1987 Vancouver 28- Small Boat, Big Dreams
Meet 'Celena III', a full-keel, heavy-displacement legend designed to chase the horizon and come back with stories.
Built for real ocean miles this cutter-rigged beauty is for the sailor who dreams of night watches under stars, quiet anchorages in faraway bays, and the deep satisfaction of self-reliance.
Her Highlights include:
Sturdy full keel and deep forefoot – built to cross oceans, not just look pretty
Cutter rig for balance and control in all conditions
Warm, cozy interior trimmed in teak – smells like adventure
Tiller steering for ultimate feel (you and the boat, in sync)
Compact enough for solo handling, tough enough for the open ocean
Loved, maintained and substantially upgraded by her existing owner, no expense has been spared. Highlights include:
NEW Yanmar 3YM30AE engine 2022
NEW 3 blade Bruntons Autoprop
NEW Standing rigging and furler 2019
Rudder completely rebuilt, epoxy coated with Gelshield and then finished in Coppercoat to remove the need for antifouling
Three water tanks and pipework were replaced in 2020
Rig
Sloop
CUTTER RIGGED:
1987 Kemp main mast
Over specified Selden boom with 3 reefs and adjustable outhaul, NEW 2021. Original boom available
Kemp extendable spinnaker pole.
Harken MkiV unit 1 furler NEW 2019
Standing rigging NEW 2019
Dyneema kicker
SAILS:
Dacron cross cut Yankee NEW 2014
Dacron cross cut Staysail NEW 2014
Kemp Vectran cross cut mainsail, 3 deep reefs, over the top leech line NEW 2017
Cruising Chute, year unknown
Spinnaker 0.75oz, year unknown
Spare Mainsail, serviced and ready to use. Dacron Cross Cut, Two reefs, year unknown
Genoa, Dacron cross cut, year unknown
Large multipurpose genoa with its own furler. Similar to a code zero
Storm Jib, unused
Staysail cover
Mainsail boom cover
WINCHES:
2 x Lewmar genoa sheet - 2 speed
2 x Lewmar halyard - single speed
2 x Lewmar staysail sheet - single speed
2 x Lewmar 16 mast mounted halyard winches – two speed
1 x mast mounted reefing winch
Broker comments
The Vancouver 28 is a true offshore classic — robust, seaworthy, and capable well beyond her size. Designed by Robert Harris and built to a high standard, this 1987 model embodies the trusted virtues of a serious cruiser in a compact and manageable package.
This particular Vancouver 28 presents in very good condition for her age, clearly benefiting from knowledgeable ownership and thoughtful upgrades over the years.
Her full keel and cutter rig offer excellent balance and self-steering performance on passage, while the cozy yet functional interior makes life aboard comfortable for extended cruising.
Ideal for a solo sailor or couple looking to explore further afield, she’s an excellent option for anyone seeking a well-proven vessel with a global reputation for safe ocean passages.
Boats of this pedigree and size are becoming increasingly rare on the market — especially in this condition.
Highly recommended for viewing.
NAVIGATION AIDS:
Raymarine ES97 Hybrid Touch 9” plotter. Touch Screen AND physical buttons for when you have wet hands
Raymarine Quantum radar
B&G Triton wind, speed and depth system, 2015, extra cockpit display
Raymarine standalone depth system
Standard Horizon GX2100 VHF with Metz Manta masthead antenna. Low loss coaxial cable
Standard Horizon RAM mic/speaker in the cockpit. Full remote control of the main VHF
Dedicated AIS Metz Manta masthead antenna. Low loss Coaxial Cable
Starboard Backstay insulated for MF/HF radio
Nasa Navtex receiver – New antenna 2024
Garmin GPS Receiver with external antenna
Raymarine ST2000 tiller pilot
Raymarine EV 100 autopilot with Pelagic actuator upgrade
Navigation lights including LED tricolour
GROUND TACKLE:
Bruce Anchor – 15kg
60m of 8mm G43 Chain
CQR Kedge, 10m of 8mm chain
Treadmaster decks throughout, smooth version in the cockpit
Simpson and Lawrence manual anchor winch
SAFETY EQUIPMENT:
Stainless Steel plates aft for Jordan Series Drogue attachment
107 cone Jordan Series Drogue and bridle. Unused
Custom Stainless Steel bracketry on transom for Hydrovane mounting. Hydrovane not included
Lifesling
GENERAL EQUIPMENT:
Sprayhood NEW 2022 (Old one included)
Cockpit cover
Stainless steel guard wires NEW September 2023
Stainless steel pulpit and pushpit
Bilge pumps (1 manual, 1 electric)
Clock/barometer
Radio
Boarding ladder
Assorted Warps/fenders
Camping Gaz 907 cylinders, Marine regulator. Hoses NEW May 2021.Gas Certificate NEW June 2025
YANMAR 3YM30AE 2022 diesel engine with additional oil pressure and temperature instruments
Engine hours: 371
Consumes circa 1.8l/hr cruising at 6kts at 1800RPM. Max 7.4kts
Sea water cooled
Shaft drive
90A Prestolite alternator with Sterling Pro Digital external regulator for fast charging.
Sterling 0V split charging system
2X 110Ah Sealed Lead Acid Service batteries NEW 2020
1X 90Ah AGM engine start battery NEW 2016
Upgraded Polyflex Polyurethane engine mounts from new, correctly specified for the 3YM30
Vetus HD waterlock NEW 2022
52MM Flexible exhaust hose NEW 2022
Stainless steel water injection elbow with additional insualtion jacket upgrade from NEW
PSS Shaft seal – Bellows NEW April 2025
Bruntons Autoprop, three bladed. 18”
Ambassador AM10 rope stripper, Bearings NEW April 2025.
Tru Design seacocks on all but heads (Blakes) and the fridge keel cooler which has a DZR ball valve. 2017.
Assorted spares.
ELECTRICS:
3 x 12v batteries (2x domestic & 1 start)
Charged by engine alternator and 240v battery charger
Shore power & cable
Victron 30A battery charger
TANKAGE:
170L stainless fuel tank under cockpit with sediment trap and sediment drain valve
Water 190L over the keel in 3 independent bag tanks, NEW 2019
WATER SYSTEM:
Manual water system
VANCOUVER 28 BUILT IN 1987 BY NORTHSHORE YACHTS
Designed by Robert Harris
CONSTRUCTION:
GRP hull, deck and superstructure
Sturdy fiberglass hull with Long Encapsulated keel
A GRP moulded rudder blade is mounted on the transom with two stainless steel hinge fittings and a heel shoe fitting with high grade bearings
The teak tiller is mounted on the rudder with a substantial stainless steel tiller hood.
Rudder completely rebuilt, epoxy coated with Gelshield and antifouled with Coppercoat 2023
UK SSR 20831
DIMENSIONS:
LOA: 8.90m/29'3''
LWL: 6.99m/22'11''
Beam: 2.64m/8'8''
Draft: 1.3m/4'3''
Displacement: 4064kg
Keel ballast: 1565kg
*All figures are approximate
*All figures are approximate