1984 Roberts ‘Spray’ Steel Cutter
‘Secret’ is a 40ft steel Spray, a beamy, well equipped ocean voyaging sailboat. She has sailed to India, Malaysia, Thailand and all around the Indonesian archipelago. Solid, seaworthy and comfortable she features a spacious saloon, large galley, bathroom with shower and electric toilet, two large cabins with double berths plus a pilot berth. Cutter rigged with 80hp diesel, she has wind, solar and auxiliary generators to create power in remote locations. She is equipped with up to date navigation, safety and self-steering equipment.
Built in Ballina in 1984, ‘Secret’ has recently been lovingly refurbished and upgraded to a high standard. A remarkable cruising vessel, she easily achieves an average 24hr speed in excess of 6knts whilst on passage and rarely heels more than 10 degrees. She will always get you home safe and sound, carry ample stores and water and not become dangerous when loaded. She always behaves herself in heavy weather and is at her best “running down the trades” out there in the deep blue – not scurrying around the bay on Sunday afternoons among the fin keelers.
‘Secret’ is now ready for a new owner to continue her global adventures and to be admired wherever she goes. The separate aft cabin makes her also suitable for chartering. Regretful sale due to changed life circumstances.
Australian registered. Lying Kepple Bay Marina, Yepoon, Queensland.
Price in $AU: 118,000.
Dimensions:
L.O.D. 12.2 m
L.W.L. 9.8 m
BEAM 4.4 m
DRAFT 1.4 m
DISPLACEMENT 16,000 kg
BALLAST 6,800 kg
Construction:
Built in 1984 by Ballina Boat Building, NSW (construction photos available). Has sister ship “Seafires Gem” see www.slocumspraysociety.asn.au
Hull: 10 gauge steel. Shot blasted and primed with ‘Sigmaweld’ zinc primer prior to welding and finished with 2x coats ‘Awlgrip’ epoxy.
Deck: Steel, 2x ‘Awlgrip’, 2x non-slip deck paint.
Ballast: 6,800 kg lead and steel ingots encased in keel, oil filled.
Rudder: Keel hung
HIN: AUACE000068QT2
The centre cockpit design allows for safe, comfortable, and convenient sailing, with all sheets leading to the helm.
In Nov 2016 the hull below waterline was sandblasted and repainted with 2x ‘Awlgrip’ epoxy.
Last antifoul 06/2018.
Mechanics:
FORD LEHMAN 80HP 4 cylinder diesel
Velvet Drive gearbox
Freshwater keel-cooled
Built 1984
Original manual
Engine alarm, engine exhaust fan, sound proofing
Easy engine access from three sides
Steering: Helm steering, rack and pinion
Propeller: Bronze 3 blade
Stern gland: Deep Sea Seal (replaced 2018)
Full professional service and appraisal Dec 2018.
Electrics:
Charging: engine, solar, wind, genset.
Solar panels: 4 x 70w, Marlec solar regulator
Wind generator: Rutland 913 250w 12volt (extremely quiet and smooth in operation) with regulator
Shore charge: Ctec battery charger, cable and plug for shore power
Genset: Honda 1.7 KW generator (mounted on aft deck with solid cover)
Lighting: 12volt
Inverter: 1000W
Batteries:
House: 1x AGM 120amp deep cycle (brand new, still under warranty)
Starter: 2x wet cell starter batteries in parallel
Fuel: Diesel, 400lt (range approx. 500nm)
Water: 1000 litre stainless tank in keel with inspection plate. Fresh water may be collected via specially designed inlets on side decks.
Navigation:
Coursemaster CM850i autopilot
Ritchie binnacle compass
Lowrance chart plotter
Raymarine depth sounder
GME VHF marine radio
Barometer, chronometer, binoculars, bi-focal reefspotters
Hand held GPS
Hand-bearing compass
Navigation instruments
Comprehensive inventory of paper charts.
Anchoring and mooring:
Anchors: 60lb plough with 60m x 10mm gal chain, 45lb Danford,
Fisherman’s (stern anchor) with rope and chain.
New Maxwell 12 Volt Horizontal Anchor Winch HRC10-10 with foot switch and cockpit control
40m x 16mm nylon warp
16m x 20mm dockline
Stainless steel mooring cleats
Steel deck safety railings, steel pulpit and pushpit railings
Wide side decks free of shrouds facilitate safe and secure movement for’ard and aft in all weathers
Port, starboard & transom boarding gates
Boarding ladder, transom steps
4x fenders, plus covers
2x boathooks
Anchor light
Sails and Rigging:
Aluminium mast (deck-stepped) with mast rungs
Aluminium boom
Aluminium spinnaker boom
1x Roller furl Genoa (new) with UV strip
1x Main (heavy)
1x Staysail.
