Hi
Anyone with any information or experience with the VDS 36 built by Mander Marine in South Australia from 1978 to Mid '80s?
The Van De Stadt website describes it as the 'Mermaid', design number 272.
Listing for one in SA:
yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/van-de-stadt-36/213373
Sorry, I haven't got specific information on Mander Marine, beyond that they built a number of VDS design boats in the 80s. I have seen the boat around, but thought it was a vds seal - similar but less beamy than the Mermaid.
www.stadtdesign.com/designs/st/seal_36/1 - but seems not.
Please interpret this as conviction bias, but there is no bad VDS design in my humble.
Looks like a nice buy.
Only single lower stays and a baby stay is a bit 70's racey and I'd prefer for and aft lowers.furler looks pretty old too and if it doesn't work or reef well if might need upgrading.
Inner forestay with staysail on a furler and runners would be a good offshore addition
And +1, never heard of a bad VDS design
I 3rd ^^ VDS?? ![]()
And selkie, that boat has to be a Dehler ?? or some such production VDS. At the price, few would blink and you know you could get it for less.
Fabulous yacht!!
There is another VDS advertised for sale built by Mander in 1978 in Kadina. I have not spent that much time in Kadina and certainly did not see any boats built there.
Its not a van De Stadt , but nice all the same ,
Young fella needs it gone to be able to got to Maritime schooling in Tassie
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/mooloolaba/sail-boats/peterson-santana-30ft/1200180705
I 3rd ^^ VDS?? ![]()
And selkie, that boat has to be a Dehler ?? or some such production VDS. At the price, few would blink and you know you could get it for less.
Fabulous yacht!!
Some advice please.
Do you think it has shore power?
Getting it to Sydney?
I would say it most likely is set up for shore power.
Getting it to Sydney should be quite doable. Get it out into the East Oz current and it would just about get there on it's own.
I would say it most likely is set up for shore power.
Getting it to Sydney should be quite doable. Get it out into the East Oz current and it would just about get there on it's own.
The boat is in Adelaide Cisco.
I sailed Now&zen from Wirrina Cove (60kms south of Adelaide) to Batemans Bay in 9 days with a crew of 3.
Sydney another 2 or 3 depending on how quick you want to get there and weather conditions.
Doesn't the EAC run north to south Dude? ![]()
Most of the time. None out there today.
Doesn't the EAC run north to south Dude? ![]()
Most of the time. None out there today.
Just checked the imos currents, no EAC.
Doesn't the EAC run north to south Dude? ![]()
Most of the time. None out there today.
Just checked the imos currents, no EAC.
oceancurrent.imos.org.au/product.php
Mander had earlier built the Pion 30, another Van de Stadt design. They were popular in SA and there still seem to be plenty of them around. I think he followed the 36 with the fractional one ton racer Mac 1. Infra Red, Mander's own 36 footer, was the first one I think.
I've seen only one Mander 11 up close and it looked quite nice - very much like a 1974-ish one tonner. VDS did a couple of reasonably good one tonners around that time and the 36 looks like a classic example of their very successful style of the time, but the 36 was outdated as a racer when it was launched. Still, they would still get along quite well and being less distorted and race-oriented than contemporary boats would be a good thing.

Hmmmm, interesting. Binks may have just done the mouldings (and perhaps finishing) on contract. I think Mander was a part-timer in the boating industry rather than a tradesman boatbuilder. And of course old moulds change hands and users a lot.
Hmmmm, interesting. Binks may have just done the mouldings (and perhaps finishing) on contract. I think Mander was a part-timer in the boating industry rather than a tradesman boatbuilder. And of course old moulds change hands and users a lot.
True.
Pion's are too small for what you need. Cast iron keels too in the mark ones. Just buy that Sydney VDS
That V.D.S. is truly a beautiful yacht.
But can someone enlighten me: what is that mainsail luff element which appears to be permanently hoisted? I am not familiar with boom reefing, but I assume it is something to do with leaving the slugs/cars on the mast when main is rolled down.
That V.D.S. is truly a beautiful yacht.
But can someone enlighten me: what is that mainsail luff element which appears to be permanently hoisted? I am not familiar with boom reefing, but I assume it is something to do with leaving the slugs/cars on the mast when main is rolled down.
I'll let you know after Wednesday ![]()
That V.D.S. is truly a beautiful yacht.
But can someone enlighten me: what is that mainsail luff element which appears to be permanently hoisted? I am not familiar with boom reefing, but I assume it is something to do with leaving the slugs/cars on the mast when main is rolled down.
I'll let you know after Wednesday ![]()
Selkie, if you are serious about moving to Tassie remember what Donk said about having a boat with a shed. You'll probably need it.
That V.D.S. is truly a beautiful yacht.
But can someone enlighten me: what is that mainsail luff element which appears to be permanently hoisted? I am not familiar with boom reefing, but I assume it is something to do with leaving the slugs/cars on the mast when main is rolled down.
I'll let you know after Wednesday ![]()
Selkie, if you are serious about moving to Tassie remember what Donk said about having a boat with a shed. You'll probably need it.
Hey Sam
I'm afraid it will be the boat only.
Storage will be on board and the work bench will be the saloon table ![]()
That V.D.S. is truly a beautiful yacht.
But can someone enlighten me: what is that mainsail luff element which appears to be permanently hoisted? I am not familiar with boom reefing, but I assume it is something to do with leaving the slugs/cars on the mast when main is rolled down.
I'll let you know after Wednesday ![]()
Selkie, if you are serious about moving to Tassie remember what Donk said about having a boat with a shed. You'll probably need it.
Hey Sam
I'm afraid it will be the boat only.
Storage will be on board and the work bench will be the saloon table ![]()
![]()
Pretty sure I said that but in any case you need a shed (on the boat)
See shed on the boat!!
Perfect Tassie boat!