1959 Classic Laurent Giles Vertue V54

Wooden Ships Comments on this Laurent Giles Vertue V54

Laurent Giles Vertue No.54 launched in 1959.

Built by the current owner's father with some items completed by Elkins of Christchurch towards the end of the build. Plans were purchased from Laurent Giles and Partners in 1950, and working alone until the latter stages the builder launched her in 1959.

This is the long doghouse model giving a smaller cockpit but more internal volume. The result is a clear 6’ headroom in the doghouse which for a 25’ classic yacht is very acceptable.

She was bought back into the family in 2000 when a new Beta engine was fitted, used extensively for many years, but for the last 10 years she has been lovingly maintained but has seen little sailing. New running rigging, standing rigging and chain plates circa 2012 have hardly been strained.

This year she has had a new hollow spruce mast, due to be fitted in May 2024.

There are 25 unusual features of this boat, firstly her construction is larch strip planking, not very common at the time of her build but it suited the owner and builder well as he was working alone on the construction. Secondly she has wheel steering and is possibly the only Vertue to do so. The idea was to keep the cockpit clear of a swinging tiller as she was sailed extensively in her early years with a family of .

A nice well cared for example of the Vertue class with the benefit of a brand new mast. 2020 survey report available.

Length on Deck: 25’

Length Waterline: 21’

Beam: 7’7”

Draft: 4’6”

Thames Tonnage: 5TM

• Strip planked in larch, bonded with resorcinol glue.
• Steamed and laminated oak timbers fastened with copper rivets.
• External lead ballast keel of 2.5 tons fastened with bronze keel bolts.
• Bronze strap floors across the centreline.
• Yacht laid teak deck over a marine plywood subdeck.
• Varnished iroko coachroof coamings with epoxy sheathed plywood coachroof deck. New coachroof deck in 2010.
• Non self draining cockpit with wheel steering on cables to a stainless tiller under the aft deck. This is her unusual feature and she is possibly the only Vertue with a wheel.

• Standard Vertue bermudan slutter rig with removeable inner forestay.
• Deck stepped varnished spruce hollow section mast new spring 2024.
• Varnished wooden roller reefing boom.
• Stainless steel standing rigging new in 2012/13.
• Internal stainless chain plates new in 2012.
• Single standing backstay with running backstays on levers.
• 2 x mast winches and 2 x cockpit sheet winches.
• All running rigging new in 2012 and used little since.
• Mainsail, genoa, lightweight genoa, working jib, No.2 jib and spinnaker all in good condition.

• Beta 10hp twin cylinder diesel installed new in 2000.
• 2 blade feathering propeller offset to port gives 5 knots cruising speed, 7 knots max speed.
• Stainless steel fuel tank under the starboard side of the bridge deck. Approximately 25 litres.
• 2 x 12 volt 100ah batteries for engine starting and domestic use. Charged from the engine alternator.
• Whale Gusher manual bilge pump and 1 x auto electric bilge pump.
• Rigid plastic water tank to starboard of the engine total 15 gallons.

• 2 single settee berths in the saloon.
• 6’ headroom under the dog house, 4’6” headroom up forward.
• Companion steps down into the cabin with galley to port and chart desk/work surface to starboard.
• Galley has a Plastimo Neptune 2500 2 burner gas hob. Storage space outboard for crockery and galley equipment.
• Water is from a tap low down which gravity drains from the tank.
• 2 saloon settee berths with ample sitting headroom under the side decks. Shelves outboard under the decks.
• Pair of chromed bronze gimballed cabin oil lamps.
• Centreline door into the forepeak.
• Manual sea toilet located on the centreline facing aft and is hidden under folding teak joinery.
• Ample storage space in the forepeak for sails, fenders etc.

• Steering compass
• Standard Horizon Eclipse + VHF
• Clock
• Barometer

• Simpson Lawrence HiSpeed manual anchor windlass
• 25lbs CQR anchor + 30m of chain
• Mooring warps
• Fenders
• Boat hook
• Mooring line boat hook

• Bunk and berth cushions
• 2 x chromed bronze oil lamps
• Plastimo Neptune 2500 galley stove
• Gas bottle
• Shore power cable
• Battery charger

• Auto electric bilge pump
• Henderson manual bilge pump

• Mainsail
• Genoa
• Lightweight genoa
• Working jib
• No.2 jib
• Spinnaker
• 2 x mast winches
• 2 x cockpit sheet winches