Vandestadt and McGruder Sirius 28 – Hull #94

Description

1987 Vandestadt and McGruer Sirius 28 hull #94. Manufactured in Owen Sound, Ontario Canada. Originally purchased for $56,200 CDN, with various options such as the Yanmar 2GM20 instead of the 1GM10, the wing keel, and the propane (instead of alcohol) stove, This boat is clean and dry and has been thoroughly overhauled over the past year. If you think the interior of older boats need to smell damp or moldy, or smells from the sanitation system are unavoidable , you'll like this boat - the interior is dry, there is no mold, and there are no smells emanating from the head or the holding tank. It has only been sailed on the fresh waters of Georgian Bay. The boat sat on land from 2017 to 2023. Work started in 2022 when the interior was removed, cleaned, and reinstalled. The holding tank and freshwater tanks were removed and sanitized. The freshwater and sanitary hoses have all been replaced - proper sanitary hoses that resist gas permeation were used on the holding tank connections.

Regarding the engine, the diesel tank was emptied and cleaned, the old fuel was disposed of, and replaced with fresh diesel. The 2 RACOR fuel filters, as well as the Yanmar 2GM20 (16hp) engine fuel filter and the engine air filter, were all replaced. The hydraulic oil, and crankcase oil and filter, were replaced, and then replaced again after 5 hours of running time. A full engine oil analysis was recently performed by WearCheck in Burlington, Ontario and the results are good, the full report is available. The cooling water impeller was replaced.

The cabin heater tank was filled with fresh kerosene and the heater was tested and operates correctly. The shroud chain plates were removed and re-bedded. The anchor, running, deck, and navigation light-bulbs have been replaced. The marine head was removed from the boat, completely overhauled, and re-installed. The pedestal compass was drained and filled with new compass oil. The emergency pump was removed, overhauled, reinstalled and tested. New foot-pumps and hoses were installed for the galley and the bathroom sinks. All through-hulls (intakes, drains, and instruments) were removed and re-sealed. The sanitary pump-out and breather hose were replaced. The fresh-water filler hose and breather were replaced. The rudder post bearing was greased. The deck/hull bolts were all checked and tightened. The bilge was painted with Epifanes 2 part polyurethane paint. The propeller shaft stuffing box has been adjusted and is operating well. All interior lights are in working order. The 2-burner Seaward propane stove and Force10 barbecue have been thoroughly cleaned and tested. All of the Beckson port-lght screens were replaced, and the rubber sealing gaskets replaced where necessary - there are sufficient spare gaskets to do the remaining port-lights when desired. One Beckson port-light lens was replaced. The stainless steel keel-bolts are in "as new" condition - the bilge on this boat is dry.

This boat has a lead keel (no danger of rust from an iron keel), and a solid fibreglass hull which is fair and has never been damaged or repaired. There are no soft spots anywhere on the cabin top, and no spider cracks in the gel coat. The hull / keel seam is perfect.

The list of new equipment includes: engine alternator, automatic bilge pump, 3 Caframo Ultimate 12V cabin fans, most of the running rigging, window screens and gaskets, house battery, carbon monoxide detector, VHF radio, tablet holder on pedestal, and custom boarding ladder steps. The genoa, furler, and instruments were new in 2005, and have seen very little use. The spinnaker looks new.

Various spares will be sold with the boat including an impeller, impeller gasket, water pump belt, RACOR filters and engine fuel filter, 3 anchors, jester valve for the marine head, 2 cans of Interlux VC17 bottom paint, various blocks and shackles. There is a spinnaker pole, as well as the adjustable rail for the front of the mast which was never installed, but the required hardware is present. Winter storage cradle included.

Where sailing is concerned, this boat is nice to sail. The 163% genoa has been used so little that it still had flaking creases in it from the original sailmaker. It's a very nice sail that seems ideally suited to the boat. The sail plan is straightforward; there is a good quality vang, two reef lines for the main that are brought back to the cockpit as is the main outhaul, there is a boom topping lift, and a main traveller just in front of the pedestal. The boat points well. The rudder is generously sized, feels light and well-balanced through the wheel, and the boat responds to it very nicely, in a marina it turns on a dime. Wheel steering is a nice feature on a boat of this size, and an auto-pilot could be easily added.

Currently docked at Killbear Marina near Parry Sound, the boat is ready to be viewed and sailed.

Images: