Colvic Victor 34

Almost all home built and hugely variable. Although in tune with the times when it was introduced by today's standards cramped and overcomplicated for what they offer in performance and accommodation.
 
They are huge for their size. Not fast but a great long term cruising boat. As said, depends on build, many built way better than Colvic, then again, some were appalling. All down to price in the end.
 
£27k is a lot to ask for one IMHO. Headlinings don't lok good either which will be a PITA to fix. For me the answer would be "no" but YMMV...

Boo2
 
Tranona said:
Almost all home built and hugely variable. Although in tune with the times when it was introduced by today's standards cramped and overcomplicated for what they offer in performance and accommodation.
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after buying a cobra 850 i would never buy a home finished boat as a lot are are bodged
 
Tranona said:
Almost all home built and hugely variable. Although in tune with the times when it was introduced by today's standards cramped and overcomplicated for what they offer in performance and accommodation.
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Have you sailed one or just a colvic knocker
 
seastoke said:
Have you sailed one or just a colvic knocker
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No, not a knocker. They come from a time when ketch rigs, small cockpits, wheelhouses and cramped divided up accommodation were considered good. There were quite a few similar designs, but none ever achieved significant numbers, partly because those very characteristics made them expensive and complicated to build, whether self build or professional.

For some people they still have appeal, although they are hugely variable in quality, whether home finished or professional. The one you refer to (if it is the one in Dartmouth) seems to be a very good example of the best of home build. However it is a very limited market as there is such a wide choice of more spacious, more easily handled, better sailing boats on the market for the money.
 
Rhylsailer99 said:
after buying a cobra 850 i would never buy a home finished boat as a lot are are bodged
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Just because a lot are bodged (which is true) it doesn't mean they all are. \

I had a beautifully finished home-completed (from hull and deck mouldings) boat (not a Colvic), far nicer than the yard finished boats that were judged, in their day. as sound quality, if perhaps somewhat unrefined. It turned out (when he tracked down his former creation and rang me one day), that the original owner, who'd spent 6 years fitting it out, was much more of a woodwork etc. enthusiast than he was a sailing enthusiast.

Home completion is not a good reason to dismiss a boat out of hand, just a sign to be wary.
 
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Tranona said:
No, not a knocker. They come from a time when ketch rigs, small cockpits, wheelhouses and cramped divided up accommodation were considered good. There were quite a few similar designs, but none ever achieved significant numbers, partly because those very characteristics made them expensive and complicated to build, whether self build or professional.

For some people they still have appeal, although they are hugely variable in quality, whether home finished or professional. The one you refer to (if it is the one in Dartmouth) seems to be a very good example of the best of home build. However it is a very limited market as there is such a wide choice of more spacious, more easily handled, better sailing boats on the market for the money.
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Go and look at it if it's the type of boat you want. Not many pilothouse yachts available at that size and price.

Look at the finish but I would spend my time lifting every access hatch and seeing how the wiring, plumbing and hidden joinery looks. What condition and quality are seacocks, engine ancillaries, steering system? Good home completion (and good production boats) will show in the bits you can't see especially after 30 years. A good cabinet maker might or might not have had the electrical and plumbing skills to complement his woodworking.

After several hours poking around you will have a sense of its value to you.
 
Supertramp said:
Go and look at it if it's the type of boat you want. Not many pilothouse yachts available at that size and price.

Look at the finish but I would spend my time lifting every access hatch and seeing how the wiring, plumbing and hidden joinery looks. What condition and quality are seacocks, engine ancillaries, steering system? Good home completion (and good production boats) will show in the bits you can't see especially after 30 years. A good cabinet maker might or might not have had the electrical and plumbing skills to complement his woodworking.

After several hours poking around you will have a sense of its value to you.
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Not sure why you are quoting me - I am not interested in buying one!
 
