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Extraordinary boats: Andrillot, the original ‘Vertue’ design

• May 25, 2021

Andrillot is the original ‘Vertue’, the design which launched Laurent Giles’s long and illustrious career in 1935. Nic Compton reports

German boatbuilder Uli Killer was looking for a boat to sail while he was working on a big restoration project when he spotted Andrillot , a 25ft wooden cutter for sale in Dartmouth, UK.

The boat had recently undergone a three-year restoration and was said to be in very good condition for her age. The ad claimed the yacht was ‘an important part of our maritime heritage’ and that she and her sisterships had ‘become legends in their own right’. But to Uli, a relative newcomer to the classic world, she was just a pretty boat at the right price.

Andrillot as she was built with a gaff rig.

“She looked pretty and was affordable for us. I knew nothing about her history, and I had to ring a friend to ask him who Laurent Giles was!” Killer recalls. “Then I saw articles in English and American magazines and realised she really was such a famous boat, and hundreds of them were built. Being No 1 makes her more interesting.”

The boat Uli had inadvertently stumbled across was Andrillot , best known as the ‘original Vertue’, the first of a class which, 85 years after she was launched, is still going strong and now numbers around 200 boats. More by chance than intent, Uli had discovered a unique piece of maritime history, which he was able to buy for less than the price of a new VW Golf. He could hardly believe his luck.

It was in 1935 that Guernsey solicitor Dick Kinnersly commissioned British yacht designer Laurent Giles, then at the start of an illustrious career, to design a cruising boat for him.

“I was ignorant of yacht design but I knew what I wanted; a boat that would spin on a sixpence and I could sail single-handed,” he told British journalist (and fellow Vertue owner) Adrian Morgan 60 years later. “I don’t mind a transom, I said, and a good entry. I couldn’t afford an engine, so I needed ‘plenty of air’ aloft, which meant a topsail.”

The result was a modest 25ft 3in cruising yacht with a wide, distinctive sheer strake inspired by her working boat origins, and a manageable gaff rig (described by some as the ‘pinnacle’ of gaff rig design).

The hull shape was moderate in every way, and Giles himself was reticent about his achievement, saying: “There was nothing very special about the first conception, simply a contemporary interpretation of the Pilot Cutter theme with the same sort of displacement and general arrangements whittled down suitably to the very small size.”

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The boat’s capabilities were soon put to the test by Giles’s colleague Humphrey Barton, who borrowed Andrillot soon after she was launched and sailed her from Lymington to Concarneau and back, covering 855 miles in 23 days. The voyage, almost unheard of at the time on such a small boat, earned him the 1937 RCC Founder’s Cup.

More orders for the design soon started trickling in although, strangely, the class didn’t get its name until 10 years after Andrillot was launched. One of the boats built to Laurent Giles Design No.0015 (as it was then known) was Epeneta , which won the Little Ship Club’s annual Vertue Challenge Cup in 1939 for a 745-mile cruise of the English Channel. When Giles came to naming the class after the war, he chose the name Vertue in honour of that achievement.

Andrillot has been converted from gaff to Bermudan rig. Photo: Nic Compton

Other epic Vertue voyages soon followed, including notable transatlantic crossings. One, by David Lewis on Cardinal Vertue , was made while competing in the first OSTAR in 1960. He finished 3rd, behind Francis Chichester and Blondie Hasler.

Over the years, there have been several changes to the boat’s superstructure and rig, but the basic hull shape remained unchanged (indeed Giles believed it couldn’t be improved) until the design was adapted for GRP construction in 1976.

Reconfigured with slightly more beam and a higher freeboard, more than 40 Vertues were built in GRP, mostly by Bossoms in Oxford.

Wooden Vertues continue to be built to this day, both in carvel and strip-plank construction, and the company recently sent out plans for hull No.249 – though not all the plans sent out have been built.

As for Andrillot , the progenitor of this remarkable explosion of small boat sailing, she was owned by Kinnersly until 1947, after which she went through a succession of owners (seven in all) until 1982 when she was spotted by father and son Peter and Tim Stevenson.

By then Andrillot was in a dilapidated state. Peter and Tim had to tow her across the Solent and had her transported to a hay barn on the family farm near Lyndhurst.

The chart table was completely rebuilt for her new owner, including the non-original inlaid compass rose. Photo: Nic Compton

There, over the next two years, they gave her a full restoration, gutting the interior, doubling up several frames, and replacing the old Stuart Turner engine with an 8hp Bukh. By then, the yacht had already been converted to Bermudan rig and her coachroof had been extended, with the mast stepped on top of the coachroof rather than on the keel, as original. Peter and Tim kept the Bermudan rig but reinstated the bowsprit.

Andrillot across the channel

For the next few decades, Peter and Tim sailed extensively from the yacht’s base in Lymington to both sides of the English Channel. When Peter died in 2002, Tim took over the boat and based her on the River Exe in Devon. But eventually, the wear and tear of 35 years of sailing took its toll – particularly on the extended coachroof, which was creaking under the strain of the rig.

Tim entrusted the job of repairing the boat to Dartmouth-based boatbuilder Michel LeMoigne, whose CV includes working on major restoration projects such as the William Fife sloop Rosemary . He duly opened the coachroof up and replaced two deck beams, fitting three hefty posts under the mast step to transfer the load to the keel.

