Living For Sailvideo

BOB PERRY Yachts Talks Design and Refit Strategies

June 12, 2023 · 30 min · 14K views · Washington State

What this video covers

Yacht designer Bob Perry consults on the refit of a 1989 Liberty 458, addressing specific structural and design challenges.0:08 The owner confirms that the deck core, previously suspected to be balsa, consists of water-damaged mahogany plywood.6:29 Perry advises using foam-core mounting board to mock up galley layouts before finalizing interior modifications.9:40 Regarding rigging, Perry notes that while swept-back spreaders at 20 degrees can improve sail handling, they may still require running backstays for optimal support.12:46 The discussion covers the installation of a Vetus water-jet bow thruster as a simpler alternative to complex custom systems and explores the trade-offs of adding a hard dodger, emphasizing that while it increases complexity and cost, it significantly improves liveaboard practicality.18:18 Perry also clarifies that the Liberty 458’s existing boom crutch serves as a useful handhold and can be integrated into a bimini design, regardless of the addition of a rigid vang.16:45 Consulting with an experienced designer helps identify structural realities and prioritize functional improvements during a major refit.

Watch on YouTube

Boats in this video

Liberty 458Their boat

More from Living For Sail

Completing this repair BEFORE it’s TOO LATE!Oct 2026Can I Save This Bronze Cleat? Sailboat Bulwark RebuildSep 2026This Was Inside The Boat!? — Should I Put It Back?Sep 2026BACK to Work on ANTIDOTE! - How I Used 3D Printing to Fix My BoatAug 2026

From Living For Sail — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.

Report an issue