Re: [AlbinVega] Trailering a Vega

W

walt judy brown allore

.
Oct 30, 2019
96
hi folks, I'm seriously in the market for a trailer for Lyric. We are going
to try and get her back from Mexico this fall. Anyone knowing of a trailer
for sale in California, Oregon or Washington please get in touch. Anyone
knowing of a company that can build a suitable trailer please let me know.
Thqnks, Walt
 
C

caesarpaul01

.
Nov 25, 2010
19
Hi,
I'm new to the group, because I am considering buying a trailer-able sailboat
that can take you across the pacific, or at least up and down the west coast,
that can also be trailered, and stored at home.

I just completed my third season as a sailor, having bought used Rhodes 22. My
sailing ambition has grown between then and now. I am now dreaming of sailing
to Hawaii and back to Seattle.

What size tow truck handles the Vega and her trailer well? Any pictures of the
trailer to share? What the average price of a Vega and trailer?

Thanks for your help in exploring the possibility of trading up to the Albin
Vega.

Caesar
 
C

caesarpaul01

.
Nov 25, 2010
19
Hi Joseph,

I am in Pullman, WA; and sail on lake Coeur d elene, ID. I also do an annual
cruise to the San Juan Islands.

Tell me more about what you have in mind.

Caesar

________________________________
From: JOSEPH BERGMAN jbergman888@...
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, November 29, 2010 3:23:55 PM
Subject: [AlbinVega] Re: Trailering a Vega


Caesar,
Where are you located? I'm in San Diego and looking for a non equity partner to
share my Vega.....
 
R

rexrounds

.
Oct 30, 2019
5
Hi Ceasar, I bought a Vega about 6 years ago in Chicago. I live in Maine. I trailered her back with a 10 year old Dodge 1500 4x4. . Have trailered her many times since to the coast and back. 50 - 150 miles. I have recently purchased a larger craft and will be selling the vega and trailer. Both in fine shape. Rex

Sent from my iPhone
 
S

sailshiva

.
Jun 6, 2007
132
Caesar,
I don't know how prices on Vegas are running now, but almost two years ago, we
sold a very clean, well appointed Vega and trailer that my husband built for
$12,000. In 1988 we hauled our new-to-us Vega from Los Angeles to Hood River, OR on the
Columbia River with the homemade trailer. (My shop teacher husband built the
trailer BEFORE he'd even seen the Vega, using drawings of the Vega's hull to
construct the supports.) We had a 1977 Dodge van with a V-8 360 engine, and
automatic transmission for our haul vehicle. Several years later we pulled the boat from the Columbia to the San Juans with
the same old van. We also stored the boat on the trailer in the winter, and
used the van and homemade trailer to haul the boat where ever we wanted to take
it. We finally donated the van to public TV this past July--my husband was a
bit sentimental about parting with it, but I was happy to see it go. I'd had
one adventure too many to feel at all sad about getting rid of it.

The fellow who bought our boat & trailer did a brake job, and put new tires on
it this past summer, then towed the boat from Bellingham WA to Haines, AK, up
the notoriously rough Alaska Highway. He used a 1980-ish GM diesel 4-wheel
drive pick up truck, and made it in about 3 days without any truck or trailer
problems. :)
Sheila________________________________
From: Caesar Paul caesarpaul01@...
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, November 29, 2010 11:40:31 AM
Subject: [AlbinVega] Trailering a Vega


Hi,
I'm new to the group, because I am considering buying a trailer-able sailboat
that can take you across the pacific, or at least up and down the west coast,
that can also be trailered, and stored at home.

I just completed my third season as a sailor, having bought used Rhodes 22. My
sailing ambition has grown between then and now. I am now dreaming of sailing
to Hawaii and back to Seattle.

What size tow truck handles the Vega and her trailer well? Any pictures of the
trailer to share? What the average price of a Vega and trailer?

Thanks for your help in exploring the possibility of trading up to the Albin
Vega.

