Van Der Stadt Victory 40?

[Tim Good]

Does anyone have any experience with this boat? Is she more of a motor sailor or do they perform pretty well under canvass alone? Any other pointers appreciated.

Tim

 

[Twister_Ken]

Chris Robb of this parish had one (the Double Decker) and ranged widely. A PM to him will no doubt elicit peons of praise.

 

[NOHOH]

Owners of these boats often keep them for a very long time.....Mine is 40 years old and I`m only the second owner (15 years).... They are no Tupperware box... Long keeled and heavy displacement..they are `more a shire horse than a racehorse`...though sometimes, in the right conditions, they have a surprising turn of speed under sail.. The deep centre cockpit and the hull shape ensures a sense of complete safety and a comfortable ride......Given the limitation that they were `the ultimate cruising boat` 45 years ago....when boats in general were very different...they are still very desireable in many respects.... They also look stunning.
www.victory40.co.uk

 

[Seajet]

I saw a Victory 40 coming into Lymington in a severe gale, we were on an outside mooring. in the roads and sheltering there for 3 days.

Boats of all sizes were coming in with broken masts, trysails and shredded sails but the Victory 40 sailing in at speed was a grand sight, maybe not ideal for Solent hopping but a real blue water cruiser.

 

[alant]

Owners of these boats often keep them for a very long time.....Mine is 40 years old and I`m only the second owner (15 years).... They are no Tupperware box... Long keeled and heavy displacement..they are `more a shire horse than a racehorse`...though sometimes, in the right conditions, they have a surprising turn of speed under sail.. The deep centre cockpit and the hull shape ensures a sense of complete safety and a comfortable ride......Given the limitation that they were `the ultimate cruising boat` 45 years ago....when boats in general were very different...they are still very desireable in many respects.... They also look stunning.
www.victory40.co.uk

3 for sale on various sites, £25k, £40k, £50k, quite a range of prices.

 

[Sybarite]

Does anyone have any experience with this boat? Is she more of a motor sailor or do they perform pretty well under canvass alone? Any other pointers appreciated.

Tim

I have a review of the first one: "Birvidik". It was special in that it had tankage for 2 tonnes of diesel and a hard top that covered all the cockpit.

 

[NOHOH]

Of course, one of the real advantages of boats of this vintage is that the hulls were laid up with generally very high quality materials....and hulls Lloyds certificated. The first `oil crisis` at the end of 1973 initially had the effect of pushing up the price of boats as the cost of the materials went up steeply.... Eventually manufacturers started to try and cut costs by using lower quality and generally inferior resins..... Hence the rash of problems with osmosis with very late 1970`s and 1980`s boats....So.....within limits...older is better

To the OP...Have you been to see any Victorys?

 

[Tim Good]

To the OP...Have you been to see any Victorys?

No not yet. I'm still struggling with various other models and trying to weigh up the pros and cons. Ideally looking to buy in 2014 with the view of extended cruising in 2015. Ideally to high latitudes also. Greenland etc but then warmer climes also. Would need to be handled short handed too with just two if necessary.

 

[NOHOH]

Dave and Marcia Pirie of "Travellers on a Trade Wind" fame took their second boat Moongazer II , I seem to remember , to the Lofoten Islands.... That is a Victory 40 with a full wheelhouse (they come in different configurations).... I don`t know if they frequent these forums......but if they do...they might give you some pointers

 

[Birvidik_Bob]

I have a review of the first one: "Birvidik". It was special in that it had tankage for 2 tonnes of diesel and a hard top that covered all the cockpit.

And it still has. We've had her for 18 years and have lived on her for 8. Currently in Vieste, working our way back to Lefkas.

We've been very happy with her, but are now thinking of selling and moving on to the inland waterways, for which she's not really suited. pm me if you want any more info (even if you're not interested in buying).

 

[Bajansailor]

I wrote to the Builders (Aberdour Marine) in 1976 and asked for a catalogue, and they kindly sent me one by return air mail.
The basic cost of a new yacht then was GBP 41,800 ex VAT - wasn't VAT up to 25% then?
I think that this price included a basic mainsail, mizzen and jib - a 465 sq ft genoa cost an extra GBP 260, and an 800 sq ft spinnaker was GBP 532 incl pole, two winches and running rigging.
A 6 man liferaft (to B.O.T / R.O.R.C spec) in a canister fitted on the poop deck was GBP 478.

Electronic equipment was hugely expensive back then - a Brookes & Gatehouse Hecta echosounder was GBP 235 (or GBP 352 with 2 transducers) - even a basic Seafarer was GBP 72 (or GBP 98 with 2 transducers).
They would only quote for radio telephones on request.....
A Sharp autopilot was GBP 560, and a Decca radar was GBP 1,285.

I am guessing that the cost of everything has gone up at least 8 or 9 times since 1976 - imagine paying almost GBP 2,000 for a depth sounder or GBP 10,000 for a radar today......

Here are some copies from my catalogue (and a 'One Man and his Boat' from YM) :

 

[Brightwork]

Dave and Marcia Pirie of "Travellers on a Trade Wind" fame took their second boat Moongazer II , I seem to remember , to the Lofoten Islands.... That is a Victory 40 with a full wheelhouse (they come in different configurations).... I don`t know if they frequent these forums......but if they do...they might give you some pointers

+1 Dave and Marcia (Cargreen) know what they are talking about. Good boats.