Passagemaker Lite designer, Tad Roberts
Passagemaker Lite design series is Tad Roberts' modern, lightweight, fuel-efficient re-statement of the fast, seaworthy, long-range power cruiser. There are now two series, the orginal traditional one and a modern one, in lengths from 39' to 98'. Read more:
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About Tad Roberts
Growing up in a family of boatbuilders, architect/builders, artists, and sailors, it was only natural that I should start drawing boats at a young age. After a decade working on tugs and fishboats, and cruising and racing sailboats, I began professional practice 28 years ago in 1982 in Victoria, BC.
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In 1987 I joined the office of BKYD. Over the next 14 years I became principal designer; working on a diverse range of projects including the creation of large custom sailing yachts Sophie 90', Alejandra 134', Hetairos 124', Antonisa 124', Cecile Marie 131', and Scheherazade 154'. I also successfully widened the practice to include powerboats, which BKYD had not previously produced: Under my direction the design office produced several spectacular successes including Liberty 80', the Talaria 40 and Talaria 44, and the Hinckley Picnic Boat. A number of these yachts became design icons, with the Picnic Boat being judged by Yachting Magazine as one of the 10 Best Boats of All Time.
In 2001 I returned to coastal BC and opened my own studio on Gabriola Island. Here I have continued to develop modern boats; both power and sail, with strong ties to traditional styling values. Projects include: Express 92, Pont Marine Express 44, Philbrook’s Express 58 and Philbrook’s Express 47, classic motor yachts Enavigo 39, Yellow Cedar 38, Memory 38 and 44, lobsteryachts Johns Bay Boat 40 and 32; Passagemaker Lite 39, 41, 46, 56, and 80; sailing yachts Ragsdale 36’ twin-keel schooner, a series of steel motorsailer halibut schooners, steel cargo schooners, and Fin De Siecle 108’ classic performance cutter; plus many small boats ranging from 11’ to 30’.
In addition to designing boats, here on Gabriola I organised and led the Shipyard Raid, an annual seven-to-eight day staged race for sail and oar boats on the BC coast, from 2005 to 2009; I was a director at the Silva Bay Shipyard School from 2001 to 2009; and I co-organised and participated in the Wooden Boat and Maritime Talks, an annual series of lectures from 2008 to 2011.
At present, I'm working on a new project, Documenting Historic BC Boats, which includes a book and a web site, to help preserve our BC maritime heritage.
I keep an active blog, updated weekly, where you can read my current thoughts about yacht design, boats, and maritime concerns and events.
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Passagemaker Lite 56
More About Tad Roberts
Tad Roberts Yacht Design
New Design in Sail and Power, Small Boats, Naval Architecture and Consulting, http://tadroberts.ca/ >>
Professional History
Annotated Project List, 1987-2001, http://tadroberts.ca/about/history >>
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Family History
Family History on the BC Coast, http://tadroberts.ca/about/bios >>
Blog
Low Tide, Tad Roberts' Blog, http://blog.tadroberts.ca >>
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Maritime Seminars
Maritime Seminars, http://maritime-seminars.shipyardraid.ca >>
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Shipyard Raid
Shipyard Raid, 8-day Staged Race for Traditional Sail and Oar Boats, http://shipyardraid.ca >>
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