Vancouver 25 info needed

[KorculaChris]

Hi all, it's been awhile since I was on here.
Anyway, I'm going to be looking at a Vancouver 25, a full keel pocket cruiser.
What is the collective opinion of the boats, as a blue water ocean crosser, as far as construction, and any known problems.
Obviously, I am fine with the "small and simple" philosophy, so comments regarding the boat's size alone are not needed!
Very many thanks to all who have particular knowledge.
Fair winds, Chris

 

[Ross]

This man may know as much as anyone about the Vancouver boats
http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61697
Read this thread from the wood boat forum.

 

[Stu Jackson]

The Vancouver 25 was a fiberglass boat

designed by a Canadian, Robert (last name Morris?) as a pocket seagoing boat. I was aboard one years ago at an Oakland Boat Show. Rock solid. A Google search finds some for sale. Don't see a website for the company, most likely out of business. One in good shape would be a very good boat.

 

[Warren Milberg]

I believe all the Vancouver models were tough, well made full keel cruisers capable of extending cruising, depending on the capability of the crew. These boats are going to be a bit slow upwind and so may not be an ideal daysailor or weekender in sheltered waters. But I doubt you'd find a better boat when wind and waves come up offshore.

FYI, I keep my boat in Deale, Md, and there is a 1983 Vancouver 25 for sale there now. These are rare boats. Asking price is $18k, which is a good starting point if the boat passes survey. See pg 59 of the Jan/Feb edition of "Good Old Boat." You may want to contact the seller to get his thoughts on this model boat: giles.morris@gmail.com or 703-470-3180.

 

[knowitall]

Here's a link re the V25 (glass boat - not wood)

http://zzzdocs.com/Boats/Dolphin.aspx

 

[KorculaChris]

Thank you all for the comments. Warren and 'knowitall', that is the boat I'm going to be looking at over the Holidays! The asking price is a tad high as I've found two others, one in IL and one in Canada, both asking less than that, but as you say, Warren, a good starting point.
Your comments support what I've found out, that they are tough and go anywhere.
I changed my nick on here from plain 'Chris' as there were too many!
Once again, thanks all and happy Holidays

 

[Ross]

Be sure to factor in the costs involved in getting a boat from where you find it to where you will use it.

 

[Neil McDonald]

This man may know as much as anyone about the Vancouver boats
http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61697
Read this thread from the wood boat forum.

"This man" is J. Dillon and its a understatement to call his writing here a "thread" A better analogy would be a large hawser!! There are several hours worth of entertaining reading about his marine adventures over the years available through this link. Excellent for the Xmas season when its too cold to go down to the boat to escape from festivities. Not sure that JD tells you too much about the Vancouver that he owned - but it is clear that he thinks it way too small for a live aboard.

 

[KorculaChris]

Ross, thanks for your comments, to the point as always. The boat is in Deale, MD and I would be sailing her up to Long Island if she is seaworthy...cost would only be what was needed to bring her up to scratch and some diesel.

 

[Ross]

When you consider the sailings J. Dillon did in 11 years it tells you much about his boat. He tells of the places he sailed to and from and the things he did while in those places. In passing he mentions his boat and bits and pieces of work he did on it.

We have more trouble with our modern high tech boats then he seems to have had in his year with his Vancouver.

 

[Warren Milberg]

It's a nice trip from Deale, Md, to Long Island Sound. I've done it to Block Island with a stopovers in the C&D canal, Cape May and then the long ocean leg to the eastern tip of Long Island. The V-25 would be a good boat for such a trip. Keep us posted on this boat and good luck.

 

[KorculaChris]

Warren, et alia, IF I buy it I would in fact be bringing it to the Great South Bay, on the south shore of LI. That then raises the question of draught...at 4 ft I might not get up the canl to my slip!!!
Anyway, be sure I will keep you guys posted.
Again, thanks for the input and have a terrific holiday>

 

[Ross]

Warren, et alia, IF I buy it I would in fact be bringing it to the Great South Bay, on the south shore of LI. That then raises the question of draught...at 4 ft I might not get up the canl to my slip!!!
Anyway, be sure I will keep you guys posted.
Again, thanks for the input and have a terrific holiday>

If you time your canal passage right you can get in . You will have a 3 foot tidal range.

edited for typos

 

[KorculaChris]

Ah, Ross, unfortunately you can't trust all that the tables tell us. The tide range at my slip is 1.3 feet at springs, 0.7 at neaps. There is a deeper channel that's only a few feet wide, which would mean creeping up under idling motor and staying very alert!!! Only a mile, and yet so far. The three foot range at springs is out at the entrance.