Caesar
 
S

stevebirch2002

.
Nov 8, 2001
1,818
Caesar,
I bought an Albin Vega three years ago with trailer for $10,000 and
brought her down from Oak Harbor, Washington to Las Cruces, NM
pulling her with a 1991, two wheel drive, Dodge with a 5.9 Cummins
diesel. I had no problems - it was a relatively easy 3 day drive. (I
had previously owned a Rhodes 22 when living in Missouri.)
Unfortunately , due to having to put off retirement for an extra year
and medical problems over the past two years, my boat has sat in the
sun now needing some interior cosmetic work and deck and above the
waterline hull repainting. I am contemplating selling the boat due to
sailing inexperience (I do sail as crew with a member of the Rio
Grande Sailing Club)and possibly more heart surgery. I have just
started to clean up the boat and will be requesting help from the
group relative to my intended in-cabin projects. If I do decide to
sell, either before or after working on the boat over the next four
or five months, I will be looking for another Rhodes 22. When I
bought the Albin Vega she was in pretty good condition - survey done
only found problems with hairline cracks in the leading edge of the
keel (which I have started to repair) and standing rigging backstay
swages which I had repaired prior to leaving Oak Harbor. Based upon
the current economy I think that I could have bought the boat for
less than I paid. I had bought her at that time due to the
availability of the trailer with the boat which I guessed at the time
would have cost $2,500 to $3,000. Used trailers do not seem to be
easily come by!!
Good luck in your search - after doing a lot of reading relative to
my specific needs the Albin Vega was my choice of the perfect boat.
Peter
 
T

tim_klynn

.
Feb 12, 2008
337
I bought a trailer that was from a Norsea 27 and modified to fit the Vega (using the hull drawings) before I bought the boat. The trailer weighs about 2000 lbs and the boat about 5100 lbs so you need a vehicle that will tow at least 7000 lbs as a minimum.

I towed the Vega from New York to Colorado through the mountains of Pennsylvania with an old 93 F250 turbo diesel. I didn't have any problems. A few times, I slowed down to 50 or so going up the steepest grades to avoid running too hot. Since then, I've increased the boost a bit and don't have much problem running hot. Good trailer brakes are key for the downhills, although I found I actually had to step on the accelerator to maintain speed on many downhills, probably because of wind drag on the boat.

I expect that if I pull the boat up to Lake Dillon this summer through Eisenhower tunnel (elev. 11000ft) the old truck will be working pretty hard, but for the usual towing from the lake to winter storage it works fine.
 
T

tim_klynn

.
Feb 12, 2008
337
80ish GM diesels weren't turboed and are among the most gutless of diesel trucks, so if a guy can pull a Vega to AK with one anything that is rated to tow 7000 lbs + can probably work as a tow vehicle.

You can probably find info on the towing capacity of whatever vehicle you are considering w/a quick google search. From the looks of it a 2010 F150 can probably tow the Vega:

Be aware that vehicles with higher numbers for the rear axle ratio get worse fuel mileage....
 
C

caesarpaul01

.
Nov 25, 2010
19
Sheial,
Thanks for your quick response.

Sorry I did not know about the Vega two years ago, and my entry into sail boat
ownership was timid or cautious. With a bit of sailing under my belt I am
becoming more adventurous.

It's good to know that if I sell my Rhodes I can replace it with a Vega with
regard to pricing. You guys did some major towing and its reassuring to know
that it can be done with ease.

Another concern for a sailor who trailers his or her boat is ease of rigging the
boat for launching, de-rigging for the drive back home. How difficult is it to
hoist the mast when rigging and how much time does it take to set it up for
sailing?

I appreciate the information.

Caesar

________________________________
From: Sheial Gaquin sailshiva@...
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, November 29, 2010 7:57:06 PM
Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Trailering a Vega


Caesar,
I don't know how prices on Vegas are running now, but almost two years ago, we
sold a very clean, well appointed Vega and trailer that my husband built for
$12,000.

In 1988 we hauled our new-to-us Vega from Los Angeles to Hood River, OR on the
Columbia River with the homemade trailer. (My shop teacher husband built the
trailer BEFORE he'd even seen the Vega, using drawings of the Vega's hull to
construct the supports.) We had a 1977 Dodge van with a V-8 360 engine, and
automatic transmission for our haul vehicle.

Several years later we pulled the boat from the Columbia to the San Juans with
the same old van. We also stored the boat on the trailer in the winter, and
used the van and homemade trailer to haul the boat where ever we wanted to take
it. We finally donated the van to public TV this past July--my husband was a
bit sentimental about parting with it, but I was happy to see it go. I'd had
one adventure too many to feel at all sad about getting rid of it.

The fellow who bought our boat & trailer did a brake job, and put new tires on
it this past summer, then towed the boat from Bellingham WA to Haines, AK, up
the notoriously rough Alaska Highway. He used a 1980-ish GM diesel 4-wheel
drive pick up truck, and made it in about 3 days without any truck or trailer
problems. :)
Sheila

________________________________
From: Caesar Paul caesarpaul01@...
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, November 29, 2010 11:40:31 AM
Subject: [AlbinVega] Trailering a Vega

Hi,
I'm new to the group, because I am considering buying a trailer-able sailboat
that can take you across the pacific, or at least up and down the west coast,
that can also be trailered, and stored at home.

