Bombigher vs. Bruce Roberts
 

I am considering building a boat and in my obsession I have been looking at
designs. Here is the deal. I have been looking at the Bruce Roberts
Centennial Spray 45 or 50 and the Bombigher 38-40 or 44-40. I like the look
of the Bombigher immensley. I saw the design and loved it, I saw photos of
completed boats and love them as well. This is not to say that I don't like
the BR C-Spray. It is a beautiful boat but not exactly what I want. Close,
but not all the way the way there.

Here is the down side. I don't know if I can get any support from Bombigher,
considering that he is no longer among the living, and BR states very clearly
that you get as much support as you think you need. Bombigher has stated
that all of there designs have very extensive instructions and this fact may
make it so i wont really need support I can't get elsewhere. Also, as much
as I like the look of the designs, I don't know enough about these boats to
tell what would make a better sailboat. I plan to be a live-aboard and
eventually do extensive blue water cruising. This is all stuff I need to
learn more about over the years of planning and building but while
considering future plans in building, I am curious as to the opinions of
others about these designs.

Not many designers draw these styles of boats. Most are sleek and pointed
and not my style. I really like the old "Pirate Ship" style and I want it to
be as much along the style of old sailing ships as possible while still being
safe and capable.

I would consider another designer if they are superior in safety and support
for the builder as long as there designs are along the sort I am looking at.

--
Message posted via BoatKB.com
http://www.boatkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/build/200611/1

Bombigher vs. Bruce Roberts
 

I would say Bombigher boats are not home buildable.

I do not think there are technically complex things, or badly unexplained
things in his designs. A plan sold over 10 000$ should cover a bunch of
details.

Just count 14000 to 18000 man hours for a shpountz 44-40. That is over 8
years FULL TIME.
Theses figures come from D Bombhiger web site www.classic-yacht-design.com


"scbafreak via BoatKB.com" u25927@uwe wrote in message
news:68c1be8e698d9@uwe...
I am considering building a boat and in my obsession I have been looking at
designs. Here is the deal. I have been looking at the Bruce Roberts
Centennial Spray 45 or 50 and the Bombigher 38-40 or 44-40. I like the
look
of the Bombigher immensley. I saw the design and loved it, I saw photos
of
completed boats and love them as well. This is not to say that I don't
like
the BR C-Spray. It is a beautiful boat but not exactly what I want.
Close,
but not all the way the way there.

Here is the down side. I don't know if I can get any support from
Bombigher,
considering that he is no longer among the living, and BR states very
clearly
that you get as much support as you think you need. Bombigher has stated
that all of there designs have very extensive instructions and this fact
may
make it so i wont really need support I can't get elsewhere. Also, as
much
as I like the look of the designs, I don't know enough about these boats
to
tell what would make a better sailboat. I plan to be a live-aboard and
eventually do extensive blue water cruising. This is all stuff I need to
learn more about over the years of planning and building but while
considering future plans in building, I am curious as to the opinions of
others about these designs.

Not many designers draw these styles of boats. Most are sleek and pointed
and not my style. I really like the old "Pirate Ship" style and I want it
to
be as much along the style of old sailing ships as possible while still
being
safe and capable.

I would consider another designer if they are superior in safety and
support
for the builder as long as there designs are along the sort I am looking
at.

--
Message posted via BoatKB.com
http://www.boatkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/build/200611/1

Bombigher vs. Bruce Roberts
 

Those Bombigher are beautiful boats for someone with a sentimental heart but
i would never go on the ocean in north atlantic neither out of the trade
wins with a boat like this. The first knock down and you loose everything
over the deck.

Please think in advance as to where you want to go. Document yourself about
the ships that made it before. Talk with people that have been in hard
weather because it could happen to you as well. And probably your design
will change thereafter.

I'm planning a circumnavigation and lot of cruising and after many months
looking at different boats and characteristics, reading Adlard Coles,
Dashews on bad weather and other things, documenting on many accident at
sea... i am still confident i could do it in a conventional boat like a
Roberts 43 but built in steel or aluminum and be equiped to be able to
sustain 2 feet of water over the deck for day long without leaking a single
drop in...

