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GILow · 26-06-2009, 05:57

Hello,

We are weighing up between two boats in our budget. A GRP Swanson 42 (late 70's) or a mid 80's center cockpit GRP Roberts 45.

Both have similar equipment levels (basic), and both (apparently) require the same amount of elbow grease (A LOT!), but which to choose?

We're after something stable, with good accomodation, suited to long(ish) coastal trips round Oz. Performance is very much an after thought, though I don't want to be saddled with a tug boat or a new age square rigger.

So far, after a promising start, we've reluctantly ruled out the Adams 40 after we found it too difficult to get around on the decks (crowded between the cabin sides and the stays), so the Swanson does look good in that respect.

The Roberts seem to have a mixed reputation and I take the point that most are home built so a good survey is essential. But it had enough room on deck and there are lots more to choose from if it fails survey. I've found a lot of negative opinions of the Roberts, though mostly directed at the smaller boats, and it's hard to know where criticism is based on racing or fast performance criteria rather than steadfast and dependable plodding, which is much more our cup of tea. (You never get there first in our Austral, but you DO get there in comfort!)

Being in Adelaide I have found it next to impossible to get crew time on any of the boats we are interested in, so I will have to trust gut feel and external opinions before trying to organise a test sail of either boat (Not easy these days, some of the brokers seem to have thrown in the towel!)

So does anyone out there have opinions on either from a cruising and live aboard perspective?

Thoughts appreciated.

26-06-2009, 05:57	#1
GILow Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Boat: Austral 20 - Haggis Posts: 20	Roberts 45 vs Swanson 42 Hello, We are weighing up between two boats in our budget. A GRP Swanson 42 (late 70's) or a mid 80's center cockpit GRP Roberts 45. Both have similar equipment levels (basic), and both (apparently) require the same amount of elbow grease (A LOT!), but which to choose? We're after something stable, with good accomodation, suited to long(ish) coastal trips round Oz. Performance is very much an after thought, though I don't want to be saddled with a tug boat or a new age square rigger. So far, after a promising start, we've reluctantly ruled out the Adams 40 after we found it too difficult to get around on the decks (crowded between the cabin sides and the stays), so the Swanson does look good in that respect. The Roberts seem to have a mixed reputation and I take the point that most are home built so a good survey is essential. But it had enough room on deck and there are lots more to choose from if it fails survey. I've found a lot of negative opinions of the Roberts, though mostly directed at the smaller boats, and it's hard to know where criticism is based on racing or fast performance criteria rather than steadfast and dependable plodding, which is much more our cup of tea. (You never get there first in our Austral, but you DO get there in comfort!) Being in Adelaide I have found it next to impossible to get crew time on any of the boats we are interested in, so I will have to trust gut feel and external opinions before trying to organise a test sail of either boat (Not easy these days, some of the brokers seem to have thrown in the towel!) So does anyone out there have opinions on either from a cruising and live aboard perspective? Thoughts appreciated.