We were recently privileged to complete a special project at Vietoryachts: the delivery of an 18-meter Vandal, an impressive combination of power, innovation and craftsmanship.
The journey began in Gdańsk and ended in Eemshaven, with numerous moments along the way to thoroughly test the boat. Here is the story of this adventurous delivery.

Launching and First Tests
After months of work in the yard, it was finally time to launch the Vandal for the first time. This is always an exciting moment. As soon as the boat was in the water, we immediately checked the bilges to see if everything remained dry. To our expectation, everything stayed perfectly dry, a sign of craftsmanship and accuracy.
With peace of mind, we could take the next step: start the engines.

The Vandal is equipped with 2x Volvo Penta IPS 1200 engines, real powerhouses. Starting went smoothly, and soon I felt the power of the engines as the drives kicked in. Slowly we sailed away, while I carefully monitored all systems.
A first testing moment soon presented itself: the first bridge on our route did not open until four hours later, which gave me time to practice maneuvers.
Although I am familiar with the IPS system, I noticed the response was slightly slower due to the impressive size and power of the motors and pods. However, after calibrating the joystick, the boat felt predictable and smooth.
During the inspections by the Volvo team, we also tested how the Vandal sailed with only one operational engine. Even in these conditions the boat remained stable, which gave confidence for the sequel.

Open Water and High Speed
The next day it was time to go out on the open water. Slowly we built up: first checking the bilges again, and then slowly getting up to speed. Under the guidance of Vandal owner Ben, the speed was increased to 18-20 knots, with the Vandal beginning to sail beautifully on its hydrofoil.
Trim stayed neatly at 4-5 degrees pitch, and the boat responded solidly and efficiently. This was also when designer Scott Jutson showed a broad grin; the foil angle and underwater performance were exactly right.

Then came the command to perform a WOT (wide open throttle) test.
The Vandal reached a speed of a impressive 43 knots, much faster than expected. The boat did not bounce and felt stable even at this speed, a testament to her thoughtful design and build quality.

CE Inspection: Challenging Maneuvers
The third day was all about CE inspection, which included a challenging maneuver at top speed. This involved making a sharp turn at 43 knots by reversing the rudder in one second.
I started cautiously with a turn at 30 knots, and the Vandal felt like it was running on rails. Then I ventured the maneuver at top speed. To my great satisfaction, this went off without a hitch; the boat remained tight and manageable, even in extreme conditions.

The Delivery of the 18 Meter Vandal: An Adventurous Journey from Gdańsk to Eemshaven
After intensive testing and a successful CE inspection, the time had come: the voyage from Gdańsk to Eemshaven, a journey of more than 650 nautical miles. It became an adventure that tested the robustness of the Vandal and our team to the limit.

Early Start from Gdańsk
The day started early in a cold and wintry Gdańsk. The boat was covered in snow and ice, which immediately posed a challenge when preparing for departure. We sailed toward Hel, a route notorious for its changing conditions.

After Hel, we soon faced solid waves of 1.3 meters, with short intervals of only three seconds. Nevertheless, thanks to the innovative hydrofoil and air cushions in the tunnel, we were able to maintain a speed of 20-25 knots. This system dampens the impact of the waves and makes sailing in such conditions more comfortable and efficient.
Due to deteriorating weather conditions, we decided to make our first stop in Świnoujście, on the border of Poland and Germany.

Rügen to Kiel
The next day we set course northward, again facing waves as previously experienced.
Once we reached the shelter of the German coast, we were able to enter a safe channel and set course for the island of Rügen. Here we sailed under bridges and were able to catch our breath.
Our next challenge was refueling in abandoned Barhöft. After some back and forth communication, we met a friendly coast guard who opened the bunker station especially for us. With a full tank, we were able to move on.

After Rügen, we sailed south to seek shelter from the waves. When conditions improved, we decided to make the crossing to Kiel. Upon arrival in Kiel, we spent the night as our lock time was not scheduled until 6:30.

Through the Kiel Canal
The passage through the Kiel Canal offered both crew and boat a welcome respite. The speed in the canal is limited to 6.5 knots, which gave us the opportunity to relax and admire the surroundings. A unique vessel like the Vandal attracted a lot of attention from boaters here.
It is not every day that a high-performance yacht passes through this channel. After the last lock, we set course for Cuxhaven, where we spent the night.

Rough North Sea and Arrival at Eemshaven
The next day we decided to wait in Cuxhaven until conditions in the North Sea improved.
However, the last leg of the trip was still challenging, with waves of 1.7 to 2 meters.
This forced us to reduce our speed to 15 knots, but the Vandal again proved her class by handling these conditions with ease.
Upon arrival in Delfzijl, we had to wait a short while for the Sluisgracht. Then the Vandal was loaded early, and this impressive trip was over.

A Successful Delivery
The trip from Gdańsk to Eemshaven was not only a physical test for the Vandal, but also a chance to demonstrate her unique qualities. From the hydrofoil to robustness in rough seas, this 18-meter Vandal has proven to be an exceptional vessel.

At Vietoryachts, we are proud of this project and look forward to the next challenge. Are you interested in the Vandal or another vessel from our collection? Feel free to contact us!