Good luck !

André
"scbafreak via BoatKB.com" u25927@uwe wrote in message
news:68c1be8e698d9@uwe...
I am considering building a boat and in my obsession I have been looking at
designs. Here is the deal. I have been looking at the Bruce Roberts
Centennial Spray 45 or 50 and the Bombigher 38-40 or 44-40. I like the
look
of the Bombigher immensley. I saw the design and loved it, I saw photos
of
completed boats and love them as well. This is not to say that I don't
like
the BR C-Spray. It is a beautiful boat but not exactly what I want.
Close,
but not all the way the way there.

Here is the down side. I don't know if I can get any support from
Bombigher,
considering that he is no longer among the living, and BR states very
clearly
that you get as much support as you think you need. Bombigher has stated
that all of there designs have very extensive instructions and this fact
may
make it so i wont really need support I can't get elsewhere. Also, as
much
as I like the look of the designs, I don't know enough about these boats
to
tell what would make a better sailboat. I plan to be a live-aboard and
eventually do extensive blue water cruising. This is all stuff I need to
learn more about over the years of planning and building but while
considering future plans in building, I am curious as to the opinions of
others about these designs.

Not many designers draw these styles of boats. Most are sleek and pointed
and not my style. I really like the old "Pirate Ship" style and I want it
to
be as much along the style of old sailing ships as possible while still
being
safe and capable.

I would consider another designer if they are superior in safety and
support
for the builder as long as there designs are along the sort I am looking
at.

--
Message posted via BoatKB.com
http://www.boatkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/build/200611/1

Bombigher vs. Bruce Roberts
 

I don't think either would be a particularly good choice. The Bombigher
will take you 10 to 15 years to complete and I get an email at least once a
month from desperate half finished BR builders looking for either advice on
systems or some leads on unloading it. As an amateur you will need ongoing
support through to completion and you are not going to get much on either of
those.

Look for some plans that use contemporary methods that you feel you can
master fairly quickly and a designer who will work with you to completion
without charging an arm and a leg.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

"scbafreak via BoatKB.com" u25927@uwe wrote in message
news:68c1be8e698d9@uwe...
I am considering building a boat and in my obsession I have been looking at
designs. Here is the deal. I have been looking at the Bruce Roberts
Centennial Spray 45 or 50 and the Bombigher 38-40 or 44-40. I like the
look
of the Bombigher immensley. I saw the design and loved it, I saw photos
of
completed boats and love them as well. This is not to say that I don't
like
the BR C-Spray. It is a beautiful boat but not exactly what I want.
Close,
but not all the way the way there.

Here is the down side. I don't know if I can get any support from
Bombigher,
considering that he is no longer among the living, and BR states very
clearly
that you get as much support as you think you need. Bombigher has stated
that all of there designs have very extensive instructions and this fact
may
make it so i wont really need support I can't get elsewhere. Also, as
much
as I like the look of the designs, I don't know enough about these boats
to
tell what would make a better sailboat. I plan to be a live-aboard and
eventually do extensive blue water cruising. This is all stuff I need to
learn more about over the years of planning and building but while
considering future plans in building, I am curious as to the opinions of
others about these designs.

Not many designers draw these styles of boats. Most are sleek and pointed
and not my style. I really like the old "Pirate Ship" style and I want it
to
be as much along the style of old sailing ships as possible while still
being
safe and capable.

I would consider another designer if they are superior in safety and
support
for the builder as long as there designs are along the sort I am looking
at.

--
Message posted via BoatKB.com
http://www.boatkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/build/200611/1

Bombigher vs. Bruce Roberts
 

André Langevin wrote:
Those Bombigher are beautiful boats for someone with a sentimental heart but
i would never go on the ocean in north atlantic neither out of the trade
wins with a boat like this. The first knock down and you loose everything
over the deck.


