Description

Sailing Barge Victor is a majestic, traditionally rigged 19th century sailing vessel with comfortable, facilities for guests. She has a wooden hull, flatbottomed with leeboards and a Traditional Spritsail rig. She is kept fully certified and surveyed for use as a passenger charter vessel. She is to be sold along with her successful charter business, the online booking system, the Wifi facility, card reader and the generous support of ABP Ports, Ipswich for her continued mooring and services.
A payment is made for entering/ exiting the lock into the wet dock.
From 1895 - 1946 she worked carrying cargoes to and from London. During WWII she was requisitioned to carry munitions to Warships off the Kent coast. She was released from her war work in 1946. in the 1950's, she was converted to a motor barge to carry on working carrying cargoes between the ports of the East Coast.
In 1974, she was re rigged and converted to a charter barge.
From 1995, she was operated her as a 40 passenger charter barge and floating office, located mainly at Beaulieu, Hampshire (in the summer) and at Butlers Warf, near Tower Bridge, London in the winter.
2005-6 in a new and present ownership she underwent a major overhaul in Mistley and Maldon. A new Doosan 180hp engine was installed. The works included a new mast, sprit, running and standing rigging, and refurbished decks. The interior was gutted and new electric, water and heating systems, water and fuel tanks, saloon, cabins, galley and heads were installed.
Today Sailing Barge Victor is used as a successful charter business, offering sailing trips on the River Orwell, giving clients offers a truly memorable and affordable opportunity, to experience living maritime history. The Barge is fully qualified as a commercial passenger carrying vessel for up to 40 persons. All scheduled cruises are available for private charter or corporate events, licensed bar on board.Viewing can be made by appointment only.

Specifications

Accommodation

Victor has kept the original skippers cabin aft. it's panelled out with two coffin berths,
a separate " Heads" and companionway steps to Helm position aft . It's possible to walk through the aft water tight bulkhead into the saloon. This has, two long sofa bench seating running the length of the room, under both side decks. Main companionway enters starboard side aft of the mast deck, space under and ahead of the stairs is an Bar facility with stowage for glasses. A triple glass fronted chilled drinks fridge. A free standing multifuel stove sets in the opposite corner, which has the ability to heat the water.
Going forward under the mast deck, a low corridor. Grey tank and water tanks either side. Then two double bunk cabins, presently used for stowage of crockery and supplies.
Heads: Male & Female (separate) and shower room, to port. The galley is to starboard. fully fitted out Full size gas oven and hob, 2 sinks. Fridge and a freezer. Kitchen cupboards and drawers, full of galley equipment and utensils. Forward again into the foc'sle. bunk berths for the crew,. used as a bosuns locker and store.
Large gas cylinders x 2 securely stowed on deck.

Saloon set for Buffet

side sofa berths

Galley

Shower room

Foc'sle one of 3 stowage cabins....

Construction

Traditional double skinned wooden planked hull, wooden decks, superstructure companionways, bulkheads fixtures and fittings. Metal keelson running the full length of the flat bottom.
A pair of wooden lee boards winch controlled, used as her keel when tacking.
A continuous programme of replacing keelson and chine bolts. Detailed progress.
Domestic services and electrics were updated and replaced during her last major overhaul. 2005/6
Hatch boards have been insulated and secured. Two remain hinged, so that large equipment can be lowered into the hold.
Engine room has been metal clad.
Vessel annually dry dock and re antifouled. Self surveyed for general condition and inspected for the MCA exemption certification.

Aft bulkhead, insulated hatch boards..

ceiling & keelson

Under side decks, vented second internal hullskin

tank stowage / lifejackets/access to back of engine.

Equipment

Barge is fitted out with all the required deck gear for a sailing passenger carrying vessel : winches, anchors, chain, fenders warps, gangway.
Diesel fed heater, electric space heater.
Electric emersion heater 12kw for supply of hot water.

Navigation Equipment

Ships wheel
Icom Radio with AIS
GPS chart plotter
Navigation station / chart table below in Skippers quarters.
Paddle log and depth sounder

Engine(s)

Sited port aft of saloon keelson, A separate metal plated sound proofed engine room.
Generator new 2021, occupies the same space.
Morse single lever control from the deck helm position.
6 cylinder engine installed new to the barge during her last major refit and refurbishment. Lowered in through the two removable hatch boards.
Shaft driven to a 4 bladed fixed Bronze propeller.
PRM2/1 gear box cooled by a saltwater heat exchanger.

Engine Room

Generator

fuel tank

Electric controls & batteries stowed opposite

Sails & Spars

Traditional Spritsail rig .

Electrics

240v shore supply and main main throughout the vessel. A generator which supplies 240 and 24 v electric systems.

Safety Equipment

1 x diesel salvage pump
2 x 30persons liferafts ( annual hire)
6 x inflatable life jackets for crew
40 Board of trade lifejackets for passengers
6 x Board of trade lifejackets for children
Fire extinguishers
fire blanket
Gas sniffers
Life rings
Danbuoy.

Disclaimer

No guarantee is given or implied with regards to specification but descriptions are given in good faith. All vessels sold without warranty or condition to fitness either expressed or implied by status or otherwise. We are relying on information supplied to us by a third party. M.J. Lewis advises that a qualified independent surveyor carries out a full out of water survey.

Location Map