Roberts 493

Description

The Bruce Roberts 493 is a robust, owner-buildable bluewater cruising ketch designed by Australian naval architect Bruce Roberts in the 1980s, renowned for its seaworthy multi-chine fiberglass hull and versatility in long-distance voyages, with over a dozen examples constructed worldwide as custom one-offs emphasizing durability and comfort for couples or small families. Measuring 49 feet LOA with a 40-foot LWL, 14-foot-1-inch beam, 6-foot-10-inch draft on a long fin keel, and a displacement of 39,000 pounds including 16,000 pounds of external ballast, this cutter-rigged ketch offers a sail area of 1,055 square feet across mainsail, mizzen, genoa, and staysail for balanced performance in 20-40 knot winds, achieving 7-9 knot hull speeds with minimal weather helm, powered by a reliable 40- to 110-horsepower diesel auxiliary like the Yanmar 4JH series. Its classic lines feature a canoe stern, moderate sheer, and teak accents on a hand-laid GRP hull with foam core options, providing 6-foot-6-inch headroom in a spacious interior layout including an L-shaped galley, U-shaped dinette, double aft cabin, forward V-berth, large head with shower, and ample storage alongside 200 gallons of fuel and 400 gallons of water tanks for extended autonomy. Proven in circumnavigations and Caribbean charters, as seen in well-equipped 1990s builds like those auctioned in Europe, the Roberts 493 blends timeless aesthetics with practical seaworthiness, making it a enduring favorite for serious offshore adventurers seeking self-sufficiency without sacrificing livability.