Verl 790

[Vicarage]

Hi all,

A friend and I are going to look at a Verl 790 tomorrow. It looks like a lovely little boat that'll be both cheap to own/maintain but also fun to sail.

However, we can't find a great deal about them on the web. Does anyone here have any experience of them and their handling under sail, also of of things we should watch for when going to have a look around?

Thanks!

 

[Little Dorrit]

I owned a Verl 790 and I really loved it. Designed (I think) by Ed Dubois it has good provenance. I sailed my Verl single handed easily and she handled winds upto F6 with ease. Because I only experinced F8 for short spells I have no subsatntial evidence of their seaworthiness but I am sure the boat would have been quite capable for sustained periods - even if I was not! Expect to pay less than £3k with an inboard MD5. The saildrive is a problem i.e expensive to repair if the 'Jesus Gasket' needs replacing but overall a real bargain of a boat IMHO.

 

[Vicarage]

Thanks, great to hear! The one we're looking at has an outboard, so sail drive shouldn't be a problem. I'm hoping she's as lovely as the photos...

 

[Houleaux]

Hmmm...

I've a feeling that Little Dorrit may be a friend I've lost touch with and, if so, I know that particular Verl 790 well!

I've sailed her with her previous owner and with another friend in the absence of her owner (with his consent of course!). I took her from Chichester Harbour aiming for Alderney but, as she sailed so well, we bypassed Alderney and headed directly for St Peter Port in Guernsey. A cracking sail south and she looked after us well on the - less than ideal - sail home (it was November and the wind picked up a bit...).

I can't suggest what you should look for in particular but, if she's been well looked after, you should certainly get a lot of pleasure from sailing her. A good seaworthy boat with a fair turn of speed for her size and an ability to look after you (if not exactly keep you dry!) when the conditions are less than ideal.

 

[langstonelayabout]

The saildrive is a problem i.e expensive to repair if the 'Jesus Gasket' needs replacing but overall a real bargain of a boat IMHO.

I guess that is the response to the GBP 1500 bill to replace it at a boatyard?

 

[underdog]

I owned a Verl 790" Shanty" for 5 years from 1996 to 2001. I found her to be a good compromise boat between performance and comfort. Plenty of room down below.Very easy to sail short handed. The only problem I found was that the seal between the anchor locker and the cabin was suspect. If fitted with Volvo sail drive check the age of the seal as this has to be renewed every 7 years.
I eventually sold the boat as I was more interested in racing than cruising and bought an out and out racing boat.None the less the performance was adequate for club racing and at the Scottish series when I had good fun sailing against Ruffian 23's and Trapper 300'S.