On 30 Jan 2004 16:00:37 GMT, (JAXAshby) wrote:

go over to boatbuilding.com "discussion groups" "boat design" and ask this
question. Roberts designs are not considered any sort of pinnacle.


Every design has its advocates and detractors.

We have a slightly stretched steel Roberts Mauritus which we're
currently fitting out to take around the world. The fit-out is
equiptment/internal/cosmetic - the base boat is fine.

We looked at some 50+ yachts before choosing "Hinewai". We wanted
steel becuase we've done a fair bit of coral cruising and we've seen
too many GRP boats pranged on bombs. Our criteria (and budget) was
for a well found hull and rig - internally we'd fix what ever was
needed.

Hinewai was lauched in '85 in New Zealand and while we've had a few
bits of surface rust to treat internally, the hull structure is pretty
much as the day she first hit the water. The fairing on the topsides
is as good as I've ever seen - and that's generally a good sign of a
well built steel boat.

She's certainly not a hot racer and any newer race boat will take a
good 10+ degrees point off her. On the other hand, when a shout of
"starboard" fails - a call of "17 tons of steel" generally gets
attention.

But we bought her for cruising. And that was up in Brisbane. The
sail back to Melbourne (about 2,000 nm) proved that the two of us can
easily handle her ketch/cutter rig. The storage and head room below
would make most modern crusing boat owners dribble. Indeed. one of
our problems with the fit-out is where to put the basketball hoop.

I can't say I've seen a 370 so can't make a definitive comment of that
design. However, and with respect to Jax, our Roberts' meet our needs
as a cruising boat, a home away from home and as a freindly, forgiving
and, for it's weight, a relatively spirited sailing boat. I'll admit
though, it's a Journeyman's boat, maybe not a Master's.

All the best with the choice you make

Peter

www.oceanodyssey.net
"Do not measure your life by the number of breaths you take,
Rather by the number of times life just takes your breath away"