A question on design and impact

[tomski]

I've recently purchased a 42ft Bruce Roberts made out of steel...she is a sloop though on close inspection she may have been a ketch before as she has rigging points for a mizzen plus her mast's backstays are set just as cockpit starts...

So I'm wondering if I need to get another mast for her or can I run her as a sloop without too much of an impact?

 

[PTB]

I'd run her as a sloop for a few passages and see how you get on before spending a whack on mizzen and associated gear. When its blowing hard, on the wind she may even be better balanced than as a ketch. You may be short of canvas though in lighter conditions. Cant you ask the previous owner what happened to the mizzen? he may have removed it and fitted a taller mainmast or longer main boom for good reasons ! Phil

 

[tomski]

Cheers Phil, I've spoken to the previouos owner but he never sailed her, though he did say that she didnt have a Mizzen as far as he could find out from her past...well as you said was my intention anyway but wondered on the impact (the lighter winds is one but thats not a huge issue in my view)....

 

[Sandyman]

Hi Tom

I might well be wrong but don't recall ever seeing a BR 42 other than Ketch rigged.

 

[tomski]

Hi Sandy, you're not wrong...there are similar BRs (such as the 39) which are sloops..I think mine's around 39foot in hull lenght and a 3ft (ish) bowsprit...due to the location of backstays the boom also does not venture over the cockpit (its about mid of wheelhouse roof) which I guess is a good thing but that also is like a ketch..

its safe to say that she looks like a BR but none of the plans match her spot on...but I guess thats a trait of the design and many an owner has taken their own imagination on some things....