sirius 28 sailboat review

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Sirius 28 information? Anyone?

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I'm in the process of researching and choosing my first sailboat. I'm on Lake Ontario and have time off each summer for extensive cruising (Where to? Could be anywhere). I want the boat to sail well - first and foremost it's a boat - and if it was bluewater capable then all then better (dreaming...), and I might also live aboard (I'm a bit of a minimalist so a large boat isn't essential for that). I've considered many boats including the Grampian 26, Albin Vega 27, Tartan 30 and others, but the Sirius 28 keeps coming to my attention. The problem is that I can find very very little information on the Sirius 28. From a distnace it appears to be comparable to the Tartan 30, but I don't really know because I can't find much information on the Sirius 28. Does anyone have information about the Sirius 28? Sirius in general? Thank you. Kevin MacTavish  

Sirius 28: Vandestadt and McGruer Ltd. of Owen Sound Specifications: LOA - 28 ft Waterline - 24 ft Beam - 9 ft 8 in. Draft - fin keel, 4 ft 4 in.; winged keel, 3 ft 6 in. Displacement - 6,700 lbs Ballast 2,600 lbs Sail area (main & 110%) - 410 sq ft Engine(s): Yanmar Engine(s) HP: 9 or16 Engine Model: IGM or 2GM Fuel: 19 Gallons Water: 24 Gallons Manufacture: Vandestadt – McGruer, Ltd. (519) 372-9767 Box 7 (519) 371-3999 Owen Sound Ontario, Canada NYK5P1 Sirius sailboats (21’ 22’ & 28’) were manufactured in Canada during the early to mid 1980s. This Article below was featured in Canadian Yachting, June 1986. Sirius 28 Good breeding and "modern conservative" thinking produce a reliable , appealing cruiser By Paul Howard If the Sirius 28 was a racehorse, it would be described as having good breeding. Its designer, Hubert Van de stadt, has in his stable the smaller Sirius 22, a restyling of his Sirius 21, which has proven to be a tough, able, small cruiser. This talent for design runs in the family. Hubert is the nephew of the well-known European designer E. G. Van de Stadt, who has a long and impressive list of outstanding designs, including the lines of the famous 72-foot South African ketch Stormvogel. The Sirius 28's builders also inspire confidence. Vandestadt and McGruer Ltd. of Owen Sound ahs been building boats since the mid-'60s and in spite of such setbacks as major fire and a long industry recession, it has managed to survive and grow. With this kind of bloodline, the Sirius 28 is creating more than a passing interest. The first boat was launched in August, 1982, and as of March 1986, the company had orders booked through to hull 90. A 'modern-conservative' design The design is "modern conservative." The "modern" comes from the systems that make sail handling more efficient. Inboard shrouds, inboard sheeting, slab reefing with internal lines, sheet stoppers and internal pre-stretched rope halyards led back to the cockpit are examples of the designer's solution to the problem of simple, efficient sailing. The long waterline, fin keel, spade rudder and sharp entry are becoming standards in yacht design. The four-foot, four-inch fin on the Sirius 28 is a lead keel of 2,600 pounds. This gives her a ballast: displacement ratio of almost 40 per cent. Combine this with a beam of nine feet, eight inches, which is carried well aft into the quarter, and you have a hull that is able to stand up to her sail area of 410 square feet. Vandestadt and McGruer In their desire to expand the boat's market into some areas on Long Island Sound where the water is particularly shallow, Vandestadt and McGruer is attempting to decrease the draft without hurting sailing capabilities. To this end they had John Hemingway design a winged keel for it. Hemingway has been involved in keel research and design for the True North America's Cup effort. The winged keel has the same displacement and center of effort as the fin. The idea is not to improve sailing ability, which is fine, but to decrease draft to 3 1/2 feet while maintaining performance. The masthead single-spreader rig supports a Cinkel deck-stepped mast. Single lowers are helped out by a baby stay or jack stay to prevent mast pumping. The chainplates are inboard, which allows inboard sheeting of the headsail. This will help the 28 get weather efficiently. An outboard chainplates also make movement fore and aft much easier. It's not necessary to duck under the lowers on your way up to the sharp end. The boom is controlled by a traveler running the width of the cockpit just forward of the wheel. This provides an excellent sheeting angle, making mainsail trim easy and efficient. The self-bailing cockpit has no bridge deck but a high sill will prevent any water getting below in the event that a sea sneaks aboard. High coamings, two large lockers and excellent visibility forward make the cockpit an enjoyable spot. It is long enough to let you sleep out in nice weather and the boom comes far enough aft to rig a simple boom tent or sun awning without the topping list splitting it in half. Test sail Well, now that we know the deck layout, let's go for a sail. Close-hauled, the wind puffed up to about eight or nine knots apparent. In this light stuff and