Bruce Roberts 56 Ketch
Contact Seller
XPresented For Sale By:
The Yacht Sales Co.
Australia
| Make | Bruce Roberts |
|---|---|
| Model | 56 Ketch |
| Year | 1979 |
| Condition | Used |
| Price | NZ$200,000 |
| Type | Sail |
| Class | Cruiser |
| Length | 17.07 m |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Hull Material | Fibreglass |
| Location | Red Beach, New Zealand |
| Tax Status | Tax Paid |
| LOA | 56 m |
|---|---|
| Beam | 15.5 m |
| Min. Draft | 6.17 m |
| Keel Type | Fin |
| Displacement | 28180 kg |
| Cabin Headroom | 6.42 m |
| Engine Type | Inboard |
|---|---|
| Engine Make | Volvo Penta |
| Engine Model | D2-75 |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Engine Year | 2005 |
| Power | 75 hp |
| Drive Type | Direct Drive |
| Propeller Type | 3 Blade |
| Engine usage (hours) | 5240 |
| Designer | G.R. Hobbs Lyttelton, NZ |
|---|---|
| Builder | Bruce Roberts |
| Guest Cabins | 3 |
| Guest Heads | 1 |
| Max Passengers | 7 |
| Fuel Tanks | 900 litres |
| Fresh Water Tanks | 350 litres |
| Holding Tanks | 100 litres |
| Hull Shape | Monohull |
| Windlass | Electric Windlass |
| Liferaft Capacity | 1 |
| Hull Warranty | None |
Description
1979 Bruce Roberts 56 Ketch | Imagine
Imagine is a Bruce Roberts 56-foot GRP ketch built in Lyttelton, New Zealand in 1979, representing the strength and craftsmanship that define serious offshore cruising yachts. Designed for bluewater sailing and long-term liveaboard life, she has been a reliable and much-loved home for her current Whangaparāoa-based owners, who have extensively cruised New Zealand and the Pacific Islands over the past nine years.
Constructed in solid fibreglass to Bruce Roberts’ trusted ocean-going design, Imagine offers exceptional volume, seakeeping ability and stability. Her versatile ketch rig performs well in a wide range of conditions, ideal for long passages or coastal exploration.
She is powered by a Volvo Penta D2-75HP engine (installed new in 2005), and has undergone numerous system upgrades to support independent cruising. A full Raymarine electronics suite is complemented by a Garmin side and forward scanning sonar, providing enhanced navigation in remote anchorages.
Connectivity and communication are assured with Starlink and Iridium Go. Solar panels and a wind generator support energy independence, while a 120L/hour watermaker and 880Ah house battery bank ensure comfort at sea or at anchor.
Recent upgrades include new standing rigging and fresh antifouling, giving confidence for offshore departure. The interior is spacious and practical, featuring ample storage, a generous galley and saloon, and strong, functional fittings throughout.
Whether you're preparing for international cruising or seeking a capable liveaboard vessel to explore New Zealand's coasts and beyond, Imagine is a rare opportunity. Combining traditional bluewater strength with modern cruising systems, she is a turn-key, proven offshore ketch ready for her next adventure.
