Modifications: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

[Peter]

We all modify our boats to suit individual needs, which makes me
curious as to what changes other Vega sailors have made that really
make a difference to their enjoyment of their boats. I'd like to "pole"
the group as to what modifications you have made that have proven most
useful.

On 'Sin Tacha' my favorite changes have been:
-Full batten loose foot main with slab reefing
-Roller furling jib
-Self-tailing winches
-Navik windvane steering
-Stronger dodger (spray hood) frame with grab handles

Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'

 

[bobnlesafloat]

1. Fitting the fridge - too much wind, too little wind, mechanical breakdowns; all are easier to cope with if the beer stays cold.
2. Fitting a Gype Preventer
3. Additional water tankage, the freedom/range that 40 gallons rather than the original 14 gives is wonderful.
4. Fitting doors to the forecabin lockers
5. A decent boarding ladder
6. Easily adjustable mainsheet traveller
7. Replacing Spinnaker with a Cruising Chute (I suppose the original Spinnaker was a mod too?)

Actually, deciding on the Order of 'most satisfying' was the most difficult decision and will probably change next time we go sailing; other than the fridge/cold beer, that always stays top!

 

[vegatern]

Peter, I was thinking about "modifications" and though I always seem
to be puttering on something they can hardly be considered
modifications. One thing I did that seemed to improve her sailing was
move about 90 pounds of chain into the bilge. I tabbed in thin strips
on either side of the bilge, with the appropriate foam wedge to avoid
hard spots, about 10 inches back from the ballast, and then dropped
in a narrow bulkhead to hold the chain. This isn't really a
modification though since I was putting weight back into the bilge
that had been removed by moving the fuel tank to the lazarette. She
sits up better I think and maybe carries sail longer, but that could
be just me I suppose. At some time in her past someone gave her
double headstays. I liked them at first but have changed my mind and
will go back to a single headstay when I have the time, so you see, in
a way I am taking the boat back closer to her original design. The
previous owner had already done the mast support and storm shutters
and such, and had done a nice job, so I was lucky in that.
Craig Tern#1519

 

[Vega1447]

Hi Craig.
Interested in this idea -putting chain in bilges. I have over 30m of chain
in chain locker and it makes a lot of sense to get the weight low and
further aft.

Only problem - if you need to anchor in a hurry do you need to
haul the chain onto foredeck and shackle on the anchor?

Or does the chain run aft from chain locker into bilge?

Thanks

John

V1447 Breakaway

John A. Kinsella Ph: +353-61-202148 (Direct)
+353-61-333644 x 2148 (Switch)
Mathematics Dept. e-mail: John.Kinsella@...
University of Limerick FAX: +353-61-334927
IRELAND Web: John Kinsella's Website

 

[vegatern]

John, I left about 60 feet of chain on the anchor rode in the bow
locker, along with about 120 feet of line. I need some chain on the
rode but an all chain rode seemed excessive. The chain in the bilge
is there should I need it, but I would have to pass it up to the deck.
Because I don't know how much the boat actually flexes under
sail, I wouldn't know how to measure it, and did not want to do
anything to affect the hull, I did not attach the chain's bulkhead to
the new tabs, but let the weight of the chain hold it in place.
Craig

 

[pelagicasd]

Lyric had 200 feet of 1/4" hi-test when we cruised. It was carried in a seperate locker I built just aft of the usual one. 250 feet of 1/2" double braid was in the usual location. Prior to the 200 feet of hi-test we had 100 feet of 1/4" BBB. I had run a piece of PVC pipe under the cabin sole and carried it in the forward battery compartment. I could anchor without difficulty but it was a chore to get it back in. I would pull in 20 feet or so, go below and pull it through the PVC, go topsides, pull in another 20 feet or so, go back below and so forth. With thoughts about the possibility of needing to get out of an anchorage in a hurry we went to the present setup. I have since reduced the amount of chain to 100 feet. 200 feet was more than we needed and the most we ever used was 70 feet. A Simpson Lawrence windlass drops the chain directly into the locker.
For anyone interested I can make a good deal on the 100 feet of chain that I have left over. FYI 1/4" hi-test is just about as strong as 3/8" BBB. WaltTo: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.comFrom: vegatern@...: Thu, 19 Jun 2008 05:36:59 +0000Subject: [AlbinVega] Re: Modifications: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

John, I left about 60 feet of chain on the anchor rode in the bowlocker, along with about 120 feet of line. I need some chain on therode but an all chain rode seemed excessive. The chain in the bilgeis there should I need it, but I would have to pass it up to the deck.Because I don't know how much the boat actually flexes undersail, I wouldn't know how to measure it, and did not want to doanything to affect the hull, I did not attach the chain's bulkhead tothe new tabs, but let the weight of the chain hold it in place.Craig

 

[pelagicasd]

Favorite modifications....
Watermaker
Solar panels
Refridgeration
Propane stove
Lines led aft
Anchor windlass and chain
Larger bowpulpit
New sternpulpit with solar panel mounts and built in fish cleaning table
Got rid of those huge cabin ports by scarfing in some glass and put two lexan ports in each side of the cabin.
Opening pots in the forepeak
New settee backs allow settees to convert to large bed
Lee clothes, (Judy didn't think we needed them until she got dumped onto the cabin sole)
!/2" lexan hatchboards with stainless slides
Swing out mount for radar and GPS (can be seen from the cockpit through the hatchboards)

Least favorite modification was the treadmaster nonskid. Didn't hold up in the tropical sun and was difficult to remove

New diesel. Yanmar 2GM, Better than the old Albin 0-22 but fuel consumption and noise were excessive. More power than we needed. If doing over I'd go with the Beta. It would save a hundred pounds of weight, use less fuel and be easier to maintain.
WaltTo: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.comFrom: prjacobs@...: Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:51:38 +0000Subject: [AlbinVega] Modifications: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

We all modify our boats to suit individual needs, which makes me curious as to what changes other Vega sailors have made that really make a difference to their enjoyment of their boats. I'd like to "pole" the group as to what modifications you have made that have proven most useful.On 'Sin Tacha' my favorite changes have been:-Full batten loose foot main with slab reefing-Roller furling jib-Self-tailing winches-Navik windvane steering-Stronger dodger (spray hood) frame with grab handlesPeter#1331 'Sin Tacha'