Vancouver 28 vs 32 handling

dunedin said:
More information might be helpful for people to be able to assist.
Where are you intending to sail the boats single handed.

Makes a big difference if (realistic/actual) plans are ocean crossing or coastal sailing.
With coastal sailing and modern weather forecasts, ability to go to windward in a F8 is very rarely, if ever, needed whereas manoevering in harbour is a (near) everyday requirement.
And other aspects make boats more or less suitable for singlehanding - including ease of fitting autopilot, ropes led back to cockpit etc.
Click to expand...
I think I kind of decided that I'd like to get a full keel and Vancouvers are reasonable boats from what I've read so far. My longer term goal is to cross oceans but for the first few years will be doing coastal sailing especially West Scotland and Ireland. I prefer not to use marinas daily (there aren't that many anyways) so I like the idea of having bigger fuel/water tanks. Also, my though process is that it's better to buy one boat and stick to it, rather than buy something and resell it a few years later for a loss. Learning everything about one boat also makes more sense to me.
 
Outlander said:
I think I kind of decided that I'd like to get a full keel and Vancouvers are reasonable boats from what I've read so far. My longer term goal is to cross oceans but for the first few years will be doing coastal sailing especially West Scotland and Ireland. I prefer not to use marinas daily (there aren't that many anyways) so I like the idea of having bigger fuel/water tanks. Also, my though process is that it's better to buy one boat and stick to it, rather than buy something and resell it a few years later for a loss. Learning everything about one boat also makes more sense to me.
Click to expand...
That’s fine, each to their own choices.
But certainly the long keel will have no material benefits over other boat types singlehanding round NW Scotland. Per other threads of Twister vs Fulmar and others.
But Vancouvers look nice enough, even if less spacious and potentially more pricey compared with other options available.
 
Outlander said:
I think I kind of decided that I'd like to get a full keel and Vancouvers are reasonable boats from what I've read so far. My longer term goal is to cross oceans but for the first few years will be doing coastal sailing especially West Scotland and Ireland. I prefer not to use marinas daily (there aren't that many anyways) so I like the idea of having bigger fuel/water tanks. Also, my though process is that it's better to buy one boat and stick to it, rather than buy something and resell it a few years later for a loss. Learning everything about one boat also makes more sense to me.
Click to expand...
For Stage 1 of your plan I'd recommend a V27/28 for ease of handling, especially single-handed, lower costs (per ft length), etc, but for Stage 2 a V32/34 would be a faster, more stable and more spacious option.

Maybe there's no way of getting around the 'selling at a loss' problem except to accept it (everyone is in that boat at least once if not several times!), same with the 'getting to know one boat thoroughly' ideal...?

So buy what you need and can afford now (plus allow for some renewal expenses etc), and worry about your longer term ambitions later...?

Or buy the bigger beast if you can find a good one you can afford, then you've got all bases covered...!
 
One other thing: an older V27 or V32 probably won't have pumped hot water, later ones I think will, else you'd need to fit a calorifier to the engine cooling system (no room on the smaller 27/28) or you'd need to live with boiling the kettle as I do down here on the South Coast.

Also for Scotland etc in less summery months I'd personally want a good source of domestic heat, not a weeny diesel heated fan thing but a proper small charcoal or diesel burner on a bulkhead that'd chuck out dry heat - no real room to fit one on a small Vancouver.

Finally, if it's rubbish weather at anchor etc, the small interior of the 27/28 can be very limiting. I've got a custom-made cockpit enclosure which keeps the rain and wind 95% out and increases the 'living space' considerably.
 
Babylon said:
One other thing: an older V27 or V32 probably won't have pumped hot water, later ones I think will, else you'd need to fit a calorifier to the engine cooling system (no room on the smaller 27/28) or you'd need to live with boiling the kettle as I do down here on the South Coast.

Also for Scotland etc in less summery months I'd personally want a good source of domestic heat, not a weeny diesel heated fan thing but a proper small charcoal or diesel burner on a bulkhead that'd chuck out dry heat - no real room to fit one on a small Vancouver.

