Design Reviews
- On the Board: “ Designers and Designs for 2006 ”
- Boat InternationalMarch/April 2006
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Out of Gabriola Island in British Columbia come several new designs from Tad Roberts Yacht Design. The first of two underway for an Asian builder is a 165ft full-displacement classically-styled steel motor yacht with an updated hull form, arrangements, and systems, and accessories. Noteworthy are her twin funnels, reminiscent of pre-war liners, which in their modern guise enclose numerous antennae, ventilation ducts, and a private lookout with inside access...
- Design Review of the Philbrook's Express 47 PDF
- Gerry Kidd, Pacific Yachting, September 2003
This handsome cruiser was designed by Gabriola Island naval architect Tad Roberts for Philbrook's Boatyard in Sidney ...She's based on Robert's successful lobster boat hull designs--seaworthy, semi-displacement hulls that make efficient coastal cruising yachts or weekending 'picnic boats'. To adapt this East Coast concept to west coast requirements, Roberts has improved visibility from the helm by adding a raised pilothouse, and incorporating a sunpad in the cockpit that accommodates a 9ft. RIB. The transom opens at the touch of a button, and a folding davit swings out to launch the dinghy.
- Design Review of the Philbrook's Express 47 PDF
- Gerry Kidd, Pacific Yachting, April 2003
This handsome cruiser was designed by Gabriola Island naval architect Tad Roberts for Philbrook's Boatyard in Sidney ...She's based on Robert's successful lobster boat hull designs--seaworthy, semi-displacement hulls that make efficient coastal cruising yachts or weekending 'picnic boats'. To adapt this East Coast concept to west coast requirements, Roberts has improved visibility from the helm by adding a raised pilothouse, and incorporating a sunpad in the cockpit that accommodates a 9ft. RIB. The transom opens at the touch of a button, and a folding davit swings out to launch the dinghy.
- Off the Drawing Board: Passagemaker Lite 46, 56, and 80 PDF
- Art Paine, Maine Boats and Harbors, Issue 76, Autumn 2003
There is nothing new to the idea of thin, light, seaworthy, and fast powerboats, and Tad Roberts has been inspired by several of those of the past. To Roberts, these boats brought to mind a glaring question: Why didn't the whole world flock to these sensible and efficient pleasure powerboat designs? He answered that question by identifying the elements that limited the type, and, in his Lite designs, addressed them. All in all, the Passagemaker Lite series is masterful work.
- On the Docks: Roberts Express 92 PDF
- Denis Caprio, Yachting, September 2002
Roberts developed the Express 92 from Liberty, an 80 footer he designed toward the end of a 14-year stint at BKYD. Built in cold-molded wood by Hodgdon Yachts, she was launched in 1996 ("Rush Hour Royalty," June 1997). Although Roberts scaled up Liberty to arrive at the Express 92, significant differences separate these siblings. In the process of scaling up, the proportions remain the same as the boat grows exponetially in volume. For example, Liberty's length-to-beam ratio is 5.32 (beam is 18 percent of her length); the Express has a ratio of 4.8 (beam is 20 percent of her length). These numbers seem fairly close, belying the considerable increase of interior volume the larger yacht enjoys. Liberty's owners cared little for interior volume, but Roberts wanted to provide accommodations closer to what a yachtsman would get from a 92-footer of conventional proportions. A typical 92-foot motoryacht would have a beam of 20 to 22 feet. I envy the client who commissions this design to completion. If I were that yachtsman, I would build her as drawn and bask in the attention she attracted in every harbor.
- Review of Liberty “ Rush Hour Royalty ”
- Ted West, Yachting, June 1997
Roberts knew when to stop mikmicing, too. In the interests of speed,the typical 19202 commuter had a round bottom, so was easily driven.On the other hand it liked to roll in beam seas and was wet. Liberty has a hard chine and long chine flats instead, which provide stability, improved drynessand powerful lift.Her warped v-bottom features deep convex sections forward and 13 degrees of deadrise at the stern. Powered by twin 11,000 MAN diesels , she delivers a smooth ride, near level running, and comes up onto plane with a will.At her 32.5 knot maximum (cruise is 25 knots), she runs no more than 2 degrees out of trim.
