Our Boats
Delphia 11 Sedan
When simplicity meets sophistication : sleek lines, modern design, functionality and electric engine...
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 navigate in 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 realized a long-standing dream: to buy a boat to cruise mainly on the canals. It wasn't a sudden decision, but a real passion that we wanted to turn into reality.
In December, at the Paris boat show, nothing seemed to match what we were looking for. All the models on display were unsuitable for our cruising plans, due to their excessive air draught. But everything changed when we discovered the Delphia 10.50, just as we were about to leave without having found the right boat. We fell in love with it immediately on our visit!
We quickly decided to try it out in Aigues-Mortes, with the dealer Constance Boat, where we have a second home. From the very first maneuvers, we knew that this boat would become much more than a simple means of navigation: she would be our faithful companion on adventures. We spent five years aboard this model, learning the rudiments of navigation and discovering the joys of pleasure boating. It was our introduction to the freedom of the canals and the sea.
A second Delphia boat... and then a third “ crush ”!
After this great experience, we chose a second model, the Delphia 11.50 V, which we discovered in a preview in Poland. We enjoyed cruising on board for some time. After 1500 hours of navigation, I wanted to change to another model.
I was looking at second-hand Delphia 12s when I heard they were launching a Delphia 11. The hull length was the same as our previous model, but the layout was different. The guest cabin is smaller, allowing us to have a large head with a separate shower. The day area is also perfectly designed. Safety on board is also a big advantage, with the possibility of moving around the boat on the side deck. The upper part of the boat is our haven of peace, where we spend a lot of time, and the cabins offer a very pleasant living space.
The Delphia 11 Sedan is a real favorite! She's perfect for long stays. A third Delphia and a third satisfying experience!
For each Delphia, its own adventure at sea!
Every outing is a new adventure, from a leisurely cruise along the canals to a few trips to the sea. Aboard our Delphia 10.50, we cruised down the Canal du Midi to Bordeaux. During our stopovers, we take the opportunity to explore the surrounding area on our electric bikes. They're practical and easy to store on board.
With our Delphia 11.50, the second model, we completed a tour of Corsica in 2023 with a couple of friends. We extended the trip as far as Italy. All in all, we were away for two months, with all the necessary comforts and without stepping on each other's toes. The crossing between Antibes and Calvi, which we made during the day, gave us the chance to see whales on our way. An unforgettable memory! Moments like these can only be experienced at sea.
After a stop-and-go journey up to Bastia, we reached the island of Elba, 22 miles away. Known for its history with 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 of the sea. In Portoferraio, the island's capital, you can spend a few nights in the port and visit the fortified citadel and Napoleon's residence.
Then we headed to the marina of Pisa, Italy, 25 miles further on. Just a short distance from the seaside, you can explore the Tuscan region. The Piazza dei Miracoli is the home of the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, a must-see in the area. After visiting the area, you can spend some time walking along the seafront, or tasting local specialities, especially fish and seafood.
The return to Aigues-Mortes follows the Italian coastline, passing through Carrara, world-famous for its white marble quarries, the Cinque Terre, picturesque villages perched on cliffs and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Menton and Monaco, which we know a little better in France.
If the weather is sometimes capricious, we wait in the comfort of our boat's saloon, as we did on a trip to Barcelona. We had to wait in the port of Argeles for 4 days. In the Mediterranean, we like to enjoy life in port, even if it's not easy to get a place, the ports are close enough to each other that we always find a solution.
Discovering French heritage on the canals
We regularly cruise along the Canal du Midi, the Rhône and the Saône, up to the Loiret. We take the Canal du Centre to the Canal du Nivernais, the Canal Latéral de la Loire à la Seine, then the Yonne to the south via the Canal de Bourgogne.
During these escapades, we never get tired of rediscovering Carcassonne, a beautiful medieval city, or Béziers. On the Saône, a peaceful river, we cruise quietly through small villages. The Canal du Nivernais is splendid! We cross forests and valleys.
We navigate according to our stopovers. We cruised our boat up the Loiret from Aigues-Mortes, then on to Strasbourg for two weeks, before returning down the Petite Saône. The Rhône is also one of our favorite destinations. We take advantage of a stopover in Lyon to visit the old town and enjoy a typical meal.
Taking the time to enjoy without consuming too much
What we also like about Delphia is the feeling of cruising at our own rhythm, without consuming too much. It's like being on a sailboat. Our fuel consumption remains reasonable: between 8 and 12 liters at sea, and barely 4 liters on the canals.
Taking time is important, especially as this type of journey consumes less fuel. We're all used to going fast by car or plane, but by taking a Delphia we can enjoy coastal or river navigation, with a cruising speed of 8 to 9 knots, more than enough to get from point A to point B. This “slow life” is what we recommend to all those who dream of following in our footsteps.
Today, we remain loyal to the Delphia brand. Whether it's for technical advice or simply to share our passion with other owners, we're always happy to chat with the community we meet at Constance Boat events. We have found our contacts there to be as responsive and passionate as we are.
Every day aboard a Delphia is a new page in our history. Whether on the quiet canals or at sea, we continue our adventure, always with the same passion for navigation.
