Victoria 26

[iainmillett]

I have just acquired a Victoria 26.

Am hoping to cross to France next month after a good trip up the East coast from the Medway last month.

At first sight she seems a little tender at or above F5. Has anyone any tips about keeping her going decently in fresh conditions?

My wife is threatening to catch the ferry on this trip if I spill the tea again!

 

[jimkirby]

I bought a Frances 26 last December and sailed her from Totnes to Poole in April.I found then that she heeled fairly quickly to about 15degrees in F4 and once there was steady although heavy on the helm compared to my previous boat which was a bilge keeler and more tender than the 26.

I have just got back from a week in the Solent out there in F5-6 with occasional scary gusts on top of that.

What I found was with one reef in the main and the job reefed just forward of the mast she was quite light on the helm and didnt get her lee rail under even when water was slashing over the bow and half way up the sail!

I intend to experiment with reducing the jib area when I get F4 without reefing the main. My guess ius that the helm will lighten and their wont be a problem with either sudden of excessive heeling.

Overall I find her tough and reassuring regardless of heel-just tell your wife to concentrate on the number and thickness of the standing rig lines- My impresion is she is a cant bust em boat!.

I do find her slow in the tack and with a wider turning circle under power than I am used to but i gues thats the price for a long deep fin and stable performance to windward

In any event good luck on your french adventure. i am thinking pf going over myself in muid August-Probably Cherbourg and then Alderney

Jim Kirby

 

[duncan]

I would agree with Jim based on my experiences with a Frances 26. Heels very quickly to 15 or so degrees then hardens up as the sails spill beyond that.
Have you got the cutter or sloop rig? Sloop caries a big main for the size of boat!
Regarding what they handle Rob took his across the atlantic 2 handed in the ARC and spent a year in the St Lucia etc.
No they don't spin round on a dime - full length keel boats won't! Canoe sten is brilliant in a big following sea though.
Enjoy

 

[iainmillett]

I've a sloop rigged Vic 26.

Just back from a 2 day trip and with the 2nd reef in early she performed as you described.Much stiffer and just as quick.

With only 1 reef in and a fresh sea breeze, it became a littel scarey rattling solo down wind into the East Swale.

Anyway, I seem to be getting the hang of things - many thamks.

 

[duncan]

enjoy it - really great boats.