- The Victoria 17
Updated 08/03/99
Mail Comments/ Data/ Pictures/Suggestions to: The
Victoria 18 Forum
- This message, originally posted to the
Victoria 18 Forum by Kemp Howland, is posted here because it
reflects some of the politics behind the design and sale of the
Victoria 17. The 17 was a "last fling" at manufacturing
the Victoria in any form that could make it in the tough boat
market of the early-mid 80's.
- From: Kemp_HOWLAND Aug-2 5:49 pm
To: Victoria 18 Forum
#94.32, in reply to 94.31 prev 32 of 32
If the V17 lacked Genoa tracks it was probably because of financial
constraints.
-
- A casual observation of many original V18
sailors would have shown a marked disdain for proper sail trim.
A manufacturer looking to cut corners could have easily surmised
that “if they don't use ‘em, why include them?”
-
- Lots of V18’s were delivered with just
a main and jib. Maybe they thought they could get away without
offering them.
-
- I'll bet Paul Leon Gipson (whom I will refer
to from here on as the Rag Bag Sailor) could shed some light
on this.
- If Jerry Van Gundy built the boats, he had
to have had some backing. That backing may well have come from
John Stapleton, et. al. They may have consigned the boats through
the existing network, or even offered anyone who would buy one
an exclusive V17 sales franchise. There had been talk about making
every owner a dealer at Sailboat Works, but it did not happen,
to my knowledge.
-
- I'll wager fewer than 100 were built. If
we get a full serial number, we can determine the manufacturer.
From there, we can find out who built them and where and when,
etc.
- Van Gundy and Stapleton were pretty good
businessmen, but they lacked a passion for sailing. I don't think
either one ever fully comprehended the obsessive behavior that
is so pervasive among owners of small sailboats. The boats were
the means to an end. Period. If they couldn't turn a reasonable
profit, they wouldn't build them.
-
- They kept the V17 a pretty good secret. Hell,
I didn't even know they had built more than one, and I worked
on the prototype! It must have taken a lot of effort to hide
that boat from people who would have recognized it instantly
as a sister to the V18 and a cousin of the Minuet.
-
- Like I said, no passion.
-
- Kemp
E-mail this
-
-
- Courtesy of Kemp
Howland of the Victoria 18 Forum
- Victoria 18 Forum Web Site HOME
- Mail Comments/ Data/
Pictures/Suggestions to: The
Victoria 18 Forum
Copyright © 1999 Victoria 18 Forum, Geocities.com
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-