In the process, he had to rebuild the foc’s’le bunks and lockers. Once that was done, it was clear the rest of the interior needed to be updated, soon followed by the cockpit. And so one job led to another…

Andrillot in Darmouth where she was given an extensive refit. Photo: Nic Compton

Finally, near the end of the summer 2019, Andrillot was ready to be relaunched, but any hopes Tim might have had for a late season’s cruise were crushed when the surveyor spotted a crack in the mast – which had been there for years and never caused a problem – and condemned it.

It was the last straw for Tim and soon after Andrillot was put on the market. By the time a new mast was made and a buyer was found, the UK was deep in Coronavirus lockdown, so Andrillot wasn’t launched until August 2020 – three years after she’d been taken out of the water for repairs.

Uli Killer was in some ways a surprising buyer. A former CEO of a finance company, he quit his well-paid job in 2010 after becoming ill with the stress of work. In a dramatic change of life, he decided to pursue his lifelong love of boats and trained as a boatbuilder at the Boat Building Academy in Lyme Regis.

He then set up shop at his home in southern Germany where, alongside building bespoke dinghies, he embarked on a major project restoring an 1884 gaff cutter called Wild Duck. But, as it became clear the restoration would take longer than expected, he decided to buy a smaller boat to sail in the meantime. Which is when he discovered Andrillot .

Close encounters

Uli only had time for one trial sail on his new boat, before he and his son Moritz set off from Dartmouth to Vlissingen, Holland, at the end of August.

They were pushed on their way by strong following winds, with a dramatic wind against tide run past the Needles, a boat crashing into them in the middle of the night in Lymington, and a close encounter with a military firing range near Dungeness.

The RCC Founder’s Cup was awarded to Andrillot after she sailed 855 miles from Lymington to Concarneau and back. Photo: Nic Compton

In the end, it took them two weeks to make the 380-mile trip – including a week’s stopover in Cowes for repairs – averaging 50 to 60 miles a day. Yet, despite the drama of the trip, Uli was euphoric about his new acquisition.

“The boat felt really safe. Several times, we made 7-8 knots. It’s amazing such a small boat goes so fast – more than the theoretical hull speed. With the white cliffs near Eastbourne to one side, it was really beautiful. And when you go into harbour, people are interested in the boat and want to talk to you – we met such nice people all the way. In the evenings, it was so cosy and nice to snuggle in there and have supper.”

If Uli was ignorant of the boat’s importance when he bought her, he is certainly fully appreciative of her now. He is talking about taking her back to her gaff rig one day – perhaps in time for her 90th birthday – and hopes his son will take over ownership once Wild Duck is restored.

Once again, it seems, Andrillot will be handed down from father to son, as it was under the Stevensons’ long tenure. Almost by accident, it seems, the little boat with a big heart has reinvented herself and found a doting owner to take her to the end of her first century. Laurent Giles himself could ask no more.

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• Sailboat Guide

Vertue is a 25 ′ 3 ″ / 7.7 m monohull sailboat designed by Jack Laurent Giles and built by Cheoy Lee Shipyard, Stebbings & Sons, Bossoms Boatyard, and Jouët starting in 1947.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Most VERTUES were built by different firms in England. Cheoy Lee built a few in the late 50’’s and early 60’’s. Some were built later in FG. The designed was changed significantly since the earliest boats of the 1950’s so dimensions listed here are only approximate. It is thought that approximately 100 have been built to this design.

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The Vertue 25 Sailboat Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Vertue 25, a heavy-displacement long-keeled sloop, was designed by Jack Laurent Giles and built in the UK by E.F.Elkins Ltd.

Published Specification for the Vertue 25

Underwater Profile:  Long keel with transom-hung rudder

Hull Material: V arious *

Length Overall:  25'3"  ( 7.7m)

Waterline Length:  21'6"  ( 6.6m)

Beam:  7'2"  ( 2.2m)

Draft:  4'6"  ( 1.4m)

Rig Type:  Masthead sloop

Displacement:  11,000lb (4,990kg)

Designer:  Jack Laurent Giles

Builder:  E F Elkins Ltd (UK)

Year First Built:  1947

Number Built: 270

*  230 in wood, wood/epoxy or steel, plus 40 in GRP.

Published Design Ratios for the Vertue 25

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 9.7

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 40.9

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 494

4. Comfort Ratio: 54.6

5. Capsize Screening Formula:   1.3

Read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the  Vertue 25

1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of just 9.7 suggests that the Vertue 25 will need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 40.9 means that the Vertue 25 will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 494, tells us the Vertue 25 is firmly in the ultra-heavy displacement category. Load her up as much as you like and her performance will be hardly affected, not that it was ever startling. Few if any sailboats are built to this displacement category these days - but they remain popular with some long-distance sailors.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 54.6 suggests that crew comfort of a Vertue 25 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of an extremely heavy bluewater boat - and that's as comfortable as life ever gets on a sailing boat!

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.3 indicates that a Vertue 25 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0. 

Cruisers' Questions about this Sailboat...

What is the history of Vertue 25 sailboat?

The history of the Vertue 25 sailboat is quite fascinating. It dates back to 1936, when the first boat of this design, named ANDRILLOT, was launched by Jack Laurent Giles for Humphrey Barton. The design was not named Vertue until after the war, when another boat of this design, named EPENETA, won the Little Ship Club's Vertue Cup in 1939 for a passage across the Bay of Biscay. The Vertue Cup is given for the best log of a cruise longer than a week by a member of the club.