I agree that the Bombigher designs are not the "ultimate
heavy weather" vessel but what sailboat is totally immune to
knockdowns?


Please think in advance as to where you want to go. Document yourself about
the ships that made it before. Talk with people that have been in hard
weather because it could happen to you as well. And probably your design
will change thereafter.


Agreed, and add that you should take the time to do some
hard weather sailing yourself. Nothing like being there.


I'm planning a circumnavigation and lot of cruising and after many months
looking at different boats and characteristics, reading Adlard Coles,
Dashews on bad weather and other things, documenting on many accident at
sea... i am still confident i could do it in a conventional boat like a
Roberts 43 but built in steel or aluminum and be equiped to be able to
sustain 2 feet of water over the deck for day long without leaking a single
drop in...


That's more a function of how the deck is built & how the
hardware & fittings are installed... after a few years, it
will be a matter of how well the boat is maintained.

I don't particularly like Bruce Roberts designs because they
are boxy & slow, and a lot of effort is exerted to make them
"salty looking" instead of truly seaworthy... such as having
a high LPS, etc. Two points to bear in mind when discussing
"seaworthyiness:" fatigue is the greatest enemy of the
offshore sailor, and there is no way that the design and/or
construction of *any* vessel will ever protect you from that
deadly hazard of heavy weather offshore, getting konked in
the head by a can of soup.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Bombigher vs. Bruce Roberts
 

Indeed some BR are boxy and some others aren't. For a designer who has so
much model to choose from we need to say which one. After ready a few tales
about sailor caught in gigantic surf around NZ and Australia, most of them
wanted to slow their boat using warps, drogues and even parachute.

Unless someone is a first hand sailor trained on 60feet surfing maxi beast,
i'm not sure that it is a big difference to go 7.5 instead of 8.0 knots with
a 38 LWL (for a given 40 some feet LOA). Of course if you're stuck at 5
knots because someone doesn't know how to hoist a sail and trim it is
another problem. It all depend on the navigation program. Some people
want to go fast and i agree, other want safety.

I valuate your opinion but i don't know what boxy means. For my education,
do you think that this design is boxy or functional ? ::
http://www.langevin.biz/marinette34/next_boat.htm

André

"DSK" wrote in message
...
André Langevin wrote:
Those Bombigher are beautiful boats for someone with a sentimental heart
but i would never go on the ocean in north atlantic neither out of the
trade wins with a boat like this. The first knock down and you loose
everything over the deck.


I agree that the Bombigher designs are not the "ultimate heavy weather"
vessel but what sailboat is totally immune to knockdowns?


Please think in advance as to where you want to go. Document yourself
about the ships that made it before. Talk with people that have been in
hard weather because it could happen to you as well. And probably your
design will change thereafter.


Agreed, and add that you should take the time to do some hard weather
sailing yourself. Nothing like being there.


I'm planning a circumnavigation and lot of cruising and after many months
looking at different boats and characteristics, reading Adlard Coles,
Dashews on bad weather and other things, documenting on many accident at
sea... i am still confident i could do it in a conventional boat like
a Roberts 43 but built in steel or aluminum and be equiped to be able to
sustain 2 feet of water over the deck for day long without leaking a
single drop in...


That's more a function of how the deck is built & how the hardware &
fittings are installed... after a few years, it will be a matter of how
well the boat is maintained.

I don't particularly like Bruce Roberts designs because they are boxy &
slow, and a lot of effort is exerted to make them "salty looking" instead
of truly seaworthy... such as having a high LPS, etc. Two points to bear
in mind when discussing "seaworthyiness:" fatigue is the greatest enemy of
the offshore sailor, and there is no way that the design and/or
construction of *any* vessel will ever protect you from that deadly hazard
of heavy weather offshore, getting konked in the head by a can of soup.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Bombigher vs. Bruce Roberts
 

André Langevin wrote:
Indeed some BR are boxy and some others aren't. For a designer who has so
much model to choose from we need to say which one.

