Vancouver 28....what's not to like?

[Fr J Hackett]

When I'm surveying Vancouvers, it's nice to know as much as possible about their history.
Yours is the second one that I have been assured is the first V34 produced.

I sold it about 7 years ago if I had to guess somehow 64 rings a bell but I can definitely assure you that she was the first V34 built and Kevins V32 Islander 2 was the last V32 built and they were built alongside of each other. The first couple of V34s had cast iron keels ( eventually replaced with lead and the weight moved a little forward) and tended to drag the stern under power I and others used some lead in the forepeak to counter that so if you see it that's the reason. One thing many of the Vancouvers suffered from was the compound used to fill the hull to deck joint, it often contained voids went hard and cracked. Water got under the caprail and travelled along and eventually appeared. Those leaks were impossible to trace until you lifted the caprails and renewed the filler, I can't remember what I used but a boat builder advised me.

 

[Motor_Sailor]

. . . somehow 64 rings a bell but I can definitely assure you that she was the first V34 built . . .

Ok, thanks

The first couple of V34s had cast iron keels ( eventually replaced with lead and the weight moved a little forward) and tended to drag the stern under power I and others used some lead in the forepeak to counter that so if you see it that's the reason.

That was my interest really. If you were 64 then there may have been three built with iron ballast.

One thing many of the Vancouvers suffered from was the compound used to fill the hull to deck joint, it often contained voids went hard and cracked. Water got under the caprail and travelled along and eventually appeared. Those leaks were impossible to trace until you lifted the caprails and renewed the filler, I can't remember what I used but a boat builder advised me.

Yes, I'm extremely familiar with issues emanating from the problems with the deck / hull joint.

Thank you.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Absolutely amazing just found a copy of an old IRC rating certificate and the hull number is .............tarraaa 64 Anything else:encouragement:

I think you are correct it was 3. The other irritation was the bulkhead around the door to the forepeak and the hanging lockers which tended to move and squeak and needed rebonding. Some of the 32s and one 34 had a problem with the knees that the chain plates were attached to on at least one of those complete detachment from the hull. The through hole in the deck which the chain plate passes through was often poorly sealed as well with the obvious result of water ingress.

 

[Daydream believer]

before finally getting fed up of the slowish performance and switching to a lightning fast Vancouver 34C

I started a 60 mile trip in company with one once. It was F5 wind up the chuff & he had full sail. I rolled away my jib & put 2 rolls in my main to try & go slow enough in my 31 ft boat. But after going back for them at least 3 times I gave up & left them behind. I cannot imagine a slower old dog.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

I started a 60 mile trip in company with one once. It was F5 wind up the chuff & he had full sail. I rolled away my jib & put 2 rolls in my main to try & go slow enough in my 31 ft boat. But after going back for them at least 3 times I gave up & left them behind. I cannot imagine a slower old dog.

In those conditions he should have been flying a kite or cruising chute with at most a single reef in the main and making reasonable speed. My best days run in a V34 was 197 miles. If you want to sail them quickly you can. What is true they will carry on going when others can't.

What they are not is close winded and they don't perform in conditions much under about 12 knots, however as offshore boats they are extremely comfortable and safe.

 

[Motor_Sailor]

. . . Some of the 32s and one 34 had a problem with the knees that the chain plates were attached to on at least one of those complete detachment from the hull. . . .

Certainly more than one 34 to my knowledge.
And don't start me on the balsa core . . .

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Certainly more than one 34 to my knowledge.
And don't start me on the balsa core . . .

Northshores quality at times was not deserving of its reputation but despite that most of the problems were easy fixes if you looked after your boat and knew your way around it.

You may find this article of interest: http://marketlady.eu/pheon-yachts-the-vancouvers/

 

[E39mad]

Yes the first V34 was no 64. I was in the first brochure before Amoret was sold locally (to Northshore). BTW there is always a stamp in Northshore mouldings under the toerail on the port quarter indicating firstly the year of moulding then the hull number so Amoret would have been 91/64. Islander II was a part exchange for a Vancouver 36 in 1994.

