guydickinson
Well-Known Member
Anyone know anything about these or anyone who owns one please. Any information very gratefully received!!!
Van de Stadt Legend 34
- Thread starter guydickinson
- Start date
oldsaltoz
Well-Known Member
G'day Guy and welcome to the WBW forums.
Good Points of the Van de Stadt Legend 34 include:
Seaworthy boat, have sailed in very bad conditions and had no problems at all, very predictable handling on all points of sailing.
Like most Van de Stadt's they point very well, you will find that she likes the flattening reef in the main above 18 knots apparent.
The cast iron keel provides a good degree of stiffness and works well in heavy conditions.
Widening the entry to forward cabin is a simple and very effective modification and improves the air flow and feeling of spaciousness.
The not so good points include:
Not a high performance boat but rather a heavy steady craft that seems to perform best around 15 to 18 knots. They were very good when first released, we raced them and won many events.
You need to inspect the condition of the keel (external) and the keel area below the compression post, some develop a sag in the deck above the post. Also have a good look at the stringers near the keel, some had problems when they started to delaminate, depending on the builder, some were timber and others were foam formed.
Also note the lay-up is very thick by today's standards and will need inspection for any sign of Osmosis or wicking. Some had under bunk water tanks built in, most have had the top cut out and bladders installed to avoid or fix osmotic failures, bladders are a lot easier to clean so this is a bonus.
The baby stay can be a bit of a pain when tacking, but the right knot will help, we found a single sheet long enough to reach both winches and a simple pass thu knot worked well.
The companionway steps are steep and shallow to save space, many were replaced with an extended set, you might be lucky here.
Engine access is a nightmare as with most yachts that have an engine under a cockpit and between two bunks that run well back but not to the transom. It's a good idea to mount the fuel filter on the inside of one of the bunks.
Finally, ventilation when closed up needs to be looked at or you will spend a lot of sailing time removing mould.
Finally finally, they like the ends to be light, so stow all heavy items as near to midships as practical, we only ever used a CQR anchor with 6 metres of chain and a rope warp, this reduced the weight up front.
Hope this helps
Avagoodweekend......
Good Points of the Van de Stadt Legend 34 include:
Seaworthy boat, have sailed in very bad conditions and had no problems at all, very predictable handling on all points of sailing.
Like most Van de Stadt's they point very well, you will find that she likes the flattening reef in the main above 18 knots apparent.
The cast iron keel provides a good degree of stiffness and works well in heavy conditions.
Widening the entry to forward cabin is a simple and very effective modification and improves the air flow and feeling of spaciousness.
The not so good points include:
Not a high performance boat but rather a heavy steady craft that seems to perform best around 15 to 18 knots. They were very good when first released, we raced them and won many events.
You need to inspect the condition of the keel (external) and the keel area below the compression post, some develop a sag in the deck above the post. Also have a good look at the stringers near the keel, some had problems when they started to delaminate, depending on the builder, some were timber and others were foam formed.
Also note the lay-up is very thick by today's standards and will need inspection for any sign of Osmosis or wicking. Some had under bunk water tanks built in, most have had the top cut out and bladders installed to avoid or fix osmotic failures, bladders are a lot easier to clean so this is a bonus.
The baby stay can be a bit of a pain when tacking, but the right knot will help, we found a single sheet long enough to reach both winches and a simple pass thu knot worked well.
The companionway steps are steep and shallow to save space, many were replaced with an extended set, you might be lucky here.
Engine access is a nightmare as with most yachts that have an engine under a cockpit and between two bunks that run well back but not to the transom. It's a good idea to mount the fuel filter on the inside of one of the bunks.
Finally, ventilation when closed up needs to be looked at or you will spend a lot of sailing time removing mould.
Finally finally, they like the ends to be light, so stow all heavy items as near to midships as practical, we only ever used a CQR anchor with 6 metres of chain and a rope warp, this reduced the weight up front.
Hope this helps
Avagoodweekend......
guydickinson
Well-Known Member
Thanks a lot for that. May I please quiz you a bit more?!Haven't actually quite finalised buying yet. 1972 boat. Asking price 18950 or something but would hope to pay somewhat less. Is that about right? Are there many about? It has the original engine - a Sabb. Are they likely to be still good or would you expect to have to replace soon? Not quite with you on the baby stay - that's the extra forestay to be used with a storm gib, isn't it? - does it need changing sides every tack then?! Could one fix it to the bottom of the mast then and keep it central so to speak.? I guess it would be foolhardy to remove? Thanks v much.
oldsaltoz
Well-Known Member
G'day Guy,
<<1972 boat. Asking price 18950 hope to pay less. Is that about right?>>
Can't answer the above as your Bio has no info re your location? is this pounds or dollars and who's dollars US$ or AU$? If it's pounds it sounds a bit high to me.
