Just my opinion but I think that yacht is a horrible bastardization of the original design though it probably fits the bill if you don't mind doing lots of motoring and not sailing in any sort of heavy weather.

It has plenty of shaded cockpit area which you will need in the north west. Also the desalinator has just been serviced which might be an essential item up there.

Certainly cant argue with the convenience of the bilge keels....treat it like a trailer sailer, back up to the beach & step off!, I like it, it has an 'industrial' look, wouldn't know how well it would sail tho', but they even have a youtube giving an idea of how it does. Looks like a very well maintained boat.

Yeah I will go have a look at it I really like the idea of it im not the most experienced sailer. Been crewing on race boats for last year and sailed cats when I was younger.

I think the alloy and being a newer make would hold value well if I wanted to upgrade to a more dedicated sailing boat.

Just the fact it seems all ready to go no work needed except maybe refridgeration but thats easy.

Being an electrician I dont think electrosis should be an issue for me im pretty meticious on things that side.

The owner said he has had it out in >35 knot winds and it handed well.

Im an avid diver I think it would make an amazing platform for weekend trips to rotto diving while learning the boat before I took it up north at some point next year.

What do you guus think on the price side? Good value for what it is?

I think it would be a good boat at anchor, roomy and good shade. She is well kitted and comfortable.

In the video he had at most 10 kts of wind. The boat moved well but with 10-15 deg of heel. In 20 kts she would be on her ear. In 35 kts I hate to think.

Cruisers say they only sail with the wind aft of the beam. Unfortunately, that isn't always possible or predictable so if you can't go into wind you are not going anywhere.

Suggest she is meant for motoring rather than sailing.

If you like the rest of the boat I would get a experienced sailor (someone on this forum would probably put their hand up) to take it for a motor and a sail with you in a bit of breeze and so how it goes

I don't think that anyone can give a opinion on how the boat performs without taking it for a sail

Regards Don

Thats a good idea Donk

Anyone from perth here who is quite experienced wish to come out one day. I have contacted the owner waiting for him to get back to him hopefully can take it out next weekend.

I can provide lift and beer for the favour :)

Interesting take on bilge keels here www.brayyachtdesign.bc.ca/article_twinkeels.html

Regards Don

This is a good forum if you want various opinions on bilge keel yachts forums.ybw.com/index.php?forums/practical-boat-owners-reader-to-reader.13/
And this one as well www.ybw.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?16-Yachting-Monthly-s-Scuttlebutt

Regards Don

He

Donk107 said..

Interesting take on bilge keels here www.brayyachtdesign.bc.ca/article_twinkeels.html

Regards Don

he is a fan of the twin keels of course and I feel he is selling the idea to much! His test is very limited on a motor boat and just moving the keels once is not refining anything.
I believe it takes someone who really understands twin keels to design a boat with them that will sail ok.
I would be asking who done this boat and of course take it out in 20 knots and you will soon find out how good it is.
I love the idea of beaching, iv done seven years of cruising in a ketch and stood her on her keel many times by tying of the mast to mangroves. But when I went sailing on a sea wind 24 and landed every beach I saw it was great not to be stuck out pass the reef, plus how easy is it to anti fowl.
Now this pointing crap that everyone goes on about, well in all my years if only met 'two' people who knew their VMG or their actual lee way or real angle to wind!
And honestly in all my travels going to wind is low on the list of abilities of a cruising boat.

cisco said..

Dezman said..


And honestly in all my travels going to wind is low on the list of abilities of a cruising boat.

Until you find yourself desperately trying to claw your way off a lee shore or if it means the difference of getting to the day's anchorage at 5 pm in time for sundowners and a BBQ or still being out there at 10 pm trying to bash your way in to the anchorage and only having a cuppa soup for dinner.

I will take a fast deep fin keeled sloop that powers to windward even if it has to be hand steered every inch of the way, over a slow slug that won't go to windward.

They say that gentlemen don't sail to windward. Well I guess I ain't no gentleman and most of you have figured that out already.

In the situation you describe most people would probably start the engine and motor to their destination instead of trying to sail their way out of it

Where we live it amazes me how many boats motor past in favourable wind conditions with sails stowed when they could be sailing instead

Regards Don

Donk107 said..

