Chieftain 38 NZ Built, New Rigging, 350 Engine Hours, Cruiser Just Listed

VELELLA -- Chieftain 38 Centre-Cockpit Monohull (1982)

Built in New Zealand by the Cook Brothers | Based in Sydney Harbour

Velella is a beautiful Chieftain 38ft centre-cockpit monohull, a proven east-coast cruiser now moored in Sydney. She is known for exceptional interior volume, a huge centre cockpit, and a comfortable, practical cruising layout.
The fibreglass fin-keel hull delivers solid sailing performance, paired with a simple sloop rig and mainsail lines led aft to the cockpit. Below decks, the NZ Kauri pine interior is warm, spacious, and thoughtfully designed, with excellent headroom throughout (a 6ft adult can stand upright in the saloon and galley).

Accommodation includes:
Beamy main saloon with a large table, settees, and a single berth
Generous U-shaped galley
Clever shower and head that closes off to form a hallway to the aft cabin when not in use
Large private aft cabin with wraparound settee and ample storage
Private V-berth forecabin with generous closets
Powered by an immaculate Volvo Penta D1-30 diesel with under 350 hours, she has had her engine, drivetrain, and major components renewed in 2018, with new Vetus mounts fitted in November 2023. This solid and beautiful boat is ready for her next adventure.

Recent Upgrades
July 2026: Fresh Antifoul (2 coats) with new anodes
Nov 2025: All batteries replaced (3 total, 360 Ah)
Nov 2025: Washdown deck wash installed
May 2025: Full standing rigging replacement by Elite Rigging Sydney ($15,000)
May 2025: Saloon mast support post replaced
May 2025: Mast removed and serviced
May 2025: New VHF antenna and in-mast VHF cable
June 2024: New Cutlass / skeg bearing
June 2024: New Volvo shaft seal / gland
June 2024: New macerating toilet installed

Specifications:
Brand / Model Chieftain 38
Year 1982
Builder Cook Brothers, Christchurch, NZ
Designer Chieftain
Length 11.9 m (39 ft)
LWL 10.7 m
Beam 3.7 m
Draft 2.0 m
Displacement 8 tonnes
Hull Fibreglass monohull
Keel Fin keel
Country of Origin New Zealand
Helm Wheel
Location Sydney, NSW

Engine & Mechanical
Engine: Volvo Penta D1-30 diesel
Hours: Under 350
Drive: 1.25" shaft with Austral prop
Engine location: Under cockpit, accessed via 3 hatches
Renewed components: Engine, gearbox, shaft, prop, Polyflex coupling
Vetus engine mounts: New Nov 2023
Last serviced: April 2023
New Cutlass / skeg bearing: June 2024
New Volvo shaft seal / gland: June 2024

Fuel, Water & Electrical
Fuel: 250 L stainless steel tank
Water: 560 L across 2 tanks
Batteries: 3 total, 360 Ah (replaced Nov 2025)
Charging: Alternator, 2 x 160W solar panels, 250W flexi bimini panel, Air X wind turbine
Inverter: 2,500W
Lighting: All LED, including navigation lights

Accommodation
Berths: 5
Forecabin: Double V-berth
Aft cabin: Large and private (1.7 m headroom) with double bed and wraparound settee
Saloon: Single berth
Headroom: Up to 1.85 m
Heads: Brand new macerator toilet (2025), plus portable camping toilet
Holding tank: Portable

Galley
U-shaped layout with extensive pantry, lockers, and bench space
Hot and cold pressurised water
Seawater pump and tap
LPG Plastimo Atlantic stove and oven
Waeco 12V refrigerator (70 L)

Sails & Rigging
Aluminium mast and boom
Seldén Furlex 200S
Standing rigging replaced May 2025 (Elite Rigging)
Lazy jacks with boom bag
Sails: Mainsail, 120% genoa, 110% genoa, MPS with sock

Electronics & Navigation
Raymarine ST60 wind, speed, and depth
Raymarine E7 chartplotter with East Coast charts
Raymarine CP100 sonar
Raymarine GPS
GME GX750 VHF with cockpit control

Deck Gear & Equipment
Massive centre cockpit
Full bimini, spray dodger, and retractable sun awning
Cockpit table and cushions
Barlow self-tailing winches
Muir VRC 1250 anchor winch
Enormous chain locker
Washdown deck pump (installed Nov 2025)
7 fenders, dock lines, spinnaker pole, boat hook
Emergency tiller
Magma LPG BBQ with stainless LPG tank
Scuba equipment included

Ground Tackle
Brand new Rocna Vulcan 33kg anchor ($1,300)
50 m galvanised chain
20 m rode
2 spare anchors