<< Are there many about? >>
Quite a few here in Oz, see http://www.boatpoint.com.au/DesktopDefau...ias=boatpointau
and http://www.boatpoint.com.au/DesktopDefau...ias=boatpointau
<<It has the original engine - a Sabb. Are they likely to be still good or would you expect to have to replace soon?>>
I'm amazed it's still running, have it checked as part of your survey, it could knock a bit off the asking price.
<< Not quite with you on the baby stay - that's the extra fore-stay to be used with a storm gib, isn't it? >>
No Guy, Our rig had a baby stay to prevent the mast pumping, a single stay running from below the spreaders to the cabin top in front of the mast, the jib sheet has to pass around it when tacking, the one you are looking at may have a different rig.
The 'extra fore stay' is just that, she has two fore stays, good if you want to gull wing two sails up front and drop the main, cruise mode.
<<1972 boat. Asking price 18950 hope to pay less. Is that about right?>>
Can't answer the above as your Bio has no info re your location? is this pounds or dollars and who's dollars US$ or AU$? If it's pounds it sounds a bit high to me.
<< Are there many about? >>
Quite a few here in Oz, see http://www.boatpoint.com.au/DesktopDefau...ias=boatpointau
and http://www.boatpoint.com.au/DesktopDefau...ias=boatpointau
<<It has the original engine - a Sabb. Are they likely to be still good or would you expect to have to replace soon?>>
I'm amazed it's still running, have it checked as part of your survey, it could knock a bit off the asking price.
<< Not quite with you on the baby stay - that's the extra fore-stay to be used with a storm gib, isn't it? >>
No Guy, Our rig had a baby stay to prevent the mast pumping, a single stay running from below the spreaders to the cabin top in front of the mast, the jib sheet has to pass around it when tacking, the one you are looking at may have a different rig.
The 'extra fore stay' is just that, she has two fore stays, good if you want to gull wing two sails up front and drop the main, cruise mode.
sailorman
Well-Known Member
Sabb engines run forever, even with water halfway up the block ( on the outside ) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
their bullet proof ( if noisy )
their bullet proof ( if noisy )
guydickinson
Well-Known Member
Thanks a lot - yes pounds!!! Will have to check this engine out a bit. It is v old as you say! A lot of newer Van de Stadts then but not so many really old ones. The hull is in amazingly good nick though - almost doesn't quite add up!!
oldsaltoz
Well-Known Member
G'day Guy,
Not many make to the open market, if an owner talks about perhaps selling one he is likely going get offers without advertising.
You should check with the owner to see if she has been treated (many were) and how long ago and what method was used.
We treated a Van de Stadt Spirit 28 many years ago for Osmosis, every year when she was lifted out for antifouling she would have another half dozed two bob size blisters below the water line and some more rust on the keel.
The owner wanted it sorted out as he was sick of grinding and filling blisters and removing rust from the keel. He also had a list as long as your arm of 'internal changes' like remove the dinette and relocate the galley, replace a suspect stringer and inspect the rest, stiffen the area around the keel and re set it with new bolts and holding plates.
As it was going to take some time for the hull to dry out we gutted the interior first and made several changes. Then lifted her off the keel and sorted out the bolts as well a grit blasting and epoxy coating, fairing and more coats of paint. We then stripped all the gelcoat from below the water line and spent a couple of months grinding suspect lay-up away, pressure washing every weekend and finding more suspect areas, I was very happy when we started to lay some glass and fill the moonscape we had left. this was followed by a minor fairing and than adding 2 layers of glass and one of rovings to ensure no ends of any strands were exposed, then a full on fairing and 4 more coats of epoxy resin.
When she made it back into the water the waterline was almost 2 inches higher than when she came out, mind you we had off loaded a lot of rubbish and the internal refit was a lot lighter too, but I suspect most of the lift came from rebuilding the rudder, it was completely filled with sea water and refused to dry out even though it had about 20 holes drilled in it.
Well she sailed even better than before and despite her age won many trophies.
She is still around and still looks great, no more blisters or rust and it must be 12 years or more.
Avagoodweekend......
Not many make to the open market, if an owner talks about perhaps selling one he is likely going get offers without advertising.
You should check with the owner to see if she has been treated (many were) and how long ago and what method was used.
We treated a Van de Stadt Spirit 28 many years ago for Osmosis, every year when she was lifted out for antifouling she would have another half dozed two bob size blisters below the water line and some more rust on the keel.
The owner wanted it sorted out as he was sick of grinding and filling blisters and removing rust from the keel. He also had a list as long as your arm of 'internal changes' like remove the dinette and relocate the galley, replace a suspect stringer and inspect the rest, stiffen the area around the keel and re set it with new bolts and holding plates.
