Vancouver 27 vs ?

Nina Lucia

Nina Lucia

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 Jul 2005
Messages
880
Visit site
I love our Vancouver 27, and after more than ten years is it time to change and go for something different, slightly more spacious.
It’s very unusual lay out for V27. We have on or V27 double berth in fore cabin, nice locker + wet locker and good size heads, and one berth (+ pipe cot above for extra guest) in main cabin with great galley and chart table, but not proper salon.
What shall we look for, Sadler 32, Hallberg Rassy 29, Contessa 32 or something also?
Or stick what we have?
I have been advised by the builder who build our Vancouver no to change layout as that would devaluate boat!
 
There's a Pacific Seacraft 31 for sale at Chichester Marina.

Like the V27, it is designed for a couple to cruise extensively for a long period.

Pacific Seacraft are generally regarded as being amongst the very best constructed boats in the world. They made it to the Ferenc Máté book; World's Best Sailboats.

I've only walked around the one at Chichester but it looks clean and well equipped. It's had an after market mainfurler fitted which I wouldn't like, but horses . . .

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/198...Chichester-Marina/United-Kingdom#.Vo5WXxGtj18

(Clearly listed by a broker who is so knowledgeable he can't spell the surname of one of Britain's best (exported) designers and a founding member of the OCC.)
 
Last edited:
The Contessa has an excellent U shaped dinette but the rest of the boat might feel small to you. There is a lot of wasted space in the forward V double berth convention and if you can do without that I think there is a lot to be said for your present arrangement. Ditto Sadler really, though it has more room in the heads and generally elbow room for the larger or less mobile yachtsman. Both boats would possibly feel buoyant to you and probably more lively at sea and on the helm.
I like the Rassy, very smart, but they can be dear and whenever I have spoken about them to other sailors they have tended to turn their nose up a bit; maybe inverted snobbery or that I have been speaking to racy types too much.
I have seen a few very inexpensive Rivals around and suggest they should be on your list esp the 34, if that is not overlong for you.
How about the Victoria 30 - shame there is not a 32:
http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/archives/victoria-30/victoria-30.htm
 
Last edited:
You could look at some of the older Holman and Pye designs, like the Rustler 31
1980-rustler-31--1.jpg


The Hustler 30
cortinth-mistral-028.jpg


Or the Northney 34 (rare that one)
northney34.jpg


All excellent seaboats, quite quick for their age, traditionally built and fitted.
 
Last edited:
If it is space you are after then you will have to jump a fair bit in size before you get any appreciable increase if you limit your choice to "traditional" long keel boats. As suggested Rivals possible or Halmatic/Barbican 30, or C&N 31 would be worth looking at.
 
Rustler looks lovely! Chap that made our V27 is now with Rustler, we met few years ago on the pontoon in East Cowes...
 
I purchased a Vancouver 27 last year but on the shortlist was Halmatic, Rival, Rustler, Buchanan, Barbican and Nicholsons (Westerly was on the list but outside of my budget).

I understand where you coming from in wanting slightly more space but I doubt there will be many boats built as well as the Vancouver although those above probably would not disappoint.

For me the decision boiled down to getting a 'good deal'; In today's market it probably pays to be flexible on boat choice when some deals can be done.

It took 7 months to make a decision with quite a considerable amount of trawling through the various brokers websites and a considerable amount of travelling...good luck!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top