a smooth sea, the boat slips along with very little fuss and its efficient high-aspect rudder provides good control even when drifting. Under these conditions, the Sirius 28 is very close-winded, tracks well and accelerates nicely in and out of the puffs. Even downwind it ghosts along under a main and number-one Genoa, leaving hardly a ripple in its wake. While we are not too busy, let's look at the rail stanchions. The base and stanchion are one-piece assemblies. This produces a strong fitting as do the bow and stern pulpits of one-inch welded tube. They are through-bolted to solid glass areas in the foam-cored deck. Standard double lifelines enclose the deck. A stainless steel boarding ladder built into the stern pulpit completes the deck details. Teak treads on the ladder would be kinder on bare feet than the stainless tubes. The molded toe rail on the deck edge is fairly small in section. When the rail is buried and the spray is flying, I wonder if the toe rail would provide a sufficient toe hold. It seems to me it would be pretty slippery. A bow roller and self-bailing anchor locker make easy work of retrieving and stowing the anchor and rode. Down under Well, we've sailed into a hole, so let's go below and snoop around. Opening ports-eight standard opening ports! Once you have cruised on a boat in the tropics, you will never sail without them. The cross-ventilation they produce can make the difference between roasting and rapture. Wide beam and high freeboard, along with a fairly high trunk cabin, result in a lot of hull volume. This has allowed the designer to locate an enclosed head compartment aft on the port side. A one-piece molding comprises the sink vanity, with stowage under the sink. A foot pump supplies the sink from a 20-gallon water tank complete with an outboard vent and deck fill. The galley is aft on the starboard side and includes an alcohol stove, an icebox and a single sink with a foot pump. Propane cooking is an option. Put your money down: you won't be sorry. Propane is cleaner, faster more convenient and cheaper. Just stay afraid of it and follow all the safety procedures. If you do go for a gimbaled propane stove with oven, a safety bar across the front of the stove would provide a safer work area for the cook. A full interior liner makes a neat job of the overhead surfaces and good head-room extends right up into the V-berth area. This is accomplished by extending the trunk forward and not fading it into the deck. It doesn't look as streamlined but it is a compromise the designer felt was justified. The hull is lined with a closed-cell foam called Ethafoam and covered with a rich-looking fabric. It has good insulation qualities, looks attractive and, when it wear, it can be peeled off and replaced. The standard cabin sole is carpet, but a teak and holly sole is available as an option. A dinette on the starboard side, which converts to a double, and a settee on the port side complete the seating. The table slides up and down the mast compression post and it is a simple matter to move the table down to make up the double berth. A folding chart table above a hanging locker completes the interior. The teak joinery work below and on deck is well executed. Stowage is ample. The iron genny I don't hear the bow wave chuckling, so we must be out of wind. We fire up the two-cyclinder 18-hp Yanmar and it raps away at idle. I have noticed that these engines have a fair bit of combustion knock at idle, but once they are sped up a bit they quietened right down and are smooth little power plants. The Sirius powers at 5 1/2 knots at about 2,800 rpm. It is quiet and easy at this rpm and the controls are conveniently mounted on the steering pedestal. Engine access is via the companionway steps and the port side cockpit locker. It is as good as can be expected on a 28 footer. A Racor fuel-water separator and a water lift muffler are standard. The standard engine is a nine-hp single-cylinder Yanmar. I doubt that it would be as smooth as the two-cylinder model. The Sirius 28 has an impressive list of standard equipment. It certainly pays for the buyer to consider this when comparison shopping. The list includes double batteries, lower lifelines, two sails, stern ladder, wheel, brake and guard, opening ports, bilge pump, painted spar and more. Price these items separately and you get an idea of the real value of the boat. The boat's base price is $52,500. For this you will enjoy a performance cruiser that is simple to sail and as with most boats, will probably take a great deal more punishment than will the crew. Other comments about the Sirius 28 ft sailboat. A quality of design and construction much similar to the Cal, Com-Pac, Sabre, Caliber vessels Canadian boat, has modern rigging including inboard shrouds, inboard sheeting, internal halyards and reefing etc.., over 120 built through mid -eighties. The company no longer in production. Boat sails well in light wind, and is capable in heavy weather. The Interior layout is comfortable for 4-5 people. Lead keel with 40% Displacement. ratio. It is very fast for a cruiser.  

Faster, Yup, I'm a corporate pilot... Started on a King Air 200 then a B200 now flying a Citation and a Hawker but I love the 200.... a GREAT airplane!  