Obscurely someone I went to school with owns the second Vancouver 34 brochure boat "Inti" that I have sailed a couple of times in recent years following a school reunion - small world!

 

[Deleted member 36384]

My boat buying dilemma continues...

.... It's a real dilemma!

Including the last 7 years, just how long has this dilemma being going on for?

 

[V1701]

May I just call a halt to all this 'V' stuff.

'V' is for Vertue, not Vancouver

No it's not it's for Vega!

 

[chockswahay]

There are plenty about some will show a fair bit of wear as they are all getting on a bit now, particularly the 27s and 32s. So why haven't you bought one?

Well it's a loooooooong story! We had a 3 year run criusing around in a motorhome from 2013 to 2016 then after a couple of years back in the 'working world' bought another one last year! (when I say motorhome I mean Fiat based panel van conversion)

Anyway, here we are, driving around in the 'van..............and where do we usually end up? by the sea, near harbours etc, always looking out wistfully wishing we were still sailing!

So then! the van has a limited time with us now, we just gotta get another yacht!

And THAT is where the dilemma begins ALL over again! Our last yacht was a 13m Laurent Giles Ketch, safe and secure but too big and too expensive. We like to 'voyage' but this time probably mostly coastal with a few trips to France or Ireland. Since seeing one my missus has always liked the Vancouver 28, and that is the yard stick but which everything will be measured against.

Me? I still like stability over speed (but like the 'odd race'), prefer long integral keel over external fin, sloop instead of ketch blah blah blah

I would like a well built, quality vessel that is not too old. I (we) don't care too much for all the modern types so the choice is somewhat limited.

Yeah, a bit of a dilemma! Hey ho .....

 

[chockswahay]

Vancouver 28....what's not to like?


err, the price?

I have to agree with you, many of the current ones for sale are old and tatty and people are still asking what they 'think' they are worth because they probably paid too much money when they bought them themselves!

 

[[3889]]

It's a real dilemma!

Of your own making. A year after you started this thread I bought my current boat which has turned out imperfect in many ways for my needs. But I have had six years of highly enjoyable sailing meantime and don't regret a moment of it. Fish of the day, or carpe diem as the Romans would have it.

 

[G12]

I love my V28 - great boat. I get to go (or stay) sailing when other people run and hide, everything is well made, storage everywhere, good internal layout for use at sea.
What don't I like? She does what she likes astern which often isn't what you're wanting her to ( I do have a monster prop which probably doesn't help) Light air performance isn't great. I do have a good sail wardrobe to choose from though so I can often keep her going when others give up.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Well it's a loooooooong story! We had a 3 year run criusing around in a motorhome from 2013 to 2016 then after a couple of years back in the 'working world' bought another one last year! (when I say motorhome I mean Fiat based panel van conversion)

Anyway, here we are, driving around in the 'van..............and where do we usually end up? by the sea, near harbours etc, always looking out wistfully wishing we were still sailing!

So then! the van has a limited time with us now, we just gotta get another yacht!

And THAT is where the dilemma begins ALL over again! Our last yacht was a 13m Laurent Giles Ketch, safe and secure but too big and too expensive. We like to 'voyage' but this time probably mostly coastal with a few trips to France or Ireland. Since seeing one my missus has always liked the Vancouver 28, and that is the yard stick but which everything will be measured against.

Me? I still like stability over speed (but like the 'odd race'), prefer long integral keel over external fin, sloop instead of ketch blah blah blah

I would like a well built, quality vessel that is not too old. I (we) don't care too much for all the modern types so the choice is somewhat limited.

Yeah, a bit of a dilemma! Hey ho .....

I love my V28 - great boat. I get to go (or stay) sailing when other people run and hide, everything is well made, storage everywhere, good internal layout for use at sea.
What don't I like? She does what she likes astern which often isn't what you're wanting her to ( I do have a monster prop which probably doesn't help) Light air performance isn't great. I do have a good sail wardrobe to choose from though so I can often keep her going when others give up.

