New Vega owner

[vega_1200]

Just bought a 1971 vega and I was wondering if anyone could advice me
on how to restore/refinish the wooden parts on the boats exterior
(they are grey and dull looking). I have almost no experience with
this kind of work so all information will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

P.s. She sails great! Did around 7 knots yeterday.

 

[zippydoda_captain]

If the exterior wood is dull and grey looking it looks like there's no
varnish remaining. This is good news. Give the wood a light sand and then
several coats of Sadolin wood sealer. Unlike varnish or epoxy's which
eventually crack and let water in underneath, so you have to start again)
Sadolin is a deep penetration sealer which let's the wood breath. At the end
of each season just give a quick clean and slap another coat on. It's
available in various stain colours, I think I use rosewood which looks very
smart.

 

[anegadasail]

I'm a new Vega owner hull #1472. Boat is not in the water yet as I'm fixing some problems. Have few questions: 1. cockpit floor is not secured .There are screws but the nuts are placed in the rubber sleeve
and the rubber is cracked. Where could I find replacement o perhaps there is other solution? 2. Mast plate is secured to the deck with just two small screws and one of them is not holding. Should I drill
the hole to the cabin and install long bolts with the nuts? 3. There is excessive play in the tiller. Looks like the bolt securing the tiller to the ruder post is to "small" for the size of the hole. Is it possible to fix that without removing the ruder assembly. There are more problems but I just would like to fix those first. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Mark.

 

[stevebirch2002]

Hi Mark

1. Cockpit floor was originally attached with stainless bolts and a threded brass plate inserted in the surround. There are inserts available that can be fitted to overcome this problem. Drop me an email off group if interested (steve@...). Neprene seal can be obtained locally to replace the rubber gasket.

2. Mast plate will not move, it is the mast that holds it where it is! If worried then bolt through is easy enough. Make sure you use correct method ref. drilling holes in fibreglass etc.

3. Play in the tiller is usually due to the locating taper pin breaking. Been many discussions lately ref this pin.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Steve B

 

[pjacobs55]

Hi Mark,
Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on your new Vega ... you've chosen a very seaworthy boat with a good reputation.

This forum is a great resource. With over 18,000 messages you'll find that most Vega problems have been covered in detail, and using the search feature will often turn up several different ways to approach the same problem.

On the rudder problem: There's a tappered pin holding the rudder head in alignment on the shaft. There's been a lot of discussion on this lately. If the actual bolt hole in the tiller head is worn you could have it drilled and sleeved, or maybe just drilled to a slightly larger bolt size. Sometimes you can find a close oversize by going from a US size to a metric one, or vice-versa.

My rudder head is held with a threaded rod with an acorn nut on each end. It looks original, and is probably so you can adjust the tension to hold the tiller up.

Best to take it apart and see exactly where the problem lies. Punch out the tapper pin (they only come out one way: tap on the small end).

Keep us posted on your overhaul, and post some pictures in the photos section, too!

Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'