Vintage Port, a Classic Yacht Outfitted for Cruising in the 21st Century

Having had an affection for boats since childhood, the yacht’s present owner had a hankering for a classic wooden yacht with a pedigree. He and his wife eventually located a sedan cruiser designed by naval architect Ed Monk Sr., whose designs are legendary in the Pacific Northwest. The Matsumoto Shipyard near Vancouver constructed her in 1954 and her recent surveyor has judged her original build quality to be of a “high standard.” Her 70 years caused the couple to name her Vintage Port, evoking the image of a fine, mature wine.

The owner is an engineer and used his experience to ensure his 32-foot LOA yacht would be in tip-top, safe condition. He engaged award-winning wooden boatbuilder/restorer Abernethy & Gaudin to bring Vintage Port up to contemporary standards. The same company has examined her structure each year, along with electrical and engine checkups by other expert firms. These annual meticulous inspections prompted Meadow Marine surveyor Lachlan MacKenzie to state, “Vintage Port is one of the best maintained boats on the coast.”

How the owner cared for his yacht was described in the August 2024 issue of Pacific Yachting (click here). Vintage Port has been berthed in a boathouse for her entire life, keeping her brightwork sparkling and preserving her structural integrity.


The yacht has been surveyed annually with the last inspection conducted in Spring 2025. She underwent a major refit in 2004 and upgrading occurred between 2018-2020. Over $150k has been spent in the last six years updating her structure, engine, electrical, electronics, plumbing, tankage and more. An added bonus: The new owner will be able to assume moorage and buy the boathouse separately.

The yacht is in tiptop condition and is ready to sail away to explore one the best cruising grounds in the world.

Here are the basic specifications:
Name................................................................ Vintage Port
Year built....................................................................... 1954
Builder................. Matsumoto & Sons (N. Vancouver)
Designer............................................................ Ed Monk Sr.
LOA....................................................................................... 32’
Beam.................................................................................. 9’8”
Draft ...................................................................................... 3’
Displacement......................................................... 9.48 GT
Hull …………………………………………...Carvel Planked
Deck........................................ Fiberglass over plywood
Steering............................................................. Mechanical
Fuel economy.................................................. 1.05 gal/hr
Range......................................................................... 230 nm
Fuel.............................................................................. 54 gals
Water........................................................................... 36 gals
Heat................................................. Wallas Diesel Heater

STRUCTURAL DETAILS


Carvel-planked red cedar on oak-sawn frames form Vintage Port’s hull although the finish is so smooth and shiny no seams or planks are visible. Her hull is semi-displacement with a single hard chine, shallow aft keel, low deadrise raked stem, slightly raked flared bow, curved transom. Abernethy & Gaudin performed haulouts annually, rebuilt the transom and installed a swim platform with a stainless-steel ladder providing easy access to the dinghy. The swim platform offers access into the cockpit through a centre transom gate. A&G also added a new skeg, prop guard, rudder, new fuel and water tanks, and new bronze ball-valve thru hulls.

THE INTERIOR


When you step aboard Vintage Port, you enter the spacious, covered/enclosed cockpit, a great place for contemplating nature, reading, drinking a G&T, and navigating from the well-appointed upper helm station. Two steps lead into the salon, with the galley on starboard and the head on port. The dinette is positioned forward and seats four. The lower inside helm is located forward on port. The bow contains the v-berth with additional storage. Other enhancements include wool MILSPEC carpet, curtains, new bronze port windows with screens, and LED touch lighting throughout the yacht. Layers of varnish highlight the grain of the African mahogany woodwork. The galley contains the Wallas combined heater/stove, Mobicool 12V fridge and stainless steel sink. The head contains a composting head by Nature’s Head (2020).

THE ENGINE ROOM


An efficient Beta Marine B43 was installed in 2020 and has run only 150 hours. The clean, well-organized engine room demonstrates the care Gartside Marine has taken. The engine has a Racor Fuel Filter/Water Separator and is fed by new fuel tanks. The engine room has been newly soundproofed so music can be enjoyed.

ELECTRICAL and PLUMBING


After removing all old wiring, All Electric Marine rebuilt the electrical system meeting modern ABYC standards. The updated electrical devices are:

• 120V and 12V system

• Victron 200W/80 Amp Invertor/Charger with Victron Multicontroller

• Victron Battery Monitor

• Promariner Galvanic Isolator

• Blue Seas Circuit Panel

• Custom Bilge Pump Panel supports the extensive array of modern bilge pumps

• Foghorn and stern flood lights

• New battery banks

• All new plumbing with Jabsco pressure water

INSTRUMENTS

• Chartplotter: Raymarine Axiom 9 Touchscreen (2020)

• Radar: Raymarine Quantum 2 (2020)

• Depth sounder: Raymarine 

• AIS Transmitter/Receiver. Vesper XB-6000

• VHF: Icom IC-M424G with DSC

• Stereo: Fusion RA770

• Lewmar Windlass controller at both helms with chain counter

• Spotlight: ACR RCL75 with remote control

• Ritchie Steering Compass

CABIN HOUSE AND FOREDECK


Vintage Port’s brightwork has been professionally upgraded and maintained by Avalon Brightwork. Her glistening woodwork makes heads turn as she glides by. The new Lewman Pro series windlass controls the 10kg (22lb) Bruce anchor, its 100’ 5/16” anchor chain and 100’ ½” nylon rode.

COCKPIT


The cockpit is fully enclosed with a solid top. It’s a great place for a meal or a drink. The nav station offers good visibility and protection from the elements. The transom’s center gate provides easy access to the swim platform and dinghy.

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT


The dinghy is an Ocean Air OA 250 ALM (2018) and is propelled by a Mercury 2.5 outboard (2015). The vessel had a full range of safety equipment, extensive spares and has a detailed service history, wiring diagrams and out-of-the-water surveys from 2020-24 available.

MAINTENANCE


In May 2024, Vintage Port had her most recent haul-out, her most recent anti-fouling, last zinc(s) changes, last engine oil change and the most recent annual 2024 out-of-the-water survey by Meadow Marine Surveyors.

Contact: Contact:

Max Shaw, Yacht Sales West, Sidney, (778) 678-4709, max@yachtsaleswest.com.