The Vertue 25 sailboat gained an enviable reputation as a long-distance cruiser, with several remarkable voyages completed by boats of this class and close derivatives, such as Vertue XXXV, which sailed from England to New York in 1950. The design has also been praised by famous sailors such as Eric and Susan Hiscock.

There have been minor variants of the design, most notably in the shape of the coach-roof and the hull material. The original design had a length overall of 25'3" (7.7m), a beam of 7'2" (2.2m) and a draft of 4'6" (1.4m). The extended cruising version of the design was known as the Vertue Ocean and incorporated modifications suggested by Barton. The Vertue II design is slightly larger at 25'8" (7.8m) overall with a 7'10" (2.4m) beam and has been produced in GRP since the 1970s by Bossoms Boatyard in Oxford.

What are some famous voyages completed by Vertue 25 sailboats?

Some of the famous voyages completed by Vertue 25 sailboats are:

• In 1950, Humphrey Barton sailed from England to New York in Vertue XXXV, a 25'3" wooden sloop, in 40 days. This was the first transatlantic crossing by a small yacht and inspired many other sailors to follow his example.
• In 1952, Eric and Susan Hiscock sailed around the world in Wanderer III, a 30' wooden sloop based on the Vertue design. They covered 30,000 miles in three years and wrote several books about their adventure.
• In 1966, David Lewis sailed from England to New Zealand in Rehu Moana, a 25'8" GRP sloop of the Vertue II design. He then continued to sail around the Pacific islands and Antarctica for several years.
• In 1979, John Guzzwell sailed around the world in Trekka, a 20'9" wooden sloop derived from the Vertue design. He covered 28,000 miles in four years and became the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe single-handed at the time.
• In 1990, ELLENOR JOSEPHINE, a 25'8" GRP sloop of the Vertue Ocean design, was launched by IBTC Lowestoft for Ian Wright, who wanted to sail long distances. She has since been sold to different owners and has cruised around the UK and Europe.

What are some modifications that have been made to the Vertue 25 sailboat over time?

Some of the modifications that have been made to the Vertue 25 sailboat over time are:

• After winning the Vertue Cup in 1939, Laurent Giles named the class the Vertue and made minor modifications to the hull and coachroof design. These Vertues became the classic small boat of choice for the single-handed long distance sailor.
• The extended cruising version of the design was known as the Vertue Ocean and incorporated modifications suggested by Humphrey Barton, such as additional freeboard, a slightly different sheer, a longer bowsprit, a larger cockpit and a self-draining well.
• The Vertue II design is slightly larger at 25'8" (7.8m) overall with a 7'10" (2.4m) beam and has been produced in GRP since the 1970s by Bossoms Boatyard in Oxford. It also has a different coachroof shape, a longer waterline length, a shorter boom and a higher aspect ratio rig.
• Some individual owners have also made their own modifications to their Vertues, such as changing the engine, adding or removing equipment, altering the interior layout, or repainting the hull.

The above answers were drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; to the best of our knowledge,  we believe them to be accurate.

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Sumara of Weymouth

Adventures of a small yacht

Vertue Yachts in General

Vertues are small yachts with a reputation for extreme seaworthiness. The original “Vertue” called Andrillot, was designed as a commission by Jack Laurent Giles in 1936. It was roughly based on the design of the pilot cutters such as Jolie Brise. It also has a striking similarity to the splendid yacht Dyarchy, although at just 25 ft 3” it was, of course, considerably smaller. The boat proved itself to be a very capable sea boat and so more were to follow.

It wasn’t until 1939 that the name Vertue was adopted for the class. The yacht “Epeneta”, built to the same design, won the Little Ship Club’s Vertue Trophy for making a passage across the Bay of Biscay and so it was decided to name the class “Vertue Yachts”.

Since then, the yachts have made many ocean voyages. Humphrey Barton described his eventful Atlantic crossing in the book Vertue 35. David Lewis entered his yacht, Cardinal Vertue, for the first Observer Transatlantic Race in 1960 which he describes in his book “The Ship Would Not Travel Due West”. The same boat under the ownership of Bill Nance held the single-handed speed record for a long passage of 122 miles per day over 53 days.

There is a wonderful film about an engineless Vertue called The Restless Wind . It is well worth spending 40 minutes watching it and marvelling at the skill of the Skipper and his wife.

Over the years some 200 Vertues have been built. They have various rigs and coach roof styles but the hull shape has remained virtually the same. There are a few steel versions but the majority are timber.

During the 1970’s, Bossoms Boatyard of Oxford produced the Vertue II in GRP. The glass fibre version is about 6 inches wider but retains the basic shape of the wooden Vertues

My yacht is number V198 and is called Sumara of Weymouth. She was built in, guess where, by Terry Newman and although the name Sumara sounds a bit like an Iraqi war zone, it is actually following the Velsheda tradition of combining the stems of his daughters’ names. I am not a believer in changing boat names because it tends to confuse the boat’s history.

Terry was an extremely talented boatbuilder and Sumara was built with a huge amount of thought and skill. Nowadays there would be a YouTube channel all about the build but as YouTube wasn’t set up until 14 th February 2005 we are grateful that Terry took some photos and gave me a splendid album. I have photographed each page and made it into a PDF which can be found in the “Downloads” section of this website.

