centerline crack on the bow and stern!!!!????

A

arthursrobertjr

.
Apr 7, 2010
3
Hello!

I just hauled out my Albin Vega today and noticed that there is a crack filled with what appears to be gel coat that runs along the centerline of the bow for about 5'(1 1/2meters), and, the stern centerline behind the rudder to the transom. I also have found little screws along the center line, 2 on the stern crack and one on the bow crack. The cracks don't appear to go all the way through the the hull to the inside. Was the hull molded in halves or what the hell is going on??!! Any information on this matter would be greatly appreciated!

Alohas.
Bobby Arthurs
1977 Albin Vega 27 #3207
"Toucan"
 
P

pjacobs55

.
Oct 30, 2019
1,459
I don't know about the cracks, but I think the screws are reference points for the design waterline.

Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'
 
S

stevebirch2002

.
Nov 8, 2001
1,818
Every Vega has two floatation marks on the centreline. One on the bow and one on the stern. These are two small stainless steel screws. Perhaps it is them?

Steve B
 
A

arthursrobertjr

.
Apr 7, 2010
3
Thank you guys for helping me solve the mystery of the screws!! Now to
solve the mystery of these menacing but hopefully benign cracks......
any takers? Yikes, I hope my boat is not breaking in half,
because..... I really like her a whole lot!

Big Thanks and Alohas!
Bobby Arthurs
Albin Vega 27 hull #3207
"Toucan"
________________________________
From: Steve Birch steve@...
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, April 7, 2010 3:00:30 PM
Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] centerline crack on the bow and stern!!!!????


Every Vega has two floatation marks on the centreline. One on the bow and one on the stern. These are two small stainless steel screws. Perhaps it is them?

Steve B
 
V

vegatern

.
Oct 2, 2005
465
Hi Bobby,
I believe the "cracks" you have found are actually marks left on the hull during the building process. I'm not a boat builder but I think the Vega was built first as a full size model, probably of wood. The model then would serve as a male "plug" stationed on the shop floor keel up. A thin strip of material could be fastened down the center of the hull along the keel from the deck at the stem to the deck at the stern. After a mold release was applied to the plug and keel strip, gel coat and glass was used to cover the entire affair. Once cured, and with the edge of the keel strip cut back a bit, the glass could be removed from the plug, and the two halves bolted back together along the keel strip. The result is a mold, which could be removed from the built up hull by unbolting the keel strip. It is the keel strip that leaves the mark. It is not possible to build the Vega using a one piece mold because of the tumblehome of the topsides. Joining two halves together and getting respectable results in the exterior finish, especially on a production run, seems unlikely. Also, it is hard to imagine what type of force would cause the hull to crack at both the bow and stern, certainly there would not be any flexing along the center line, at least I would not think so, and impact should be out of the question as well.
I have not seen these marks on the Tern, probably because the previous owner applied an epoxy barrier coat to the hull, but I remember others have mentioned similar marks at the keel. Perhaps searching the list may produce something.
Craig Tern #1519
 
P

pjacobs55

.
Oct 30, 2019
1,459
I notice Bobby's boat is #3207, one of the latest Vegas. I wonder if the molds were getting a little tired by then?

And "Mahogany" is still around:

Vega Database

www.albinvega.info www.albinvega.info
Love those forward-facing port lites !!
Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'
 
A

albinvega1493

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Dec 15, 2006
139
I used to own an Albin Vega, now I have a Trintella 29. That mahogany Albin Vega 001 "Mahogany" looks an awful lot like a Trintella! Wonder if that is coincidence?

Larry Bissell
Trintella 1a "Journey Bird"
Formerly owner of Albin Vega 1493 "Kemanalea"
 
S

stevebirch2002

.
Nov 8, 2001
1,818
Hi

Fo One Design Racing the Vega should not have the flotation marks showing above the waterline. There has been a technical article by the Dutch that is available somewhere. I will see if I can dig it out.

Cheers

Steve B
 
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