Help a beginner

Oct 29, 2023
1
Vinyard Vixen 29 Thames River
Does anyone out there have access to a 1977 Vinyard Vixen 29 Operations Manual. Have found info on the engine operation and service but can't find anything online on actual operation of the boat. Probably because it was made prior to computers. If you have a manual for a Vixen 29 - we can work something out for a copy. Thanks, Ray
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,156
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Welcome @rayinfe to SBO.
sailboat data might help.
Here is a review of the boat.

The SBData suggests the Vinyard Vixen was equipped with a Westerbeke engine. You may find a manual for your engine here. Look on the engine for a model number.

If you are searching for a operating manual much like a car, I‘m sorry to inform you it is likely an empty search. The concept of a boat owners manual came about in the late 80’s when many new folk to boating were beginning an adventure in boat ownership. Marketing folk told boat builders you have to offer an owners manual like car manufacturers. 40 plus years ago buyers of boats had grown up around boats. They understood that the boat hull was pretty basic. Sailing was something you learned by going at a marina or yacht club. The systems on a boat ( plumbing, cooking, electrical, etc) were all add ons made by outside vendors and sold to the owner by the dealer or as an option by the manufacturer. These add ons were not always sourced from the same vendor. Vendors came and went. Any manuals were what ever the vendor gave to the manufacturer.

My boat, built in 1974, was much the same in regards to lack of a manual. I sat on the boat and identified each of the systems, model, serial number, etc. Then I searched out the manufacturer and in some cases found a manual. In others not so lucky. Since my boat like many used similar radios, propane stoves, compasses, i could use say a Hunter manual for the stove in my Cal 35 C.

Make you own list and maybe we can help steer you to some of the equipment manuals that have survived over the past 40 years.

Congrats on your new to you boat.