Virgo 23/Newbridge Voyager-good boats for novice?

mickywillis

mickywillis

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Can anyone offer any sound advice about the above boats?
Are they a good choice to cut your teeth on beginning sailing?
I know they aren't the prettiest yacht in the harbour, but on paper, they look to be a good starter boat (6ft headroom, choice of keel, seperate heads, 5 berth, etc, etc)
Does anyone on the forum own one that can give me pro's and con's of buying one?
Thanks,
 
Hi there,

I learned to sail on a Virgo Voyager and would reckon them excellent as starter boat. I sailed the bilge keel version and it's not the best to windward but it is very easy to handle, very forgiving of errors, very tough (useful when you ram the pontoon) and incredibly spacious inside for the length.

I was fortunate that I was able to sail on a shared expenses basis so did not have to buy a boat for my first year. When I did, I had the opportunity to buy the Virgo but decided not to. The reasons were the poor windward performance, the occasional tendency to slam when sailing into waves and the very narrow side decks (a consequence of having so much room inside). Also, I wanted a boat that could be a potential ocean crosser, for which the Virgo is not ideal. If you plan coastal sailing and the occasional cross-channel trip, then I'd have thought the Virgo would be well suited.
 
Yes, I have one. They are a well built seaworthy boat that you can have confidence in. I have done cross channel in mine no problem. The interior is spacious for a 23 ft. boat and there is standing headroom for a 6 footer. I have the bilge keel version and it sails surprisingly well in my opinion. I upgraded the jib to a genoa which has improved things considerably. The biggest drawback is that the sidedecks are fairly narrow. However, the foredeck is particularly large and level and easy to move about on. I sail mine both with the family and single handed no problem. I would completely recommend it. I've heard this comment about these boats not being pretty before, but I think it looks fairly similiar to all the other plastic tubs out there.
 
Hi
Ditto everything said so far, also fin keeler goes pretty good to windward up to about F4/F5.
5knts easy and have had 6knts with reduced sails and wind on the beam, great fun for little money.
 
I can recommend them for single handed sailing, easier if there are two of you. The side decks a less of an issue if you get all the lines back to the cockpit, and if single line reefing is fitted even easier.

I've sailed mine single handed from Chichester to Falmouth and back last year and this year with no problems.

Check the forecast as you do need to reef early, 1st reef at F4 and second at the top of F5. I've had mine out in a F6 gusting 7 (certainly this year) with no problems, but out of choice if F7 is in the forecast I won't take it out.

The boat will sail well, albeit slower, on just the main, and tack provided that you bear away slightly just before a tack to get increase the speed to get round. It will also sail well on just a genoa, with a wind abaft the spreaders.

As for sailing in seas other than coastal, a fair number have been across the Channel, and Ron Lunney, the designer of the boat, did the Azores and back in one of the first, which I believe is repeating the trip soon.
 
I shudder a bit when you ask for a boat suitable for a novice. You won't always be a novice so you really need a boat that will keep you satidfied into the future.
So try lots of boats. In the end you will only know by owning a boat as to whether it suits. I like fin keel boats but sometimes you need bilge keel unless you fit support legs. good luck olewill
 
Just an additional from a surveying point of view.
It is one of the classes that varies considerably in build quality in my experience. The earlier ones built at Bridport did seem to have the edge on some of the later ones built at Chard in respect of materials used and weight of layup in some areas, and unfortunately, in some of the hidden areas. Came across one where the builders had run out of long leg U bolts for the deck rigging attachments so cut back the plywood stiffening so they could use a short leg U bolt. Obvious consequences. Other than that, a good one will be a good starter boat.

John Lilley
 
[ QUOTE ]
Have you actually sailed one?

[/ QUOTE ] Yes. My father-in-law built one from a kit in the seventies and I learnt to sail on her. On annual trips to Conyer he would arrive behind all the other boats by at least an hour.

It had fantastic room, took the rough stuff well - but... it was dreadful to sail especially upwind.
 
[ QUOTE ]
My bilge keel Snapdragon was a dream to sail - singlehanded too! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Why pick on Snappies?

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry no offence intended, I know loads of people love their Snappies. Good value, strong, roomy, motor well and loads more beside.

But even their fans can't claim they sail well, particularly upwind. I had an excruciating sail in one once going up the Thames.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Have you actually sailed one?

[/ QUOTE ] Yes. My father-in-law built one from a kit in the seventies and I learnt to sail on her. On annual trips to Conyer he would arrive behind all the other boats by at least an hour.

It had fantastic room, took the rough stuff well - but... it was dreadful to sail especially upwind.

[/ QUOTE ]

I certainly wouldn't describe it a s DREADFUL to sail. OK, the bilge keel version doesn;t point as well upwind as well as othet boats. I've got a triple keeler which points reasonably well.

I've often sailed it at its maximum (theoretical) hull speed.

Mine also has the 'Pioneer' mast on it which gives a larger sail area than normal, unfortunately it does mee that you have to reef earlier than most
 
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