Buchanan Prior 37

Alan Buchanan

Overview

Price

£65,000 inc.

Year Built

1964

Model

Prior 37

Length

11.23

Berths

Lying

Falmouth, UK

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Specification

Name

Alan Buchanan

Model

Prior 37

Builder

R. J. Prior & Son Ltd

Designer

Alan Buchanan

Hull Material

Wood

Beam (m)

3.08

Draft (m)

2.01

Displacement (kg)

6804

Engine

Vetus M4.15

Engine HP

Cabins

Berths

WC/Heads

Overview

Design and Pedigree

The Alan Buchanan Prior 37 is a highly respected classic yacht, admired for her balance of performance, strength, and timeless design. Designed by Alan Buchanan, she is known for combining classic regatta performance with comfortable cruising ability. For that reason, the Prior 37 remains popular with sailors who value both speed and seamanship.

Ownership History

The yacht was purchased by the current owner in 2002. Shortly after, she underwent a comprehensive rebuild, carried out between 2002 and 2005. Because this work was done thoroughly, the yacht emerged as a fast, seaworthy classic with modern reliability.

Rebuild Scope

The rebuild covered all major areas of the yacht. This included the hull, decks, coachroof, cockpit, interior joinery, and rig. As a result, the structure, layout, and sailing systems were all addressed together, rather than piecemeal.

Ongoing Maintenance

Since the rebuild, the Alan Buchanan Prior 37 has benefited from continuous maintenance and sensible upgrades. She has been widely praised as one of the best-maintained wooden yachts of her era. Because of this ongoing care, she now presents in genuine turnkey condition.

Engine and Propulsion

The yacht is powered by a Vetus M4.15 diesel engine, installed in 2022. This modern engine provides reliable propulsion and improved efficiency. As a result, she is easy to handle both under power and when manoeuvring in harbour.

Rigging and Sail Inventory

Standing and running rigging were renewed in 2017, which supports safe and dependable sailing. The sail wardrobe includes a mainsail and genoa (2017), an asymmetric spinnaker (2017), and a new staysail (2023). This range of sails allows flexibility for both cruising and racing.

Navigation and Comfort

Safety and comfort have also been improved over time. The yacht is fitted with digital AIS (2023), which enhances situational awareness. At the same time, diesel-fired warm air cabin heating (2022) improves comfort during early and late-season sailing.

Cruising and Racing History

Since relaunch, the yacht has been extensively cruised around the Channel, France, and the West Country. While doing so, she has also remained actively raced at classic regattas. This combination shows that she is both fast and robust in real sailing conditions.

Survey and Viewing

A 2025 survey is available for inspection.

Please contact us on 01326 313143 for further details or to arrange a viewing.

Equipment and Information

Construction

Hull:
Teak planking for first 6 planks, mahogany above, fastened with copper rivets to steam-bent CRE & oak frames (35mm x 50mm @ 150mm centres)
Lead keel, 3.5 tons
Bronze strap floors and bronze floor bolts
Rudder hung on stern post, tiller steering, recently refurbished bottom pintle and bearing (2024)
Hull splined and long-boarded, with replacement planking as needed during rebuildsDecks & Cockpit:
Epoxy-sheathed plywood decks, cream deck paint
Varnished teak covering boards, margin boards, and toe rails
Stainless steel stanchions and guard wires
Self-draining cockpit with scrubbed teak thwarts, redesigned in rebuild
New cockpit structure, thwart lids angled for drainageSuperstructure:
Coachroof with small raised doghouse aft
Varnished teak coamings, chromed bronze portlights
Epoxy-sheathed plywood coachroof deck
Forehatch with double water seal
Varnished teak grab rails

Rig & Sails

Masthead Bermudan sloop, keel-stepped alloy mast (Z-Spars, 2005)
Alloy slab reefing boom with stack pack & lazyjacks
Spinnaker pole and alloy jockey pole
Standing & Running Rigging:
Stainless steel standing rigging (2017) with bronze rigging screws
Removable inner forestay, running backstays for cutter or storm jib setup
ProFurl headsail furlingSails:
Mainsail: Kemp 30.7 m² (2017, excellent)
Genoa 140%: Kemp 37.94 m² (2017, excellent)
Asymmetric: Kemp 70 m² (2017, excellent)
Staysail: SKB Sails (2023, as new)Winches:
Andersen 28ST mast winch
Andersen 40ST mast winch
Andersen 28ST mast reefing winch
2 x Andersen 46ST primary cockpit sheet winches
2 x Andersen 28ST secondary cockpit sheet winches
2 x Andersen 28ST cockpit mainsheet winches

