Is this a S&S?

[Silvrav]

Long time lurker but I am now taking the plunge into yacht ownership.

I am in the process of purchasing a yacht and the vendor is 99% sure its an S&S but cant confirm 100%.

Details Provided
1976
46 Ketch (although the boat survey report says 44feet)
Constructed in Melbourne - Australia
Hull: 6mm Corten Steel Over 65mmx10mm Stringers And Frames

I looked at sailboat data and the only ketches around this time was the swan or nautor 50 (1976) or the NORTH STAR 80/20, but the north start is only 40feet.

The sunward 48 is also a ketch but the hull design is different.

Any idea? where can one look for a hull number?

[JPA Cate]

Maybe a Roberts? With the discrepancy in lengths, maybe you're seeing the overhang astern of the solar arch?

Ann

[Jim Cate]

Contact the S&S office... they will know!

Jim

[Bowdrie]

Over many decades of S&S, dozens if not scores of designers have worked in their offices and have got "S&S" on their resumé.
For a '70s boat, it doesn't look much like anything Olin Stephens himself would have designed.
But that doesn't mean it didn't come from someone working for him at that time.

[Fore and Aft]

Silvrav I checked my S&S book and none of the plans listed match the ketch or come close. I also think that sheer line looks to flat for a S&S.
Cheers

[Island Time O25]

+1 for possibly one of Roberts' designs, albeit with IOR modified stern.

https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/mauritius-43/

[OldManMirage]

Whatever it is, if it surveys well it looks like a great cruising boat !

[Silvrav]

Originally Posted by Island Time O25

+1 for possibly one of Roberts' designs, albeit with IOR modified stern.

https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/mauritius-43/

And a different keel as the Mauritius seems to be a full keel? Or is it mostly up to the builder?

And thanks everyone, got to do some more research. She had a major refit in 2012 with new ss standing rigging and a new motor.

[Fore and Aft]

Silvrav that new rigging in 2012 is probably due to be replaced depending on your insurance company.

Cheers

[Silvrav]

Originally Posted by Fore and Aft

Silvrav that new rigging in 2012 is probably due to be replaced depending on your insurance company.

Cheers

Yip, planning to do it over the next 12months but will have it inspected as well.

Seems I found the plan - Roberts 44.

https://www.finelineboatplans.com/br...e-44-boat-plan

So now, question is is there a big price expectation between a Roberst and a S&S?

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by Silvrav

Yip, planning to do it over the next 12months but will have it inspected as well.

Seems I found the plan - Roberts 44.

https://www.finelineboatplans.com/br...e-44-boat-plan

So now, question is is there a big price expectation between a Roberst and a S&S?

OH, YES! Many of the Roberts were home built: some good, others range from decent to awful, imo.

Get a new broker. They all want their commission, fair enough, but as I wrote before, I question your brokers honesty!

Pls don't shine me on as a nervous shiela. Check my profile.

Ann

[Silvrav]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

OH, YES! Many of the Roberts were home built: some good, others range from decent to awful, imo.

Get a new broker. They all want their commission, fair enough, but as I wrote before, I question your brokers honesty!

Pls don't shine me on as a nervous shiela. Check my profile.

Ann

Thank you. I went on a research binch and found she is still well priced, survey looks good and she had a major refit in 2012 with another mini refit in 2022/23.

I'm going to go view her next week for and a sea trial so will know more then.

[Jim Cate]

So now, question is is there a big price expectation between a Roberst and a S&S?

Remember that S&S don't build boats, they design them for others to build. some are built on production lines with many examples afloat, others are one-offs, built by either an amateur shipwright or a professional. There are obvious variations in quality of build.

For instance, I used to own a Yankee 30. She was a S&S design built in Southern California back in the 70s. Mine was hull number 123 and IIRC they eventually built about 150 of them. She was a great boat for me at the time.

Here in Port Cygnet Tasmania there is a timber S&S 30 on a nearby mooring, and she is a thing of beauty and a one-off build. Not identical lines to my old boat for sure, but from the same office and with similar "bones". I suspect that she would sell for a higher price than a Yankee 30 around here (where timber hulls are highly regarded). In the USA she might be hard to sell at any price.

This has been a kinda convoluted response to your query and I hope that it has helped rather than hindered your thought processes.

Jim

[Icarus]

Definitely not a S&S North Star...I own one
BTW, 6mm steel scantlings?
4mm hull and 3mm deck is more than enough...
This yacht looks like a Roberts 44 something...