1995 Roberts Spray 40C

• Long

CONSTRUCTION: Steel

YEAR: 1995

DIMENSIONS: LOD 38′ 8″ (11.8m), BEAM 13′ 11″ (4.25m), DRAFT 4′ 11″ (1.5m), MAXIMUM AIR DRAFT (RIG DOWN) 9′ 2″ (2.8M)

KEEL TYPE: Long with bilge plates

COLOUR: White with blue bootline

INTERIOR: 5 berths in 3 cabins plus galley and heads

ENGINE: 97 hp BMC diesel with a sealed keel cooled system

RIG TYPE: Gaff Ketch

MAST/SPARS: Timber, believed Douglas Fir

SAILS: Main, foresails and mizzen (new 2002), fitted sailcovers to both main and mizzen

EQUIPMENT: Internal: The boat has an enclosed wheelhouse with companionways leading fore and aft and a central steering position. The wheelhouse, which has good visibility all round, also has a sunroof, providing both ventilation and access in the event that the engine has to be removed. There is also a folding helmsman’s seat, full engine instrumentation, the vessel’s electrical control panel and the navigation equipment. Sliding doors, into which are incorporated sliding hatches, give good access to the deck on either side without the need to stoop on entry. Going aft, a companionway leads down into the main saloon/galley area. This provides a dinette area which accommodates 6/8 in comfort and, in all, has plenty of space for about 12. This cabin has windows to both sides and also across the transom (all of these have flush-fitting deadlights for use at sea) making it a very light area. Additionally there is an opening roof light which gives good ventilation and an even greater feeling of airiness. The galley, which stretches across the vessel, provides a cooker (believed 2 burners, grill and oven), fridge, water heater (new 2001), sink unit, worktop, drawers and cupboards. In addition, there are fitted sideboard units to each side of the area, a second table (with built-in storage) and a catalytic heater. Going forward from the wheelhouse, the companionway leads down into the main body of the vessel where the heads is immediately to starboard, opposite which is a guest cabin, with the master cabin in the bow. The heads provides a sea-toilet (with holding tank and diverter valve), Portapotti type chemical toilet, full-sized hand basin, shower and full-sized bath. In the guest cabin there is a double berth, hanging locker and a fold-down single berth, plus vast amounts of storage. In the master cabin there are fitted ranges of bookshelves and lockers to both sides, plus a 4′ 8″ interior spring double bed which is accessible from both sides. Again there is a vast amount of storage, both under the bed itself and also built into the floor. In fact, the boat is extremely well equipped with storage – hardly a wasted inch anywhere – with lots of lockers, bookshelves, under-floor bins, etc. She has pressurised water with instantaneous hot to both galley and heads. As mentioned below, her décor, both inside and out is in excellent condition with much varnished woodwork and attractive upholstery.

Navigation equipment includes: NASA Stingray echosounder, NASA speed and distance log, Seafarer Seavoice RT650 VHF, CB radio, Autohelm 3000 autopilot, Mag One electronic compass, GPS, radar reflector, navigation and deck lights, plus a red-lamp internal lighting system for night vision purposes. External: The boat has a raised poop deck with space for 12, a bimini and the upper steering position. Going forward, she has wide side decks with stanchions and fully netted, hardwood handrails all round. There is a good-sized foredeck from which one gains access to the forepeak which contains the chain locker and a very tidy Bosun’s store. The vessel’s bowsprit can be raised to reduce overall length when in a tight berth and she has “stand-off” hardwood rubbing strakes all round. Ground tackle includes: 4 anchors, 50 metres chain (and others) plus a Simpson Lawrence double action manual winch. She also has davits and a tender. Safety equipment includes: Life-jackets, a danbuoy, fire-extinguishers and a gas detector. She is well fitted with bilge pumps, both electric and manual, and in addition has a large Jabsco water pump (with clutch) running off the front of her engine. Available for instant pumping of bilges anywhere in the vessel, this can also be converted for use as a fire hose, drawing in sea water from over the side to be pumped wherever needed, for example onto a neighbouring vessel.

REMARKS: The boat had new standing stainless steel rigging in 2002 and has been fully refurbished throughout (fully re-varnished interior, new saloon carpeting, new water heater, 2 new electric bilge pumps, 6 new injector inners, fully reconditioned dinghy, new propeller, alternator, Autohelm and electrics). In addition, the whole boat has been cleaned and painted. As with most of Bruce Roberts’ boats, headroom at 6′ 3″ is very good and, in common with all of the Sprays, there is a great feeling of space. Her owner remarks that she is a “walkabout boat, not a crouch-and-slither-past vessel”, something for which the writer can vouch – there is a great feeling of space and general airiness about her.

It is understood that all internal welding was carried out by professionals as also was the installation of her stern gear, engine and engine mounts. In 1998, her internal stuffing box and bearings were removed and replaced by a PSS water seal, Aquadrive thrust bearing, layshaft and Hardy Splicer universal joints. The resultant new drive train is running completely trouble-free and the need to line up the engine, should it need to be removed for servicing, etc., has been obviated. Survey reports, dating from 1993 and 1995 during the vessel’s construction, are available for serious enquirers.

The boat’s “CV” includes: 1995 – River Dart to Isles of Scilly and return; 1996 – French canals to south of France; 1997 – Canal du Midi and return to South of France; 1998 – French and Italian coasts to Siracuse, Sicily; 1999 – Italian and Greek coasts to Poros, South of Athens; 2000 – Greek Islands to Patmos and return to South of France; 2001 – Canal du Midi.

OUR OPINION: As Bruce Roberts’ UK agents, we get to see quite a number of his vessels. When inspected her rig was dismounted as she was traversing the Canal du Midi. A great deal of thought has gone into the vessel’s various systems, how her space is utilised and the aesthetics of her fit-out. She is a one-owner vessel which looks to be in superb order and for which we would recommend early inspection as there is too much on this vessel to be adequately described here.