There are a few things that make Sumara rather special.

Firstly, she was built in a barn besides Terry’s house. This enabled Terry to spend many evenings just sitting on board and carefully working out the fine ergonomics of the interior. He decided to place the two main sea berths in the centre of the boat with a pilot berth going off aft on the starboard side. Most Vertues are laid out as four berth yachts and, too be honest, there just isn’t the space for four people plus kit and all the sails on a 26ft boat.

Up forward through a panelled door is a Baby Blake loo in a central position with a wash basin to starboard. There is a bin for the anchor chain. More about the interior later but it is very civilised, and that’s thanks to Terry.

I have made a rather over length video about the interior which can be found here

Secondly, Terry decided to build her out of a single log of Iroko on oak frames, with an elm keel and garboards. Varnished boats should ideally be built from a single log so that the planks all match. There is a little split behind the aft port window and a matching one on the starboard side! Because the log was sourced long enough, it means there are no scarf joints on the boat.

Thirdly, the boat was built for pleasure. There was no rush, no short cuts. Everything was made by Terry, his wife and sons. They welded all the stainless fittings on the mast, they poured the lead keel and made all the engine controls. Terry even marinized the engine – which lasted for thirty years before I replaced it with a Beta 16 hp in 2020.

Hull Planking                    Iroko from a single log with no scarf joints. All splined except the garboard and the next two boards. The planking was undertaken Mike Patrick (“Spike”) who was an expert at planking boats. Terry and family helped secure them. The hull is varnished with Epifanes Gloss Varnish.

Frames                              Oak

Keel and Deadwood        Elm

Ballast Keel                       Lead with Aluminium Bronze Bolts

Deck                                  Ply and teak. Teak replaced 2020. Chalking TDS. All bonded no screws.

Engine                               Originally Kubota 12 hp solid mount with raw water cooling. Now Beta Marine 16 hp heat exchanger cooled and flexible mounts

Controls                            Originally all rods and lever. Now bronze Kobelt system

Propeller Special casting in aluminium bronze. Right hand 14 x 8

Mast                                  Varnished Douglas Fir. Air draft 11.7 m (touching the aerial)

Rigging Renewed for 2022 season. Wire by KOS. Rigging screws by StaLok

Boom                                Recycled gymnasium parallel bar – Douglas Fir

Sails                                   Since 2009 Ratsey and Lapthorne, triple stitched in brown thread. Main, stay and Yankee

Diesel Tank                       14 gallons (63 L) giving a range of 200 nm at 2,000 rpm using 1.25 L per hour

Water Tanks                     Two stainless tanks 17 L each

Paraffin                             One pressurised tank (Taylors) plus aluminium tank in forepeak.

Heating                             Eberspacher

Cooking                             Taylors paraffin

Performance Criteria (from Sailboatdata.com)

Comfort Rating 54.56 (over 50 indicates an extremely heavy blue water boat)

Capsize Rating 1.29 (The boat is better suited for ocean passages (vs coastal cruising) if the result of the calculation is 2.0 or less. The lower the better. The Vertue’s rating is very low indeed!)

Sail area/displacement Ratio 14.05* (below 16 would be considered under powered; 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance; above 20 suggests relatively high performance) This seems rather strange as a Vertue held the single-handed speed record for a long passage of 122 miles per day over 53 days. It seems that Sailboatdata.com are currently using a sail area of 300 square feet but Sumara’s sails are 395 square feet and other Vertues seem to have sails between 380 and 390 square feet. I have contacted them so hopefully the figures will be revised soon. (*This has now been changed so the ratio has increased from about 9 to 14)

Ballast Displacement Ratio 40.91 (A Ballast/Displacement ratio of 40 or more translates into a stiffer, more powerful boat that will be better able to stand up to the wind). Vertues are very narrow and heel quickly to the wind becoming progressively stiffer.

Displacement Length 494.12 (The lower a boat’s Displacement/Length (LWL) ratio, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed. less than 100 = Ultralight; 100-200 = Light; 200-275 = Moderate; 275-350 = Heavy; 350+ = Ultraheavy;

Hull Speed 6.21 knots

Pounds/Inch Immersion 550.04 lbs (249 kg) (The weight required to sink the yacht one inch. Calculated by multiplying the LWL area by 5.333 for sea water or 5.2 for fresh water).

50th Anniversary Collectors Issue - September/October Issue No. 300 Preview Now

July / August 2020

The vertues.

One of the finest Vertues afloat, RAUMATI was built in 1962 by E.F. Elkins Boat Yard in Christchurch, England, the most prolific builder of the type. Her bottom is planked with teak and her topsides of mahogany, over a backbone and framing of English oak, and she has a lead keel, bronze floors, and all-teak deck structures. She represents the final flourish of English classic construction before the first Cheoy Lee–built boats were imported from Hong Kong into the U.K. the following year. She is now owned by Gerry Williams and is based in Cornwall, England.

Most cruising sailors have heard of Vertue yachts. Though small in size—only about 25 ' LOA—they have an outsized reputation as the  most successful design to come from English yacht designer Jack Laurent Giles during his long career. More than 200 of the boats have been built, and many of the exploits that their owners undertook have become legendary among ocean-cruising sailors.

