Vancouver 32

Since selling both my sailing boats last year Barada Nic32 and Black Swan First 30 JK I’ve been thinking about what type of sailing boat should I buy?

Having viewed two boats an Oyster Heritage 37 and a Rival 36. I thought the Oyster was too big and more than I wanted to pay? I made an offer for a Nicolson 35 called North Star which was well equiped for ocean sailing, but due to covid restriction and personal circumstances I didn’t pursue as the boat was out in Grenada in the Caribbean.

I’d seen a steel Van de Stadt in Northern Ireland and made an offer below the asking price and it wasn’t accepted, so again I didn’t pusue any further.

I saw nice Rival 36 on the south coast of england but didn’t think it was well equiped enough for long distance solo sailing. I also looked at another Rival 38a but I thought maybe its too big for my needs as a minimalistic sailor?

I cogitated over what boat? Nicholson 32 Mark 10 maybe? maybe a larger Nicholson such as Nic 38 or Nic 43? No in both cases? Why Nic 38 more motor sailor too large an engine Nic 43 far too big!

Some times when you’re struggling over a serious decision its best to go back to the drawing board or as “Tesla” CEO Elon Musk states go back to “first principles”?

I agree with Elon’s understanding using First principles it takes alot more mental energy when using this method of decision making. I have noticed over the years the size of yachts has morphed larger and larger. Like modern cars they morphed out of all proportion to cars built in the 70/80’s. There’s many a time I think to myself how do two people handle these big boats in a blow? Lots of electronics bow thrusters electric winches larger auxilary engines for me its more things to go wrong

Size 
Hull Type
Type of keel
Sail Configuration
Engine Size
Type of Engine
Technical data 
Age
History

I was mainly looking for wheel helm but theyre usually for boats of about 36 feet? Cost of moorings increase once the overall length is greater than 10 metres?

I thought what about boat of 32 feet that was well designed and sea worthy with a good comfortable saloon layout? This I ponder on for quite awhile? What would fit the bill?

Something did come to mind eventually when racking my brain? On one of my earlier ocean sailing adventures I had come across a Vancouver 34? Vancouver’s were soldily built british boat? But the 34 was rather pricey?  

Where could I locate a well equiped Vancouver 32 from ? I know maybe the Vancouver association?

I had a look there was a very well equiped Vancouver 32 up for sale in Sweden? Great, but is it still for sale? I contacted the Finnish owner Saku, yes it was, but for how long? Covid 19 has stopped potential owners going out to see with all the covid movement restrictions. I’ll have to be quick off the mark? How would I get out there to view the boat?

I remembered speaking to an owner of a Biscay 36 who was a professional delivery skipper, he could travel under the seaman rule? Yes that’s what I’ll do say I’m going out there as a skipper captain to inspect and sail the boat? Which was actually true!

I got letters of permission to travel from the Boat surveyor and boat owner, and use my MCA skipper papers to allow me to travel to Sweden. Booked my flights with KLM to Copenhagen. Plus my covid 19 tests and away I went on the 5th April to see Stella Polaris

What did I like about the boat?

Encapsulated long keel
Build quality
Good selection of sails
Engine under 30 HP
Yanmah 
Excellent Tech Data
Comfort Ratio 32
Capsize 1.76
Earlier owner Walsh
Well equiped 
Self Steering
Autohelm
Extensive Electronics
Comfortable saloon
Hot cool pressurised water

The owner Saku and his wife had under taken some serious sailing with Stella Polaris.

I went ahead and bought the boat; Stella Polaris had been well cared for during her ownership of the Finnish couple Saku & Sana! I fly back to Denmark Copenhagen on the 17 May to sail Stella Polaris to Scotland with the assistance of Saku.