Reliance 44 Cutter Ketch

[Solosailor]

There is a Reliance 44 in my area for sale. She really turns my head. The trouble is I don't know a thing about them. Is there anyone here with knowledge or experience with this seductive girl?

She was built from bare hull by the owners.

[Cherp]

Hi - Canadian boat. Bit of a cult following. Said to be extremely capable offshore. I guess the majority were factory-made. If it's an owner fitout, it would depend on the quality.

[Solosailor]

Cult following? Boy, I can hardly find a thing about then on the net. Do you know if there is an owners group?

[Celestialsailor]

I believe they were rated highly in Frenc Mate's book "From a bare hull". Not that Mate is any authority.

[Cherp]

Solo - not Hans Solo is it? I don't remember where I read the "cult" thing, but I did. Also, the name of the boat stuck in my mind too. On the web, it says they were built in Canada mainly as a production boat and are offshore-capable. They look OK too, which is good.

[johnpair]

Solosailor,
I have the sales brochure of the boat and the phone number of the designer, I spoke to him a few years ago, his name is Pierre Meunier I think he still lives in Montreal.
Let me know if you're interested.
J.P.

[Paul Lefebvre]

I believe many of them were finished from bare hulls by their owners. A co-worker of mine built one of the first ones back in the late seventies. He sold it about 10 years later. I may be able to track him down if you want to talk to him. I was able to get a brochure from the designer a few years ago as well.

[johnpair]

Paul,
It's a coincidence you're in Ottawa, there was a reliance (project boat) for sale in Nepean for the longest time. Much work needed before completion.
Most of these boats were hull and deck, you do the rest (or hire experts). I've seen some really beautifully finished boats, but I have also seen boats that were completed by individuals who should have considered taking a course in boat construction before attempting such a project. A few of these boats are still around.
According to the designer, most were balsa cored construction, so port holes, chain plates etc., are a major concern.
Not much room inside for a 44', but then very traditional. The designer borrowed liberally from an older, even more traditional design of which, two boats were made...
Have you heard of these boats?
J.P.

[Solosailor]

Originally Posted by Cherp

Solo - not Hans Solo is it? I don't remember where I read the "cult" thing, but I did. Also, the name of the boat stuck in my mind too. On the web, it says they were built in Canada mainly as a production boat and are offshore-capable. They look OK too, which is good.

No it's not Han Solo. I'm much younger looking.

I understand they were built in Montreal, not Toronto as someone said to me.

[Solosailor]

Originally Posted by johnpair

Solosailor,
I have the sales brochure of the boat and the phone number of the designer, I spoke to him a few years ago, his name is Pierre Meunier I think he still lives in Montreal.
Let me know if you're interested.
J.P.

I would would like to see the original sales brochure. How is it you have had that for so many years! Your worst then me. I just cleaned my home office out the other day.

Thank John.

If it's easier send it to this email address: solosailor@live.ca

[Solosailor]

Originally Posted by johnpair

Paul,
It's a coincidence you're in Ottawa, there was a reliance (project boat) for sale in Nepean for the longest time. Much work needed before completion.
Most of these boats were hull and deck, you do the rest (or hire experts). I've seen some really beautifully finished boats, but I have also seen boats that were completed by individuals who should have considered taking a course in boat construction before attempting such a project. A few of these boats are still around.
According to the designer, most were balsa cored construction, so port holes, chain plates etc., are a major concern.
Not much room inside for a 44', but then very traditional. The designer borrowed liberally from an older, even more traditional design of which, two boats were made...
Have you heard of these boats?
J.P.

Interesting. People have been telling me the opposite. That is that their very roomy. Actually it's seaworthy and seakindly that I want. The only other problem with a boat like this is that it's an orphan.

[bob perry]

What is a "cutter ketch"?

[Southern Star]

Bob, I'm surprised you've never heard of a 'cuttetch' or 'ketchutter'. Anyway, perhaps that's why she's described as an 'orphan'.

Brad

[johnpair]

These boats are "orphans" because they start as hull and deck projects picked by individuals with eyes bigger than their stomachs, and never get completed.
I have personally seen one of these "projects" in the middle on the woods in the Toronto area. The other project was located in Ottawa, behind the owner's house. In order to resume completion of this boat, it would have been necessary to first take apart whatever had been done, it was just a mess. When I told my girlfriend about my interest, and showed her pictures of the "boat", she laughed and asked me if I had seen a doctor about this.

Southern Star, do you really, in the right mind, believe that Bob Perry doesn't know what a cutter ketch is?

I'm interested in the Valiant 40/42, so I have to get my literature ready so I can ask Bob a few questions of my own.

J.P.

[bob perry]

I know what a ketch is and I think I should know what a cutter is.
I've seen ketches with two headsails and they are still ketches. I have seen cutters with one headsail and they are still cutters.

And yes, I am trying to start an argument. It could be fun.
3 2 min rounds w/ 16 oz. gloves. Marquis of Queensbury of course.