A Short Vagabond 42 History

Jack N. Chen founded the shipyard Bluewater Yacht Builders in Taiwan and produced Vagabond sailing yachts during the 1970’s and 1980’s. The earliest sold Vagabond listed in the brokerage records is a 1974 Vagabond 47. The next earliest is a 1976 Vagabond 39 that we, Jordan Yachts, sold in ’06 I can proudly say. The subject of this review, the George Stadel designed 42-footer, was produced from 1978 until at least 1991. Hull #1 was delivered in late 1978 and was a cutter rigged version. She and her sisters, the 47, 39, and 52, share the classic charms of pirate ship inspired detailing from their clipper, trail boarded bows to square windowed sterns. An exuberant use of teak makes these stout under sail (the 42 is rated at 32,000 pounds displacement) and elegant down below. 

Features & Equipment

Hull & Deck

• 12 Bronze Sea Cocks
• Bronze Portlights
• Bronze Hardware Throughout Vessel
• Bronze Strainers
• 2-Jabsco Brand Heads
• 1-50Gal Polyethylene Holding Tank w/Y Valve
• Magma SS Grill
• Cockpit Shower
• Yakima Brand Sun-Shower
• Cockpit Cushions
• SS Dodger Frame w/Starboard Hard Top & Full Isinglass Enclosure
• SS Davits
• AB 11.5 Aluminum Rib w/Bow Locker & Saddle Bags (2012)
• Portable Dinghy Nav Lights
• Dinghy Anchor - Claw Style 15lb
• Dinghy Cover
• 6" Richie Compass
• SS & Teak Helm
• Teak Cockpit Table (2022)
• SS Water Tank
• Cabin Sole Replaced with new (2015)
• 3 Lee Cloths
• 3 Barrier Coats (2022)
• Hard Bottom Paint
• Bronze Boat Name Lettering
• Alpenglow Red/White Lighting Throughout
• Red/Whie Cockpit Light
• Bomar Hatches (2017)
• 2 Bronze Deck Prisms (Galley & Forward Berth)

Sails & Rigging

• Complete Standing Rigging Replacement, Performed by Mack Sails in Stuart FL (2017)
• 45' Aluminum Mainmast
• 28' Aluminum Mizzen
• In-Mast Furling for Main & Mizzen
• SELF-TACKING Foresail ! This is a nice feature that lends itself to short-hand sailing and reduced crew fatigue
• Light Air Sail Ready to deploy on Forward Furler
• SS Chainplates and Cable Stays
• Complete Set of MACK Sails (2017) Very Good Shape!
• 2 Pro-Furl Furlers
• 3 Harken 46 & 900 12V Winches
• 3 Harken 35 & 20 Winches
• 2 Barient 19 Winches
• 5 10" Bronze Cleats
• 2 10" Bronze Cleats on Stern
• Sampson Post on Bow

Ground Tackle

• 12V Windlass w/Foot Pedals
• 1-55lb Rocna Vulcan Primary Anchor (2023)
• 1 Secondary Anchor
• Mantas Style Snubber
• 300' 5/16ths G4 Chain Rode
• Portable Achor Washdown Pump
• 1/2' Braided Dock Lines

Electrical

• Vessel Was Completely Rewired (2022)
• 30A / 120 VAC
• 50'+ Shore Power Cord
• 12V System & Breaker Panel
• 120V System & Breaker Panel w /30amp Main Breaker AYBC Compliant
• GFCI Receptacles
• 5 Powertron & Diehard AGM Batteries (2023)
• 1 AGM Engine Battery
• Mastervolt Brand Battery Charger
• 3000W Inverter
• Red/Green Bow Nav Lights & 360 Degree Stern light
• 2 Rule Bilge Pumps (2022)
• Fresh Water Pump (2023)
• Dometic Compressor and Cold Plates for Fridge
• 12VDometic Portable Freezer
• Marine Tech Water Maker (Pickled)
• 6 - 12V Sirocco Brand Fans (2022)
• 2 - 330W Solar Panels
• Renergy 60A MPPT Solar Charge Controller (2022)
• 12VDiesel Heater
• 120V Water Heater
• 110V Ice Maker

Electronics

• Garmin GPSmap 7215
• Garmin GPSmap 750
• Garmin GHC10 Auto Pilot
• Garmin 600 AIS
• Garmin GM110 Multigauge
• Garmin 200 VHF
• Garmin Radar
• Icom ICM402 VHF
• Icom IC 718 SSB

Mechanical

• ABYC Approved Hoses
• 2-Jabsco Brand Heads
• 3-Blade 20" x 14" Bronze Prop (2022)
• 1 1/2" SS Shaft
• Dripless Shaft Seal
• Hydraulic Steering
• SS Fuel Tank
• Engine Accessible from 360 degrees!
• Tank Gauges in Engine Room

Safety

• ACR EPIRB
• 6 Person Life Raft
• 2 Type III Adult Life Jackets
• Horn
• 3 Smoke/CO Detectors
• Fire Extinguishers
• First Aid Kit
• Bow Railing
• Stern Railings
• Cockpit Railings
• Safety Plaques
• Bow/Deck Egress

Recent Maintenance or Upgrades

• Stainless Steel Exhaust Elbow (2024
• 4 New Injectors (2024)
• Turbo Maintenance (2024)