I just completed my third season as a sailor, having bought used Rhodes 22. My
sailing ambition has grown between then and now. I am now dreaming of sailing
to Hawaii and back to Seattle.

What size tow truck handles the Vega and her trailer well? Any pictures of the
trailer to share? What the average price of a Vega and trailer?

Thanks for your help in exploring the possibility of trading up to the Albin
Vega.

Caesar
 
C

caesarpaul01

.
Nov 25, 2010
19
Tim,
I am presenting driving an o4 Chevy Suburban, which I think can do the job.
Thanks for the "heads up" on the rear axle ratio and its impact on fuel
consumption.
Caesar
________________________________
From: Tim Klynn tim_klynn@...
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, November 29, 2010 9:32:23 PM
Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Trailering a Vega


80ish GM diesels weren't turboed and are among the most gutless of diesel
trucks, so if a guy can pull a Vega to AK with one anything that is rated to tow
7000 lbs + can probably work as a tow vehicle.

You can probably find info on the towing capacity of whatever vehicle you are
considering w/a quick google search. From the looks of it a 2010 F150 can
probably tow the Vega:

Be aware that vehicles with higher numbers for the rear axle ratio get worse
fuel mileage....
 
C

caesarpaul01

.
Nov 25, 2010
19
Tim,

I think a Diesel would be my next vehicle, but presently it sounds like my
suburban could do it.
The Norsea is about 3000 lbs heavier than the Vega, so you have a lot of extra
capacity in that trailer which is a good thing.

How difficult is it to launch the vega from a ramp? I have only seen crane
launching pictures on your site.

Caesar

________________________________
From: Tim Klynn tim_klynn@...
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, November 29, 2010 9:24:34 PM
Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Trailering a Vega


I bought a trailer that was from a Norsea 27 and modified to fit the Vega (using
the hull drawings) before I bought the boat. The trailer weighs about 2000 lbs
and the boat about 5100 lbs so you need a vehicle that will tow at least 7000
lbs as a minimum.

I towed the Vega from New York to Colorado through the mountains of Pennsylvania
with an old 93 F250 turbo diesel. I didn't have any problems. A few times, I
slowed down to 50 or so going up the steepest grades to avoid running too hot.
Since then, I've increased the boost a bit and don't have much problem running
hot. Good trailer brakes are key for the downhills, although I found I actually
had to step on the accelerator to maintain speed on many downhills, probably
because of wind drag on the boat.

I expect that if I pull the boat up to Lake Dillon this summer through
Eisenhower tunnel (elev. 11000ft) the old truck will be working pretty hard, but
for the usual towing from the lake to winter storage it works fine.
 
C

caesarpaul01

.
Nov 25, 2010
19
Peter,

A picture is worth a thousand words they say. Cool picture! Is that the
original trailer, or was it modified by you.?
I am curious about launching the Vega via a ramp. I sail on the southern end of
lake Coeu'r d alene, and use a ramp for launching. How easy is it to launch
from a ramp? Is there an extension bar on the trailer for ramp launching?

Thanks for taking the time to help.

Caesar

________________________________
From: Peter peter@...
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, November 29, 2010 10:30:12 PM
Subject: [AlbinVega] Re: Trailering a Vega


Caesar,
For towing, a turbo Diesel is a good way to go. I've towed my Vega short
distances, using a '98 Dodge Ram 2 wheel drive 5 speed tubo Diesel .... lots of
power :)

Picture:

Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'
 
T

tim_klynn

.
Feb 12, 2008
337
Launching is not too big of a deal. We ended up using about 30' of strap connected to the trailer to launch and about 50' to retrieve it (the ramp slope was shallower at lower lake water levels). The launching drill is: back the trailer and boat down the ramp. Block the trailer tires with sturdy chocks, disconnect the trailer from the truck, attach the strap to the truck and trailerr, drop the trailer launch wheel, lower the trailer onto the launch wheel, drive the truck up the ramp to take up slack in the strap, pull the trailer wheel chocks, back the trailer out into the lake, when the boat floats off, disconnect the bow from the trailer. Pulling the boat is pretty much the reverse.

There are probably a lot of posts on unstepping the mast w/gin poles etc.

At my local lake, there is a gallows crane that make unstepping easy. I disconnect the electrical from the mast base (inside the forepeak), attach a loop from the overhead crane and pull it up snug under the spreaders. Pull the cotters on the standing rigging, remove the boom, vang etc.,. I take some of the mast weight off the deck, disconnect the standing rigging and lower the mast onto some plywood boxes that support it above the deck. I support the roller furling extrusion by taping/lashing it to the mast and a piece of wood that extends past the base of the mast (the extrusion is longer than the mast).

