Tender

mocap1 · May 17, 2003

The Vega can be transported by trailer, but I would not consider it a
trailer boat. It requires a fairly heavy tow vehicle, as the total weight,
boat and trailer is over 6,000 lbs, and, because of its deep keel, it sits
too high to be launched off the trailer. It has to be launched using a crane
or travel lift. I suppose it could be launched from the trailer if a
suitably deep ramp could be found, by using a block and tackle between the
trailer and tow vehicle, but it isn't something I would consider except in
an emergency. Getting it back on the trailer would be even more difficult.

I also have a trailerable saiboat, a MacGregor 25,which has a swing keel,
but I wouldn't take it offshore, the way I would the Vega.

Mort

wxt8981 · May 17, 2003

Hi Phil;
I guess you reside in the USA; my answers to your questions reflect that
fact.
There is room to carry a tender (like the Walker Bay 8) on the foredeck, but
it makes handling the jib cumbersome.
You can carry a (like West Marine) 8 to 10 foot inflatable inside (in
the fortriangle).
I personaly have such an inflatable (with hard floor and a 3.5 hp
outboard), though
I prefer a hard shell, but one that is self-bailing (Walker Bay isn't!).
Inflatables don't
trail good and there's always the chance some one will through a
cigarette put and burn
a hole.
While cruising, I trail my tender (and there self-bailing is important,
unless you don't mind
logging a ton of water behind your boat).
As to launching and trailering- I wouldn't do it! The Vega isn't a
day-sailer; she's more
like a 'real' boat... and not a day sailer you take to a marina and
launch her for a day of
sailing.
Wilhelm, V 257

Phil Gerber wrote:

nptventure · May 17, 2003

Hi Mort, I also hve a MacGregor, Venture of Newport 23 foot.
Phil

tjelle1946 · May 17, 2003

Phil and Mort--I too have a Mcgregor 26x avec a 9.8 nissan--it is great for lakes and sheltered water easy to move etc--I will be selling to obtain a fixed keel for retirement--cruising the west coast of BC --jorgen

mocap1 · May 17, 2003

Is that Baja California or British Columbia? I now sail the opposite coast,
Nova Scotia, or I will as soon as the tempertures get out of the 40s.

Mort

pelagicasd · May 17, 2003

Hi Phil, In regards to tenders. I recomend inflatables with inflatable
floors. We have a Bombard 9.5 ft with an inflatable floor and it worked well
in most respects. Light weight and could be completly inflated or deflated
on the foredeck. With a piece of PVC pipe as an extension for the Nissan
3.5hp it would plane with me aboard if I kept my weight forward. We towed it
a lot and had few problems. We did have it flip once while being towed and
twice in high winds while tied to the stern at anchor. The Nissan was pretty
easy to get going again after being underwater. We could fit it on the
foredeck if need be but there wasn't much room for sail work or anchoring
with it there. Our rule of thumb was tow it for a few miles, foredeck for
more than a few miles and if it was going to be an overnighter or off shore,
deflated and lashed to the cabin top. We also started had a Sportyak. Double
walled, hard plastic, looked kind of like a cross between an El Toro and a
life raft. It was okay but we were over "tendered" and wound up selling it.
Now that I've said how well the Bombard/Nissan worked I'll tell you why I
wouldn't recomend them. We did need parts for the Nissan and they were
impossible to find in Mexico. If they are available where you are go for it.
Carry an extra prop or two as well as a few extra key lanyards. Use the
lanyards, The 3.5 has an integral tank and after rowing home a couple of
times I started carrying a disposable litre drink bottle of gas as a backup.
That stayed in the cockpit at night and was also a defensive measure.
Firearms were not advised in Mexico. Get caught with one and instant jail.
Being attacked by criminals in a small boat is a rarity. Had it happened
they would have found the gas in there boat and on them followed by a 25mm
flare. Probably not legal to do but definitley legal to carry. The Bombard
is a PVC boat and didn't hold up well in the sun. We also had problems with
the floor seam seperating from the tubes. Next time I'd go with an all
hypalon boat and the only one I know of being currently made is by Achilles.
We did have a problem with someone throwing a cigarette overboard and
landing on our floor. It eas an easy fix. We also had friends with the
smallest model of the Achilles and in my opinion it was a bit two small. A
few last thoughts. Keep the pump and the oars stowed with the dinghy at all
times. A few thaoughts towards a minimal survival kit that would also live
in the dinghy should be some hooks, line, bait, flashlight, mirror,
skyblazer type flares, space blanket, water, candy or granola bars, etc.
Alot of the smaller outboards are 2 cycle and they are becoming
enviromentaly incorrect in a lot of places. A 5 or 6 hp 4 stroke weighs more
but gets better fuel economy and could get you back to your boat faster in a
time of need. Devise a lifting harness to hoist the boat out of the water at
night, We used the main halyard. All for now, dinner is ready. Walt Lyric #
120

nptventure · May 18, 2003

Thanks Walt that is an informative response, and I appreciate the
information and the effort.

Phil

breeen2001 · May 18, 2003

Hi Phil,
This time last year, I took delivery of 'Goodwinds' V1395 at Gostport, Portsmouth Harbour, England and with one crew person on each leg of the journey, we sailed the boat to it's new home in Galway, West of Ireland. The journey took eight days including one overnight leg. We carried an 8 foot inflatable tender, deflated and lashed to the handrails just forward of the mast. Once I had The Vega secured on it's swinging mooring in Galway I got to work on a trailer. As 'Goodwinds' was kept afloat all year around in Gosport, it did not have any wintering equipment. In Galway winter afloat insurance is not available. My options were beaching legs, a cradle or a trailer. I had the trailer built on two transit van front axils without brakes or suspensions at a total cost of just under ? 1,000. In the past, I towed a boat somewhat heavier than the vega over 150 miles at 10 mph with this type of trailer, using a four wheal drive vehicle. If all you require is to keep your boat near home for the winter and you do not live too far from your launch point then the trailer is the option. You will require a minimum tide rise and fall of seven or eight feet. - Original Message