A V27, 28 or 32 will give you all you want all 3 have enormous storage perfectly adequate for spending long times on or even living on. The one downside is that they by modern fin keel lightweight standards are slow expect to average 4.5 Knt on the 27 /28 and 5+ on the 32 and use the engine in winds much less than 8knts as they will not point effectively and be quite slow, an option is a big lightweight genoa on a Balmar furler and a cruising chute. Don't expect to win anything racing as they don't handicap well and with the cutter rig they will not be fast around the cans but my 34 would see off Contessa 32s, Fulmars and Rustler 36s:encouragement: even with the handicap.
If you can find one the 4 berth 27 and 28 is a good choice with the forepeak as a conventional double rather than the normal arrangement of pipe cots in the saloon, the loss of stowage is not really a problem ( use the quarter berth)

I sailed many miles in a V274 including Biscay crossings and western Ireland in all weathers the only reason I changed to a V34 ( I was looking for a 32 but the 34 became available at an attractive price) was that I was time poor and wanted more speed.

Handling is something you get used to using prop wash I could turn the 27 and 34 within 1 1/2 boat lengths I did think about a folding prop but was never sure if I would lose the prop wash which would definitely limit manoeuvrability although it would give a 1/2 to 1 knt gain in speed.

My advice is look carefully and go for it but be prepared to spend a little on fettling, they are all long in the tooth most well used and their gear is likely to be old and in need of renewing plus there are likely to be many owner idiosyncrasies and wiring odds and sods.

 

[chockswahay]

A V27, 28 or 32 will give you all you want all 3 have enormous storage perfectly adequate for spending long times on or even living on. The one downside is that they by modern fin keel lightweight standards are slow expect to average 4.5 Knt on the 27 /28 and 5+ on the 32 and use the engine in winds much less than 8knts as they will not point effectively and be quite slow, an option is a big lightweight genoa on a Balmar furler and a cruising chute. Don't expect to win anything racing as they don't handicap well and with the cutter rig they will not be fast around the cans but my 34 would see off Contessa 32s, Fulmars and Rustler 36s:encouragement: even with the handicap.
If you can find one the 4 berth 27 and 28 is a good choice with the forepeak as a conventional double rather than the normal arrangement of pipe cots in the saloon, the loss of stowage is not really a problem ( use the quarter berth)

I sailed many miles in a V274 including Biscay crossings and western Ireland in all weathers the only reason I changed to a V34 ( I was looking for a 32 but the 34 became available at an attractive price) was that I was time poor and wanted more speed.

Handling is something you get used to using prop wash I could turn the 27 and 34 within 1 1/2 boat lengths I did think about a folding prop but was never sure if I would lose the prop wash which would definitely limit manoeuvrability although it would give a 1/2 to 1 knt gain in speed.

My advice is look carefully and go for it but be prepared to spend a little on fettling, they are all long in the tooth most well used and their gear is likely to be old and in need of renewing plus there are likely to be many owner idiosyncrasies and wiring odds and sods.

Thank you very much for your thoughts, (I quite fancy a 34)

 

[chockswahay]

Well it has taken 7 years! We finally take delivery of our new (to us) V28 next week

Thank you every one for your input (in all forms)

Cheers

 

[E39mad]

Well it has taken 7 years! We finally take delivery of our new (to us) V28 next week

Thank you every one for your input (in all forms)

Cheers

Excellent news - which one have you bought?

 

[Fr J Hackett]

A good choice you shouldn't be disappointed.:encouragement:

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

Having read through these postings I'm surprised you weren't put off buying one! Let's hope yours hasn't got the problems listed. Even if it has you're probably still all starry-eyed about it !!! How do they compare to Rustlers I wonder? I used to fancy both Vancouver 28 and 32 (?) and anything by Rustler. Bought neither but did own some lovely, and some not so lovely, sailing boats along the way - all except one long keelers!