New ‘lazy jack’ mainsail cover.
S/S standing rigging (replaced 2012)
Wire type: 7×19 stainless steel wire
Terminals: 316 Stainless steel
Turnbuckles: Chrome bronze
Running rigging: 10mm Polyester double braid
Winches: Cockpit: 2x Barlow 27, 1x Maxwell 18
Mast: 1x Barlow 18
Safety:
4x lifejackets
Danbuoy, MOB pole
MT400 Epirb (expiry 30/8/2020)
Flares, v-sheet
3x electric bilge pumps
Sound signal device: horn
2x fire extinguishers and fire blankets
Engine exhaust fan.
Deck and Cockpit:
Steel and armor-glass dodger
Cockpit cover with roll-down canvas to protect from sun & rain and enjoy steering in any weather
Steel deck railings
Wide side-decks free of shrouds facilitate safe and secure movement for’ard and aft in all weathers
Planked pulpit with steel rail
Steel pushpit rail
Port, starboard & transom boarding gates
Boarding ladder and transom steps
Steel davits with solar panel array atop.
8x spare fuel and water jerry cans
Bosuns chair
Tender:
Highfield Classic 290 Hypalon with Bow Locker; HIN: CN-HFD05721C818. Purchased 06/2018
Yamaha 9.9hp 4-stroke outboard. Purchased 08/2018
Davits with 2x winches
Accommodation and Layout:
2x double berths, 1x Pilot Berth, 2x Cabins, Saloon, Bathroom, Galley.
Saloon:
U-shaped saloon with circular teak table and lounge seating. Generous shelving/book shelves. Plenty of under-seat storage.
Philips CD, MP3, radio and speakers system.
Barometer and chronometer.
New upholstery.
Galley:
Spacious galley with large storage capacity and enclosed shelving.
Pressurised water.
Stainless twin sink.
Top loading 80lt fridge/freezer.
New Danfoss refrigeration system fitted 2016.
LPG stove: Broadwater Marine Tudor Maxi two burner stove/grill/oven.
Stove exhaust fan.
Bathroom:
Shower, basin, pressurised water, electric toilet, storage lockers.
Holding tank.
For’ard cabin:
Double berth
Lounge seating
Hanging locker, shelves, 3x storage lockers, 4x drawers.
New mattress and upholstery.
Aft Cabin:
Queen size bed with sprung mattress (new)
Settee, 4x large drawers, hanging locker, sideboard with large storage under, book shelving, huge storage capacity.
The second you step on board you can see that all owners of ‘Secret’ have taken immaculate care of her. Stepping down into the saloon, you are greeted by an open airy space with nice airflow through the windows, vents, and hatches. The rosewood panelling, traditional oil lamps and ornamentation give a warm and welcoming ambience. The saloon layout can entertain 8 guests comfortably.
On the starboard side amidships an L-shaped galley allows for easy cooking while underway, and features ample storage and workspace. It has a bar-style opening to the saloon, with overhead glass locker.
The spacious for’ard cabin sleeps two with offset double berth, storage lockers, wide shelving, a hanging cupboard, 4x large drawers, plus lounge seating and full-length mirror. Opening ports, dorado vent and overhead hatch provide ventilation.
On the portside, aft of the saloon, is the bathroom/WC.
A corridor leading to the aft cabin features pilot berth, two hanging lockers for lifejackets and wet-weather gear, eye-level tool lockers, electrical panel and access to engine.
In the aft, there is a huge Captains Quarters with a queen size bed, settee, 4x large drawers, extra large hanging locker, full length mirror, wide shelves with inbuilt lighting and book racks. The deep rear shelf has hinged hatches accessing capacious storage for bedding etc. There is extra storage under the bunk. Two opening ports, overhead hatch and dorado vent provide ventilation, whilst the three transom windows give a fine view aft. A floor panel lifts to access the stern gland.
For’ard and aft bunks have slatted cedar bases to prevent condensation.
6ft headroom throughout
Spare engine parts incl., filters, belts, control cables etc.
Spare rigging equipment
Comprehensive toolkit
Inspection will not disappoint, not a cent to spend, would make an ideal liveaboard and/or blue water cruiser.
Notes on design: Modern Sprays offer considerably more than the original. Better accommodation, sea kindliness, steady passage making, tough service in harsh climates, better stability, etc. To give the boat more ability in a head sea and picking up on some of the criticisms of the replicas built after Joshua Slocum’s circumnavigation, Roberts pulled the stem out to make it sharper, and added more run in the aft sections. In doing so he lengthened the hull from 36 feet 10 inches to 40 feet.
Enquiries: please contact Tillian via email: tillian@tillianart.com