Finally, if it's rubbish weather at anchor etc, the small interior of the 27/28 can be very limiting. I've got a custom-made cockpit enclosure which keeps the rain and wind 95% out and increases the 'living space' considerably.
Click to expand...
You could certainly fit a clarifier to a V32 with a quarter berth ( that's where it normally lives underneath it) I had one in my V27 but that was a 274 not the usual configuration of the 27. Anything is possible 😁
Both had Eberspachers fitted I wasn't a fan of the usual dripped oil burners or charcoal. It was a bit of a bugger fitting it in the 27 and getting the duct work into the forepeak berth ( the 274 is like a mini 32 it even had a separate heads)
 
Outlander said:
I think I kind of decided that I'd like to get a full keel and Vancouvers are reasonable boats from what I've read so far. My longer term goal is to cross oceans but for the first few years will be doing coastal sailing especially West Scotland and Ireland. I prefer not to use marinas daily (there aren't that many anyways) so I like the idea of having bigger fuel/water tanks. Also, my though process is that it's better to buy one boat and stick to it, rather than buy something and resell it a few years later for a loss. Learning everything about one boat also makes more sense to me.
Click to expand...
It is highly unlikely you will get it right with your first boat. You seem to have little experience and for learning I would suggest you get a boat that is ready to go and needs little doing to it for a few years' sailing. By then you will have a much clearer idea of what you like and don't like. Then you can invest in your long term boat wisely. Remember the boats you are focussing on now are very much a minority interest mainly because most people find other designs far more suited to their needs. Your needs are not minority but little different from those of the majority. Still not sure why you think a long keel boat is required for your kind of use. Sticking to this means you lock yourself out of a huge choice of perfectly satisfactory - and in many cases superior boats for what you claim you want to do.
 
Outlander said:
Something like that? btw does it get any warmer inside or is it just a wind protection..?
Click to expand...

Yes, that's it, very useful. A custom-made, well-fitting enclosure temporarily increases dry 'internal space' by another third on a V27/28, and definitely warmer in rubbish weather in northern European waters than nothing at all! Allow a good five minutes to set it up and take it down each time. Less essential on a 32/34, but I've seen plenty with them.

Bear in mind closely what Tranona says above. There's certainly no perfect boat at any stage, every boat is just a best-fit compromise, and there are loads of more modern designs that sail better/differently etc. But if your heart is set on a Vancouver or any other long-keel design for whatever reason (old-fashioned romantic ideas of what a boat should be are perfectly acceptable) then go for it.

So, from what you've told us about yourself and your aims, and if you do definitely want a Vancouver, then I'd say start with a good smaller one without looming big-ticket costs (there'll always be renewal/upgrade costs somewhere on any boat) and aim to keep it initially for 3-5yrs. Longer-term, once you've got more experience, you can always sell it if you need to and buy something bigger or something different.
 
Here are two examples of recently-re-engined and clearly very well-maintained and upgraded V28s, both with non-teak decks:

A 1987 boat Copper-coated with a 3 year old engine and newish water tanks for £37,500 asking in Falmouth: https://uk.boats.com/sailing-boats/1987-vancouver-28-9875140/

A 1997 boat with a 7 year old engine and recent new sails for £43,000 in Southampton: https://uk.boats.com/sailing-boats/1997-vancouver-28-9957556/

Or, if your budget is a bit more modest, you could buy my 1982 teak-decked V27 (new engine etc from 2011 onwards, as listed above) for something like £25,000...
 
Tranona said:
It is highly unlikely you will get it right with your first boat. You seem to have little experience and for learning I would suggest you get a boat that is ready to go and needs little doing to it for a few years' sailing. By then you will have a much clearer idea of what you like and don't like. Then you can invest in your long term boat wisely. Remember the boats you are focussing on now are very much a minority interest mainly because most people find other designs far more suited to their needs. Your needs are not minority but little different from those of the majority. Still not sure why you think a long keel boat is required for your kind of use. Sticking to this means you lock yourself out of a huge choice of perfectly satisfactory - and in many cases superior boats for what you claim you want to do.
Click to expand...
That is very good advice. And yet my friend, after looking at various boats, bought a twister, for coastal sailing around w and n scotland. He had almost no experience, two one week trips on the bradwell 18 and a couple of weeks on the longbow with me.
He loves his boat and lavishes lots of attention on her, new engine, new electrics etc etc. As far as he is concerned she will see him out the next 15-20 years and has never regretted it or considered changing her.

To the OP, for what you are wanting it for, if you buy a vancouver, unless you decide to go and spend months in the med, I doubt you'll ever regret your choice.
And I suspect the only reason you would change it after a while is if you bout the 28 and then later wanted more space and switched to the 32.
 
Outlander said:
Guys,

In my quest for a perfect boat I have found something that would suit me the most which is a Vancouver 28, but I also saw a 32 for a similar price. I only have experience with smaller boats (25-28) and larger ones (45) hence my question: what are the differences in handling very similar boats that are 28f and 32f long? Sailboatdata shows a much bigger displacement (almost 60% more) but it's hard for me to asses the impact of that. How about things like trimming sails or marina parking?
Note that I'll be single handing most of the time.
Click to expand...
Everything costs more as length and displacement increase.
Think X squared or cubed
But, displacement is nice to have for comfort and internal volume and less tippy motion

Your choice

I would hold off until you can persuade someone to take you for an “Let me buy the beers and lunch plus” sail on BOTH. If you’re a nice guy and find amenable proud owners .
Try the owners club ?
 
