auto pilots

rolyatad · Feb 28, 2005

I installed a Simrad T20 on my Vega. You need to secure the outboard
end several inches inboard of the coaming on the starboard side. I
drilled into the seat, just aft of the seat hatch cover, epoxied a
little wood pad to lift that end a bit, and inserted the metal
thimble that came with the unit. It attached to the tiller center
straight inboard of the seat location. I installed the electrical
receptacle below the unit on the vertical part of the seat. As I
recall, the attachment point on the tiller is about 17" fwd. of the
rudder post. This was essentially the same location of my old
Tillermaster, but the Simrad is shorter, hence the hole in the seat.

The autopilot works fine installed so. It only gets weird in an area
of magnetic anomaly near me, just as the Tillermaster used to.

martinwestin · Feb 28, 2005

Hi.

I'm thinking of replacing my old O22 petrol engine for a more modern (but preferrably used) diesel. Does anyone know if there is a model that fits reasonably well in the early Vegas?

Martin

pelagicasd · Feb 28, 2005

Older and smaller Yanmars, vVolvo MD6s or MD7s. Probably better that you
bite the bullet and spring for a new Beta. Older engines will be needing
parts sooner and Volvo parts are horribly expensive. We had an O22 and it
required that we make new stringers for the Yanmar that we replaced it with.
We did it ourselves. A local yard charged another vega owner around 6 grand
to install a new Yanmar in his boat.

Walt, S/V Lyric #120

wxt8981 · Feb 28, 2005

Hi Martin;

I replaced the 021 with a Yanmar 1GM Diesel and it was
easy.
As I understand, Steve Birch favors another engine- I have
no qualm in that.

Wilhelm, V-257

rolyatad · Feb 28, 2005

What do the installation instructions have to say?? I considered
extention from the coaming, but decided to avoid the vulnerability
and possibility of snagging or impaling myself on a cantilevered arm
thing.

I installed it that far aft because: a)I can open the starboard seat
hatch without disengaging the auto pilot. b) The instructions for the
(now obsolete) Tillermaster advised that 17" distance.

The limited distance of throw at the end of the tiller might provide
correction that is too slow, or limited in rudder angle. The screw
drive is pretty strong, and it works well in my installation.

Maybe you could try different locations with clamps, sticks, pads,
and duct tape??? Then choose the best.

Good luck & fair winds - Doug In AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com, "vegasailor2002" mkawa@f... wrote:

vega2438 · Feb 28, 2005

Hi,
How about an electric engine? Like that one those swedish are selling
in

Loading…

www.ozecodrive.com

There is at least one Vega with that in Sweden. There is other models
in the world too.

I've volvo MD6A diesel engine in my Vega, Porcella. It's original
from '75 and run well.

Kauko, Vega2438

dk8521 · Mar 1, 2005

hi
if you are considering a complete drivetrain replacement for you vega
why not the beta kit that the british club offers?used engines at
first seem to be a bargain, until you have to start mahcining parts
or having custom parts made to get things to fit.then after all is
installed what if the engine is a lemon? another thousand or two to
the diesel mechanic. even if you do all of the work yourself if there
are problems it's a real pain in the a**. i am not just speculating
on this scenario, i have seen this happen many times. you may get
lucky and have everythig go smooth, but it is a crapshoot, and you
still have a used powerplant when you resell. just my opinion.
dick "lyra"#2941

stevebirch2002 · Mar 1, 2005

Hi All

My thoughts exactly. I know I sell the Betas but every Vega owner that has bought one (over 100) has said they wish they had done it years before.

Kind Regards

Steve Birch

rolyatad · Mar 1, 2005

I plucked the 17" distance from a less than brilliant memory. I'll
have to check that next time I'm aboard. Maybe it is less.

I put the tiller pin directly in to the stock tiller, and shimmed
under the butt of the tiller, with a hardwood wedge, in the rudder
head casting, to bring the pin on the tiller up to seat level. I
figured that I would have to fashion a funny looking curved tiller,
otherwise.

I would like to know how the shorter distance will work for you.

Regards, Doug # 712

eagervega · Mar 1, 2005

I have remounted my navico(Simrad) autopilot further aft than was recommended, and have had no problems.
The vega is very light on the helm, but needs quite a lot of travel. Mine is mounted on strbd side just aft of locker lid, allowing you to open locker when autopiloting. The autopilot used to be on this locker lid but now works much better .
Another clever vega owner at Kilmore has installed three holes for autopilot and he can use the outer or inner depending on which tack he is on, and the center one for motoring. This allows much more travel if you have some weather helm. He claims that he can now use the autopilot when sailing in almost any wind.
Hope all this makes sense.

Best wishes

Nigel. Vega 3314 Eager Vega
Kilmore Quay, Ireland.

pelagicasd · Mar 1, 2005

We have an old Navico also. We bent some 3/4" flat stainless steel in to a
kind of trapezoid shape and screwed it to the tillet. The tiller stays in
its down position. We too mount to the top of the locker lid and it is a bit
of a hassle. Walt

eagervega · Mar 1, 2005

I have one of Steve's fancy curly tiller and have the pin sticking straight up in line with the autopilot. I set the tiller about half up when attaching the pilot. By keeping the nuts tight the tiller will not fall down and so there is more room in cockpit. A little luxury with this autopilot is the remotecontrol, so I can fall asleep while watching the bearing on the compass, and the chartplotter which I can hinge to be seen from inside or out !! ( We do not have much traffic in this part of the world)
A slight exageration of course, but the tiller pilot now works very well.

Cheers,

Nigel . V3314 "Eager Vega".

moondance5003 · Mar 1, 2005

Hi Martin,

I have a Volvo Penta MD6B that came with my vega. I will be removing
it soon and will be going to an outboard only for power. I recently
had the diesel injectors rebuilt and the diesel runs fine but the
combi needs to be rebuilt. I understand that this is an easy enough
job and I already have the kit. The reason for the change in
auxillary power is that we will be doing alot of very long distance
sailing in the near future and I am modifying the boat for more
water and battery storage capacity. So I must take the diesel engine
out to use that space for storage. If you are interested in the
diesel engine, you can contact me here or at guillory@....

Robert

TJBurkett · Mar 3, 2005

Martin,

I have an early (#398) Vega that had the original engine replaced
with a Westerbeake 18. The engine fits fine, and it doesn't look as
if major changes were required. However, the location of the oil
dipstick and impeller leave MUCH to be desired. If I were going to
replace the engine I would look at something else and consider an
outboard!

Tom
(Vega 398) "Buckaroo"

moondance5003 · Mar 7, 2005

Hi Martin,

I lost your e-mail response. Please contact me again. I live in
south texas and the engine will probably be removed in Aransas/
Rockport area. I'm thinking $900 which includes the kit. Where will
you be coming from?

Robert