PCUK said:
It's huge beam makes it the roomiest 34 footer around. If it's of decent quality you won't do better.
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That is a very sweeping and simplistic statement. While its beam was indeed large for the time (some might say excessive!), it has a short waterline and pointed ends compared with more modern designs, meaning the actual usable volume is small for the hull length (and many needed a bowsprit to give enough sail area). Compare with contemporary designs from the late 70's early 80's of similar size such as Moody 33 and 34, Westerly 33, Discus, Falcon, Seahawk, Sadler 34 etc all of which are more roomy and sail better.
 
Tranona said:
No, not a knocker. They come from a time when ketch rigs, small cockpits, wheelhouses and cramped divided up accommodation were considered good. There were quite a few similar designs, but none ever achieved significant numbers, partly because those very characteristics made them expensive and complicated to build, whether self build or professional.

For some people they still have appeal, although they are hugely variable in quality, whether home finished or professional. The one you refer to (if it is the one in Dartmouth) seems to be a very good example of the best of home build. However it is a very limited market as there is such a wide choice of more spacious, more easily handled, better sailing boats on the market for the money.
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Yes Dartmouth, do you know the owner.
 
No, just seen the ad. are you interested in buying it?.

Back in the day, father of mate of mine built one in Blackpool for his upcoming retirement. Only saw photos but expect it turned out a good boat (lost touch before it was finished). Best memory was him telling me about the pitch pine he got from an old mill and cast iron rollers from the mill machinery which he used for ballast.

Have been on a couple of finished boats 25 years or so ago when I was looking for a bigger long term cruising boat. Just not my scene despite the attraction of the wheelhouse saloon. Really don't think it works on a relatively small boat with that type of hull shape. Particularly if you are a big bloke like me as it seems like a 40 footer crammed into a smaller hull. Compare that with the Nauticat 331 I was on last week. similar length and beam but no overhangs, full hull shape carried almost all the way to the ends. Despite 2 double cabins, 2 loos, saloon and galley, wheelhouse and outside helm it does not seem cramped. still not my style, but if you want space, wheelhouse and good quality build then one of the older 33s for not a lot more money is worth looking at.

Having said that the choice if a wheelhouse is top priority and you want reasonable sailing ability there is not a lot of choice, and the Victor is more spacious than some of the alternatives such as the Seastream 34 or Trident Voyager, primarily because it is about 1' wider than was typical at the time.
 
Tranona said:
No, just seen the ad. are you interested in buying it?.
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Seastoke is a die hard powerboat man who seems to have an aversion to anything with sails, hence why I am baffled as to why he is showing so much interest in this boat - unless this is a subtle way of providing some free advertising for a mate of his who is trying to get rid of it.
Although given his signature "Sailing is for folk going nowhere fast" I doubt he even has any raggie mates.
@seastoke over to you :)
Maybe his mobo mate @BruceK can fill us in - they are always slagging each other off on the mobo forum (usually because the other's 'fun box' has run out of booze or such like), but I am sure that they are best mates really :D

The Beneteau Evasion 32 is very similar - @Tranona do they share the same fibreglass mouldings?
Evasion 32 - Sailing Yacht Heritage For Sale | BENETEAU
 
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Bajansailor said:
Seastoke is a die hard powerboat man who seems to have an aversion to anything with sails, hence why I am baffled as to why he is showing so much interest in this boat - unless this is a subtle way of providing some free advertising for a mate of his who is trying to get rid of it.
Although given his signature "Sailing is for folk going nowhere fast" I doubt he even has any raggie mates.
@seastoke over to you :)
Maybe his mobo mate @BruceK can fill us in - they are always slagging each other off on the mobo forum (usually because the other's 'fun box' has run out of booze or such like), but I am sure that they are best mates really :D

The Beneteau Evasion 32 is very similar - @Tranona do they share the same fibreglass mouldings?
Evasion 32 - Sailing Yacht Heritage For Sale | BENETEAU
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banjo dont use me to sell your mates Bendytoy.
 
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