Thank you, Iflyka200s. The Canadian Yachting article is very helpful. It is but one opinion, however, and based, seemingly, on one experience sailing the Sirius 28. More varied opinions of anyone that has sailed these boats would be great. Comparisons, also. For example, does anyone know how the Sirius 28 compares with the Tartan 30 in particular? These are two boats I'm looking at. The Sirius tends to be sold at a higher price. I know that the Tartans of that era have a reputation for high quality craftsmanship. What of the Sirius? Why the higher price? Simply because they are of a more recent vintage? I can only guess. Thanks, again. Kevin MacTavish  

They did not make too many Sirius 28s, so the higher price might a reflection of that.. or perhaps the owner/seller has unrealistic expectations. If you have two particlular boats in mind, spend some time on each, and survey the one that overall appeals to you most. And remember that asking prices are just that, a place to start.  

Sirius 28 info I have a Sirius 28 on Lake Superior. I've had it for 8 years and it's an excellent boat. I've raced on dozens of different boats for years before buying my own boat and this one is excellent by comparison. It is very fast for a cruiser. Positive stability when over powered, and as balanced of a boat as i've ever sailed with a 110 headsail. Last weekend we put her nose to the wind, close-hauled and didn't touch the helm for 2 hours. We have auto-pilot mind you, but it wasn't even turned on. The boat just has incredible balance. Looking toward the future, we'd like to get a bigger boat, but I really don't know of any in the 32-34' range that are as easy sailing as our little Sirius 28. VanDestadt & McGruer had planned on making a 31' version when they were shut down in 1989. They were not allowed to operate under bankruptcy in Canada and couldn't get the 31 to market fast enough while the buyer's preferences were changing towards larger boats at that time. They had to basically rebuild their entire factory and all of the molds when the factory had a fire in 1984. Our boat is number 52 (or maybe 54, can't remember off hand exactly) and was molded just before the fire and finished after the fire as far as I can determine in 1984. Any other info you'd like, you can write back and I'll see if I know it. We've had the boat for years and she's gotten us through everything including 12' waves on Lake Superior. She's a great, stout, fast boat with good head room, which you won't find just anywhere.  

Paul Howard that wrote the article for Canadian Yachting also did an article on the Sirius 21/22 for them also.Paul and his family know a thing or two about boats and sailing having sailed around the world a couple of times.He build the first boat and the half way through the trip had to make the boat longer,as it was not long enough for the growing family.  

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Review of Sirius 28

Basic specs..

The boat is typically equipped with an inboard Yanmar 1GM diesel engine at 7.0 hp (5 kW), which gives a max speed about 3.7 knots.

The fuel tank has a capacity of 70 liters (18 US gallons, 15 imperial gallons).

Sailing characteristics

This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.

What is Capsize Screening Formula (CSF)?

The capsize screening value for Sirius 28 is 2.05, indicating that this boat would not be accepted to participate in ocean races.

What is Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed?

The theoretical maximal speed of a displacement boat of this length is 6.6 knots. The term "Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed" is widely used even though a boat can sail faster. The term shall be interpreted as above the theoretical speed a great additional power is necessary for a small gain in speed.

The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Sirius 28 is about 144 kg/cm, alternatively 810 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 144 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 810 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.

Sailing statistics

This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.

What is Motion Comfort Ratio (MCR)?

What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?

What is Displacement Length Ratio?

What is SA/D (Sail Area Displacement ratio)?

Maintenance

Are your sails worn out? You might find your next sail here: Sails for Sale

If you need to renew parts of your running rig and is not quite sure of the dimensions, you may find the estimates computed below useful.

This section shown boat owner's changes, improvements, etc. Here you might find inspiration for your boat.

Do you have changes/improvements you would like to share? Upload a photo and describe what to look for.

We are always looking for new photos. If you can contribute with photos for Sirius 28 it would be a great help.

If you have any comments to the review, improvement suggestions, or the like, feel free to contact us . Criticism helps us to improve.

Sirius 28 can

The sirius 28 can is a 28.0ft masthead sloop designed by hubert van de stadt and built in fiberglass by vandestadt and mcgruer ltd. (can) between 1982 and 1987., 120 units have been built..

The Sirius 28 can is a moderate weight sailboat which is a reasonably good performer. It is stable / stiff and has a low righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a coastal cruiser. The fuel capacity is originally very small. There is a very short water supply range.

Sirius 28 can for sale elsewhere on the web:

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One Hundred Choices for the Best Small Cruiser

* = Seven boats appear in above lists twice.

Listed on the opposite page are one hundred choices for the "Best Small Cruiser." There are, of course, many more than one hundred choices for the "best" small cruising sailboat. In fact, there are 360 choices reported in this guide alone, and at least a few boats beyond those, on which we failed to find sufficient data to include here. In any case, as the saying goes, one man's meat is another man's poison. That is, a sailboat that one person does not like at all can be one that someone else likes very much.

