RE: [AlbinVega] Digest Number 1216

[Robert Gainer]

Dan,
I have been Trans-Atlantic in a Vega. It?s a great boat and I would do it
again on that boat in a heartbeat. Of all the crossing I have done it was
one of the dullest, and they say a dull trip is the hallmark of a good trip.
The one I went across in was at the time newer and needed less in the way of
work before the trip. The only things I changed were the spreader bases and
some of the standing rigging. I added a Areis wind-vane and she did very
well with that. I have heard that the mast step on the boats need some work,
but it seem to be minor. The lack of inboard would not bother me. I sailed
many times with no engine or a small engine on board. My first
Trans-Atlantic was with no engine at all, just sweeps on board. If I were to
go with just an outboard I think I would use a British Seagull engine. This
list is a great source of information and the location for parts.
All the best,
Robert Gainer

 

[me262again]

Thanks for the info!

What navigational electronics do you recommend? This boat has no electronics whatsoever. It does have roller furling jib, and from what I have read, the boom rolls as well???? I eventually want to go to Central America. This boat is a little cramped, but for a 1 or 2 man crew it should suffice. If I can get this boat for $2K, do you think a $450.00 + haul out survey is worth it???

Dan

 

[s_demont]

Dan,

See if you can get a hold of the book, "The Log of the Mahina," by John Neal. It's the log of his South Pacific adventure on a Vega that he did in 1974. It will give you some really good insights into the sailing characteristics and qualities of the Vega. It's also a good read.

I've had my Vega, Erendira (#2947) since 1997. Although I haven't crossed an ocean in it, I've taken it outside the Golden Gate a few times, and it's a joy to sail, especially single-handed.

It sounds like the boat you're looking at has been fairly well maintained. If so, great! When I bought mine, I replaced the diesel and drive line, the sails, the rigging, vents, fuel tank, seacocks, the brightwork in the cockpit (teak plywood to solid mahogony), stove, head. Sounds expensive, and it was. But it was a labor of love. I can't count how times I've considered selling Erendira, and buying a bigger boat, and then deciding not to based on how much time and money I've put into this boat to make it turn-key. She handles well and is inexpensive to maintain compared to larger boats. I've kept all her systems simple. She's a comfortable-enough boat for her size.

Good luck,
Steve DeMont
"Erendira"
Vega #2947
Seattle, WA


me262@... wrote:
Thanks for the info!

What navigational electronics do you recommend? This boat has no electronics whatsoever. It does have roller furling jib, and from what I have read, the boom rolls as well???? I eventually want to go to Central America. This boat is a little cramped, but for a 1 or 2 man crew it should suffice. If I can get this boat for $2K, do you think a $450.00 + haul out survey is worth it???

Dan

 

[robertgainer]

Dan,
I may not be the best one to recommend electronics for a boat. I
still only use a sextant, taffrail log and 56 hour chronometer. I
use H.O. 211 to do the sight reduction most of the time. I keep
intending to get a GPS one day, they are terrific.

I have delivered or been sailing Master on boats that had SSB, VHF,
RADAR, knot meter, LORAN, wind speed and wind direction instruments
on board. The SSB, VHF and a GPS are the only ones that I would be
tempted to buy for my boat if I were to upgrade. If I had extra
money I would add the wind speed/direction and a knot meter to the
list.

I don't know if a survey is worth 450 dollars for you. I would
not
get one, but I would start out by having some idea of what I would
be replacing or repairing. If you are not sure of what you need to
due to get the boat ready for a trip offshore the survey might be
worth it if the man could tell you up front that he is going to make
recommendations about using her for offshore work. It might be best
if you could just get an experienced friend to look her over and
work with you to develop a list of what needs to be done to get her
ready.
Good luck with your trip and all the best,
Robert Gainer

 

[vega1860]

Hi Robert,

I didn't mention a sextant because I paid more for my sextant and tables than I did for my two GPS units (And its a plastic sextant at that). Personally I find the sextant so difficult to use on a boat the size of the Vega that if one doesn't already have a preference for it and know how to use one, I'd have to recommend GPS and a backup unit or two. Especially considering the price of a good sextant relative to a GPS nowadays. A Davis Mark 25 plastic sextant runs $219.99 at West Marine while a Garmin eTrek GPS unit is only $99.95.

OTOH I have a definite preference for paper charts over the electronic displays. VHF I consider a necessity but SSB I can do without.

"Fair Winds"

Chuck

"robertgainer" robert_gainer@... wrote:

 

[elrond8177]

Hi Robert & Dan,
Had to put in my 2 cents here. We bought our Vega 3
years ago and it was our first boat. The individual I
bought it from was a close friend, a neighbor for 10
years and also the manager of a local marine service
company in the Houston area. To be sure there were no
hidden problems and to ensure we stayed friends for
the next 10 years he insisted that I have it surveyed.
The survey cost me $350 and was worth every penny. The
results came with a CD full of pictures of parts of
the boat that I haven't even gotten to yet. Every
loose, missing or corroded piece of hardware was
documented and all equipment needed by Coast Guard
standards and common sense safety practices were
either inspected or noted as needed. (NOTE: If you do
survey the boat leave everything on board. That will
keep the surveyer from writting up missing safety
equipment.) He also went inch by inch over the entire
deck and hull to check for integrity. In the end I
also received an evaluation that told me I was
probably buying the vessel for less than 50 cents on
the dollar which made the decision a lot easier for
us. I would shop around and seek advise on selection
of a surveyer. The more expensive one is not always
the best choice.
As far as equipment first is a depth meter. When I
had the boat hauled out for the inspection we had some
work done by prior arrangement and a new thru hull
transducer was installed for a large display depth
meter. In my area this is essential. Although not part
of the electronics, a deck mounted compass is just as
important. Next for me would be a GPS. I have a Garmin
176C. It has a plug in map for most of the Gulf Coast
area. It'll not only tell you where you are but give
you direction when you are moving, straight line speed
and it will help you navigate in a dozen different
ways. Earlier this year we attended the Galveston
rendezvous and traveled most of Friday during the
night to get there. There was heavy surf and gusty
head winds making navigating the ship channels very
difficult. The GPS was 'priceless'.
Although this list may not be in order of importance
a good VHF radio is very necessary. It need not be an
expensive model. Just be sure the antenna system is
properly installed.
For the Vega I'd advise against a radar. I have one
but never use it since it will drain your batteries in
a heartbeat.
My personal wish list consists of a wind speed and
direction set up and a tiller pilot. I want to get
good enough to one-hand my Vega and the convenience of
the tiller pilot would certainly help.
Hope all this helps.
John Devany
Southern Comfort Too

 

[me262again]

Thanks for the advice gang! All I know is that I have been looking
at boats for almost 2 years now trying to find the right one. I
think I have. Now....it's time to load it up and get outta here!!!!
I really don't want to put it off any longer.