Inventory
Vessel Name - Imagine
Make - Bruce Roberts
Model - 56 Custom Ketch
Year - 1979
Length - 17.07m / 56ft
Beam - 4.77m / 15.65ft
Draft - 1.90m / 6.23ft
Air Height - ~18.00m / 59.04ft
Displacement - 28.18 Tonnes
Fuel Capacity - 900 L in 4 tanks
Water Capacity - 350 L
Hull Material - GRP
Deck Material - GRP
Keel Type - 3/4 Finn keel with skegged rudder
Designer - Bruce Roberts
Builder - G.R. Hobbs Lyttelton, NZ
HIN - Custom 001
Place of Registration - New Zealand
Registration Number - 394744
Number of Helms & Position - Centre Cockpit
Tax Status & Paid Where - Tax Paid New Zealand
Lying – Whangaparoa, New Zealand
Last Antifouling - July 2025
Engines
Number of Engines - 1
Engine Make - Volvo Penta
Engine Model - D2-75
Horsepower - 75 Hp
Engine Year/s - 2005
Engine Number - TBC
Engine Hours – 5, 240 Hrs
Last Service - July 2025
Fuel Consumption - 2.5 L / Hr @ 6 Knots
Fuel Type - Diesel
Maximum Speed - 7 Knots
Cruise Speed - 6 Knots motor & 9 Knots sails
Propellers - Fixed 3 blade
Drive Type - Shaft
Steering System - Hydraulic
Accommodation
Single Berths - 3 - 2 in Settee and 1 in port cabin
Queen Berths - V Berth
King Berths - Master Cabin
Head Height - ~1.95m / 6.50ft
Bathrooms
Showers - 1
Heads - 1
Heads Type - Manual - saltwater
Holding Tanks - 100 L with macerator
Hot Water Capacity - 30 L Heat exchanger
Galley
Galley Location - Starboard Aft
Refrigeration - 120 L
Freezer - 160 L - 2 x 80 L
Stove - 2 Burner gas new 2024
Oven - Gas new 2024
Sink - Double stainless steel
Gas Alarm - Sniffer with solenoid cutoff
Notes - Breadmaker included
Electronics
Depth Sounder - Garmin side / forward scanning - Raymarine Transponder
Autopilot - Course master - Chain Drive
Wind Instruments - Raymarine
Radar - Raymarine Digital - 24 kM range
Chartplotter - Raymarine
AIS Auto ID System - Raymarine - GME Transponder
GPS - Raymarine
VHF - Nav station, Helm & Handheld
TV - Panasonic Wifi / Smart
Stereo - Yes
Sat Phone - Starlink and Iridium Go
Batteries
Battery House - 880 Amp / Hrs across 8 batteries, new from 2020 to 2024
Battery Engine - AGM new 2023
Electrical Equipment
Watermaker - 120 L / Hr
Wind Generator - Silent
Solar Panels - 1200w
Heater - Diesel
Inverter - 2000w
Alternator - 115 Amp + spare 85 Amp
Shore Power - 230v
Sail Inventory
Mast Material - Aluminium
Standing Rig Material - Stainless wire
Standing Rig Age - January 2025
Age of Sails - Varies
Main Sails - Dacron new 2021 - 3 reefs & Missen - Dacron
Headsails - Main 140% genoa furling
Headsails - Staysail furled 2017
Screecher / Gennaker - Gennaker - socked & 1 Spinnaker - loose
Furlers - Yes
Winches - 2 Barient 36 manual
Winches - 2 Wilkie 28 manual
Winches - Anchormax, electric in cockpit
Notes - Plus winches at mast
Safety Equipment
Bilge Manual - Cockpit & Port cabin
Bilge Electric - 4
Life Raft - 6 Person
Life Jackets - 3 Children - solid, 8 Adult inflatable
Life Ring - Danbouy & 2 liferings
EPIRB - Yes
Flares - Category 1 Kit
Fire Extinguisher - 4
Ground Tackle
Anchor - Sarka XL, new 2022
Chain / Rope - 80m Galvanised chain, new 2024
Spare Anchor - Rocna
Chain / Rope - 10m Chain and 80m warp
Windlass - New 2022
Notes - Drouge
Deck Gear & Accessories
Tender - Southern Pacific - 2018
Tender Outboard - Suzuki 6 Hp 4 stroke 2023
Davits / Platform - Davits
Deck Wash - Saltwater at anchor & freshwater aft
Bimini - Hard top plus Boom tent
Air Compressor - Hooker
Mooring Lines / fenders - Various
Notes - 2 Person inflatable kayak, 2 Diesel & 3 freshwater jerry cans
Disclaimer
The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.
Presented For Sale By:
The Yacht Sales Co.
Australia
Presented For Sale By:
The Yacht Sales Co.
Australia
