Jim,
I can't give a comprehensive opinion because I have never used the Vega for anything except daysailing. I have stayed on it many nights, but never sailed it anywhere except San Francisco Bay in California, and Mahone Bay in Nova Scotia. Here are some of my impressions:
This is not a negative, merely an observation. Based on hull shape, and rig, I would have classed the boat as a 60s or 70s racer-cruiser type. However, the Vega is surprisingly slow. If I am not confusing it with one of my other boats,it has a PHRF rating of about 240, which is quite high for a boat that size and configuration. I have been told that it is one of the few older boats that will sail its rating. I haven't been able to, but that may be for lack of trying.I haven't made any serious effort at tuning, use roller furling rather than change headsails, have a main that had too much draft for the usual conditions on San Francisco Bay, and usually finished at or near the bottom of the fleet. I have moved up a bit in Mahone Bay, where local knowledge of currents is not as important. Although I enjoy racing the Vega, I don't think it is competitive, even with the 240 rating.
It has a comfortable motion, with less of what designers call "heave" than you might expect. When out in the Vega I feel like I am sailing a real boat; A much different feel than the Macgregor for example.
Its performance to windward is quite satisfactory,although certainly not spectacular.
Although it appears lightly built in comparison to some other boats I have sailed,, it feels sturdy,and I have never heard any creaks or groans or seen any deflections (except for the mast step which I had to repair). I wouldn't hesitate to take it offshore or cross an ocean with it.
It appears well made, with an interior that is very easy to work on.
Considering what Vega's are selling for, at least in the U.S., I think they are a terrific value.
I have heard it said that to be comfortable you need a foot of boat length for every year of your age. My only serious complaint about the Vega is that it isn't 71 feet long.
I can't give a comprehensive opinion because I have never used the Vega for anything except daysailing. I have stayed on it many nights, but never sailed it anywhere except San Francisco Bay in California, and Mahone Bay in Nova Scotia. Here are some of my impressions:
This is not a negative, merely an observation. Based on hull shape, and rig, I would have classed the boat as a 60s or 70s racer-cruiser type. However, the Vega is surprisingly slow. If I am not confusing it with one of my other boats,it has a PHRF rating of about 240, which is quite high for a boat that size and configuration. I have been told that it is one of the few older boats that will sail its rating. I haven't been able to, but that may be for lack of trying.I haven't made any serious effort at tuning, use roller furling rather than change headsails, have a main that had too much draft for the usual conditions on San Francisco Bay, and usually finished at or near the bottom of the fleet. I have moved up a bit in Mahone Bay, where local knowledge of currents is not as important. Although I enjoy racing the Vega, I don't think it is competitive, even with the 240 rating.
It has a comfortable motion, with less of what designers call "heave" than you might expect. When out in the Vega I feel like I am sailing a real boat; A much different feel than the Macgregor for example.
Its performance to windward is quite satisfactory,although certainly not spectacular.
Although it appears lightly built in comparison to some other boats I have sailed,, it feels sturdy,and I have never heard any creaks or groans or seen any deflections (except for the mast step which I had to repair). I wouldn't hesitate to take it offshore or cross an ocean with it.
It appears well made, with an interior that is very easy to work on.
Considering what Vega's are selling for, at least in the U.S., I think they are a terrific value.
I have heard it said that to be comfortable you need a foot of boat length for every year of your age. My only serious complaint about the Vega is that it isn't 71 feet long.