sr04
Well-Known Member
hi please can anyone give me some advice on a bruce roberts spray 32.
thanks
sr04
thanks
sr04
bruce roberts spray 32
- Thread starter sr04
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MacW
Well-Known Member
whaddya want to know? The Spray is a boat which dreams are made of.There`s loads of them out there, a huge variety of well built and badly built boats,all of them ,by repute magnificent seaboats,although a bit pedantic for many peoples` tastes.Bruce Robert`s adaptation of the design retains all the good points of the original. A 32 foot Spray is quite a big boat,and a big load-carrier, of moderate draft. Buying one ?
Trevethan
Well-Known Member
I like the Spray too, and is a great seaboat, but they are a little cramped -- least for me at 6'5". Looked at a 37 spray and found that restrictive too -- course if you're a bit shorter then all well and good!
sr04
Well-Known Member
Yes I am considering one. I am only 5'10" so headroom is great. Its a long keel Gaff Rigged Cutter and its a fiberglass hull (though a very thick one at that) Displacement is just over 7 tons. At present we cruise around the Irish sea but want to start going much further afield so how suitable would a 32' spray be or should we try and get something bigger, heavier, center cockpit etc
MacW
Well-Known Member
Is this the one on Preston Marina`s books? GRP hull with ply epoxy deck and house?
Seems a lot of boat for the money, and well equipped,but would obviously need expert surveying before purchase.Says professionally built but doesn`t look it in the pictures.A trial sail would help, particularly in assessing ballast ratio,which seems to vary widely in Sprays,some builders going for less,some for more.Should be stiff, not heeling too much,even in half a gale.These are working boat types, and should look after themselves,given half decent balancing of the sails, in virtually any conditions,(within reason).
If you havn`t read it already,try and get hold of the book ` Spray ` by Bruce Roberts-Goodson which gives full specs of the original Spray and details of all his Spray designs.
Always had half a notion to build one myself..........
Seems a lot of boat for the money, and well equipped,but would obviously need expert surveying before purchase.Says professionally built but doesn`t look it in the pictures.A trial sail would help, particularly in assessing ballast ratio,which seems to vary widely in Sprays,some builders going for less,some for more.Should be stiff, not heeling too much,even in half a gale.These are working boat types, and should look after themselves,given half decent balancing of the sails, in virtually any conditions,(within reason).
If you havn`t read it already,try and get hold of the book ` Spray ` by Bruce Roberts-Goodson which gives full specs of the original Spray and details of all his Spray designs.
Always had half a notion to build one myself..........
tugboat
Well-Known Member
Is it just me? That plastic boat 'Aegis' doesn't look anything like a Spray- not above the waterline anyway. The visible hull shape is totally different. The real Sprays have much more rake on the stem and the upper part of the hull is totally different. Preston also have a steel Spray listed- it may be a homebuild but at least it looks something like Bruce Roberts intended. sr04 - Can also recommended the book by Bruce Roberts-Goodson, a wealth of info and lots of pics of the various sizes. Sprays are beamy boats and can be a bit slow though many people commend their seaworthiness. Obviously important that the rig is well designed and efficient. The beaminess gives good interior volume and that Preston boat looks pretty cramped -don't think I'd want to do longterm livaboard. Sprays have much to offer but do make sure you are looking at the genuine article. One final thought - I have never heard of a Spray 32. There is a 28 and a 33 and a 36 among others. HTH.
MacW
Well-Known Member
Re: bruce roberts spray 32,re;tugboat
"never heard of a Spray 32"
There are quite a number of odd length Sprays afloat.Length is apparently increased by inserting one or more frame stations around mid-boat,hopefully in consultation with the designer.Spray has quite a shallow hull form and I think a number of builds added an extra `plank` to the topsides to increase interior headroom.This was common in the smaller Tahitaina builds as well, in all cases apparently not affecting the basic attributes of the designs.Aegis may simply be a 28 with a 4 foot bowsprit.Might this be a Humber Boat Company hull,built by Ron Atherrton ?
"never heard of a Spray 32"
There are quite a number of odd length Sprays afloat.Length is apparently increased by inserting one or more frame stations around mid-boat,hopefully in consultation with the designer.Spray has quite a shallow hull form and I think a number of builds added an extra `plank` to the topsides to increase interior headroom.This was common in the smaller Tahitaina builds as well, in all cases apparently not affecting the basic attributes of the designs.Aegis may simply be a 28 with a 4 foot bowsprit.Might this be a Humber Boat Company hull,built by Ron Atherrton ?
tugboat
Well-Known Member
Re: bruce roberts spray 32,re;tugboat
A valid point if true though more likely in a steel built vessel that a GRP one. Sprays are instantly recognisable in their hull features whichever size they happen to be and adding a frame in the midsection wouldn't alter that. There is a heap of rusting steel just down the road from here that I could tell at first glance is a Spray. However I still maintain that Aegis doesn't look anything like a Spray so what's the point? I'm sure Aegis is a fine vessel and gives her owner much pleasure. It's just that if I had a Spray I would want her to be recognisable as such.
A valid point if true though more likely in a steel built vessel that a GRP one. Sprays are instantly recognisable in their hull features whichever size they happen to be and adding a frame in the midsection wouldn't alter that. There is a heap of rusting steel just down the road from here that I could tell at first glance is a Spray. However I still maintain that Aegis doesn't look anything like a Spray so what's the point? I'm sure Aegis is a fine vessel and gives her owner much pleasure. It's just that if I had a Spray I would want her to be recognisable as such.
Abigail
Well-Known Member
Re: bruce roberts spray 32,re;tugboat
Assuming the boat is a Spray then clearly this is a design that can go the distance. The only other comment I would make is that people I know who have cruised in them say that they have a pretty sickmaking motion in much of a sea. This may not be a big issue for you (but it was for us).
Assuming the boat is a Spray then clearly this is a design that can go the distance. The only other comment I would make is that people I know who have cruised in them say that they have a pretty sickmaking motion in much of a sea. This may not be a big issue for you (but it was for us).
MacW
Well-Known Member
Re: bruce roberts spray 32,re;tugboat;re abigail
" -have a pretty sickmaking motion at sea "
You raise a most interesting point and one worthy of a new thread all of its own!
I`ll start off by theorising that designs with an `apple` bow like the Spray, rise sooner to a sea and are more prone to that `stagger` in pitching which many people may find sickmaking.
C`mon then,shoot me down in flames,and lets have your ponderings on this worthwhile subject!
Pete
" -have a pretty sickmaking motion at sea "
You raise a most interesting point and one worthy of a new thread all of its own!
I`ll start off by theorising that designs with an `apple` bow like the Spray, rise sooner to a sea and are more prone to that `stagger` in pitching which many people may find sickmaking.
C`mon then,shoot me down in flames,and lets have your ponderings on this worthwhile subject!
Pete
