Well it sounds pretty unanimous. Keep the deep bilge ! I agree if one ships water, a deep bilge is an asset. I just sort of figured it had something to do with the creaking. Because the moment I took the tank out, the creaking started , but I will try stiffening up the cabin sole from below. Both my manual and electric bilge pumps go down to the bottom of the bilge. And now on to another subject. I don't recall exactly when, but some one wrote to Sid Rosen, over 10 years ago the following : " Sid, many Vega owners seem unaware that the Vega is a "Foresail" boat, and sails really well in 15 kts or more using just the jib - no main. Also the boat will "heave-to" perfectly with just the jib (working jib or smaller). You just position the clew right in front of the mast, and push the tiller to leeward. If you free the tiller a bit, the boat will sail on a beam reach at about 2 to 2 1/2 knots." I sail invariably single-handed, as my wife doesn't care to sail. And
in Force 5 winds normally sail just with the working jib up. A lot of sailors look at me , as if to say "what the hell is he doing". But it has worked for me. So far.
Last year I single-handed from the North Sea into the Baltic Sea as far as Kaliningrad, Russia, and during one stretch off the east coast of Gotland, Sweden I experienced Force 7-8 winds and she handled them like a lady. I think the Swedish Coast Guard thought I was a little crazy in this little boat and they stayed about 1000 meters off my port beam for about 4 hours till the wind and seas abated a little or they simply thought I was handling it OK, then they took off. I didn't mind the company at all. I don't have roller furling, and in heavy seas never go forward unless it is absolutely necessary. The Baltic is relatively shallow, and short steep seas build pretty fast Any thoughts on sailing the Vega (sail combinations, etc etc.) "Fair Winds and Following Seas"
sv Cin Cin, V-2184
Frank Gallardo Jr
in Force 5 winds normally sail just with the working jib up. A lot of sailors look at me , as if to say "what the hell is he doing". But it has worked for me. So far.
Last year I single-handed from the North Sea into the Baltic Sea as far as Kaliningrad, Russia, and during one stretch off the east coast of Gotland, Sweden I experienced Force 7-8 winds and she handled them like a lady. I think the Swedish Coast Guard thought I was a little crazy in this little boat and they stayed about 1000 meters off my port beam for about 4 hours till the wind and seas abated a little or they simply thought I was handling it OK, then they took off. I didn't mind the company at all. I don't have roller furling, and in heavy seas never go forward unless it is absolutely necessary. The Baltic is relatively shallow, and short steep seas build pretty fast Any thoughts on sailing the Vega (sail combinations, etc etc.) "Fair Winds and Following Seas"
sv Cin Cin, V-2184
Frank Gallardo Jr