posted 3 clips of her on UTUBE called The voyage of Emerald Steel. You might be interested in viewing them. Thank You again, Julius and Suzie Hanak S/V Emerald Steel San Diego, Ca. U.S.A
SPRAY 40
Hi Bruce, My wife, Pat knew that I needed to be on the water and found a Spray 40 built in Vancouver, BC. She convinced me to spend the extra revenue that I received from working too many hours on the Gitane Des Mers (47’ LOA. 40’ LOD, 14’6” beam). When friends ask how I convinced my wife to let me buy the boat, I simply reply, I broke down and let my first mate talk me in to buying the boat. *I realize the bad humor, yet it applies. J
Although I am still learning the boat, our Spray 40 performs well, we have a Volvo 6 cylinder diesel that we use for marina ingress-egress and have found that even the sloop configuration sails well (although I still prefer the junk schooner rig).* We averaged 6.5 knots for a few hours and 7.2 knots for about a half hour until I reduced sail to enter our protected winter moorage.* The Spray is everything that I had read and heard from other owners. Although we will not win races, it is a heavy smooth sailing and comfortable sailboat—exactly what we want. *Regards Gene
CENTENNIAL SPRAY 45
Dear Sirs, We purchased your project of Centeniel Spray 45 about 10 years ago. According to this project, my friend - Zihni Butuner, built the beautiful Melissa1 in his factory - Tire Profil in Izmir Turkey. (attached some photos). She was finished and launced in 2007 and since then she is sailing in the Eagean and he is very happy with her. She is now in Teos Marina - Turkey. Now he is interested in your project of Voyager 600 and we found that type in wood epoxy. Thank you, Gideon Tur
SPRAY 36 - JUNE 2012
Bruce, *Thank you for your quick reply. I've been having some paint problems and this information will be of great help!!
I built " Tequila Mockingbird " in my backyard in Denver, Colorado USA. over a 10 year period. We trucked the boat to San Carlos, Mexico in 2007 and launched her. We've been living aboard full time since then. I chose the pilothouse version and have been very happy with the choice. We've been through 2 hurricanes and have never been worried about the boat handling any conditions we've encountered.*
I've attached a couple of pictures, the first was taken as Tequila Mockingbird being craned out of the back yard , the start of it's trip to Mexico. The other picture was taken in Agua Verde which is on the Baja Penisula here in Mexico.
Thanks again for the zinc info' Ed Kennedy

April 2012 - Spray 370 B See SAILING PHOTOS

Hi Bruce, Yes we finally got her ready for sea.**We took her out last Saturday. In about 7-9 knot winds, we were making 3.7 to 4 knots close hauled and 4.5 knots running downwind wing and wing. What really made me happy was that once the sails were trimmed to her course, she steered herself, keeping within 5 degrees of a base course. I sat there for 15 minutes and never had to touch the wheel.

She heels just enough to let you know the sails are drawing but otherwise sat very upright and steady, no hobby horsing in the waves and riding the swells very well. We are looking forward to heading north from Newport, OR up to the Anacortes, WA area early next month. Let me if there is anything else you would like to know about "Icanaho."

SPRAY 28 - JANUARY 2012
Aluminum version built by Robert Millikin
Hi Bruce, I just wanted to advise you of a change that I have made to my SPRAY 28 web site. *You currently have a link to it under your Spray 28 page. *The new link http://public.fotki.com/robtm373* *
It's been two years since we launched SILVERADO. *We have logged around 2500 miles in the sea of Cortez....the boat is amazing!
I am attaching one of my favorite underway photos of SILVERADO. *In the past two years I have experienced virtually all sailing conditions one will see in the Sea of Cortez. *The boat is extremely comfortable in all conditions especially when it gets rough. *It is not a fast boat but it does fine in anything over 8kts. *I have just launched a new web site which is dedicated to SILVERADO and our travels in her. *The link is:*http://web.me.com/sv.silverado/sv.silverado/Home.html
Thanks again for your timely responses.
Robert Millikin Tucson, *AZ
Roberts Spray 40 - Around the World !
Departed Port Renfrew Vancouver Island July 2nd 2005 , Direct for Hiva oa Arrived August 19th (Autona) my second longest passage). I stopped many places in the Pacific and left the boat in N.Z. for 2 months then sailed to New Plymouth for my starting point for Australia. Direct to Gladstone then I passed north of Australia and around The cape of Good Hope. I sailed direct from Cape Town to Trinidad , departed Cape town October 4th 2006 and arrived Chagaramas Trinidad November 25th 2006. A 52 day passage my longest as expected as the trades had not filled in. I left my boat in Trinidad till November 8th 2007 and sailed direct to Panama. It took about a week to get thought the Panama canal once I arrived, things were a bit intense as I had had no reverse gear since Australia. I anchored one night in the Pacific off Panama City then sailed for Hawaii, giving up 19 days later and anchoring at Port Angel Mexico to wait for the trades. Departed for Hillo on Dec 28th 2007 and crossed my out bound track on January 19th 2008 at approximately N 21degrees 22 min. by W130 degrees 42 min . or 1275 miles east of Hawaii, log states "Could use some wind". Arrived Radio Bay January 31st 2008. Departed for Canada Feb 28th 2008 arrived back at Port Renfrew March 22nd 2008 after the toughest passage I have experienced to date.