Giles, who was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1901, was brought up on the country’s North Sea coast in Scarborough, a town best known for its School of Art where for 35 years yacht designer Albert Strange was the kindly and enthusiastic headmaster. Strange is best remembered for his beautifully proportioned canoe-sterned gaff yawls, such as SHEILA II (see WB No. 64). Giles was quoted as having “first got the idea of designing yachts at school,” in Scarborough, where he probably knew Strange. Giles went on to study engineering at Oxford University and then naval architecture at Durham University, which, being only 75 miles from Scarborough, was closer to home. He must have pored over yachting journals to study designs, and the influences of Strange and other designers of his day more than likely informed his thinking.

fter completing his education, Giles first worked as an engineer with Vickers-Armstrongs, a manufacturing conglomerate with a shipbuilding division on the River Tyne. He didn’t stay long; instead, in 1925, at age 24, he moved to Southampton on the south coast of England to follow his dream of designing yachts. There, he started working under the wing of Charles E. Nicholson, the middle son of one of the founders of the Camper & Nicholsons yard.

With his engineering background, Giles must have been fascinated by the yachts designed and built there after World War I. Among the Camper & Nicholsons projects of that era was the conversion of NYRIA, a cutter with a composite hull of steel framing and teak planking, 117 ' LOA, which in 1921 was reconfigured as the first really large European yacht to be given a Bermudan rig.

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Review of Vertue 25

Basic specs..

The hull is made of fibreglass. Generally, a hull made of fibreglass requires only a minimum of maintenance during the sailing season. And outside the sailing season, just bottom cleaning and perhaps anti-fouling painting once a year - a few hours of work, that's all. Some boats has a hull made of Wood.

The Vertue 25 is equipped with a long keel. A full keel provide a better directional stability than a similar boat with a fin keel; on the other hand, better directional stability means also that the boat is more difficult to handle in a harbour with less space.

The boat can enter even shallow marinas as the draft is just about 1.37 - 1.47 meter (4.49 - 4.79 ft) dependent on the load. See immersion rate below.

Sailing characteristics

This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.

What is Capsize Screening Formula (CSF)?

The capsize screening value for Vertue 25 is 1.29, indicating that this boat could - if evaluated by this formula alone - be accepted to participate in ocean races.

What is Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed?

The theoretical maximal speed of a displacement boat of this length is 6.2 knots. The term "Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed" is widely used even though a boat can sail faster. The term shall be interpreted as above the theoretical speed a great additional power is necessary for a small gain in speed.

The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Vertue 25 is about 95 kg/cm, alternatively 535 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 95 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 535 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.

Sailing statistics

This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.

What is Motion Comfort Ratio (MCR)?

What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?

What is a Ballast Ratio?

What is Displacement Length Ratio?

Maintenance

When buying anti-fouling bottom paint, it's nice to know how much to buy. The surface of the wet bottom is about 12m 2 (129 ft 2 ). Based on this, your favourite maritime shop can tell you the quantity you need.

If you need to renew parts of your running rig and is not quite sure of the dimensions, you may find the estimates computed below useful.

This section is reserved boat owner's modifications, improvements, etc. Here you might find (or contribute with) inspiration for your boat.

Do you have changes/improvements you would like to share? Upload a photo and describe what you have done.

We are always looking for new photos. If you can contribute with photos for Vertue 25 it would be a great help.

If you have any comments to the review, improvement suggestions, or the like, feel free to contact us . Criticism helps us to improve.

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Laurent Giles Vertue II

• Designer: Giles, Laurent
• Location: Sweden
• Length on deck: 25'8"
• Beam: 7'10"
• Draft: 4'5"

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Full specification

Wooden Ships Comments on this Laurent Giles Vertue II

Based on the famous Vertue design by Laurent Giles, this is the very first example of what was known as the Vertue II, the same lines but built using GRP, completed in 1979 and built to Lloyds 100A1 classification.  Shortly after completion, the boat was exhibited at the London Boat Show in 1979.  This is the first and and possibly the best GRP Vertue II, a superb and immensely capable short handed blue water cruising boat.

The most notable feature of this boat compared to other examples of the Vertue II is her interior.  Because she was due to be exhibited at the boat show, the yard put a lot of time and effort into building her interior using solid teak giving her a cozy and comfortable feeling comparable to some of her earlier wooden sister ships.  Later boats were not fitted out to this high standard due to the extortionate cost.

Sold into Swedish ownership in 2010 where she has been based ever since, cruising the archipelagos and coasts of the Baltic.  Last year she was sold, bought by an Australian for an intended long distance cruise and she had considerable investment with new gear and equipment in readiness for that trip.  Unfortunately plans have changed, the trip cancelled and the boat must be sold once again.

The boat had been totally prepared for this voyage and is a fully equipped, turn key blue water cruising boat in ready to go condition.  Recent updates include:

2021 survey

New Liferaft

New roller furling headsail system

New batteries

New EPIRB and PLB

She has been well maintained and continually upgraded over the years.  She is well set up for single handed sailing, easily handled by one person and capable of offshore cruising in rough weather if required, the Vertue has often been referred to as the ‘greatest offshore cruiser’.

Length on Deck                 25’8″

Length Waterline             21’6″

Beam                                    7’10”

Draft                                      4’5″

Displacement                    4,100kg/9000lbs

Ballast                                   2000kg/4400lbs

Construction

GRP moulded hull, heavily laid and built to Lloyds 100A1.

2 ton external iron ballast keel.

GRP moulded decks and coachroof finished in blue non slip coating.  Scrubbed teak hand rails on the coachroof deck.

