Consider buying a Bruce Roberts

[jesperht]

I was abord a Bruce Robertson recently. The owner bought it from the builder who build it all by himself. It is a 43 with a longer aft end, so 45 feet. GRP and lead keel. Finished in 2010 after 18 years, and everything seems so well made, really impressing, and only high quality products.
I am considering buying it, but isnt that a really risky business? I can never be sure that everything is made just the right way, and maybe it will be impossible to sell ever again?
Another thing is that it has furling mast, i dont like that at all, but maybe it can be rebuild into a conventional mast?

[tkeithlu]

I built a Bruce-Roberts, the first 43 ft trawler. I've assumed it has low resale value, but that's a problem for my heirs, not me. Someone will get a rough but study miniature ship.

You can find disasterous problems in professionally built boats, too.

The bigger question might be whether you want to take on a project at this point. I don't mean that the boat is in project condition, but that you are already thinking about re-rigging, which is a big job and expensive. Are you ready for that, or would a boat that is closer to your dreams as is be a better choice?

[ilenart]

Couple of recent posts about Bruce Roberts yachts, suggest you review this one.

https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...rt-234864.html

[SV Susana]

Originally Posted by jesperht

I was abord a Bruce Robertson recently. The owner bought it from the builder who build it all by himself. It is a 43 with a longer aft end, so 45 feet. GRP and lead keel. Finished in 2010 after 18 years, and everything seems so well made, really impressing, and only high quality products.
I am considering buying it, but isnt that a really risky business? I can never be sure that everything is made just the right way, and maybe it will be impossible to sell ever again?
Another thing is that it has furling mast, i dont like that at all, but maybe it can be rebuild into a conventional mast?

We have a Bruce Roberts Ketch 45' Ketch. While recently upgrading our sails, we considered a furler, decided against it because we use our sails in different configurations based on intensity of wind and never had a need to reef the jib. Besides, it's just another mechanism to "go bad" at the worst times!

If you're interested, our S/v Susanna is located on the Chesapeake Bay and is for sale. Feel free to email us at Susanna at gmail.com if you would like more information.

[charliehows]

dont compare a 'Bruce Roberts' label to manufacturers labels - there is no consistency in bruce roberts designs because most are built by owners. Having said that, I've nothing but praise for the maker of my boat - I bought it because i recognised the excellent bones beneath a neglected surface. The design is good because Roberts designs are usually based on existing successful designs, in my case a sailmaker doing some work for me was easily able to recognise the boat upon which my boat design was based and understand how to deal with the sail plan accordingly.

[UFO]

You should also read through:
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...rt-234864.html