In the situation you describe most people would probably start the engine and motor to their destination instead of trying to sail their way out of it

Where we live it amazes me how many boats motor past in favourable wind conditions with sails stowed when they could be sailing instead

Regards Don

I have to admit Don that probably 85 to 90% of my time on yachts has been spent with the motor running. I do not race. I voyage. When the wind don't blow or blow strong enough to make my determined anchorage at my determined ETA, I do not get Carter the Farter to Start'er, I hoist the iron top sail.

When the wind does blow, be it TO where I am going or FROM where I am going, I employ what ever sails I have to sail as efficiently as possible toward my destination and thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to just sail.

If I am not doing 6 knots, I am not happy unless it is a very mellow day, cruising along and playing the radio, with no particular place to go. Apologies to Chuck Berry.

cisco said..

Dezman said..


And honestly in all my travels going to wind is low on the list of abilities of a cruising boat.

Until you find yourself desperately trying to claw your way off a lee shore or if it means the difference of getting to the day's anchorage at 5 pm in time for sundowners and a BBQ or still being out there at 10 pm trying to bash your way in to the anchorage and only having a cuppa soup for dinner.

I will take a fast deep fin keeled sloop that powers to windward even if it has to be hand steered every inch of the way, over a slow slug that won't go to windward.

They say that gentlemen don't sail to windward. Well I guess I ain't no gentleman and most of you have figured that out already.

Everyone has their way of cruising and most yachts will point well enough to escape a lee shore.
Funny how you love yachts for how capable at sailing they are but motor most of the time!
For me sailing a boat along the coast using what ever wind there is was a great challenge, and I was able to keep a 90% sailing to 10% motor average. Which I was proud of and worked hard to bring about, I saw many people motoring along and for me I couldn't do it.
As for time of arrival I made a note of never working it out for as soon as I did it the wind would change! Haha, so many times I would be drifting along waiting for a sea breeze and refusing to start the engine, telling myself I'm not afraid to be out in the dark. In all my cruising I think there would only be about 10% that tried to sail the coast! most just motor and gee I wondered why they even own a mast.
Of course there has been times when iv hit the key and powered into the anchorage when iv had enough, I'm not a die hard purist. However my 4 months sailing down from cook town without a engine was magic! I had met engineless sailors and admired them. Leaving port with only the wind to drive your boat is truly an amazing experience, a test of a sailors skill and connection he/she has with their boat and the sea.

Well this is Maggie who sailed a 19 ft Hartley up and down the Queensland coast with no engine! That's right none, and she done some miles over the fourteen years full time cruising. Going as far as Lizard island, she would head out to face the day and as she said to me "you can always turn around" .
Now guys before you start worrying about how safe your boat is and making your way to wind then think of this woman.
We are not worthy.

I have an aluminium VDS 34 here in Geraldton WA, and loving it, she rides nice and quite, the decks are painted white and light grey and I do not notice it being hot inside, if anything maybe a bit cooler than the glass boats here, they are solid boats able to withstand quite a hammering in rough weather if your experience is up to it, I agree with Cisco, looks like they have tampered poorly with a sweet looking boat, but hey what does that matter if it suits your needs. Like you I looked at many SS 34s but its the volume inside of the VDS that sets it apart, good luck.

I have an extended van de stadt 34 to 36, the designer, if I am correct, Hans Kurner, calculated the changes; the place of the mast and the extra (5%) ballast of the keel for axample, but also 35 cm wider at the back of the boat, which was not necessary, but it makes the boat quicker. I bought the plans and the unfinished hull, and finnished it, and am very pleased with it, sails really well and easy. I have the letters of the designer, the man i bought the hull from was/is a vriend of the designer.
I can immagine that the big tent /doghouse on the boat you are looking at has a negative influence, since the original design is not designed like that. My boat stears very quick, i think the tent pushes the boat into the wind, so the course is not so easy to hold.
I would say, just get rid of the tent/doghouse and it will be a nice boat i think.
Excuse me for my bad english.

greetings from the netherlands