My boat is a Roberts Spray built by Frank Thiessen at Whistler B.C. and trucked to the ocean. Frank died in a freak accident in the far east before he achieved his goal which was to sail the world in DrifterWay. I bought her from his sisters. Many times when things got rough out there and DrifterWay stood to and brought me out of it I would say out loud "Frank you built a good boat" Maybe he kept me out of trouble as much as Slocum and the "Spray"

The roughest water for me was off South Africa bound for Richards bay and meeting 30 -40ft almost vertical walled waves in the Agullhas current as I neared port. Another tough time although of short duration was staring at water dripping off the welds on the bow of a freighter off the coast of Venesuala (I must have missed it by 20ft at 0100hr on a very rainy night.

Major Path of Voyage:
Vancouver departure, Marquesas, Cook Islands, Nuie, Tonga, NewZeaLand, Australia, Maritius, South Africa, Trinidad, Panama, Mexico, Hawaii and then back to Vancouver.
September 2011 Spray 55 *
Thank you for the boat plans for my spray 55,which is very close to completion.
Please note attachments. recently I have been approached to build another of your boats, namely a PCF 40, I am not sure which format I would like to follow regarding the building of this vessel, lines boat plans or cutting files.
I have always used lines boat plans, or a table of offsets, so I am not offay with other methods, however I have read a lot about dx files and kits, it seems to be the logical way forward. Regards Neil Hunter.
Spray 370 cutting files.
Thank you Bruce, I understood everything. Very nice to do business with you. Sincerely, Igor.
THIS EMAIL IS FROM A CLIENT IN RUSSIA WHO ORDERED THE SPRAY 370 CUTTING FILES ... WE ANSWER EMAILS WITHIN 24 HOURS OR LESS - CUSTOMERS LIKE THAT SERVICE !

SPRAY 370 B - See photos
Built by Rod & Dee Palanca
We have launched in Newport, OR. Some boat plans have changed. We have lots to do on the boat like masts and sails and inside work. We also plan to travel to see family and friends as well as go fishing and crabbing and just have fun.
SPRAY 33 - March 2010
Hi Bruce, My name is Chris Davis, I have just acquired a 33 foot steel hull spray. I have been looking at boats for 35 years and I thought it was unusual looking when I first see it. But now I own it and have looked around it for three weeks and started work on it I have now realised it probably one of the prettiest 33 foot boats I have ever seen. (especially as it is built in steel). From the shape of the stern to the beam to the bow spite. It’s probably a boat that any serious long distance sailor needs. It’s not too big it’s not too small. It’s my little steel tug. Its massively over built as any excellent sea boat should be. I’m so pleased I have found this boat and cannot wait to go sailing in rough weather and keep it forever, I do not need to look at any other boats!! Many thanks Regards Chris Davis
*If you are in Europe .. Try out a Spray before building one for yourself .. Contact http://www.spray-charter.com/

ALUMINUM SPRAY 22
Hi, Here are some of the pictures from the weekend , We had a slip for 5 days and made the most of it. We did*raise the mast up and a jib and we took her sailing, it handle really well. the winds must of been around 20 kmh and we had good speed ... The little engine pushes her at 10 kmh . it is vary quick to respond whether it be under sail or power. I couldn't be more please. everything worked as it should and for a small boat its vary stable. lots of good comments from other boat owners. Unfortunately we had to take her back out. That was a little depressing. We are going to paint her up now and finish all the rigging and hardware. Georges Leduc
CENTENNIAL SPRAY 38
Hi Bruce, We finally, we have taken time off doing the interior jobs to do a sailing sea trial! A sedate and gentle sail of around 40 nm over 2 days, and our yacht performed wonderfully. In a steady 20 knots, we didn't bother to run the mizzen and and even partly furled the main, just to "get a feel" for how she handles. Just off the breeze we were easily able to achieve 6 knots, even making 7 knots and better at times. We had the full main set for an hour or so, and our yacht was well balanced and sailing with very little heel just off the breeze. Regards Rob McGill and Nina Morissette
SPRAY 33
Pretty good shape for a 25 year old + steel boat. I knocked some paint off the hull when I had her pulled. The hull was flame zinc’d when it was built. There’s no rust what so ever, anywhere. Even the hollow rudder is sound and tight….. rather impressed. The yard at South Park has filled up fast, so I’m not sure where they’re going to put me for the winter and until spring when I can repaint her…….. but I’ll be able to re-do the interior in the mean time. The Miller 140 welder with Argon fits well into the cabin, and I’ve been welding foundations for the Nav station, and better storage. The Marina is alive with stray current and the zincs were on their last leg, after two years in the water, they were fried. Am going to install two ICCP Cathodic systems into the hull, and re-do the zinc anodes. Mike Dooley

