Because I spend so much time sailing other people’s boats, I don’t get enough time to enjoy my beautiful 37ft Van de Stadt blue-water cruiser. Boats are not meant to sit idle in the marina, so I’m offering her to someone who will use her regularly.
She is fitted out to Category One standard and has recently sailed across the Tasman twice – she will take you wherever you want to go. She also has a new Yanmar diesel, a new Selden boom with three reefing lines and a new furling headsail.
She’s currently in the Mooloolaba marina and ideally I’d like her to stay in southern Queensland or northern NSW, but I’m open to offers. She does need to be in a pen, not on a mooring, for insurance purposes but I’m more than happy for her to cruise to the Whitsundays or down to Sydney – she’s done 7,500 blue water miles so a few more won’t matter. I just want her to be sailed and enjoyed.
If you’re thinking of going cruising in retirement and want to see whether the lifestyle is for you, or if you’ve been crewing on someone else’s boat but want the freedom to make the decisions on where and when to sail, then this could be the ideal opportunity.
You will be expected to pay mooring, insurance and registration costs and haul her out and return her newly antifouled. I can detail these costs to anyone who expresses a genuine interest.
I’m suggesting that the loan period should be 12 months, but I’m open to extending the time to the right person. Obviously some sailing experience is necessary but she’s so sea-worthy that I have no problem lending her to someone who will “learn on the job”.
Please drop an email to rogermcmillan@yaffa.com.au letting me know where you live and where you would intend to pen her.
– Roger McMillan, editor
UPDATE: The response has been overwhelming and I have foundagood person to look after her. You might like to try Boat Surfers – click on the advertisement at the top of our home page.