One of the main reasons for this is that different boats are designed for different purposes: boats best for cruising in shallow bay waters versus deep ocean waters, for example. Styles vary to suit different tastes: traditional versus modern design, for example. Boats that do well in around-the-buoy racing may not be so well suited to cruising. A boat built to the highest standards of quality may not suit the pocketbook of the casual weekend trailer-sailor. And the range of choices goes on and on.

To help narrow the field of choices for the reader who is eager to find the right boat to buy, and doesn't have the patience to wade through all the facts and figures on all 360 boats presented in this guide, we have (somewhat arbitrarily)

devised a hundred choices, broken into groups of a dozen or so. Are you looking for a single-masted character boat? We list thirteen of them here, from 18 to 25 feet on deck. Do you yen for a two-masted yawl or ketch? We list every one of the dozen covered in this guide. Do you prefer a custom- built boat or at least very high quality construction? We show thirteen "high-end" choices, though you could find others in these pages. We also list fifteen good cruising boats for a family of four, and another thirteen for a cruising couple without children or guests aboard. We choose fifteen round-the-buoys racers for your consideration, and a dozen blue water cruisers, including a 15-footer that has sailed from California to Hawaii (though some may not agree that such a feat qualifies such a boat for offshore work).

Although there isn't space to include photos of every boat in this book, or even the one-hundred choices listed as "best," we have dug up representative sample photos from our vast collection of boat sales brochures to include on the following pages. They are arranged in roughly alphabetical order. If you don't find a picture of the boat you're interested in, try searching Google. There's a huge cache of photos there.

Alerion Express Cat 19 (details on page 20) is a high-end cruiser designed, among other things, for easy trailering and ramp launching.

Bay Hen 21 (page 85) is a character boat that's easy to launch and trailer.

Beneteau First 26 (25) (page 323) will nicely accommodate a family of four for cruising.

Bluejacket Motorsailer 23 (page 222) is a character boat with great comfort for cruising two.

Beneteau First 235 (22) (page 152) is a good boat for a cruising couple.

Blazer 23 (page 221) is a competitive racer. The author (trimming jib) is sailing here with other writers John Rousmaniere (steering) and Freeman Pittman, tech editor at Sail magazine.

Bluejacket Motorsailer 23 interior (also see to left) is particularly comfortable when cruising in rainy weather.

Bridges Point 24 (page 275) is available either as a finished boat or a kit.

Cape Dory Typhoon 18 (19) (page 23) has enough ballast to stand up well in a blow.

Cal 20 (page 89), produced from 1961 to 1977, is still raced in several fleets around the country.

Cape Dory 25D (page 330) comes close to being the ideal trailerable cruising boat.

Capri 26 (24) (page 282) features a cabin big enough to "drink ten."

Capri 18 (page 25) was introduced in 1985 and is still being sold today.

Cheoy Lee Flyer III (25) (page 334) has a Folkboat style hull.

Catalina 22 Mk I (page 157) wins the all-time popularity prize for cruising boats.

Catalina 25 (page 332) came in a great variety of configurations.

Com-Pac 19 (page 27) was drawn by Island Packet designer Bob Johnson.

Com-Pac 25 (page 336) has an unusual volume of interior space for her length.

Cornish Crabber 17 (page 31) is elegantly finished on deck and below. Cornish Crabber 22 (page 164) sports a gaff cutter rig.

Cornish Crabber 24 (page 284) is a well-built gaff-rigged character boat.

Cornish Shrimper 19 (page 32), a character boat, has an elegant finish, but is short on headroom.

Dehler 22 (page 167) has a number of high quality features.

Dolphin 24 (O'Day) (page 285) was available either as a kit or as a finished boat.

Dehler 25 (23) (page 227) also uses a "slipway trolley."

Elite 25 (24) (page 289) is fitted out in France, and features the French style of careful interior design.

Eastsail 25 (page 340) is generally built to a customer's specifications with extended offshore cruising in mind.

ETAP 20 (page 98) is built to a high standard of quality and is unsinkable.

ETAP 23 (22) (page 169) like other ETAP boats, she is double-skinned in a foam sandwich for flotation.

Golif 21 (page 99) from France has an unusual cabin ventilation system.

Irwin 10/4 (25) (page 347), as the saying goes, can drink ten, eat six, and sleep four.

J/24 (page 294) is said to be the world's most popular one-design keelboat.

La Paz 25 (page 353) features an open cockpit for deck chairs and berths for six below.

Jeanneau Bahia 23 (20) (page 106) features a clever cabin table design.

Menger Oysterman 23 (page 237) Montgomery 15 (page 71) and is a character boat based on the Montgomery 17 (page 46) both have molded

Chesapeake Bay Skipjack. lapstrake hulls.