Lewmar hatch forward of the mast

Moulded self draining cockpit with a scrubbed teak capping rail and Treadmaster non slip mat on the thwarts.  Sprayhood with a zipped back to shelter the cockpit.

Tiller steering with a transom hung wooden rudder, rebuilt in 2016.  Stainless steel pintles and gudgeons.  Aries wind vane steering fitted.

Masthead bermudan sloop rig on a deck stepped alloy mast.  Mast steps fitted.

New Selden single line slab reefing boom in 2016.  Stack pack system fitted on lazy jacks.

The mast and rigging is over spec for a boat of her size making everything very strong.

Twin lower shrouds and a single cap shroud to internal stainless steel chain plates.

ProFurl C290 roller furling genoa system, new in 2022.  Split standing backstay.  Inner forestay for storm jib.

Fully battened mainsail with lazy jacks and stack pack system.  Genoa by Hood in good condition.  Second genoa, storm jib, working jib and spinnaker.

Lewmar 16 primary cockpit sheet winches and a pair of Lewmar non-self tailing secondary sheet winches.

Lewmar 16 self tailing winch on coachroof for running rigging which is led through jamming clutches.

Yanmar 2GM20 16hp twin cylinder diesel.  Complete and thorough service in 2022.  Full set of spares and tools aboard.

Stainless steel shaft with an Aqua-Drive coupling to a centreline fixed 3 blade bronze propeller.  5 knots cruising speed.

17 gallons of diesel in an incorporated tank under the engine built into the keel.

20 gallons of water in a plastic tank under the saloon sole.

2 x AGM domestic batteries and 1 x engine start battery, all new in 2022.

Small inverter for 240 volt, new in 2022.

Accommodation

3 berths plus an extra berth in the fore peak currently used for storage.  6’2″ headroom throughout the saloon.

The interior of this very first example of the Vertue II was finished in solid teak panelling all done to a very high standard and gives her a cosy comfortable feel in the cabin similar to that of her earlier wooden counterparts.

Steps down from the cockpit with a quarter berth to starboard and galley to port.

Galley has an Origo twin burner meths stove on gimbals.  Stainless sink with manually pumped fresh and salt water.  Various lockers, cubby holes and storage shelves around the galley give plenty of stowage space.

Half height bulkheads with the recognisable curved top found in Vertues separate off the main saloon.  Settee berth either side with trotter box forward.  Lockers behind under the deck head and storage beneath the seats as well.

Teak shelf and storage lockers at the forward end of the saloon either side, each with a brass oil lamp on gimbals.

Custom made stainless steel solid fuel cabin heater mounts on the bulkhead.

Centreline door into the forepeak with a heads to starboard and the 4th berth/storage are to starboard.

Heads is a Blakes manual sea toilet which discharges directly overboard.

Aries Lift up wind vane self steering

Autohelm ST 4000 tiller pilot with fixed mounted display/control unit in cockpit.

Yeoman Navigator Pro

AIS EM-track B400 class B (AIS sender and receiver) with its own chart display

3 anchors plus chain.

Simpson Lawrence anchor windlass type S-L Hyspeed Double Action Lever Windlass.

Lazizas Coastal valise life raft, new 2022

EPIRB, new 2022

Personal locator Beacon, new 2022

Life jacket, new 2022

2 x life line terthers

Fire blanket in the galley

Spare tiller

Manual bilge pump

Auto electric bilge pump

Radar reflector

Bunk and berth cushions

Full galley equipment

Paraffin cabin lamps

2 burner Origo spirit stove

Bimini sun awning

Custom made stainless steel solid fuel stove cabin heater.

Sprayhood with zipped on back

Engine spares

Mainsail, fully battened

Working jib

Mainsail stack pack system with lazy jacks

2 x Lewmar self tailing cockpit sheet winches

2 x non-self tailing cockpit sheet winches

Disclaimer:

These particulars have been prepared in good faith from information provided by the Vendors and are intended as a guide, Wooden Ships cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. The Purchaser should instruct his agent or surveyor to validate all details as necessary and satisfy himself with the condition of the vessel and its equipment.

Wooden Ships classic yachts brokers have an extensive database of boats for sale. With a wide range of sailboats , classic yachts , motor yachts and small classic boats , Wooden Ships has one of the largest selections of traditional wooden boats and yachts for sale in the UK.

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How to Sell a Yacht

September 5th 2022

How to sell a classic yacht – 10 things to expect from your broker.   Selling a classic yacht can be daunting, but working with a broker can simp…

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Vertues for sale.

This service for Vertue owners allows their boats to be displayed when they are For Sale . A small selection of up to date photos is included, together with the selling owner’s email address. Further details about all the boats can be found on each of the boat’s own ‘page’, in the main database. Please get in touch directly with the owners if you would like to buy their boat. These are all seriously classic boats, each one with her own distinctive character, yet all sharing the impeccable Laurent Giles Vertue pedigree.

Betsinda on her mooring in Northern Ireland

Betsinda is one of the later boats to be built by Elkins with the more spacious, 6′ long, cockpit. Built to a very high spec in 1954 with teak bottom, Honduras mahogany topsides, lead keel, bronze floors and keel bolts, she was later given a laid teak deck. Surely one of the smartest Vertues around, she has had a very pampered life in recent years with lots of money spent on her and not many miles under her keel.