Couple of points to add.

I agree with Tranona that fixing the type of boat (long keel, specifically Vancouver) is limiting despite the fact that they are excellent durable boats. I do think you are setting the right priorities - a comfortable boat with tankage to avoid having to seek out marinas plus a rig suited for offshore work is a good starting point. Worth trying to get the right boat from the start rather than trading up.

Condition and the evidence of continuous maintenance plus the nature of use are more important than age. In addition to replacing the big items, consider the costs to add items like second furlers, wind vane steering and/or autopilot and proper battery and charging systems.

Space matters and if you think you need a cockpit tent then do you really need a bigger boat? A 32 or 34ft should have plenty of space, even in an older style design. I value having a spare cabin to park the inevitable clutter of cruising so that the saloon and sleeping cabin are always clear. I can picture having to move anchorage at 3am in rain with the tent up. A V34 Pilothouse is very nice but probably too pricy.
 
Babylon said:
I can't remember, something like £2k or so?... would be more now.
Click to expand...
I renewed mine on V28 in 2023 - cost was £1973 so Babylon about right with the cost.

I'd just say regarding space or lack of, it all depends on ones size. If you are of a tall and bulky build you might find it limiting but if of a smaller build (like me) then you might find it not a restraint

You are right about the bigger water and fuel tanks, they are very useful and enable you to stay independent for long passages.
I love my V28, 12 years and 25,000 miles later I still do.
 
The OP is inexperienced and clearly worried about handling after reading stories and posts about long keeled yacht being pigs to handle, they can be difficult but most can be managed once you understand how they behave and learn to use that. If he buys a Vancouver be it a 28 or 32 I would recommend that he spends some beer tokens on a day or two with a competent instructor who would be prepared to give him an intensive practical close quarters handling lesson in various situations.
As for the choice he needs to simply go and view a 28 and a 32 and decide which will suit him better, the more spacious 32 or the newer comfortable 28. In either case he should be aware that there will be a continuous upgrading and maintenance required.
 
I’ve owned fin and spade , bilge keel, long keel and long fin.

The momentary ease of parking in a marina for the fin and spade type was relentlessly outweighed by the joys at sea of a longer keel!

But design ( and size) has improved continuously over the years
 
Blueboatman said:
I’ve owned fin and spade , bilge keel, long keel and long fin.

The momentary ease of parking in a marina for the fin and spade type was relentlessly outweighed by the joys at sea of a longer keel!

But design ( and size) has improved continuously over the years
Click to expand...
What precisely are the “joys at sea of a longer keel”?
I have sailed places from Stockholm to Bermuda and never once wished for a long keel. They were a near necessity for wooden built boats, which hung on by default into many early GRP boats. But not sure they have any advantages at all over a moderate fin and skeg (or blade) rudder design at sea.
They have many disadvantages in terms of manoevering and extra wetted surface. But the only real advantage I can see is more robust for running aground !
 
dunedin said:
What precisely are the “joys at sea of a longer keel”?
I have sailed places from Stockholm to Bermuda and never once wished for a long keel. They were a near necessity for wooden built boats, which hung on by default into many early GRP boats. But not sure they have any advantages at all over a moderate fin and skeg (or blade) rudder design at sea.
They have many disadvantages in terms of manoevering and extra wetted surface. But the only real advantage I can see is more robust for running aground !
Click to expand...
Oh no
I am not going there 😄
We’ll be here all day.

To each their own.

I am delighted that you are delighted with your choices and experiences too.
 
Last edited:
Fr J Hackett said:
The OP is inexperienced and clearly worried about handling after reading stories and posts about long keeled yacht being pigs to handle, they can be difficult but most can be managed once you understand how they behave and learn to use that. If he buys a Vancouver be it a 28 or 32 I would recommend that he spends some beer tokens on a day or two with a competent instructor who would be prepared to give him an intensive practical close quarters handling lesson in various situations.
As for the choice he needs to simply go and view a 28 and a 32 and decide which will suit him better, the more spacious 32 or the newer comfortable 28. In either case he should be aware that there will be a continuous upgrading and maintenance required.
Click to expand...
I agree, never sailed a long keeled boat before and after reading many stories online, yes I am a bit worried, especially that I'm planning to sail solo. Although my idea of sailing is that I leave a marina and won't come back for 3-4 weeks.
Sailing for a day or two together with soon-to-be previous owner would always be my requirement when buying a boat.


What do you guys think about this 28? Someone has recently invested lots of money in her, and my suspicious mind thinks that the upgrade went wrong hence why they are now selling :)

https://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/vancouver-28-for-sale/804751

and a nice pdf: Click!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top