Compass 29

Ventura Mare – Compass 29

Ventura Mare is a 1978 Compass 29 that has recently completed an extensive eight-month refit, with the owner reporting more than $40,000 invested in repairs, upgrades and equipment with support from sponsors and the sailing community.

The Compass 29 is a well-known Australian design, recognised for its solid fibreglass construction, substantial keel and forgiving sailing characteristics. Ventura Mare has recently been sailing the Queensland east coast, providing a practical test of many of the systems installed during the refit.

One of the particularly interesting aspects of this boat is the documentation surrounding the project. The refit has been publicly documented by owner Brooke Dunford through his social media channels, including repairs, problems encountered and equipment replacement. Receipts for equipment purchased during the project are also available, giving prospective buyers an unusually detailed record of the work undertaken.

Hull, Deck & Exterior

The hull was stripped back to fibreglass before being reprimed and antifouled with International Interprotect/Plus 2 system products. The rudder received substantial attention, being stripped back to timber, re-epoxied, reglassed, primed and antifouled.

Other exterior work and upgrades include:

• Propeller polished and treated with Propspeed/Purr Prop protective coating

• Running rigging replaced

• Custom solar arch

• Fibreglass cockpit roof with exterior LED lighting

• Anchor, navigation, stern, steaming and deck lights replaced

• Steering quadrant disassembled and rebuilt with custom bushes

• New stainless-steel steering shaft and replacement steering wire

• Window frames and surrounds resealed internally and externally

• Stainless-steel davits

• Stainless-steel steering wheel

• Orca tablet mount

• Custom high-density foam cockpit decking

• Custom exterior upholstery

• Furling system disassembled and bearings replaced

• New custom genoa

• Various exterior repainting and cosmetic improvements

Navigation & Electrical

The navigation station has been substantially upgraded and now incorporates:

• VHF marine radio

• Orca Core 2

• New electrical switchboard

• Automatic bilge-pump controls

• Battery monitoring

• NMEA 2000 backbone

• Raymarine electronic compass

• Raymarine P70 autopilot control display

• Raymarine EV-series autopilot system

• Raymarine actuator control

• 300Ah Kings lithium house battery*

• 65Ah marine engine-start battery

• Renogy 40A MPPT solar controller and DC-DC charger

*The seller notes that the lithium battery installation was not completed professionally.

Interior & Accommodation

The interior has also undergone a significant refurbishment, including:

• Interior repainted with Norglass Weatherfast polyurethane

• Custom galley benchtop

• Kings 30L drawer refrigerator

• New engine instrument panel

• Interior timber sanded and revarnished

• New 38L diesel tank

• New 100L freshwater bladder

• Stainless-steel galley sink

• Separate fresh and saltwater pump taps

• New interior wall cladding

• New interior lighting and LEDs

• New marine pump toilet

• Seacocks replaced with TruDesign composite fittings

• High-density foam interior flooring

Engine

Auxiliary power is provided by a diesel engine that the seller advises was rebuilt by the previous owner and has approximately 110 hours since rebuild.

As part of the recent work, engine filters have been replaced along with raw-water and exhaust hoses.

Sails & Equipment

The sale includes:

• Mainsail

• 150% genoa

• Jib

• Approximately 46 metres of anchor chain and anchor

• Garmin depth sounder

• Emergency tiller

• EPIRB

• Safety equipment

• Extensive recently installed navigation and electrical equipment

Survey & Refit History

A recent survey was undertaken before completion of the refit, with the seller advising that the vessel was valued at approximately $25,000 at that stage. Since the survey, the owner reports that a further $15,000–$20,000 has been invested in equipment including electronics, navigation equipment and autopilot components.

The refit and recent cruising aboard Ventura Mare can be followed through owner Brooke Dunford's social media account, @brooke_dunford, providing prospective buyers with an extensive visual history of the project.

Why is she for sale?

The owner purchased Ventura Mare as a practical refit and cruising project in preparation for a larger ambition: purchasing a yacht in Florida, refitting it and sailing it home across the Pacific.

With the Compass 29 project completed and Ventura Mare back out sailing, the owner is now moving on to that next project.

Currently located in Airlie Beach, Queensland, Ventura Mare presents an interesting opportunity for someone looking for a classic Australian production yacht that has already undergone a substantial program of recent refurbishment and equipment upgrades.

Delivery elsewhere in Queensland may be possible by arrangement with the seller.