Machinery

Engine: Vetus M4.15 33 hp 4-cylinder diesel (2022, approx. 400 hrs)
TwinDisc gearbox to centreline feathering propeller
Stern tube, shaft, stern gland, and cutlass bearing new 2022
Engine beds shot-blasted, zinc-sprayed, powder-coated
Impeller pump and filters mounted forward for easy access
Cruising speed 5.5 knots @ 1.5 L/h, top speed 6.5 knots

Tankage

Fuel: 88L TekTank under cockpit sole (2022)
Fresh Water: 160L stainless steel tank under cabin sole
Waste: 35L TekTank under forecabin berth
New pipework, Racor fuel filter

Electrics & Systems

3 x 100 Ah Rolls deep cycle house batteries
1 x engine start battery
110A engine alternator with Sterling smart regulator
100W solar via 3 x Sunware panels, Victron MPPT 75/15
Switchboard rewired & new loom (2022)

Accommodation

Berths: 5 single berths, all 6’3”
Headroom: 6’3” midships & forward
Interior: Complete new joinery post-rebuild, varnished teak
Companionway over engine box, galley to port
Chart desk and quarter berth to starboard
Port & starboard saloon settee berths with storage beneath
Dropleaf varnished teak saloon table on stainless steel legs
Forecabin with 2 single V-berths, forehatch, and anchor locker
Galley: Origo 2-burner gimbaled stove with oven, twin stainless sinks, pressurised hot/cold water, Waeco 12V fridge
Heads: Jabsco manual sea toilet, 35L waste tank, stainless basin with hot/cold water
Heating: Mikuni diesel-fired warm air cabin heating (2022)

Navigation & Electronics

2 x Plastimo compasses
Raymarine ST60 wind, depth, log (2017)
Standard Horizon Matrix DSC VHF with AIS (2022/2023)
Furuno GPS35, Sailproof tablet with charts
Raymarine Evolution EVI autopilot (2025)
Windpilot Pacific wind vane steering system
Clipper Navtex
Clock and barometer

Ground Tackle & Deck Equipment

35 lb CQR anchor with 55m x 10mm chain + 50m x 16mm warp (new 2025)
20 lb Danforth kedge anchor with 12m x 10mm chain + 50m x 16mm warp
Simpson Lawrence Hi-Speed manual windlass (2017)
New sprayhood & sail cover (2025)
Teak boarding ladder
Avon inflatable tender with oars & Mariner 2.5hp outboard
Fitted cockpit cushions, sun covers (2023), cockpit cover (2023)
Mainsail StackPack & lazyjacks, mainsail cover (2025)

Safety Equipment

4-person Ocean Safety liferaft (service due 2027)
Horseshoe lifebuoy, flare pack, MOB rescue sling
Auto electric bilge pump & manual bilge pump
Fire blanket & 2 fire extinguishers

Key Highlights

Fully restored and continuously upgraded, turnkey classic yacht
Raced & cruised extensively, competitive in classic regattas
Extensive refit 2002–2005; continuous maintenance & upgrades
New Vetus engine (2022) and smart-charged batteries
Recent rigging & sails: mainsail/Genoa/asymmetric (2017), staysail (2023)
Digital Yacht AIS (2023), Raymarine EVI autopilot (2025)
Diesel cabin heating (2022)
Complete inventory for both racing or cruising
Exceptional brightwork, hull, and deck finish

Broker's Comments

This is a really impressive Prior 37 and one that stands out immediately. She feels quick, well balanced, and beautifully sorted, with the kind of condition you only see from long-term, knowledgeable ownership. The rebuild was clearly done properly, and the ongoing maintenance shows in every detail. It’s rare to find a classic yacht that can still line up confidently on a regatta start line and then cruise away in comfort afterwards, but this boat does exactly that. For sailors who appreciate traditional craftsmanship without compromise on performance, this is a genuinely special opportunity.

DISCLAIMER

The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.