alecsmart
New Member
I am thinking of buying a spray 28 1998 commissioned. Has anyone got one or sailed one. I know that Bruce Roberts says they are great but then he makes money out of them. This one is grp. My email is smart.alec@virgin.net.
bruce roberts Spray
- Thread starter alecsmart
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richardandtracy
Well-Known Member
Until becoming broke, I had a steel BR Spray 36 with a junk rig. I resisted sailing other vessels because I've been told a junk sails very differently from other boats, consequently I learnt on the vessel. Due to my lack of other experience my views are probably a little biased. However I will say:-
1) It was a joy to sail, stable and stood up to the wind much better than most others I sailed near.
2) It was SLOW.
3) It was heavy.
4) It was roomy and comfortable; being so heavy there was less tilt in the wind than on a comparable length/beam lighter boat.
5) I had to reef much later than other vessels.
6) It was strong - just as well for a novice sailor when you make arrivals [partly] in the quay without a motor.
7) It was exactly what I wanted.
Conclusion: I tend to agree with Bruce Roberts. It is an excellent cruising boat. It is, however, utterly useless as a race boat. If you want a cruising boat, I doubt if you could do a great deal better, and you can do much worse. If you like the looks and the price, then let that sway you. If you want to cruise and race, then go for something else.
Do take a look at the boat though, if made by a home builder there may be some questionable engineering - especially if the builder was rigorous in following the BR instructions! I did have a few issues with the BR designs when building my vessel - BR does not always follow 'best engineering practice' as defined in other industries - it maybe best practice in the boating industry [and if that is so, the boating industry badly needs to change!]. Here I cannot comment directly on the GRP design as my one was steel, just be a little cautious.
My final word.. You will probably love it.
Regards
Richard.
1) It was a joy to sail, stable and stood up to the wind much better than most others I sailed near.
2) It was SLOW.
3) It was heavy.
4) It was roomy and comfortable; being so heavy there was less tilt in the wind than on a comparable length/beam lighter boat.
5) I had to reef much later than other vessels.
6) It was strong - just as well for a novice sailor when you make arrivals [partly] in the quay without a motor.
7) It was exactly what I wanted.
Conclusion: I tend to agree with Bruce Roberts. It is an excellent cruising boat. It is, however, utterly useless as a race boat. If you want a cruising boat, I doubt if you could do a great deal better, and you can do much worse. If you like the looks and the price, then let that sway you. If you want to cruise and race, then go for something else.
Do take a look at the boat though, if made by a home builder there may be some questionable engineering - especially if the builder was rigorous in following the BR instructions! I did have a few issues with the BR designs when building my vessel - BR does not always follow 'best engineering practice' as defined in other industries - it maybe best practice in the boating industry [and if that is so, the boating industry badly needs to change!]. Here I cannot comment directly on the GRP design as my one was steel, just be a little cautious.
My final word.. You will probably love it.
Regards
Richard.