Tad Roberts

39' cold-molded Express Cruiser underway for a local builder

Commissioned: 38' Pilot Bay traditional ketch

We currently have a 39' Express Cruiser underway for a local builder, a small displacement powerboat preliminary has been completed for an Asian builder, and work started on a upper 30s range liveaboard ketch. Continuing projects include the refits of Vaquero and Invader, tweaking the Down East 26, design and working on larger and smaller versions, and advising on the structural rebuild of an Australian cruising catamaran in foam-cored glass.

New windows are under construction for Vaquero, and Invader is also about ready for installation of her new windows, with doors to be built by Jim Berkowitz. Once the boats are closed in work will proceeded on the interior over the winter.

The first sketch has been completed of a 16' lapstrake rowing/sailing tender with electric auxiliary. Finally a smaller (36'ish) Passagemaker Lite is in the works with a model to be released soon.

55' ocean-going motor yacht under commission

A fine-lined double chine steel boat designed for economical world cruising. 55' LOA, 15' beam, 6' draft,displacement of about 75,000 pounds. Power: 105 HP four cylinder John Deere engine with a 4:1 reduction turning a 40" propeller. Range will be 2500+ miles at 8 knots. A large living area is amidships with sleeping cabins forward and aft.

Just launched: 24' exploration ketch Tern

Tern is a 23'9' gaff ketch built of riveted plywood planking on yellow cedar frames. Designed for a rowing and sailing expedition this summer to Alaska and back, Tern will race in the Raid on her last leg home. Web site: Hunter Bay Boat Project

Just launched: 15' electric launch

15' Electric launch, built of native woods with purple heart trim by the Silva Bay Shipyard School for Barefoot Wooden Boats.

Commissioned: Barefoot Wooden Boats 517, for the 2006 Shipyard School Raid

Commissioned by Barefoot Wooden Boats, a 17' 5'' sloop to race in the Shipyard School Raid.

New small boat design: Down East 26

Plans are now available for the Down East 26, a traditionally stylish, trailerable, moderately fast, and capable family cruiser. For the experienced builder or small yard.

tadroberts.ca undergoes refit

We are pleased to announce the refit of our Web site tadroberts.ca. Site development by telga including concept, information architecture, and hand-coded xhtml 1.1, css 2.0, xml, and php. The beautiful docking-boxes are made by Brothercake.

New design commissions include 78' steel expedition yacht for Christensen Yachts

In new construction we have the 15' electric launch building at the Silva Bay Shipyard School, a 24' exploration ketch being completed on Lopez Island, small aluminum boats underway at Whisky Creek, a steel schooner under construction in Texas, large steel expedition yachts for Christensen Yachts in Sidney, and major proposals for an Asian yard. We are also negotiating on a production fiberglass daycruiser for a yard in South Africa.

Two more refit/restoration projects for classic wooden motor yachts

We have two large charter vessel stability projects currently, one for the Blue Fjord built in 1939 as PML 15. And we are involved with two more restoration/rebuild projects for classic wooden motoryachts, the 62' Vaquero in Los Angles and the 80' Invader in Campbell River, following our restoration work last year for the 61' Island Eagle.

Taking entries for the second Shipyard School Raid

Other projects completed in the past year include the Shipyard School website, the first Shipyard School Raid, and an article on ISO stability published in the February 2006 issue of Western Mariner.