Victoire 1200 Sold

Solid and nicely built sailing yacht, with very good sailing performance at high sea. This particular example offers a third cabin on portside aft, by which this Victoire has a 3-cabin lay-out and is also very suitable for families. Of coarse the third cabin can also be deticated to technical installations, or storage space. The current owner took very well care of the yacht, with yearly winter storage in the hangar. Also, the yacht was even in 2018 equipped with a new of sails, new sprayhoof with cockpit tent and covers. Currently this Victoire is lying in our sales marina for viewing. 

Because we both grew up on a sailing boat, it was obvious that as a young family we would continue this beautiful hobby and that our children would also enjoy sailing.

The choice of the Victoire

We had been in love for a long time with several models of Victoire, the yacht builder from `Alkmaar. Beautiful sturdy seaworthy yachts, designed by Dick Koopmans. We looked at several models but as a large family of six we soon ended up with the 1200. After looking at several different 1200's, we chose the 1200 of a passionate sailor who also turned out to be a distant relative. The well-maintained sloop rigged 1200 met all the wishes we have as a family. Sufficient berths, 210 cm draught and a beautiful sailing wardrobe.

Apart from the fact that we love the design, the solidity and seaworthiness appealed to us. The boat had to fit in with our shared dream of sailing the world sea and the Victoire 1200 amply satisfies that dream.

With little wind the 1200 is certainly not the fastest sailor, but as the wind increases you can feel how the boat only gets more in her element, (just like her crew by the way). and a just then a fast sailor turns out to be comfortable at the helm. We have never consciously looked for heavy weather, but during the long trips on the Channel, at the Channel Islands in the German `bend or on the `Baltic Sea we have experienced all types of weather. Our 1200 has always shown and felt to be a reliable and safe ship.

In busier harbours, the bow thruster proves to be a welcome addition that makes manoeuvring very easy under all circumstances.

Sailing area

From our homeport Zierikzee we mainly enjoyed the Oosterschelde in the weekends. Beautiful sailing water with ample opportunity to relax and anchor for a night. Every week the feeling of vacation. Long weekends we often opted for a round of Walcheren. The highlight of the year was our summer holidays. They invariably started at the Roompotsluis and then either towards France, England or to the north towards the Wadden Sea, Denmark and Sweden. The English South Coast and especially from the Solent to the Scilly's is a beautiful scenic area where we have been a lot. On the Scilly's, you imagine yourself back in time. Although it's not even very far from our home port, you can see other animals from the Belgian coast. The enormous john of Ghent, dolphins, lunar fish and more towards the South West tip of England regularly the giant plankton shark. We hung over the railing with the whole family for hours to marvel at these giant animals.

Another popular destination was the Baltic Sea. We have always chosen to sail up the Elbe via the German Bight and then enter the North-East Sea Canal at Brunsbuttel to be able to sail up the Baltic Sea at kiel-Holtenau after a day's sailing. The day on the canal was always an experience in itself. Next to the gigantic cruise ships and container ships you pass by you feel very small. Beautiful large bridges and a changing landscape as the journey progresses.

Equipment and maintenance

Because the Victoire in the cabin is a bit less light than many modern yachts and because we have mostly been on the road with the whole family, we always had a beautiful cockpit tent so we could transform the cockpit into living space in all weather conditions. We renewed the tubular tent and the tubular suit last season. All windows can be unzipped and the front window of the hood can be rolled up during very hot days.

We have our boat inside every winter and have it technically and motorically maintained by professionals from the shipyard. Over the years we have purchased, improved or replaced equipment and the next project should be the autopilot. It works well but the display in the cockpit needs replacing. In addition to a navigation screen under the spray hood, we have also installed a screen in the cabin. Very nice to be able to take a look at the surroundings during long trips and especially at night.

For comfort, we have had slatted frames made under all the beds. This has greatly improved the sleeping comfort on board, but it also seems to be healthier.

The decision

We hadn't thought of selling our boat until we found out that at the moment we are getting less than we would like and earning less than the boat. The dream to cross again together remains unchanged and will certainly be fulfilled at some point only for this moment we would do well to hand over our great ship to other enthusiasts who will enjoy it as much as we have been able to do for years.

This decision came rather unexpectedly. In addition to the spray hood and cockpit tent, we had the mainsail, the furling genoa and the accompanying covers replaced by de Vries in Friesland with the idea of enjoying them for years to come.

We will undoubtedly miss sailing very much, but we are looking forward to a new lover taking over the enjoyment and care of this great ship.