New Owner - Intimidated by all the stuff that can go wrong . . .

[kevinwoods.vega]

I'm not only new to my Vega, 1039 (Nossa) but new to sailing as well.

I've been wading through virtually pounds of frightening documentation
stuff; do this, do this, do this . . . . or else.

I'm keen to get it all done, but is there a handy one-stop-shopping
array of checklists somewhere that summarizes:

Daily checks / maintenance,
Hourly Stuff - while motoring,
Monthly Stuff,
Twice a Year,
Anual Pullout,
. . . every two years.

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[Vega1447]

Hi Kevin,
I've only had my Vega since 2005 - prev boat was much smaller.

There is a *lot* more to check on a 27 ft boat than a 21 foot boat
especially the engine/gearbox/stern gland/

If you are not mechanically minded I suggest you get (and pay) a marine
mechanic to show you how to change fuel and oil filters and
How To Clear Airlocks!!

Once you know how to bleed the fuel system it is easy but if you don't
know how you are snookered if you have dirty diesel or the diesel gets
aerated due to rough conditions.

Above decks if you really are new to sailing I'd get an experienced sailor
to come out with you a few times.

Is there a Sailing/Yacht Club nearby or a Sailing School that might have
an instructor that you could hire?

Finally the Vega (with combi gearbox) is tricky to handle under power in
reverse.

The general advice is to practice in open water - maybe tie weights to a
couple of fender and try to manoever around them.

But - they are great boats and fantastic value for what they generally
cost.

Have fun..

John

V 1447 BreakawayJohn 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

 

[vega1860]

Aloha e komo mai Kevin

The Vega was my first boat, although I had done a little sailing with
friends. I like to read up and learn by doing so that's what I did.
I also found an experienced skipper who helped me learn some of the
fine points.

This is a great place to ask questions so fire away. Also, there is a
wealth of information at the American Vega Association web site (If I
do say so myself) Link below. Assuming you've had a survey and the
boat is sound, go sailing.

Malie ke kai,

Chuck Rose
SV Lealea, V1860
Honolulu (Cruising in the Pacific Northwest)

Albin Vega - The American Vega Association Home

Albin Vega - American Vega Association. Vega 27 sailing, cruising, living aboard, maintenance, repairs, events, information.

americanvega.org

 

[mcphersona50]

Hi New Owner,

Congratulations! My advice is to go buy a bottle of wine, sit on your boat and enjoy the feelings of both the boat and the glass of wine for a little while before you start ripping into changing this or that and read a book to your level of experience for now. Your ideas list will come together and once you think you have a hand on it all, the list keeps growing and changing all the time. Don`t be intimidated at all. Making that list and daydreaming on where you want to sail is a big chunk of the experience of owning a sailboat. I got advice from a 251 year old salt one day in a boatyard on the same thoughts, but when I had bought my first boat, my big personal question to myself after hearing alot of advice from the so-called know-it-alls was "When is a boat ever truely ready to cut the docklines and start cruising". A dear friend pointed me to the old guy and he answered me by saying "Make sure you have a sound hull, a rig you trust, enough food to the next port, and continue to stay curious about learning everyday to figure it all out because eventually you will; and beware of bogging yourself down with a hundred projects only, thus losing sight about why you bought a sailboat in the first place". Have no fear, your fun is just beginning. His advice was objective and has proven to be true, although after 15 years of messing around with sailboats, I`m still learning and haven`t figured it all out, but then again, there in lies the seduction, hehe. Welcome to the club.

 

[pjacobs55]

Kevin,
Congratulations on your new boat! You've picked a great little ship.
The Vega is a well thought out design, very solidly built, and will
look after you in all kinds of weather.

My best advice is to find a friend who sails and go out together in
fairly calm weather to get a feel for things. It doesn't take long
to 'learn the ropes'. On my first few forays onto the water I was
armed with a little book called 'Royce's Sailing Illustrated'. It's
full of good info. But I still made every error in the book, and all
in one afternoon!

You won't have to worry about bleeding air from fuel lines as I
believe Nosa has the original Albin 022 gas engine. Air bleeding is
usually reserved for misbehaving Diesels.

It's great to find a boat that has all the documentation for it's
accessories, usually indicating a caring previous owner. But don't
let all that paper work bog you down, as firstly: it's meant for
reference when something won't work, and secondly: it's useful for
preventative maintenance when the weather is no good for sailing.

If you had a survey done make sure you follow any recommendations
made.

The most important thing is to keep her afloat. I check my bilge on
arriving and on leaving the boat. There's always a bit of water in
there, but any sudden change in level is cause for immediate
investigation. An electric automatic bilge pump is an excellent
accessory.