SPRAY 28
Hi Bruce, I'm the proud owner of Gypsy a Spray 28, worked all summer, sandblasting and repainting, redoing the coachhouse with mahogany and doing some repairs to the wooden mast and fibreglassied it with 6.5 oz cloth and epoxy and going to give it 6 coats of Bristol varnish next spring because it has gotten too cold to work outside, winter is coming. When she is complete I will e-mail you some pics for your website. Thanks Greg Kern. Ps Love my Spray 28

SPRAY 22
Hi, I received the boatboat plans last week, I was almost overwhelmed by all the information, but/and it looks great: I will study it more carefully when I have some time off from work, and then I will come back to you with more feedback and questions. Best regards, Benjamin
SPRAY 33

I have just received my boat plans for the Spray 33. I am overwhelmed by the number of drawings and the detail including deck fittings right down to the boat plans for the Roberts Dinghy. This is not my first boat building experience. I have built what my wife refers to as "toy" boats, a 14' wood /epoxy daysailer and a 20' cedar strip canoe. This will be my first "serious" boat building experience and I am looking forward to getting started. *Having looked them over I can see where the cost lies. The boat plans from other designers do not compare. I would not hesitate to recommend Bruce Roberts for boat building boat plans to anyone who might ask. Sincerely, Rick Deschenes
COMMENTS FROM ANOTHER SPRAY 33 OWNER ABOUT HIS BOAT "BLACK PEARL"
Our boat has cruised to Spain, Portugal and the Mediterranean, and has made two Biscay crossings in severe weather. We have nothing but admiration for her sea keeping qualities and we have never for one moment felt unsafe in her and she returned good passage times in strong winds, often unWe have recently completed a long term restoration of this boat.
SPRAY 33 in Kemer / Turkey*mentioned to you by Suat Zeybek

Her maiden voyage was in the autumn of 1996 London to Antalya/Turkey aprx. 3500 miles single handed. I hadn't fitted any self steering as yet, so this first long passage was a good test of the Spray's legendary self steering qualities. If you take care to balance the sails she will steer herself for amazingly long periods of time.
In Antalya my Wife and I were married and we moved on board to begin our full time cruising life style. Now I really did begin to appreciate the Spray's load carrying capability, I have never seen so much stuff poured into just one boat.
We spent two full seasons cruising the Med and in September 2000 departed Portugal for the Cape Verde Islands via the Canary Islands. December the 1st found us leaving Mindelo/Cabo Verde and bound for Barbados. We still didn't have any self steering fitted, but then again neither did Slocum. No problem. Blue-Belle took 16 days to make the 2037 mile crossing, that's an average of 127 miles per day. Her best days run being 147 miles. For a heavily laden cruising boat with a 28 ft water line she could certainly turn in a decent passage time. We were delighted with her. We also found that running downwind she didn't roll as much as other boats I'd sailed under similar conditions.

We find the Spray to be a wonderful sea boat, and is a lot faster than she looks. When running in gale force conditions we find that our heavy weather staysail, sheeted flat amidships (a technique used by Slocum in his book) works well. The bow showing no tendency to dig in despite all the weight we carry up forward. One mistake we made in the early years was in reefing her down too early; the boat is very stiff and sails well in heavy weather. In storm conditions when it is more prudent to stop and we either heave to or lie to a parachute anchor streamed from the bow and attached to a bridle led back to a cockpit winch. In this manner we feel safe and secure.
So, would we part with our Spray? Would we change her for something else? No - not ever. After 8 years and 35.000 miles we finally have our ultimate cruiser.
Thanks Bruce, you gave us a great boat.
Kindest regards,
Derek & Hulya S/Y Blue-Belle Park Kemer Marina Kemer*Antalya/Turkey
SPRAY 33
Dear Bruce, I took the Kangaroo (ex Bellavia) for a test sail today. Simply pure joy. The pilot house has not hanged anything. Now my wife came along (her first time on a sailboat) she loved the boat. I will send you some pictures soon of her with the sails up in a good breeze. I want to be on your Spray website. Best regards Asi
CENTENNIAL SPRAY 38

