Overview
The Victoria 34 is a Chuck Paine sloop built by Victoria Marine at Warsash, Southampton, from about 1985, and in the United States by Morris Yachts under license. The British Army chose it as one of its adventure-training yachts. Production continued from 1985 to around 2000. Victoria Marine could make minor changes to internal fittings as a semi-custom build, so not all boats are identical. Yachtsnet’s archive describes them as always expensive for their size, a cost it says shows in the joinery and equipment.
Design and Construction
The hull is solid GRP built to Lloyd’s specification with a balsa-cored deck. The keel is a longish, shallow fin with small wings at its aft end, drawing 4 ft 10 in, and the rudder hangs on a strong skeg. Boats were set up for tiller or wheel steering. Yachtsnet’s archive notes that the tiller has considerable advantages in feel of the helm and lets you raise the tiller at a mooring to free up cockpit space.
Under Sail
Yachting Monthly called her conservative through and through, yet deceptively fast and powerful. Displacement is about 12,700 lb with 5,525 lb of ballast.
Buyers Notes
Check the balsa-cored deck around fittings for moisture, and find out whether a boat has the tiller or wheel arrangement you prefer.