Marshall Sanderling 18 (page 40) has been in production for almost fifty years, and continues to be popular.

Morgan 24/25 (25) (page 358) is fast and weatherly, especially in light air.

Newman Friendship Sloop 25 (page 360) conjures romantic memories of Maine fishermen.

Nimble 24/25 (25) (page 361) was produced in several configurations, including both a sloop and a yawl rig.

New Moon 25 (page 379) can be fitted out to the customer's specifications.

Nimble 24/25 (25) (page 361) is available as a pilothouse with six feet of headroom, great for cold weather cruising.

Nimble 20 (21) (page 116) features a yawl rig, rare in a boat so small.

Nonsuch 22 (page 185) was designed with the idea of elegant simplicity.

O'Day 26 (25) (page 362) is a near sistership to the O'Day 25.

Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 (page 120) is generally considered a very high quality product, commanding a premium price in the used boat market.

Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 (page 303) is solidly built to cruise in a bay or an ocean.

Parker Dawson 26 (page 364) has two separate cabins, and a center cockpit enclosed in canvas can be a third.

Quickstep 24 (page 306) was built by several firms, giving a choice of several accommodations plans.

Rob Roy 23 (page 246) has the makings of a classic small yacht.

Sand Hen 24 (page 308), with lightweight spars and no shrouds, should be easy to trailer and launch.

Santana 20 (page 131) was a very early entry in the "sport boat" market and is still popular.

Santana 21 (page 132), with a D/L ratio of only 86, is classified as an ultralight.

Santana 22 (page 198), an ageless design, is still popular after over 40 years.

Sea Pearl 21 (page 136) is simple, light, and shallow draft, perfect for casual beach cruising.

Seaward 25 (24) (page 310) has a sleek and salty look and is well built.

Shark 24 (page 312) has done well in racing over the years.

South Coast 23 (page 255) was converted to a yawl from a sloop (see photo bottom left).

South Coast 23 (page 255) Stone Horse 23 (page 258) is a classic shown here was built from a kit. designed over 75 years ago.

Tanzer 22 (23) (page 259) has a strong class association that promotes both one-design racing and cruising get-togethers (two views, left and right).

Terrapin 24 (25) (page 371) ^ |ike her Vancouver 25 (page 372) is well namesake, slow but comfortable. equipped for extended cruising.

Vertue II 25 (page 373) is a no-nonsense heavy cruiser made for ocean passages.

West Wight Potter 15 (page 64) has made some long distance cruises, including one from California to Hawaii.

West Wight Potter 19 (page 65) is still selling well after over thirty years of production.

Continue reading here: Authors Gallery of Photos

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Readers' Questions

What similar boat to cornish crabber 17 plans?

The Colvic Watson 25 Sailer is a similar boat to the Cornish Crabber 17. It has a traditional long keel and tiller steering. It is a roomy boat and makes a superb cruising boat for coastal and inland waters.

How is beneteau and jenneau related?

Beneteau and Jeanneau are both subsidiaries of the French group, Beneteau Group. The two brands have been part of the Beneteau Group since 2000, when Beneteau acquired Jeanneau. Both brands specialize in sailboats, motorboats, and powerboats.

Is the Com Pac sailboat considered a high end production?

No, the Com Pac sailboat is not considered a high end production boat.

What is the headroom in a dehler 25 sailboat?

The headroom in a Dehler 25 sailboat is approximately 1.85m (6 ft).

Are etap sailing boats still made?

Yes, Etap sailing boats are still made. Etap produces a wide range of sailing boat models, including the Cruiser and Cruiser Club series, the 21, 22 and 23 meters, and the Open and Weekender series. Many of the Etap sailing boats are still in production today, offering quality and innovation that continues to make them popular among sailing enthusiasts.

How many sirius 21 sailboats are still sailing?

It is difficult to accurately quantify the number of Sirus 21 sailboats that are still sailing. Most estimates place the number at around 200, though it is likely that the actual figure is higher.

Is the Sirius 21 sailboat really Unsinkable?

No. While Sirius 21 sailboats are designed to be safe and stable, no boat is truly unsinkable.

Has any one done any blue water sailing on an Eastward Ho 24' sailboat ?

No, I have not done any blue water sailing on an Eastward Ho 24' sailboat. However, I do know a few people who have owned Eastward Ho 24' sailboats, and some of them have taken them out for extended cruises, so it is possible that someone has done blue water sailing in one.

Is the rob roy 23 a bluewater boat?

No, the Rob Roy 23 is not a bluewater boat. It is more suited for inland lake and river cruising.

Is beneteau 235 unsinkable?