Betsinda is in commisson lying in Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland. She comes with an enormous amount of gear and spares and has recently had new LED lighting installed, and a new T H Norris propeller to match the 21hp Nanni diesel engine.

Price £25,000

Contact Brian Law

[email protected]

_________________________

“ Sally II , a Laurent Giles 5-tonner, built in 1937, sail number V2, is for sale, the second Vertue in that most famous class, although the name only became associated with these sturdy, record breaking wee yachts after the war, when astonishing transatlantic and long distance feats were achieved by the likes of Humphrey Barton and others. Sally was commissioned by a Poole solicitor for local sailing, but in her time has cruised all over the UK, from Wales, across Channel to France, and currently on the West coast of Scotland. Structurally in excellent condition – her tungum bronze floors, lead keel, bronze bolts, pitch pine on massive oak timbers, have stood up well, and she makes next to no water on her mooring. After 30 years in the same ownership, she is tired and deserves an owner who can wield a paint brush and sander. Her Yanmar IGM 10 diesel is a few years old, with very low hours. Her six Richardson sails good for many more miles. Her varnished Noble mast almost like new. Sally has featured in many modest cruising stories in various magazines. An archive of photos and documents includes her original bill of sale from Elkins, a Blue Book and much more besides. Bought by her current owner for £10,000, with a recent survey, she is for sale at £15,000. A sheltered mooring is available, just across the loch from wooden boatbuilders Johnson & Loftus where she is slipped annually for maintenance.” Adrian Morgan

Sally II on her mooring near Ullapool

Summer 2024 paintwork

Roger Robinson Writes: This boat is a very rare example of those few early Vertues whose purity of line and exquisite proportions first made people take note of these Giles 5 Tonners. There are very few of them left in the UK as several were lost many years ago, or are now treasured abroad. Sally ‘s nearest sister-ship, Karesta Ferida , with her slim rubbing band similarly accentuating that sublime sheerline, went to the USA, as did Charis , while ‘V3’ Monie is in Italy. Sally is surely one for the Vertue connoisseur.

PRICE £15,000

Contact: Adrian Morgan [email protected]

____________________

VIRTUE FIDELIS

Under sail some years ago off her home port of Dartmouth.

Immaculate topsides. Virtue Fidelis is one of the ‘long cockpit’ Vertues.

Launching, showing underwater shape. Being relaunched in November 2022.

She has some outstanding joinery work such as the recessed fore hatch. Seen here during her refit in September 2022.

Seamanlike accommodation with some classic Laurent Giles design detailing.

VERTUE FIDELIS V 40

Owner: Philip Key

Price Reduced Again! : £12,500

Email address: PHILIP KEY <[email protected]>

SPARROW Now SOLD

SPARROW rigged for doubling Cape Horn!

Completing her recent deep refit

Sparrow in cruising trim

Beautifully built interior

SPARROW VII 5

Still the most famous Vertue II since Daniel Hays and his father doubled the Horn in her,  20 years and one day after Bill Nance in Cardinal Vertue .

“Fiberglass/grp.  No engine. Deck, topsides and cabin awl-gripped 2023. Custom built and over rigged for Cape Horn voyage, 1985. My Dad and I had the unfinished hull shipped from England and built her up to be rolled over. She can be hung from her cleats and is 80 – 90% ready for the circumnavigation I am now too old for.”

SPARROW IS NOW SOLD

______________________________

Serif under sail in Plymouth

SERIF , V28 is for sale in Plymouth. Built by Cardnells in 1948, of mahogany on oak, she has the sublime, springy sheer of the early Vertues. She has a more spacious cockpit than most, and is an outstanding early Vertue in excellent condition. She is usually wintered ashore, inside at Mashfords.

Very reasonably priced at £12,500 because her

owner, John Suter, is keen that she goes to the right

John Suter can be reached at [email protected]

____________________________________

1993 Laurent Giles Vertue Gaff Cutter, 25 ft | asking $15,000

Feb 13, 2024

• Description
• Basic Information
• Technical Specifications

The Vertue 25 sailboat is a classic and elegant vessel that has captured the hearts of many sailing enthusiasts. Known for its sturdy construction, graceful lines, and seaworthiness, the Vertue 25 is a true example of British craftsmanship....... Designed by the renowned naval architect, Laurent Giles, the Vertue 25 was first introduced in the early 1930s. Its compact size and exceptional sailing performance quickly made it a favored choice among sailors seeking a small but capable cruising yacht. Measuring approximately 25 feet in length, the Vertue 25 boasts a full keel design, which provides excellent stability and tracking, making it a reliable and safe choice for long-distance voyages. Despite its modest dimensions, the boat?s well-thought-out deck layout and efficient use of space allow for comfortable accommodations on board. The Vertue 25 features a spacious cockpit that offers ample seating and excellent visibility, ensuring a pleasurable sailing experience. The boat?s rigging is traditionally designed, with a tall mast and a cutter or sloop configuration, providing versatility and efficient sail handling in various wind conditions. Inside the cabin, the Vertue 25 offers a cozy and practical living space. The interior is typically crafted from high-quality wood, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The boat can comfortably accommodate a small crew, with basic amenities such as a galley, sleeping quarters, and a compact head. One of the most remarkable aspects of the Vertue 25 is its seaworthiness. It has a proven track record of crossing oceans and handling challenging weather conditions with ease. The boat?s solid construction and robust build make it capable of handling rough seas and provide a sense of security to its occupants. Over the years, the Vertue 25 has gained a loyal following of sailors who appreciate its traditional charm, seaworthiness, and excellent sailing capabilities. Whether embarking on coastal cruising or long-distance passages, the Vertue 25 continues to be a reliable and desirable choice for those seeking adventure on the open waters. In conclusion, the Vertue 25 sailboat is a true classic that embodies the essence of traditional sailing. Its combination of elegant design, sturdy construction, and exceptional performance has solidified its place in maritime history and captivated the hearts of sailing enthusiasts worldwide. This vessel also has its own instagram account with 1000s of followers 