That's sure to be true, after all I am not familiar with
each & every Bruce Roberts design. However, all the ones I
have seen (including a fin keel racer-cruiser) look rather
boxy to my eye. Maybe some are more so than others ;)




Unless someone is a first hand sailor trained on 60feet surfing maxi beast,
i'm not sure that it is a big difference to go 7.5 instead of 8.0 knots with
a 38 LWL (for a given 40 some feet LOA).

There more difference than that between a heavy full keeled
boat & a lightweight speedy one. 60ft maxis have been known
to break 20 knots, and hit the teens regularly. Of course,
when the weather & sea state become terrible then the
problem is to slow down, which the heavy boats are much
better at!


... Of course if you're stuck at 5
knots because someone doesn't know how to hoist a sail and trim it is
another problem. It all depend on the navigation program. Some people
want to go fast and i agree, other want safety.


I don't see an inherent conflict between speed & safety. A
fast boat can be just as safe... or more so... than a slow one.


I valuate your opinion but i don't know what boxy means. For my education,
do you think that this design is boxy or functional ? ::
http://www.langevin.biz/marinette34/next_boat.htm


Heh heh ... next you'll want me to criticise some mother's
child, right?

From that angle, it's a nice looking boat. Is it a hard
chine hull? I don't happen to like raised aft decks, too
piratey-looking, but that's personal taste.

Fresh BReezes- Doug King

Bombigher vs. Bruce Roberts
 

Glenn Ashmore wrote:
I don't think either would be a particularly good choice. The Bombigher
will take you 10 to 15 years to complete and I get an email at least once a
month from desperate half finished BR builders looking for either advice on
systems or some leads on unloading it. As an amateur you will need ongoing
support through to completion and you are not going to get much on either of
those.

Look for some plans that use contemporary methods that you feel you can
master fairly quickly and a designer who will work with you to completion
without charging an arm and a leg.


Glenn, you've been a big help in my obsession with the future possibility of
a boat project, thanks. The problem is that I really like the "pirate ship"
style. They are the only only ones that I could spend a decade working on
and still really enjoy. If I don't love the boat the moment I start building
I will be just another home builder that never completes his dream. I think
that's how you did it. You really looked into what you wanted and didn't
settle for less. I think that its the trick to sticking with it. That and
being really stubborn. I also really like building things and the idea of
building my home that can take me all over the world is a bit irresistable.
My Grandfather built the house he lived in and there is a big streak of him
in me. If anyone out there has another designer to recommend that actually
designs "classic" style schooners then I am all ears but I haven't found any.
I do hear what you are saying about the BR design and given that I think it
is out of the running. He does sell a number of books on boat building I may
buy, along with the books you recomend on your site. I have a long way to go
before I am ready to do this.

As for the Bombigher, I haven't checked ino the availability of support yet.
The site is run by a designer that was a friend of his so that may prove
helpful. If not, the designs come with a 1000 page manual that supposedly
covers every screw and process involved in the entire build. As for the time
I have two options. Option one is two go with the 42' boat with a build time
of 10,000 to 12,000 hours rather than the 49' with a build time of 14,000 to
18,000 hours. Option two is to build as much as is needed for it to be
livable in the water while not neccessarliy sailable then move onto it and
work on it over the years finishing cabinetry, decking, and staterooms that
aren't critical as a liveaboard. Of course I am still open to other
designers and I will definately keep lookig into them as well as building
methods that ensure a strong hull and deck as well as a strong seal between
the two. I realize there are about a million other things I need to learn
along the way. You, as well as many others have proven most helpful.

Thanks.

P.S. If anyone out there has any recommendations about a designer that
designs "classic" style boats, let me know. While fast is nice it isn't the
most important thing to me. I plan to live on this boat and I would like to
come home every day and be in awe of my own boat moreso than any other boat
in the marina. I guess I have a sentimental heart after all.

