Hello everyone,

I saw advertised a 2002 fibreglass Van De Stadt Caribbean 40' and am seeking some valuable opinions from the more knowledgable folk here. All pros and cons welcomed and appreciated.

Thank you.

cammd said..
This one?

yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/van-de-stadt-caribbean-40/305742

Pros - new engine, new rigging, new electronics, new batteries, new wind generator, 2 new spinnakers and a new genoa. That's a lot of big ticket items already sorted, its seems like a lot of upgrades for the $30K figure mentioned

Cons - wouldn't be to keen on a balsa cored deck, would be checking that for soft spots, a 20 yo boat is bound to have had some leaks over that time.

Correct. That was my main concern. Would that concern be valid to all in filled fiberglass decks?...or not really a concern with foam infill perhaps? Just curious. Also is it true that Van De Stadt yachts released designs of which anyone could manufacture the vessel....ie at home? If so, how would one tell where the vessel was built.

Cheers

There are plenty of balsa cored hull and deck web link stories - the best probably here - huge effort and funding to rectify - they sailed the recent Sydney to Hobart - see all the parts of the series if interested

www.sail-world.com/news/234311/J-Bird-III-Restoration-Series-Part-7

But as per cammd not all balsa cored laminates have this extent of the problem, some will have none.

Yes Van de Stadt designs were available as full construction plans for home builders - thousands were and will be built. That yacht interior for sure doesn't look like home built and the advertised builder is presumably professional - you can confirm with the seller.

As you would be aware the design originated in 1986 but that is also not show stopper - it is a great timeless design of moderate proportions and sensible draft and lead keel and bulb.

www.stadtdesign.com/designs/stock_plans_sail/caribbean_40/

Question on this boat's engine layout, engine is fitted with output shaft forward with what appears to be no propshaft. Is there another output shaft under the engine?

Does look like a Van de Stadt Caribbean 40 to me.
That is out of the Van d Stadt MAC 1 mould that was in South Australia. Design 346
Keel is not Van de Stadt either
It is a IOR boat. Quick run given the comments above!

Look the stern sections btw.

From memory Jon Sayer did the new rig design and keel on that one.
Was in Qld when launched.

lydia said..
Does look like a Van de Stadt Caribbean 40 to me.
That is out of the Van d Stadt MAC 1 mould that was in South Australia. Design 346
Keel is not Van de Stadt either
It is a IOR boat. Quick run given the comments above!

Look the stern sections btw.

I dont understand your comment on the stern sections? Could you please expand?

julesmoto said..

EastCoastSail said..
Question on this boat's engine layout, engine is fitted with output shaft forward with what appears to be no propshaft. Is there another output shaft under the engine?

Yeah noticed that and thought maybe it was a v drive although one would think that that would all be contained within a designed for purpose gearbox. No sense in having output shafts that go nowhere which contain seals which can wear out and leak. After all it's not a tractor to which ancillaries can be attached.

Never seen that model of toilet either. Mind you no sooner posted this than I see a similar item on an aluminium catamaran for sale in Tasmania. This one appears to have a crank handle! Maybe it's some sort of integral black water tank although it isn't very big.

Much the same as my loo. I'm very happy with it too.

Wazzor said..

lydia said..
Does look like a Van de Stadt Caribbean 40 to me.
That is out of the Van d Stadt MAC 1 mould that was in South Australia. Design 346
Keel is not Van de Stadt either
It is a IOR boat. Quick run given the comments above!

Look the stern sections btw.

I dont understand your comment on the stern sections? Could you please expand?

There was missing "not" in the earlier post