No, the Beneteau 235 is not unsinkable. Like all sailboats, the Beneteau 235 is susceptible to water taking on board. Water can enter the boat through a breach in the hull or through open hatches and ports.

Are compac 19 good boats?

The Compac 19 is an excellent boat that is great for short day cruises, fishing, and weekend getaways. It is often praised for its excellent maneuverability, easy handling, and low maintenance cost. The boat features a functional and reliable design, making it an attractive choice for both recreational and commercial use. Additionally, the Compac 19 has a spacious cabin, large cockpit, and ample storage for overnight trips.

How to rig sirius 21 sailboat?

Rigging a Sirius 21 sailboat is a straightforward process, but it should be done carefully to ensure the safety of the boat and its crew. Attach the mainsail halyard to the handle at the top of the mast and thread it through the mast sheave. Attach the spinnaker halyard, also known as the topping lift, to the aft side of the mast and thread it through the mast sheave. Attach the jib halyard to the clew of the jib and thread it through the mast sheave. Attach the mainsheet to the end of the boom, then attach the boom vang and the outhaul to the boom. Attach the jib sheet to the clew of the jib and run it through the pulley at the base of the mast. Attach the main and jib traveler lines to the tracks on the deck and thread them through the blocks at the mast base. Attach the mainsail to the mast and boom and the jib to the fore stay. Attach the main tack to the clew and then attach the clew to the boom. Attach the jib tack and clew to the forestay. Finally, attach all of the running rigging lines and adjust the tension as needed.

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Engineering:Sirius 28

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The Sirius 28 is a Canadian sailboat , that was designed by Hubert Vandestadt and first built in 1982. The design is out of production. [1] [2] [3] [4]

The designer, Hubert Vandestadt, is the nephew of Dutch boat designer Ericus Gerhardus van de Stadt. [1] [4]

• 1 Production
• 4 References
• 5 External links

The boat was built by Vandestadt and McGruer Ltd in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada between 1982 and 1987, with 120 examples completed. [1] [4] [5]

The Sirius 28 is a small recreational keelboat , built predominantly of fibreglass, with wood trim. It has a masthead sloop rig, an internally-mounted spade-type rudder and a fixed fin keel . It displaces 6,700 lb (3,039 kg) and carries 2,600 lb (1,179 kg) of ballast. [1] [2] [4]

The boat has a draft of 4.30 ft (1.31 m) with the standard keel. [1] [4]

The boat is fitted with a Japanese Yanmar 1GM diesel engine of 7.5 hp (6 kW). The fuel tank holds 19 U.S. gallons (72 L; 16 imp gal) and the fresh water tank has a capacity of 24 U.S. gallons (91 L; 20 imp gal). [1] [4]

The boat has a PHRF racing average handicap of 192 with a high of 199 and low of 189. It has a hull speed of 6.56 kn (12.15 km/h). [2] [4]

• List of sailing boat types

Similar sailboats

• Alerion Express 28
• Beneteau First 285
• Beneteau Oceanis 281
• Bristol Channel Cutter
• Catalina 28
• Grampian 28
• Hunter 28.5
• Sea Sprite 27
• TES 28 Magnam
• ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Browning, Randy (2020). "Sirius 28 sailboat specifications and details" . sailboatdata.com . Archived from the original on 6 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200606171119/https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/sirius-28-can .  
• ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 InterVisionSoft LLC (2017). "Sailboat Specifications for Sirius 28" . Sailing Joy . Archived from the original on 8 March 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170308142154/http://www.sailingjoy.com/sailboat_specs/sailboat_specs/view/811/sirius-28 . Retrieved 7 March 2017 .  
• ↑ McArthur, Bruce (2020). "Hubert Vandestadt" . sailboatdata.com . Archived from the original on 20 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190120144424/https://sailboatdata.com/designer/vandestadt-hubert .  
• ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Sea Time Tech, LLC (2022). "Sirius 28" . sailboat.guide . https://sailboat.guide/vandestadt-and-mcgruer/sirius-28 .  
• ↑ McArthur, Bruce (2022). "Vandestadt and McGruer Ltd 1965 - 1987" . sailboatdata.com . https://sailboatdata.com/builder/vandestadt-and-mcgruer-ltd-can .  

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Sirius 35DS – tested and reviewed

Sirius Yachts’ innovative ‘double-decker’ range of yachts continues to surprise, as Sam Jefferson discovered when he took its 35DS out for a spin

I t’s a hideous cliché to say that the German nation as a whole has gained a reputation for being both thorough and efficient when it comes to working methods. I imagine it must get pretty tedious for Germans themselves, but if they want to put a stop to such shocking stereotyping, they should think about not producing yachts like the Sirius 35DS. This is a yacht so meticulously thought out and relentlessly clever in its use of space that a tour of the yacht will have you repeatedly cooing with pleasure and surprise as the next innovation or clever touch is revealed.