--
Message posted via http://www.boatkb.com

Bombigher vs. Bruce Roberts
 

Well one sure piece of advice. NEVER move into it before it is finished. I
made that mistake building my house. When you have to go to it, work on it
and then go home, it is a project. When you are living in it you HAVE to
work on it and it becomes a chore. Projects are a lot more fun than chores.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

Bombigher vs. Bruce Roberts
 

Glenn Ashmore wrote:
Well one sure piece of advice. NEVER move into it before it is finished. I
made that mistake building my house. When you have to go to it, work on it
and then go home, it is a project. When you are living in it you HAVE to
work on it and it becomes a chore. Projects are a lot more fun than chores.


Good tip. Also since it is a boat it will need a lot of maintanence and
doing that while building may be a bit overwhelming.

--
Message posted via BoatKB.com
http://www.boatkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/build/200611/1

Bombigher vs. Bruce Roberts
 

scbafreak via BoatKB.com wrote:

I have two options. Option one is two go with the 42' boat with a build time
of 10,000 to 12,000 hours rather than the 49' with a build time of 14,000 to
18,000 hours. Option two is to build as much as is needed for it to be

I'm going to go on for a bit. Please excuse the ramble.

1) The average person in the US, if they work full time @ 40
hrs/week, less some stat holidays, etc. is working 2000 hours a year.
So if you work on the 49' boat full time, 5 days a week, #2 will
take at least 9 years of solid labour. That's way too long. Both are
too long IMO. First time builders usually hit or exceed the longer
range of construction time estimates by the way.

2) Don't move into a project that is underway. Your productivity
will go way down when you have to unstick the cereal box from the
freshly varnished cabinetry.

4) Buy a boat instead. It's far more rational.

http://www.theyachtmarket.com/static...chooner_1.html
Here's a bunch. Some maybe in your price range.


5) I'm currently on a rebuilding project of a 40' catamaran. Much
smaller project than building a whole boat, though still significant.

I probably only have 700 hours (bit of a WAG) into it so far, because
I have a family and a young daughter who I want to spend time with
just as much as I want to build the boat. Timelime so far:

Winter/Spring 2005 - prefabricating composite cabin panels.

Summer 2005 - haulout for 1 month. Chainsaw out old middle
bridgedeck. De-step mast, new carbon fiber mast beam, install new
diesel, new bridgedeck cabin sole, cockpit sole. Cabin panels
screwed/some glassed into position. Mast restepped and back in the
water. Lots of help from friends that month

Summer 2005 - taping external seams/fairing

Fall 2005 - taping internal seams/fairing/painting inside cabin

Winter 2005/6 - fabricate bridgedeck cabin furniture

Spring 2006 - carbon fiber chainplates, install windows & hatches

Summer 2006 - fairing, fairing, more fairing

Fall 2006 - starting to paint exterior

Winter 2006/7 - new galley cabinets, install stove, sinks, cabinetry
[do you call it cabinetry if it's made of carbon fiber/Nomex?]
- redo electrical system

Spring 2007 - install deck hardware, finish painting, finish building
dinghy

Summer 2007 - go sailing for a change

Fall 2007 - install some systems (hot water heater, cabin heater,
pressure water, watermaker)

Winter 2007/8 - fabricate and install carbon fiber radar arch/dinghy
davits/solar panel stuff

Spring 2008 - buy the electronics, install, more lockers in cabins
etc. etc. etc.

Summer 2008 - just leave 'cause it will never be finished anyway :)


You may begin to get the idea of how long this sort of project will
take if you are not working on it full time. Progress can be measured
in decades and there are many busted dreams along the way.

I'm a naval architect/marine engineer so designing the cabin structure
and dealing with mechanical systems is simple to me. It's also not my
first boat. We have a clear vision of the steps needed, the timeline
and budget required, and the goal (leaving for offshore cruising
summer 2008). Good luck with your dream.

