When we were looking for boats, both Alyssa and I were drawn to boats with character and that offered something unique. “Heritage” definitely fits that bill. “Heritage” is a Bruce Roberts 42 Spray Cutter Ketch. It’s design is based off the boat sailed by Joshua Slocum, the original cruiser and the first person to circumnavigate the world solo back in the 1890’s. He named his boat the “Spray” and wrote an incredible book of his adventures aptly called, “Sailing alone around the world” Its worth a read!
Now, Bruce Roberts is a naval architect that sells his designs but doesn’t actually build the boats. So each one of the boats is custom built, which can be a good or a bad thing but it pretty much guarantees no two boats are exactly alike. We’re still unearthing the origin of our boat but we know it was built in Durban, South Africa from 1978-1984. Seeing as that is where Adam’s paternal side of the family is from, we thought it appropriate to keep the name “Heritage” and forgo our previous plans of naming the boat “Sundowner” as planned..
As for the boat itself, its a heavily built full keel fiberglass boat. The two masts are made of Douglas Fir and require plenty of attention. The boat is set up with both solar and wind power, as well as a water maker and refrigeration to make it a fantastic expedition boat. It most definitely was designed for vertically challenged on the interior but luckily both Alyssa and I fit that description. She’s our new home and we love her, video to follow!