G'day Bruce, This weekend our Centennial Spray 38 "Spray Maker" will be blasted ready for the painting and fit out to start. I have been taking photos along the way so have a good record of the build process, if you are short of material or would like something for the Spray News let me know. My wife - the writer in the family - will be producing an article or two for the Australian Spray Society so we could use this or a modified version. I thing Spray Maker will be a first in a number of areas, the first Centennial 38 in New Zealand and the first to be junk rigged, so someone in the world of Spray's may be interested. By the way our builder, Bowline Boats, is really impressed with the boat and design and is looking to specialize in this style of yacht. Cheers Pete
CENTENNIAL SPRAY 38
Bruce, What a year.... I have not had time to give you updates on our Spray... I see that you still have the picture on the CS38 page. Well I WILL send over some new pictures by snail mail. We have finished the hull and got the first coat or Green gloss on the hull - it looks great, you cant even tell that it is steel it looks that good.
Centennial SPRAY 45
We ordered preliminary boat 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: Ben Smith uses his boat to run successful charters.
Centennial SPRAY 45
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

SPRAY 370
Dear Bruce,
Finally some pictures of her sailing! I have had a few trips up and down the coast from Fujairah and as always she behaves well. I am lifting her out later this month for antifouling and I am using Cuprotect System as it is guaranteed 5 years and purported to be a 10 year plus treatment. I will let you know how I get on with that. She now has davits on the back with a Niccollslite NN10 nesting dinghy hanging from them. On long trips I can put the dinghy nested on the foredeck. The watermaker is on the way Ultra Whisper 600 from Sea Recovery. *
I would just like to say how pleased I am with the Spray 370 and thank you for all the support you and Hal have given me during the build. Best regards Bill Wigan, Dubai.
SPRAY 58 BUILDER:
Dear Bruce,
THANKS! This time the usual "Hi" does not feel right, because I am so grateful and*impressed both by the job you have done for me (and for others all over the world), and your regular way of being so helpful, that I have to show it with a personal address !
*Best regards Arni

SPRAY TRAWLER YACHT 475 - TURKEY Hi Bruce, *
I think I have been a little late sending the pictures to you. Sorry.
We sailed in Gokova for three weeks while Burkut ( my son ) was attending his first sailing school at the Gokova Sailing Club.
We had a wonderful trip and no regrets whatsoever for choosing and building your 475 TY. KARA 1 is just the boat I dreamt for and for three days*14 (fourteen) of us*lived aboard with no problems. *
Thanks again BRUCE!!!!!!
P.S Some friends of mine are seriously thinking of building their own family cruisers and I suggested them your Coastworker 35/37 and Euro 1000 Coastworker designs.
As I am part of the BRUCE ROBERTS club
FROM SPRAY 370 BUILDER:
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
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.

SPRAY 33 "Plucky Lady" Gaff Cutter
Here we are on our way from the Cabo Verde Isl. To Guadeloupe. "Plucky Lady" is a Spray 33 - steel version. She's custom built and was launched in 95. She's a very fine, seaworthy and comfortable boat. We are very happy with her. Best regards L.D. France
CENTENNIAL SPRAY 38
G'day Bruce,
This weekend our Centennial Spray 38 "Spray Maker" will be blasted ready for the painting and fit out to start. I have been taking photos along the way so have a good record of the build process, if you are short of material or would like something for the Spray News let me know. My wife - the writer in the family - will be producing an article or two for the Australian Spray Society so we could use this or a modified version. I thing Spray Maker will be a first in a number of areas, the first Centennial 38 in New Zealand and the first to be junk rigged, so someone in the world of Spray's may be interested. By the way our builder, Bowline Boats, is really impressed with the boat and design and is looking to specialize in this style of yacht. Cheers Pete
CENTENNIAL SPRAY 38
Bruce, What a year.... I have not had time to give you updates on our Spray... I see that you still have the picture on the CS38 page. Well I WILL send over some new pictures by snail mail. We have finished the hull and got the first coat or Green gloss on the hull - it looks great, you cant even tell that it is steel it looks that good.
Centennial SPRAY 45
We ordered preliminary boat 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: Ben Smith uses his boat to run successful charters.

Centennial SPRAY 45
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

 

I'm a newcomer to boating so, can someone please give me a thumbnail summary of what, if anything, is controversial about Bruce Roberts?

Other than a dated looking website, (not uncommon nor unusual), what's the issue?