Re: Vertue 25.

[sailordermot]

Hi.
I am am a classic boat enthusiast, i have had an 1902 Gaff Cutter , now sold.
There is a wooden Vertue 25 for sale in West Cork, Ireland, i dont know the name or number, its in fair to good condition. I would like to get members views of the Vertue, a friend said to me a couple of years ago : "You wont drown but you may starve" . The comment meant that its a very heavy (5 tons) and you wont get very far in it, but is a solid boat. My idea is for coastal sailing. Would appreciate views of Vertue owners and others.
Thanks. Dermot O'Donoghue

 

[wrr]

Vertues are small sturdy craft which have a reputation based on the combination of a seaworthy design with a number of adventurous owners. The website VertueYachts.com is worth a look. The accommodation, as with most classics, will be less generous than modern plastic craft of similar length. The real question is whether you have the time and skills, or the money, to restore her to the state where she just needs the normal amount of annual maintenance, i.e. paint, varnish, antifouling and the odd spot of caulking. A good purchaser's survey by someone who knows classic sailing craft would be a worthwhile investment as it should ensure that you have a dose of stark reality. Having said which, I doubt if you will find a plastic boat that matches her charm!

 

[srm]

I doubt if you will find a plastic boat that matches her charm!

A friend had a GRP Vertue. Based in Orkney over the years his cruises ranged from the Faeroes to Norway and Denmark as well as the west coast of Scotland. Mostly he was single handed.
A nice seaworthy boat but short of internal space and speed when compared to modern 'dinghy with a lid on' hull types.

 

[sailordermot]

Thank you wrr, I have always liked the Vertue 25 since I read Humphrey Bartons book back in the 70's, However taking on board what you have said about having the skills re caulking , woodwork etc I dont have these. Maybe I should look for the Mark 2 GRP model. Many thanks for your reply and apologies for the delay in replying to you.

 

[sailordermot]

Vertues are small sturdy craft which have a reputation based on the combination of a seaworthy design with a number of adventurous owners. The website VertueYachts.com is worth a look. The accommodation, as with most classics, will be less generous than modern plastic craft of similar length. The real question is whether you have the time and skills, or the money, to restore her to the state where she just needs the normal amount of annual maintenance, i.e. paint, varnish, antifouling and the odd spot of caulking. A good purchaser's survey by someone who knows classic sailing craft would be a worthwhile investment as it should ensure that you have a dose of stark reality. Having said which, I doubt if you will find a plastic boat that matches her charm!

Vertues are small sturdy craft which have a reputation based on the combination of a seaworthy design with a number of adventurous owners. The website VertueYachts.com is worth a look. The accommodation, as with most classics, will be less generous than modern plastic craft of similar length. The real question is whether you have the time and skills, or the money, to restore her to the state where she just needs the normal amount of annual maintenance, i.e. paint, varnish, antifouling and the odd spot of caulking. A good purchaser's survey by someone who knows classic sailing craft would be a worthwhile investment as it should ensure that you have a dose of stark reality. Having said which, I doubt if you will find a plastic boat that matches her charm!

Hi, many thanks for your advice and my apologies for the delay in replying. I actually sent a reply which was meant for you to someone else who replied to my query.
Basically I have admired the Vertue 25 since I read Humphrey Bartons book back in the 70's however I am not very good at woodworking and caulking so maybe I should look at the Mark 2 GRP model. Thank you again.

 

[Kukri]

Thank you wrr, I have always liked the Vertue 25 since I read Humphrey Bartons book back in the 70's, However taking on board what you have said about having the skills re caulking , woodwork etc I dont have these. Maybe I should look for the Mark 2 GRP model. Many thanks for your reply and apologies for the delay in replying to you.

I had two friends who owned wooden Vertues. One owned in succession a Vertue, a wooden and a glass Twister (they are not quite the same shape and neither are the wood and glass Vertues) and settled on a Harrison Butler “Englyn”. He liked the HB best but said the Twisters were faster than the Vertue, and the wooden one was the faster of the two.

The other friend had his gaff rigged Vertue built at the IBBTC in Lowestoft and loved her to bits.

A good single hander which is safe at sea. The teak ones built by Cheoy Lee are particularly attractive but beware of Cheoy Lee’s practice (“state of the art” when they were building them!) of using marine ply under teak on the decks and the transom, and keep an eye on the ribs.

I had a good look at a glass one, but bought a much bigger Nicholson instead.

 

[wrr]

Thanks for the response. As I said, I think that the critical factor for deciding on taking on any classic is her current state of repair. To put it in context, my Alan Buchanan sloop was built with the best materials and is well maintained. This allowed me to prepare her for launching in 48 hours last month, because of the Covid-19 situation. This included rubbing down, spot priming, antifouling x2 coats, painting the topsides and replacing a cutless bearing. Varnishing will follow, once I am allowed access to her mooring. A 2" paintbrush is much lighter to handle than a circular polisher!