When leaving the boat I make sure all thru hull valves are closed.
When you go out the most important valve to remember to open is the
cooling water for the engine. I hang my ignition key on the valve so
I can't forget to open it!

There's probably a million other things to know, but they all come
with time as your experience builds.

This is an excellent forum. Most questions have already been asked
and are easy to find using the 'search' feature. Another good general
boating forum for information is the Classic Plastic Forum at

http://www.plasticclassicforum.com/

Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'
Victoria B.C.

 

[wxt8981]

Hi Kevin;
it;s also a very good idea to learn the rule of the road and understand the markers- happy sailing
Wilhelm, V-257

pjacobs55 prjacobs@... wrote: Kevin,
Congratulations on your new boat! You've picked a great little ship.
The Vega is a well thought out design, very solidly built, and will
look after you in all kinds of weather.

My best advice is to find a friend who sails and go out together in
fairly calm weather to get a feel for things. It doesn't take long
to 'learn the ropes'. On my first few forays onto the water I was
armed with a little book called 'Royce's Sailing Illustrated'. It's
full of good info. But I still made every error in the book, and all
in one afternoon!

You won't have to worry about bleeding air from fuel lines as I
believe Nosa has the original Albin 022 gas engine. Air bleeding is
usually reserved for misbehaving Diesels.

It's great to find a boat that has all the documentation for it's
accessories, usually indicating a caring previous owner. But don't
let all that paper work bog you down, as firstly: it's meant for
reference when something won't work, and secondly: it's useful for
preventative maintenance when the weather is no good for sailing.

If you had a survey done make sure you follow any recommendations
made.

The most important thing is to keep her afloat. I check my bilge on
arriving and on leaving the boat. There's always a bit of water in
there, but any sudden change in level is cause for immediate
investigation. An electric automatic bilge pump is an excellent
accessory.

When leaving the boat I make sure all thru hull valves are closed.
When you go out the most important valve to remember to open is the
cooling water for the engine. I hang my ignition key on the valve so
I can't forget to open it!

There's probably a million other things to know, but they all come
with time as your experience builds.

This is an excellent forum. Most questions have already been asked
and are easy to find using the 'search' feature. Another good general
boating forum for information is the Classic Plastic Forum at
http://www.plasticclassicforum.com/

Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'
Victoria B.C.

 

[pjacobs55]

Kevin,
Can you make it to the PNW Rendezvous? It's a great opportunity to meet
other Vega sailors and see other Vegas. Check out

The American Vega Association

americanvega.org

for the details.
Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'

 

[bhofler]

Hello Kevin...did you buy "Nossa" in Vancouver,i.e. False Creek?

Brian - Putachieside

 

[kevinwoods.vega]

Yes - I recognized your name . . . but didn't want to pry yet. I
motored from False Creek on Good Friday.

Boat's at Hornby Island. Thanks for being so attentive - keeping the
documentation in tact.

Perhaps we can talk off-line some time. I look forward to it.

K

 

[kevinwoods.vega]

John,

All sage advice - I'm planning to take some tutoring under sail over
the next while, and I've been getting some maintenance coaching down
at the marina - we've got some pretty salty sorts around here.

I've got some dingy blood in my - but there's a lot different on the
bigger "ships".

The engine is Gasoline - original 0-22, and the boat came with a much
appreciated spare. I'm going to try to learn most of the maintenance
and repair routines so that I can DIY if need be, while cruising.

Thank you again for the thoughtul note.

K

 

[kevinwoods.vega]

Yes,thank you Wilhelm. I've taken a few courses - but a "brushing
up" is definitely called for.

Cheers!

K

 

[kevinwoods.vega]

Your points have now been added to my check lists. Thank you.

 

[kevinwoods.vega]

Thanks for the reminder Peter I've just put my notice into the Web
address for RSVP for PNW Rendezvous.



Kevin, "Nossa" 1038

 

[bhofler]

Hello again Kevin:

Should I add you to the list of VEGAtarians who are attending the PNW
Rendezvous at Maple Bay?

Brian - Putachieside

 

[vegatern]

Hi Kevin,
Congratulations on the boat. You might ask at the local yacht club
about their "beer can races". Most clubs have races during the week,
usually on long evenings after work They are very casual (hence the
name) and you don't need to be a member of the club or an expert
sailor. Often there are boats that are short crew and would be happy
to have you. The fact that you have a boat already makes you more
qualified than many. You may likely learn more in a couple of weeks
with them than all season alone, not to mention the contacts you can
make. If you don't connect at the club then stand at the gate on race
night with a six pack of beer. (the better the bait, er-beer, the
bigger the bite!)
Craig Tern #1519