My boatbuilding blog: www.maiaaboard.blogspot.com

Evan Gatehouse

Bombigher vs. Bruce Roberts
 

If you like the idea of building in steel, Thomas Colvin has some nice
designs. I just finished reading his two-part book, "Steel
Boatbuilding", and while I've never worked with steel outside of
welding class, his instructions seem clear and straightforward. The
books use a "pinky schooner" design as an example. I'm no schooner
expert, but it's a handsome 42-footer, to my eye. His website is:
http://www.thomasecolvin.com/

He's run his own yard and build his own designs, so that's some
guarantee that he thought of the builder when he drew it.

Best of luck on your project.

-Maxime Camirand

snip
P.S. If anyone out there has any recommendations about a designer that
designs "classic" style boats, let me know. While fast is nice it isn't the
most important thing to me. I plan to live on this boat and I would like to
come home every day and be in awe of my own boat moreso than any other boat
in the marina. I guess I have a sentimental heart after all.

--
Message posted via http://www.boatkb.com

Bombigher vs. Bruce Roberts
 

scbafreak via BoatKB.com wrote:
Not many designers draw these styles of boats. Most are sleek and pointed
and not my style. I really like the old "Pirate Ship" style and I want it to
be as much along the style of old sailing ships as possible while still being
safe and capable.

You have to ask yourself why the best designers are not making piratey
boats. The boats that you like are not very seaworthy, need a large
crew, probably can't survive being rolled by a wave, are very heavy and
very slow.

The pointy boats that you seem dislike are easy to drive with a small
crew, are very efficient, go faster, use less fuel when motoring, and
are way, way easier and cheaper to build.

As somebody who is building a steel boat I have the following
recomendations. Don't dismiss them too quickly, they come from
experience:

1) Buy a small boat to develop your skills as a sailor, to know how
things work, and how much you can take it out there. A 20+ footer would
do. More than a few would-be sailors spent fortunes and precious time
before realizing that they (or their spouses) hate life inclined at 20
degrees or that they get seasick easily.

2) Try to get one of those pointy boats designs that offer the
possibility of buying already cut plates. Cutting plate is boring,
unhealthy, expensive and time-consuming. If I had to start again I'll
buy the already cut kit and, probably, I'd have saved money. The gunk
left by a plasma cutter would make a lead mine worker choke. The other
methods are dirtier.

3) The least important consideration of a boat is looks. You can make a
boat that sails well and has robustness look prettier. But you can't
make a pretty hunk of steel sail well in heavy seas if it does'nt do it
already.

4) Count that it would take at least 3 times longer to build it that
your most pesimistic estimate. And it would cost at least 50% more than
you expected.

5) The best boat in the world is worthless if you are too old to sail
it. Do something that would put you in the water soon. I remember
reading about a guy that spent 30 years building a ferrocement boat.
When he finished he was in his 80's, way too old to enjoy iy.

Good luck, and don't be stubborn: the best sailors are flexible types.

Bombigher vs. Bruce Roberts
 

dprou wrote:
Good luck, and don't be stubborn: the best sailors are flexible types.


Now *there* is some darn good advice.

DSK

Bombigher vs. Bruce Roberts
 

As someone who takes pretty good care of his health and also works with
steel every day as my full time occupation i have to take a bit of exception
to this....

Cutting can be a health hazard, but it doesnt have to be. With adequate
ventilation, it can actually be a pleasant experience, if you've got a mind
for it ;-)

Cutting is a skill just like any other though, and one that takes time to
learn. If you have a lot of cutting to do, take the time to learn how to do
it properly. Plasma is still pretty pricey, and ive seen a lot of variation
in the quality of plasma machines. I still wouldnt consider using a single
phase machine just yet, and the consumables sure do cost! cheap plasma
machines give pretty poor results regardless of price, and once you arc out
the tip of them they are abysmal. you will arc the tip out a lot unless you
have a set of wheels to keep it off the surface of the material. plasma is
nice though in that it will cut a broad range of materials.

Oxy cutting is still the way to go i think, and i generally choose oxy
cuttiong over other methods unless i have to cut aluminum or thin
sheetmetal, in which case plasma is by far faster and neater.

