Fraser 30

[psteele235]

Good evening - I am new to this gig so here goes - I have my eyes on a Fraser 30 built by De Kleer in BC, Canada.

Can anyone share any insights please as to this builder, quality of workmanship, anything to look out for? She was built in 1991.

Many thanks.

[GordMay]

Aire De Kleer was a carpenter by trade, his brother an engineer. According to a 2006 interview with Aire, they built about 80 of the Fraser 41's and 42's. They also built 5 Fraser 51's, a Fraser 30, Endurance 35's, and mentioned building a Bristol Channel cutter.
De Kleer just wanted to build hull and decks, other then the one he built for himself. I understand some where finished by professional yards. The original hulls were solid fiberglass and the ballast was internal.
Spencer Yachts took over the molds, and may still produce the Fraser 41 hulls.

Search:

DE KLEER BROS. INDUSTRIES LTD., Richmond BC

You can search for a ship's official number or by name, or use the advanced search page which permits searching on a wider variety of attributes.
Vessel Registration Query System: https://www.tc.gc.ca/ShipRegistry/menu.asp

[psteele235]

Thanks Gord. Off for the survey and sea trial next week. Fingers crossed.

[prosimedia]

Hey there,

I am also looking at a Fraser 30 pilothouse. Pretty little boat with nice gear and new Volvo. Wondering if you ever learned anything and if you bought the boat and if so, how you are enjoying it. My family owns a Valiant 40 but it is out of the country.

Many thanks,

Simon

[Solosailor]

I live in Vancouver. I am also a member of the Blue Water Cruising Association. We have a members directory. This is a club with many very experienced world sailors. As a newbie I have great respect for the people in this club. I look through the directory with great interest because to me it represents years of combined knowledge. I see that many members have Fraser's of one description or another. This says volumes about the boat.

[psteele235]

Solosailor

Simon and I had a great chat the other day. I love my Fraser and only wish I could sail her year round - she's on the hard for the winter and I'm making plans for next spring.

If either of you hear of any sort of Fraser owner's forum, please let me know.

Many thanks.

[FREEDOM60]

I'm buying one on Vancouver Island (Sea Chord), and am curious how many you've come across in your travels on the water and in etherspace. I only know of one other locally and of the others mentioned above. Are there hull numbers anywhere? Are there any other sites focused on them? What would you say are the pros and cons of the model. Have you done any customizing? Maybe we could get some photos together, of the different finishes people have. Bye for now, Bill.

[psteele235]

Bill,

I have come across roughly a half dozen others in etherspace, none in person as I believe I may have the only Fraser 30 on the East Coast. How she came to get here (I bought her in Annapolis, MD) is a mystery since the PO didn't leave any of those records. I love the boat - she is very steady yet sails well in a breeze. We were in 25 knots of wind sailing up off the NJ coast with no problems.

Best of luck and yes, let's stay in touch and exchange (boat) pictures.

Patrick

[prosimedia]

Hi Bill,

I love my Fraser 30. I've come across a couple others now. There is another one for sale in White Rock. Funnily enough, my colleague spent his honey moon on a Fraser 30 and his Dad was involved with the De Kleers in making them. As far as I know they don't have hull numbers...

Happy sailing!

Simon

[FREEDOM60]

Here's the "before" version...facelift planned.

[FREEDOM60]

What engine and prop combo do you have?

Here are the ad pics of the boat I'm checking out.
http://www.pacificboatbrokers.com/im..._Number=SF2384

[psteele235]

Bill,

Here are the specs from my survey.

Yanmar 2GM20F, Kanzaki gear 2.62:1, Prop 14 x 8 RH3B, Shaft 1" stainless steel.

Your engine space looks tight like mine. Make sure that

1) you can access the dip stick, especially to reinsert. Make certain you know where the fill line is on that - on mine it is low down the stick and we overfilled on our way home resulting in a backfire and white smoke about 3 miles out! Drained the oil, cleaned the filter and we were OK. Lucky!

2) My cooling water intake filter is behind the engine - to get at it you have to dumspter dive through a cockpit lazarette. If you are built like a jockey - OK - but I am not as I discovered last season when we had a jellyfish invasion and one got sucked in.

Call me at 203 866 5402 anytime you want.

Patrick

[prosimedia]

Hi Bill,

I have a Volvo D1-20 saildrive (3 cylinder, fresh water cooled) that was installed in 2008. It has a standard 3 blade prop and provides plenty of power. I cruise at about 6 knots under power running 2400 rpm.

Simon

[FREEDOM60]

Well, as much as I like the Fraser design, it wasn't enough to compensate for the projects required. My mind was busy with plans to put in a side galleyand maybe an aft head, and raised table, and... Then I realized I'd rather be sailing in peace, not plagued by thoughts of renovations already. And there were funtional issues. That seems to be the bottom line for projects, function and cosmetics. At this point in my life I need a boat that is ready to go and trust, with changes optional. Thanks for your inputs. I'll be thinking of you when I bang my head in the V-berth if I don't end up with a raised deck. Bill

[Lumpia2]

Hi, I have a 1974 Fraser 30 coming down to Seattle next week. It was my brothers, now its mine. Glad I found this thread, and hello everyone! I'll post pics when it gets here.

Any thoughts on 1974?