Van de Stadt 8m Offshore- any love for 'em?

Kelpie

Kelpie

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Due to the unique way this forum's search function seems to work I can't find any info about these boats so here goes.
A few of these are for sale at the moment and they seem to be pretty much what I'm looking for- reasonable accomodation, looks pretty seaworthy, within the limits of trialerability (at a push).
Unfortunately I can't really find out any information about them- anybody on here own one?
 
Robwhelton said:
Due to the unique way this forum's search function seems to work I can't find any info about these boats so here goes.
A few of these are for sale at the moment and they seem to be pretty much what I'm looking for- reasonable accomodation, looks pretty seaworthy, within the limits of trialerability (at a push).
Unfortunately I can't really find out any information about them- anybody on here own one?
Click to expand...

Go to the Offsore Yacht Class Owners Association site, www.oycoa.org,uk you will find the details, and ask qestions on the forume.

Brian
 
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Robwhelton said:
Due to the unique way this forum's search function seems to work I can't find any info about these boats so here goes.
A few of these are for sale at the moment and they seem to be pretty much what I'm looking for- reasonable accomodation, looks pretty seaworthy, within the limits of trialerability (at a push).
Unfortunately I can't really find out any information about them- anybody on here own one?
Click to expand...

There is one for sale here
http://www.andyseedhouse.co.uk/sales/boatlist2008.php?cat=1

I reckon she has been for sale for 2 tears at least and was around £7500 or more originally. I have been on her and she looks OK. Owner must be desperate to sell. I would offer £3000.
 
Yup that was one that I was considering actually... wrong end of the country of course... but then again, everything is when you live up here.
To be honest I'm going off these boats a little, you get a much better feeling for a boat when there are lots of them about all in good condition and with helpful and enthusiastic owners.
 
Re Offshore 8M

I had one of these boats some years ago. A much underated boat. Well built and quite fast for its size. Most had petrol engines originally but most will have been changed to diesels.
I sold mine to someone who had had a Centaur before - he was amazed how much faster the Offshore 8M was.
 
Yup - had one for a couple of years now. Nice boat for 2 people + dog, wouldn't want to try and fill all 5 berths though! I'm 6'2" and can stand upright. Fair amount of storage space, but narrow beam (8') can make her a little cramped. Galley is cramped - we have a 2 ring meths stove and a small sink - work area is the top of the steps! Chart table folds down over the head of the pilot berth. We find the internal layout works reasonably well (2 tables, one on either side of the saloon). Heads are cramped and lack privacy (we have a 'proper' sea toilet, not sure what was fitted as standard), but hey, this is a 26' boat! Sailing performance is quite reasonable (in my limited experience). Typical (for the time) large genoa and small main - makes going to windward in F5/6 more difficult as the genoa sail shape is poor with a lot of it rolled away. 4' 2" (1.3m) draught means you can get places large boats can't. We've not tried drying out in her, but the fin is around 3' long, with a bulb - quite advanced for the time! We have a Beta BD722 - 20HP. Seems a good engine, and although some people would say it is overpowered for a 26', we have not found it so. Seems to be a very strong boat - fibreglass is very thick. A recent survey found one very very small patch of osmosis - not bad for 38 years old. I would certainly encourage you to look at one. Let me know if you want any more info - I can PM a copy of the original YM review if you like.

Regards

Neil
 
Thanks for the replies. I had already seen the owner's website, info still pretty sparse IMHO.
In the YM review their conclusion was that the 8 metre offered not much in the way of innovation but rather was a bargain price. Hmmm. Is that a good thing 30yrs later?
On the other hand, the heavy build, the longish keel, and interior layout all work for me. Shame there isn't one local to me to have a look at.
 
If you can pick up a good one for around £6K (and you should be able to, although I have seen one advertised for £17K!), then I think you are getting a lot of boat for your money.

Neil
 
Siosarnoir said:
I had one of these boats some years ago. A much underated boat. Well built and quite fast for its size. Most had petrol engines originally but most will have been changed to diesels.
I sold mine to someone who had had a Centaur before - he was amazed how much faster the Offshore 8M was.
Click to expand...

Out of curiosity I tried googling to find a yardstick number for the 8m- maybe I'm being naive but it's one way of getting an idea of a boat's performance. No luck so far, however 'faster than a Centaur' is pretty much my minimum requirement!
 
Robwhelton said:
... 'faster than a Centaur' is pretty much my minimum requirement!
Click to expand...

To be fair, though, that would cover one of these with a Mirror dinghy sail.

photo-caravan.jpg
 
Robwhelton said:
Out of curiosity I tried googling to find a yardstick number for the 8m- maybe I'm being naive but it's one way of getting an idea of a boat's performance. No luck so far, however 'faster than a Centaur' is pretty much my minimum requirement!
Click to expand...


From http://www.byronsoftware.org.uk/bycn/byboat.htm

8M 1154

Centaur 1208

for interest

Halcyon 27 1085

Folkboat 1155

Brian
 
Thanks for finding that. The PY numbers do make for interesting reading, and a bit mroe objective than the general comments like 'sails surprisingly well'.
The numbers do seem to vary a bit though, presumably to reflect experience in individual clubs. How much faith can be put in them as an indicator of a boat's performance?
 
Kelpie said:
Due to the unique way this forum's search function seems to work I can't find any info about these boats so here goes.
A few of these are for sale at the moment and they seem to be pretty much what I'm looking for- reasonable accomodation, looks pretty seaworthy, within the limits of trialerability (at a push).
Unfortunately I can't really find out any information about them- anybody on here own one?
Click to expand...
Hello Kelpie, I came across this thread when researching the Offshore 8m. just curious if you ended up buying one? I’m currently looking at a (serious) project boat in my area, and wondering if all the hard work and the cost to get her up and running will be worth it :) Thanks, Laura
 
Scotiansailor said:
Hello Kelpie, I came across this thread when researching the Offshore 8m. just curious if you ended up buying one? I’m currently looking at a (serious) project boat in my area, and wondering if all the hard work and the cost to get her up and running will be worth it :) Thanks, Laura
Click to expand...
No we didn't, we found an Albin Vega for sale locally instead which I think is pretty comparable and we liked a lot. Maybe a little easier to sell on afterwards as they have a good reputation.

If you read PBO you'll find that one of their columnists, Marsali Taylor, sails one up in Shetland and seems to like it.
 
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