Oxy cutting can be fast and clean, but there's a fine line to adjusting the
torch correctly.... I still dont get it perfect all the time. You can use
LPG/oxygen for cutting if you want to save money. When you mark out the
plate, use a centre punch to mark the chalk line, so after you cut it and
the chalk line is gone you'll be able to see if you hit your mark, and if
not, y how much. Start with a good clean tip, adjust it correctly and move
at the right speed and you can cut through 1" 1/2 plate cleanly with no mess
to be grinded.

the biggest fear of cutting your own plate is making a mistake when you mark
it out. That can *really* cost you some big money. If you can use CAD you
can get your plate cut at any plasma/profile cutting/laser shop for not a
lot of $. If you have other things to be cut as well then this can be worth
your time... laser can cut timber and plastics as well as stainless and
pretty much anything, so you could have most of your boat cut out in a
single run and save a bit of money on materials if you take your time and
work out what you can fit on a sheet. Id probably go that route if i was
going to get my timber and windows all done...

If it was just steel, i'd just it myself. you can cut a *lot* of steel in a
week

On top of this, the oxy needs no power, can be carried with you just about
anywhere, can be used to braze/solder and fusion weld, is useful for freeing
seized nuts/bolts and good for bending. can also be used to heat up a cup
of coffee in a pinch ;-)

Shaun

2) Try to get one of those pointy boats designs that offer the
possibility of buying already cut plates. Cutting plate is boring,
unhealthy, expensive and time-consuming. If I had to start again I'll
buy the already cut kit and, probably, I'd have saved money. The gunk
left by a plasma cutter would make a lead mine worker choke. The other
methods are dirtier.

Bombigher vs. Bruce Roberts
 

Hi All,
I just had to jump into this discussion. In 1982?? I purchased the plans for the 44-40 and immediately started construction. I was working solely on my own and anticipated having to relocate from one Asian location to another so I started building components that could be readily moved. I built the dinghy first just to get a handle on what tools I would need and to practice the layup of the cold molded construction. I finished all of the interior components and started building ribs. I finished 1/3 of the ribs and bulkheads and then was transferred. Rather than moving everything I stored everything with the knowledge I would be returning in a year or so. Unfortunately my storage went underwater from a prolonged flood! When I reviewed the damage it was clear that little was salvageable.
I can attest that the plans are extremely detailed and refute the idea that this can't be built by a "homebuilder". I am saddened by my loss but just don't have enough years left to start over.
I have the complete drawings and detailed manual for anyone interested in building a truly beautiful boat. Drop me a line.



On Saturday, 4 November 2006 06:42:25 UTC+7, scbafreak via BoatKB.com wrote:
I am considering building a boat and in my obsession I have been looking at
designs. Here is the deal. I have been looking at the Bruce Roberts
Centennial Spray 45 or 50 and the Bombigher 38-40 or 44-40. I like the look
of the Bombigher immensley. I saw the design and loved it, I saw photos of
completed boats and love them as well. This is not to say that I don't like
the BR C-Spray. It is a beautiful boat but not exactly what I want. Close,
but not all the way the way there.

Here is the down side. I don't know if I can get any support from Bombigher,
considering that he is no longer among the living, and BR states very clearly
that you get as much support as you think you need. Bombigher has stated
that all of there designs have very extensive instructions and this fact may
make it so i wont really need support I can't get elsewhere. Also, as much
as I like the look of the designs, I don't know enough about these boats to
tell what would make a better sailboat. I plan to be a live-aboard and
eventually do extensive blue water cruising. This is all stuff I need to
learn more about over the years of planning and building but while
considering future plans in building, I am curious as to the opinions of
others about these designs.

Not many designers draw these styles of boats. Most are sleek and pointed
and not my style. I really like the old "Pirate Ship" style and I want it to
be as much along the style of old sailing ships as possible while still being
safe and capable.

I would consider another designer if they are superior in safety and support
for the builder as long as there designs are along the sort I am looking at.

--
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