30/04/2025
From passion to escape: the story of the Delaveau family and their Delphia boats
The Delaveau family - Nicole and Claude - began their love story with the Delphia brand in 2012. Since then, they have taken the helm of three successive models.
Today, they're enjoying their well-deserved retirement aboard their Delphia 11 Sedan, cruising between sea and inland waters.
Here is their story.
Learning to cruise on a Delphia 10.50
We are Nicole and Claude Delaveau, and our story with Delphia began in 2012. After selling our garage near Orléans–Montargis, in the Loiret region, we finally made a long-held dream come true : buying a boat to cruise mainly on canals. It wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision, but a true passion we wanted to bring to life.
In December, at the Paris Boat Show, nothing seemed to match what we were looking for. None of the boats on display suited our cruising plans, because their air draft was too high. But everything changed when we discovered the Delphia 10.50, just as we were about to leave without finding the right fit. It was love at first sight as soon as we stepped on board !
We quickly decided to try her out in Aigues-Mortes, with the Constance Boat dealership, where we have a second home. From the very first manoeuvres, we knew this boat would become much more than a way to get around on the water: she would be our trusted companion for adventure. We spent five years aboard this model, learning the basics of boating and discovering the joys of cruising. It was our introduction to the freedom that canals and the sea can offer.
A second Delphia… then a third love at first sight !
After that wonderful experience, we chose a second model: the Delphia 11.50 V, which we discovered in preview in Poland. We enjoyed time on board for a while. After 1,500 hours of cruising, I felt like changing models again.
I was looking at pre-owned Delphia 12 Sedan models when I heard about the upcoming launch of the Delphia 11. The hull length was the same as on our previous boat, but the layout was different. The guest cabin is smaller, which gives us a large bathroom with a spacious, separate shower. The day area is also perfectly arranged. Safety on board is another major asset, with the ability to move all the way around the boat via the side decks. The upper part of the boat is our haven of peace. We spend a lot of time there, and the cabins offer an exceptionally pleasant living space.
The Delphia 11 Sedan is a real love at first sight! It’s perfect for longer stays. A third Delphia, and a third satisfying experience!
To every Delphia, its own adventure at sea !
Every outing is a new adventure, whether it’s peaceful cruising along the canals or treating ourselves to a few trips out to sea. Aboard our Delphia 10.50, we travelled down the Canal du Midi all the way to Bordeaux. When we stop, we take the opportunity to explore the surrounding area on our electric bikes. They’re practical, and easy to store on board too.
With our Delphia 11.50, our second model, we completed a tour of Corsica in 2023 with a couple of friends. We took the trip as far as Italy. All in all, we were away for two months, with all the comfort we needed and without getting in each other’s way. On the daytime crossing from Antibes to Calvi, we even spotted whales along the way. An unforgettable memory. Moments like that can only be experienced at sea.
After cruising back up to Bastia in easy stages, we headed to Elba Island, 22 miles away. Known for its ties to Napoleon, the island offers both pebble and sandy beaches, as well as hiking trails. From Monte Capanne, the island’s highest point, you can enjoy a panoramic view over the sea. In Portoferraio, the island’s capital, you can spend a few nights in the harbour and visit the fortified citadel and Napoleon’s residence.
We then continued on to the Marina di Pisa in Italy, 25 miles further on. Near the coast, you can discover the Tuscany region. The Piazza dei Miracoli is home to the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, an unmissable landmark. After sightseeing, you can take a stroll along the seafront or enjoy local specialities, especially fish and seafood.
The return to Aigues-Mortes was made by cruising along the Italian coastline, stopping in Carrara, world-famous for its white marble quarries, the Cinque Terre—picturesque villages perched on cliffs and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then Menton and Monaco, which we know a little better from the French side.
When the weather turns unpredictable, we simply wait it out in the comfort of our boat’s saloon, just as we did on a trip to Barcelona. We ended up staying in the port of Argelès for four days. In the Mediterranean, we enjoy life in the harbour: even if it’s not always easy to find a berth, the ports are close enough to one another that we always find a solution.
A mindful journey through France’s canal heritage
Regularly, we cruise along the Canal du Midi, the Rhône and the Saône, all the way to the Loiret. We take the Canal du Centre to the Canal du Nivernais, the Loire Lateral Canal to the Seine, then follow the Yonne south via the Burgundy Canal.
On these getaways, we never tire of rediscovering Carcassonne, an impressive medieval city, or Béziers. On the Saône, a peaceful river, we cruise gently through small villages. The Canal du Nivernais is stunning. We pass through forests and valleys.
We cruise from stop to stop. We brought our boat up to the Loiret from Aigues-Mortes, then headed to Strasbourg for about two weeks, before coming back down to the Petite Saône. The Rhône is also one of our favourite destinations. We enjoy a stop in Lyon to visit the old town and savour a traditional meal.
Taking the time to enjoy, without over-consuming
What we also appreciate about Delphia is the feeling of mindful cruising at our own pace, without over-consuming. A bit like on a sailboat. Our fuel use stays reasonable : between 8 and 12 litres at sea, and barely 4 litres on the canals.
Taking your time matters, especially because this way of travelling uses less. We’re all used to moving fast by car or plane, but with a Delphia we enjoy coastal or inland cruising, with a cruising speed of 8 to 9 knots, more than enough to get from point A to point B. This deceleration is what we recommend to anyone who dreams of following in our wake.
Today, we remain loyal to Delphia. It’s mindful cruising, day after day. Whether we need technical advice or simply want to share our passion with other owners, we’re always happy to talk with the community we meet at events hosted by Constance Boat. We’ve found responsive, passionate people there, just like us.
Every day on board a Delphia is a new page in our story. On peaceful canals or at sea, we keep the adventure going. Always with the same love of cruising. Always with that feeling of comfort and ease.