If there are a lot of other boats that will want to use the crane the day I do, I do as much prep as possible (ie pull cotters and replace them with soft tie wire) so when I pull under the crane I can just pull the turnbuckle pins and drop the mast.

I am going to add a bow eye to the Vega to make pulling the boat easier. I had some problems with the front of the keel hitting the trailer first (at the trailer keel bunk) and when I pulled out of the water, as the rear of the keel dropped down onto the trailer, the entire boat would move back on the trailer a few inches, and not stay tight in the trailer bow blocks. I think if I put in a boweye in line with the trailer winch, it will help keep the boat forward as the trailer is pulled out. I may also try putting some slippery material under the spot on the trailer keel bunk where the boat keel first hits (to allow the boat to rotate on this point as the trailer is pulled up the ramp).
 
S

stevebirch2002

.
Nov 8, 2001
1,818
I sent this response yesterday but it does not seem to have gone
through.
Peter

Caesar,
I bought an Albin Vega three years ago with trailer for $10,000 and
brought her down from Oak Harbor, Washington to Las Cruces, NM
pulling her with a 1991, two wheel drive, Dodge with a 5.9 Cummins
diesel. I had no problems - it was a relatively easy 3 day drive. (I
had previously owned a Rhodes 22 when living in Missouri.)
Unfortunately , due to having to put off retirement for an extra year
and medical problems over the past two years, my boat has sat in the
sun now needing some interior cosmetic work and deck and above the
waterline hull repainting. I am contemplating selling the boat due to
sailing inexperience (I do sail as crew with a member of the Rio
Grande Sailing Club)and possibly more heart surgery. I have just
started to clean up the boat and will be requesting help from the
group relative to my intended in-cabin projects. If I do decide to
sell, either before or after working on the boat over the next four
or five months, I will be looking for another Rhodes 22. When I
bought the Albin Vega she was in pretty good condition - survey done
only found problems with hairline cracks in the leading edge of the
keel (which I have started to repair) and standing rigging backstay
swages which I had repaired prior to leaving Oak Harbor. Based upon
the current economy I think that I could have bought the boat for
less than I paid. I had bought her at that time due to the
availability of the trailer with the boat which I guessed at the time
would have cost $2,500 to $3,000. Used trailers do not seem to be
easily come by!!
Good luck in your search - after doing a lot of reading relative to
my specific needs the Albin Vega was my choice of the perfect boat.
Peter
 
C

caesarpaul01

.
Nov 25, 2010
19
Hi Peter,

Could you send me some pictures of your vega?

Have you derigged and rigged the vega. How difficult and how long does it take
to rigged the boat and ready it for sail?

What mechanism do the Albin Vega owners use to stepp and destep the mast?

Sounds like a great boat.

Great to learn that you are familiar with the Rhodes. I have a 1986 that was
reconditioined by the manufacturer in 2008. My sailing ambition has outgrown
the Rhodes.

Caesar

________________________________
From: Peter Maud pjmaud@...
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, November 30, 2010 8:45:06 PM
Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Trailering a Vega


I sent this response yesterday but it does not seem to have gone
through.
Peter

Caesar,
I bought an Albin Vega three years ago with trailer for $10,000 and
brought her down from Oak Harbor, Washington to Las Cruces, NM
pulling her with a 1991, two wheel drive, Dodge with a 5.9 Cummins
diesel. I had no problems - it was a relatively easy 3 day drive. (I
had previously owned a Rhodes 22 when living in Missouri.)
Unfortunately , due to having to put off retirement for an extra year
and medical problems over the past two years, my boat has sat in the
sun now needing some interior cosmetic work and deck and above the
waterline hull repainting. I am contemplating selling the boat due to
sailing inexperience (I do sail as crew with a member of the Rio
Grande Sailing Club)and possibly more heart surgery. I have just
started to clean up the boat and will be requesting help from the
group relative to my intended in-cabin projects. If I do decide to
sell, either before or after working on the boat over the next four
or five months, I will be looking for another Rhodes 22. When I
bought the Albin Vega she was in pretty good condition - survey done
only found problems with hairline cracks in the leading edge of the
keel (which I have started to repair) and standing rigging backstay
swages which I had repaired prior to leaving Oak Harbor. Based upon
the current economy I think that I could have bought the boat for
less than I paid. I had bought her at that time due to the
availability of the trailer with the boat which I guessed at the time
would have cost $2,500 to $3,000. Used trailers do not seem to be
easily come by!!
Good luck in your search - after doing a lot of reading relative to
my specific needs the Albin Vega was my choice of the perfect boat.
Peter
 
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