The Need for Speed

vegatern · Jul 11, 2008

Hi Victor, The top speed I ever hit was off Pigeon Point in the
afternoon, 9.5 knots with 2 reefs and a partially rolled up jib.
Is the boat still in Santa Cruz, and do you think you will get over
here to Monterey? I don't have much free time right now but if get
over here feel free to give me a call. 831-659-2661 Craig

pelagicasd · Jul 12, 2008

Hi Victor and Craig, Lyric has hit 17 knots. That was speed over ground and we were being pushed by very large following waves. Speed would drop down as the wave rolled under us and pick up again as the next one arrived. We were going under the gate on our way back from the Farallones. Favorable currents and tides can significantly add to speed over the ground. Boat speed through the water is true speed and unfortunatley GPS can't figure that one yet. Walt
PS it definetly was exciting!
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.comFrom: vegatern@...: Sat, 12 Jul 2008 04:34:18 +0000Subject: [AlbinVega] Re: The Need for Speed
Hi Victor, The top speed I ever hit was off Pigeon Point in theafternoon, 9.5 knots with 2 reefs and a partially rolled up jib. Is the boat still in Santa Cruz, and do you think you will get overhere to Monterey? I don't have much free time right now but if getover here feel free to give me a call. 831-659-2661 Craig

wxt8981 · Jul 12, 2008

Hi:
12.6 knots is an awful high speed. A GPS will tell you that speed, but that may not be the speed throuch water!
Wilhelm, V-257

SVFlyAway · Jul 12, 2008

Basically the formula is 1.34 X square root of the waterline length (in
feet). Give or take a little. That puts the Vega's top through the water at
about 6.4 kts. So if you are above that then you are surfing. Racing boats,
sleds I have raced on, can do over 20 kts surfing off wave fronts with good
chute, really good winds (30 to 40) and a good sea to surf down (takes a
really good crew and a great downwind helmsman by the way). It can get
pretty exciting when you lose it and lay the mast in the water or when a
chute explodes into shreds on a 44 footer (sounds like a canon).

From: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com [mailto:AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of walt/judy brown/allore
Sent: Saturday, July 12, 2008 12:29 PM
To: albinvega@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [AlbinVega] Re: The Need for Speed

Hi Victor and Craig, Lyric has hit 17 knots. That was speed over ground and
we were being pushed by very large following waves. Speed would drop down as
the wave rolled under us and pick up again as the next one arrived. We were
going under the gate on our way back from the Farallones. Favorable currents
and tides can significantly add to speed over the ground. Boat speed through
the water is true speed and unfortunatley GPS can't figure that one yet.
Walt
PS it definetly was exciting!

To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.comFrom mailto:AlbinVega%40yahoogroups.comFrom :
vegatern@... mailto:vegatern%40yahoo.comDate : Sat, 12 Jul 2008
04:34:18 +0000Subject: [AlbinVega] Re: The Need for Speed

Hi Victor, The top speed I ever hit was off Pigeon Point in theafternoon,
9.5 knots with 2 reefs and a partially rolled up jib. Is the boat still in
Santa Cruz, and do you think you will get overhere to Monterey? I don't have
much free time right now but if getover here feel free to give me a call.
831-659-2661 Craig

clinton_edmonds · Jul 13, 2008

I did laugh at the story of the Vega doing 50 mph!

Without surfing, the knotmeter on my Vega usually shows a top speed of around 6.5 knots which i understand is the theoretical hull speed. The wind has to be strong and slightly abaft the beam and I have to have my large genoa up - too much sail really for the conditions.

Also, over the years I have noticed that my Vega moves faster under power or sail if I make a point of having a lot of weight forward i.e. a full water tank and the the anchor and whatever canned and bottled stores I have located in the foc'sle - I rarely leave the anchor catted because it often contacts the genoa leaving marks on the sail. Have others experienced this phenomenon?

Clint,
Gladwyena V3326

wxt8981 · Jul 13, 2008

Hi:
I used to have a speedometer on my Vega; lately the cable broke one time too often, so I removed the speedometer. But that speedometer gave me the actual speed through water. I loved it: it also gave me the current by comparing with the GPS.
About going fast: I used to own a 'Flying Scot', (a 19 foot daysailer) . That boat goes up on a plane quickly, and it is really an experience when all in a sudden the speed goes up. But the Vega is a 'displacement ' boat and I question if a Vega would ever go on a plane.
Happy sailing... Wilhelm, V-257

D_Chown · Jul 13, 2008

Yes Clint I find exactly the same as you. With enough wind anywhere aft of beam the Vega planes and more easily when nose-heavy. That whooshing noise as it surfs is wonderful! I remember surfing along Loch Lochy at about 13 kt. Unfortunately I've just had 2 days of headwind and looks like 2 more to come so no surfing for me ATM.

albinvega1493 · Jul 14, 2008

Sounds like a lot of fun, surfing doing 12+. Going home tonight I
got mine just over 60 mph. (on a trailer -- hehe) Pulled it out of
the water on the trailer for the first time, works really nice.
Will post pics next time I have have a chance to take some.

Larry
"Kemanalea"
Hull 1493
Planet Earth -- CA-SF Bay????

rogerefairest · Jul 14, 2008

During Easter, we left from Faversham on the Kent coast in the Thames estuary going for our summer migration to the Isle Of White (about 145 nm), our port of call was going to be Ramsgate a healthy 35nm away.

The creek is about 4nm long, so it takes a good hr to get out of it under engine.

Once out we raised the Number 2 Jib and sailed for about 30 min, the wind was coming from the NW (port astern quarter), blowing a sollid F6 gusting F8, which made us hill at 45 degrees more than once.

We changed to a smaller sail (which felt like it was taking for ever) one size bigger than the storm jib.

This gave a lot of a better feelling and not a moment too soon, then the wind stoped gusting at F8 and just kept on blowing at F8 for about 30 min.

Any way, no idea what was the speed done but it took 3 hrs to do 35 nm (or 2 hrs to do 31 nm), the tide was with us at probably 3 knots.

The waves were constantly coming on board from astern.

The best beer I have ever had once we got to Ramsgate.

papasbackhoeinc · Jul 14, 2008

Larry,

Can you help me with trailer measurements? I am thinking of buying an old mobile home I beam trailer and modifying it. I have a quote for $4600 for an aluminum trailer but it just seems too much. I only need to tow it 150 miles to and from the texas coast. Hope you can help. Andi

albinvega1493 · Jul 14, 2008

Hey Andi,

I originally set up the trailer to haul a 32 foot Islander with a
beam of 10 ft. I got rid of the Islander, but kept the trailer, so
it is much heavier than one would need. It is about 30 feet long,
including the tongue and sits on two 6000 lb. axles. I will post
pics when I get a chance to take them. The trailer was originally
an older travel trailer. It has 5 inch channel, but a lighter
trailer would probably work as well or better. I built 8 tripod
legs -- adjustable with pads, and V guides to guide the keel (the
guides fold down for hull cleaning and painting). I also built a
wheel in front that lowers. With the wheel down, I just connect the
trailer to a long nylon strap and back it into the water. I will
try to take some pics tommorow and post tommorow night. Later.

Larry

papasbackhoeinc · Jul 20, 2008

Larry,
Thanks for the great info. Can't wait to see your pics. Thank You Andi