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• Boat REF#  ·  124552
• Length  ·  7.82m
• Year  ·  1985
• Construction  ·  GRP
• Underwater profile  ·  Long Keel
• Sleeping berths  ·  4
• Engine  ·  1 x diesel 9.5hp, Yanmar GM 10 (1985)
• Lying  ·  Kent

Boatshed Kent

This boat is off the market but here are some boats that are still for sale.

• Specification
• Additional Information

Extra Details

12volt Mains Charger

Sloop rigged Boyce Spars Aluminium spars () with Stainless Steel standing rigging ()

Furling gear new 2009 Cruising Chute

Electrical Systems

12 volt battery, 2 batteries charged by: engine, shore power

Construction

No. 14 out of the mould, this Vertue II sailing yacht has fine lines and is arguably one of the best Ocean going small yachts yachts you will find. Two ton external cast iron ballast keel with stainless steel bolts.

Accommodation

High quality fit out, finished in lacquered mahogany plywood with mahogany cappings and trim. This Vertue II yacht has not been modified, just loved and looked after.

2 burner propane Stove

2 halyard winches 2 sheet winches 1 anchors (25lb CQR) 50.00m of chain

Nav Equipment

Navigational detail. VHF Standard Autohelm Depth Sounder Garmin 75 GPS Autohelm Autopilots STA 2000 + AH 800 Bulk head Compass

Safety Equipment

1 bilge pumps (1 manual / 0 electric)

Broker's Comments

These boat details are subject to contract. This Vertue is a lovely example that has not been modified. She is as originally intended and has been loved and looked after by her owners over the years. These boats are often referred to as 'go anywhere yachts'. They have traditional build quality but are simply rigged so they appeal to new and seasoned sailors alike. They are the personification of the Designer Laurent Giles offshore sailing experiences. Only a real sea dog could come up with such a marvellous design. So this boat is marketed at a sensible price to attract interest and offers. Note: Offers on the asking price may be considered.

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Friday, February 6, 2015

Vertue class yacht.

8 comments:

Are you looking for a Vertue class restoring project?

Yes I am! And Yes, yes, yes, yes, I know I have another restoration project awaiting attention - But considering the fact that I am determined to live to 110 years old (at the very least) there is time enough for a Botter full of restoration projects.

O'Riordan not ORiodan - I have a picture of Vertue XXXV in the storm which belonged to him if you would like to add to the post

I would absolutely love to see that photograph and any others that you may like to share. It would truly be an honour to add them to this Vertue Post. Thank you for pointing out the spelling mistake, I have corrected this on the post. Humphrey Barton paints a very positive picture of Kevin O'Riordan: An experienced and capable sailor, affable, never complaining and never sea sick. With a less capable crew the outcome during this storm may well have been a disaster. Looking at your surname, am I correct in assuming that you are a son, grandson or other relative of the great man? Have you carried on the sailing legacy? As you can see from my postings about Vertues I have a bit of a soft spot for these little yachts, so any photographs you have would be very gratefully received. You can send them as attachments to my email address. [email protected]

Hi Alden, Love the bio's and pics of the Vertues. I'm also a Vertue nut and own Corio Vertue V99 which I have been restoring (with some success, but many failures) and sailing over the past 10 years. See my website for Corio Vertue's story http://www.indrans.com/corio-vertue.aspx

Hi Andy, Thank you for your comment. You are the very best type of Vertue nut - one that actually owns one - good for you, there is no cure for my jealously except to buy my own one! I am very sure I have seen your blog before, and know that I have seen Corio Vertue when doing Vertue Google searches - I will check out your website.

Hi Aiden, Did you ever hear back from Alastair O'Riordan? I would be interested to see those photos too! I also thought Kevin came across as a much more pleasant sailing companion than Humphrey Barton; they were built of strong stuff back then. I bought V125 Drumler a few years ago, and have inevitably become a Vertue geek.

Hi Rupert, No, I never heard back from Alastair O'Riordan, mores the pity as I would love to see any photographs he might have. If I had his email address I would follow up his offer but unfortunately I don't, and he's never subsequently commented on my Blog. I agree that Kevin O'Riordan comes across as a pleasant, unflappable sailing companion. I think both men were made of strong stuff alright but ably assisted by constitutions that never succumbed to mal de Mer. I am aware of V125 Drumler as I have seen her on your website which I follow. She is a fine example of a Vertue and her excellent condition is a credit to you. I would dearly love to purchase a Vertue but I am told by my live in bank manageress that I have to fix the motor on my current yacht and sell her first before any new purchases - marital peace has both its charms and its challenges : > ) If you have any ideas on how to track down Alastair O'Riordan please let me know. Cheers, from one geek to another - Alden

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