As it was going to take some time for the hull to dry out we gutted the interior first and made several changes. Then lifted her off the keel and sorted out the bolts as well a grit blasting and epoxy coating, fairing and more coats of paint. We then stripped all the gelcoat from below the water line and spent a couple of months grinding suspect lay-up away, pressure washing every weekend and finding more suspect areas, I was very happy when we started to lay some glass and fill the moonscape we had left. this was followed by a minor fairing and than adding 2 layers of glass and one of rovings to ensure no ends of any strands were exposed, then a full on fairing and 4 more coats of epoxy resin.
When she made it back into the water the waterline was almost 2 inches higher than when she came out, mind you we had off loaded a lot of rubbish and the internal refit was a lot lighter too, but I suspect most of the lift came from rebuilding the rudder, it was completely filled with sea water and refused to dry out even though it had about 20 holes drilled in it.
Well she sailed even better than before and despite her age won many trophies.
She is still around and still looks great, no more blisters or rust and it must be 12 years or more.
Avagoodweekend......
guydickinson
Well-Known Member
Hi again!! A couple of follow up qustions if I may! You say most boats like this don't make the open market - is that because they are so in demand or because they probably won't ever sell...or what? Do you reckon Tyler Van de Stadts like this are more prone to osmosis than others - or is it just that age? This one was epoxied I gather. And that Sabb engine - well supposedly rebuilt about 10 years ago.
oldsaltoz
Well-Known Member
G'day again Guy,
<< Most boats like this don't make the open market - is that because they are so in demand or because they probably won't ever sell >>
They are very popular and do not change hands very often.
<< Do you reckon Tyler Van de Stadts like this are more prone to osmosis than others >>
I have no idea Guy, as I'm not familiar with the builder or his workmanship, however it should not be difficult to find out, your surveyor should be able to give you some information on this. Also not the older glass boats were heavy built and the gel coat was not the best, this has led to blistering on many of the older craft, particularly the ones build just after an oil shortage, no doubt due to the manufacturers or resin extending their product runs to meet demand. If she has been treated try to find out how long ago, who did it, is still under warranty, what procedure did they use.
<< Sabb engine - well supposedly rebuilt about 10 years ago >>
As I said, have it checked out by a marine mechanic, I suspect it may be ok but the elements may have caused some corrosion that will need fixing or possible replacement depending on it's condition.
Also note that any 'defects or shortcomings' can and do reduce the purchase price.
Avagoodweekend......
PS Just a tip, it took 3 years of searching to find a replacement for my last boat, so don't be in a rush, the more you look the more you see, the more you see the better you understand, the better you understand the less you will pay for the boat you seek.
<< Most boats like this don't make the open market - is that because they are so in demand or because they probably won't ever sell >>
They are very popular and do not change hands very often.
<< Do you reckon Tyler Van de Stadts like this are more prone to osmosis than others >>
I have no idea Guy, as I'm not familiar with the builder or his workmanship, however it should not be difficult to find out, your surveyor should be able to give you some information on this. Also not the older glass boats were heavy built and the gel coat was not the best, this has led to blistering on many of the older craft, particularly the ones build just after an oil shortage, no doubt due to the manufacturers or resin extending their product runs to meet demand. If she has been treated try to find out how long ago, who did it, is still under warranty, what procedure did they use.
<< Sabb engine - well supposedly rebuilt about 10 years ago >>
As I said, have it checked out by a marine mechanic, I suspect it may be ok but the elements may have caused some corrosion that will need fixing or possible replacement depending on it's condition.
Also note that any 'defects or shortcomings' can and do reduce the purchase price.
Avagoodweekend......
PS Just a tip, it took 3 years of searching to find a replacement for my last boat, so don't be in a rush, the more you look the more you see, the more you see the better you understand, the better you understand the less you will pay for the boat you seek.
guydickinson
Well-Known Member
Many thanks again for your tips!!! Buying boats is a bit like getting married in that you have to get it right! Well, I've been stuck with a duffer before and its a pain to say the least. All best. Guy
engineer7
New Member
I built "Overstretch" in 1979 and gave it to my son in 1999.
It had an encapsulated keel filled with lead shot and epoxy, NOT cast iron.
My son sold her and if I could find her I would be interested in buying her back.
I did the Round Britain Rally, sailed her to Portugal, Ireland the Baltic and the European coast from Holland to La Rochelle.
Brilliant boat, knocked down in a Force 9 off the Freisians and the mast hit the water. popped up like a cork. NEVER ever gave me a moment's worry.
Where is dear old Overstretch ( Sail Number 5377Y) now?
Geoffrey Simpson
