valerie vacance 1200 review
Houseboat · 39 ft (12 m) · Terherne
expert score
Key specs
- Builder
- valerie
- Model
- vacance 1200
- Length
- 39 ft (12 m)
- Guests
- 6
- Cabins
- 3
Verdict
The Valerie Vacance 1200 is a practical steel houseboat aimed at relaxed inland cruising, with good space for six guests and a straightforward three-cabin layout. It is not built for speed or sporty handling, but it suits sheltered waterways well and offers solid livability for the money.
Pros
- +Three-cabin layout suits families or small groups
- +Good interior volume for a 39 ft houseboat
- +Steel displacement hull is suited to calm inland waters
- +Typically equipped with two bathrooms on this setup
Cons
- −Slow cruising pace compared with planing boats
- −Limited maneuverability relative to smaller craft
- −Best kept to sheltered waters and canals
- −Age means fit-out and condition can vary by charter unit
The Vacance 1200 is a conventional inland houseboat with a steel displacement hull, broad beam and an emphasis on usable living space rather than performance. At around 39 ft, it is compact enough for canal cruising yet large enough to provide a practical multi-cabin layout for six guests.
On the water, the model is built for steady, low-speed travel. It is not a fast boat, and handling is more about careful close-quarters control than agility, especially in locks, marinas and narrow channels. That said, the design is well matched to the kind of cruising most houseboat guests actually do.
Accommodation is the main strength. The usual three-cabin arrangement gives better privacy than many boats in this class, and the layout generally includes proper indoor living space rather than a cramped weekend-boating compromise. For longer charter stays, the combination of cabins, bathrooms and a salon/dinette works well.
Value depends heavily on condition and upkeep, since this is a 2012 charter-style houseboat and individual examples may differ. As a package, it offers sensible space and comfortable inland cruising at a level that feels fair, provided expectations stay focused on relaxed travel rather than performance.
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