What makes this even more surprising is that the Sirius 35 has actually been in production since 2011, yet she still seems far ahead of her time in so many ways and perhaps the reason for this is because boatbuilder Sirius Werft has always approached the concept of designing a cruising yacht from a slightly different angle. The basic premise behind all yachts in the Sirius range is that a deck saloon is not a crime against yachting, it is the solution to many woes aboard. This explains the somewhat individual looks of all the yachts in the Sirius range and it will later explain the rather baffling amount of volume inside.

In terms of keel configurations, you have a baffling array of options including standard fin keel, swing keel with twin rudders and also – a real rarity these days – bilge keels.

Sit yourself down in the cosy, deep cockpit with comfortably angled coamings replete with halyard storage moulded into the forward and you feel immediately at home in a space you know has been meticulously thought out. The Jefa steering is of the canting wheel variety, making for the most efficient use of space possible and the mainsheet is perched atop the cockpit table in precisely the spot you need it to be. All of the sail controls are run back to a set of clutches on the deckhead and there is an option of an electric winch here to take the strain out of raising the mainsail. The standard sail plan features a self-tacking jib which makes this a simple yacht for single or doublehanding, but can tend to leave the 35 a little underpowered in light airs. The solution is the option of a large genoa or gennaker set on a short overhanging sprit. This adds a very important extra string to your bow, so to speak. The side decks are a tad narrower than I am used to, but you have to bear in mind that this is a 35 foot yacht.

It’s when you head down below that the surprises start to come thick and fast; in fact to even say ‘down below’ is grossly unfair because the deck saloon concept means you stay on the same level once you walk into the saloon. This is one of the key features of the design concept; Sirius wanted to keep the yacht as sociable as possible, meaning that when you head indoors, you are still on the same level and in touch with the crew in the cockpit. This means that to port is a large comfortable seating area with incredible panoramic views thanks to the wraparound windows. To starboard and still at cockpit level is a chart table and indoor steering position. There is no wheel, just a small joystick hooked up to the autopilot which works very well and could certainly take a good deal of the misery and hard work out of night watches – especially as the swivel chair you’re seated in is very comfortable. Step down a level and you’re in the linear galley but, given that you stand up to cook, you’re still at the same eye level as everyone from the helmsman in the cockpit to those sitting at the saloon table.

The huge bulletproof portlights, almost at water level, provide an amazing view. Forward there’s another double berth. The heads and separate shower compartment are shared by both cabins.

All very well, but the big question was whether she would sail? This part of the test was given an added edge given that the model I tested had bilge keels which, back in the day, would have meant an awful lot of leeway.

Happily, times have changed and the rise of CAD design has seen great leaps forward in bilge keel design, meaning that these days a pair of well designed keels acting in tandem can be mightily effective and so it proved to be as the yacht pointed very effectively. The Jefa steering was nice and precise and the canting wheel meant there were plenty of comfortable places to sit and steer while visibility was surprisingly good given the size of that deckhouse.

Under power she was extremely sympathetic and there is an argument that the ease of manoeuvrability means the optional bow thrusters are rather unnecessary.

The Sirius 35DS is a truly excellent and versatile cruising yacht that remains as clever and innovative now as at the time of her launch. This is a yacht for someone who knows exactly what they’re after, and the high degree of customisation allowed means you can tailor it precisely to your needs. The only real sticking points are those individual looks which will not be to everyone’s taste and the fact that all of this excellent quality and thoughtful design does come at a bit of a premium.

LOA 10.6m (34ft 9in) LWL 9.7m (31ft 10in) Beam 3.48m (11ft 5in) Draught max. 1.9m (6ft 3in) Displacement 7,400kg (16,314lb) Sail area 53.5m 2 (576sq ft) Engine 38hp Volvo Penta D2 40 Displ/length 226 Sail area/displ 14.3

Designer Marc-Oliver von Ahlen Builder Sirius Werft Tel 0049 4522 4565 Website sirius-werft.de

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Discover our unique deck saloon yachts!

Sirius Yachts offer a range of go-anywhere deck saloon sailboats with hand-crafted custom-built interiors. Every yacht is available with either a single fin keel, lifting-keel or twin keels, giving you the opportunity to explore new cruising grounds in comfort

What makes Sirius Yachts different?

Innovative design

In a Sirius deck-saloon you cruise in comfort. You are sheltered from the elements and can appreciate your surroundings whatever the weather. You can look out over your anchorage or harbour through large windows in a beautiful, handcrafted mahogany interior.

