Design and Construction
The 10.10’s Van de Stadt pedigree is clear in its construction. The hull and deck were hand-laid in GRP foam sandwich, with solid laminate below the waterline and a foam core above for lightness and insulation. This foam sandwich construction makes the Winner 10.10 light.
The yard also laminated a galvanised steel frame across a large area of the hull. Testers found that this characteristic Van de Stadt approach gave the boat high rigidity and allowed the structure to absorb rig loads without torsion. Where deck fittings were mounted, aluminium backing plates replaced the foam core. That provided secure fastening, but it also created a known servicing problem: stainless-steel screws can be difficult to remove from the aluminium plates when a fitting needs to come off.
The positive stem, a Van de Stadt signature, shortens the waterline. On the 10.10, it trades some theoretical hull speed for the upright, stiff posture for which the boat is known.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The 10.10 has a fractional sloop rig that is relatively low for such a sporty design. Even so, it proved very fast in light air in YACHT’s 2008 comparison and could keep pace with larger thoroughbreds on a reach. The test sailors found it was the only participant able to match the X-34 on the cross at a good 4 Beaufort.
The boat sails more upright than its competitors and offers a good balance of height and speed downwind. On a dead run, however, the same test found that the competition left it standing, attributing this to too little waterline length and a narrow beam aft.
Steering is by tiller rather than wheel. All lines lead to the coaming, allowing the helmsperson to control the traveller, foresheet, mainsheet, and fine adjustment without leaving position. The seating is typically awkward for a tiller-steered boat, however, and forward visibility is restricted. The helm is not especially communicative, so the driver needs to work the trim knowingly. This makes the 10.10 a sporty, handy boat better suited to experienced sailors than complete beginners.
Cockpit and Accommodation
The large, enclosed cockpit has plenty of room and helps make the boat suitable for family sailing. Owners confirm that it works well for family use until winds pass 18 knots, when the motion becomes uncomfortable for the crew.
Below deck, the 10.10 is noticeably more spacious than the 9.50 and 11.20 from which it developed. There is standing headroom throughout the saloon and 1.90 metres aft. Light-coloured wood, good workmanship, and suitable ergonomics give the interior a cosy, comfortable feel. The saloon is large and fitted with a huge table.
The berths are genuinely oversized, measuring more than two metres long and 1.60 metres wide. The inner aft berth does tuck beneath the cockpit, where headroom falls to just 40 centimetres. The aft cabin is also open to the saloon; a door was not introduced until the 10.20 facelift.
The forepeak and heads can be closed off. The cooking space is functional, while the washroom is compact but serviceable. Some boats have a shower, though it was not standard.
Known Issues
The bilge is only six centimetres deep, so any water that enters can spread easily throughout the hull. The bilge therefore needs to remain dry, and the galvanised steel frame must be fully protected against rust. Once corrosion begins, repairs are costly.
Buyers should inspect the projections in the bilge for hairline cracks or rust staining. They should also check the small bulkhead beneath the foredeck, where leaks from the anchor locker can seep ahead of the partition.
A few owners specified TBS deck covering instead of the original waffle-pattern nonslip surface. The TBS material can loosen, and replacing it is labour-intensive and expensive. The standard texture is easier to maintain.
Machinery, Ownership, and the 10.20
Winner always fitted Yanmar engines: a 21 hp diesel with dual-circuit cooling. Spares and service knowledge are therefore straightforward.
The CE Category A rating and timeless appearance help explain why used examples can sell within weeks. Build quality is high, and well-kept boats show few weaknesses even after years of use.
The 10.20 successor was introduced in 2011, with ten hulls built. It brought external shrouds, a mast 70 cm taller, and a door for the aft cabin. Even so, the 10.10 remains the more numerous model and, arguably, the more balanced original.
The Verdict
The Winner 10.10 is a stiff, quick, and well-built Van de Stadt performance cruiser. It rewards an able helm with agile handling and provides a roomy, family-friendly interior, but it also demands attention to several specific structural and deck details.
Pros
- Upright, torsion-free hull with high rigidity from the laminated steel frame
- Spacious, cosy interior with oversized berths and a large saloon
- Fast and handy in light to moderate air
- Large, family-friendly cockpit
- Yanmar diesel with dual-circuit cooling
- CE Category A rating
Cons
- Shallow bilge allows water to spread easily, and corrosion of the steel frame is expensive to repair
- Tiller helm is not especially communicative, with awkward seating and restricted forward visibility
- Optional TBS deck covering can loosen
- Stainless-steel screws can be difficult to remove from the aluminium backing plates
- Aft cabin is open to the saloon, with no door until the 10.20
- Narrow aft sections and short waterline hinder performance on a dead run