Build quality

Sirius Yachts are very well built using only the best construction materials. The high standard of craftmanship is second to none. You are welcome to visit our boat yard and see for yourself the care and attention to detail that makes every Sirius special.

Choice of layouts

Every yacht is designed and customised for her owner and no two yachts from our German factory are identical. There are hundreds of details that distinguish the way we build a Sirius from other sailboat manufacturers.

Sirius Yachts – built by craftsmen, with love, since 1971. From the family-owned boat builder that invented the phrase “deck-saloon”

The Sirius range

Sirius 310 ds.

She may only be 31ft or 9.30m but that doesn’t mean you have to limit your options. There are 14 standard layouts to choose from, all with a raised saloon. Like all of our yachts the interior is custom built to your specifications.

Sirius 35 DS

The space of a 40ft yacht in a 35ft hull thanks to our innovative split-level living arrangement. There are two, four or six-berth versions all of which can be customised to your specific needs to make her the perfect yacht for you.

Sirius 40 DS

For those who don’t want to compromise. She is designed for long-distance, extended cruising. She can offer three double cabins or the onboard space can be honed and crafted to the needs of you and your crew.

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• Sailboat Guide

Sirius 21/22

Sirius 21/22 is a 20 ′ 11 ″ / 6.4 m monohull sailboat designed by Hubert Vandestadt and built by Vandestadt and McGruer Ltd. between 1977 and 1987.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Vandestadt & McGruer was the Canadian importer of the American built MacGregor line of trailerable sailboats in early 1970s. The company also built the SIREN 17. The SIRIUS 21/22 is said to be the first North American production-built, ballasted cruising boat with positive flotation. In a more expensive procedure, closed-cell foam was injected into some compartments, then into the gap between the inner and outer hull the full length and up to the deck level. In the early 1980s, the hull was modified to include a reverse sheer transom at which point the boat was renamed the SIRIUS 22. A fixed-keel model was also offered.

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Sirius 21 keel

• Thread starter allan5530
• Start date Jun 2, 2021
• Brand-Specific Forums
• Sirius 21/22

Hello I'm new to this site as well new to Sirius 21 swing keels. My question to the group is about the keel assembly, is there anything more to the keel assembly than just the pivot bolt and the pivot locking bolt above the pivot bolt. I find my keel is just hanging there very loosely. Should there be some ki g of nylon spacers or metal housing? Thank you.  

I've asked a number of people about this as my keel bumps and thuds when chop is on the beam. Apparently, all swing keels have a bit of play. I changed the cable on mine this year (and checked the eye-bolt where it attaches). I would like to check the pivot bolt, but it seems like a serious operation to lower the keel and a difficult one to put it back. Some people with swing keels put in sacrificial plates or similar into the keel trunk area. What was recommended to me was to buy those plastic cutting boards from Ikea and attach them on either side of the trunk. That way the keel is rubbing or bumping on the plastic and not on the fibreglass of the trunk. I would like to know if there are Sirius owners out there who have experience with a worn pivot bolt. Does it wear out?  

I'm planning on checking my keels pivot bolt also in a couple days. Right now my boat is off the trailer up on stands for bottom paint so I'll lower the keel and make a wood frame to support it in place then pull the bolt. As this old boat is new to me I have the opportunity now to confirm its safe.  

That sounds great. Please keep me posted as to the condition of the bolt so I know if it should be on my list for next season.  

Ok so I left the keel up and used a car jack at the front of the keel to pick up the weight, then tapped the pivot bolt about 1/2 way out see image its a 5/8" bolt. Very little rust and little wear. Bit of a pain getting it back in, but if you stick your head in the storage compartment you can see the bolt alignment, I had to jacked the keel up a little and put wedges on both sides of the keel to line up the bolt.  

Attachments

Also I used a large clamp on the flat part at the front of the keel to tip the keel you'll need to pull the clamp down if you're on port side lifting the keel parallel as it will drop to starboard when the bolt comes out of the starboad housing.  

Good to see the info and pictures. Seeing as how the bolt is in good shape, I think I won't worry about mine too much. At my club and the sail shop they said they've heard of cables failing, but never bolts - unless it had to do with someone running aground at speed.  

Hi all, I'm repairing/rebuildin the swing keel locking bolt area on my serius21 as there is just a 1-1/2" dia counter bore with a 3/8" center hole on both sides of the keel trunk. can anyone take a photo of what it should look like? Thanks  

JoshuaKairo

Hello, do you still need that photo? I am a new Sirius 21 owner, and I need help with operating the swing keel. How do you lower the keel? I was able to crank up the keel slightly before launching the boat in the water, but now when I turn the winch the other way nothing happens. the winch handle simply rotates freely with no tension on it at all. Is there some kind of clutch/brake or a lever that needs to be moved? Any help would be appreciated.  

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