Vega Sailing Characteristics

Oct 30, 2019
1,021
Hi all,

Vegas are an interesting boat. The other day I was at Svenson's changelry in
Alameda Marina picking up some lube. At the counter, I inquired about the
price of having my Vega (2947), "Erendira," painted. He gave me Svenson's
standard prices, and asked what kind of boat I had. I told him. It's funny,
just before you tell someone about your boat, you stand all straight and
proud: "It's an Albin Vega."

Everybody else has a "big this" or "big that" or the "big ten-inch." So you
look proud: "It's an Albin Vega." Once in awhile you get someone who
says:"Back in the seventies, those boats were all over the South Pacific.
Sturdy boat. Those things will go anywhere," or, like the guy behind the
counter blurted out: "Loyds of London." That's the first I've heard someone
say that. I've never come across that in anything I've ever read about the
Vega. Whether or not this is true, I think that this little 27-foot boat
left it's mark on a lot of sailors. I feel like I own a classic, something
like the little Porshe 356 that you resotred in your garage; it might not be
fast, but it's built well. And she handles like a dream.

I was lying in bed this morning, staring at the ceiling, thinking about how
I want to sail her tomorrow. On 20 to 25-knot days, I start off with a
double reefed main and a full 110. She clips right along, balanced out real
nice. Not too much weather in the hem. Some people like sailing a boat on
it's ear. I don't think the Vega was meant to be sailed that way. I'm
beginning to see how a well balances boat performs better than as if it's
being raped, stressed, and overpowered. This really makes wonder about what
someone once told me that if the Vega is properly balanced, it will sail
herself.

Any of you out there ever heard or accomplished this?

Steve DeMont
Technical Writer
408.275.1080 hm. office
408.275.1843 fax
sdemont@...
 
May 9, 2011
1,000
Hi Mort,

Thanks for the tip. As for the 022, sorry. I had an MD6, which I replaced
with a Yanmar. But I was looking for a mechanic for the Combi before I
replaced the Volvo, and found it almost impossible to find a mechanic that
would work on one. The Albin and the Combi are real downside out here.

steve
 
May 9, 2011
1,000
Hi Steve, Yes the Vega sails well as I had just came across Lake Ontario
after a 2 day blow, from Main Duck Island to Sodus USA. After sitting in the
small harbor for 2 days and the weather forecast for 3 more days of dirty
stuff. I had deceided to leave with 25 to 30 Knots and winds out of the NW
with a slight clearing that day. Anyway I didn't break any records going
across the Lake. With waves of 8 ft to 10 ft. (my estimate) it was a wet ride
to say the least. Wave tops were curling and breaking and water was breaking
over the bow as I made the passage across the Lake. Running a standard Jib
and reefed mainsail the Vega proved it's worth. She handled the conditions
well, but not me as I got a bath from the crashing waves over the bow,
eventhough I had a doger mounted on the campanionway. I had to change to dry
clothes half way through the run across. Maybe I was pressing the ole girl
(Remedy) too much as I seen 7 to 8 Knots constantly. My Remedy (Vega) is way
past her prime as she is way past the voting age here in the USA. After close
reaching for most of the day I obtained my objective. Sodus Bay. After
comparing some of the other conditions I had sailed the Vega in. All I can
say is the Vega is one hell of a boat. Walt Remedy Vega 161
 
May 9, 2011
1,000
Hi
Yvonne,

It was
great hearing from you. I always get excited about hearing from people in
Europe. I'm planning a cruise there in two to three years, as soon as I get
enough money in the bank.

Yes,
the Vega is very well built. She's very fast downwind. Although I don't have a
spinnaker, I run Erendira wing-on-wing, and she moves quite well. My knot meter
is broke, something I'll have to get fixed next year when I haul her out, so I'm
not sure how fast she's going.

I
agree. Per Brohall was a genius. How is the sailing on the North Sea? I saw a
television show, highlighting Denmark. It looked like a really magical place to
sail.

And
yes, I'd like to know more about "Kring van Vega-zeilers."

Ciao,
Steve
DeMont
Erendira (2947)
 
May 9, 2011
1,000
Hi Walt,

Yep. I was thinking about tradin' up to a Contessa 32 or Valiant 40 in a few
years, just to have a little more room. But why? The Vega is a dream. It
would be nice to have more room on an extended cruise. But the Vega doesn't
require a lot in maintenance costs. I've kept my systems simple. They're
easy to repair, and don't cost an arm and a leg. This boat really has it
all. Bigger isn't always better. The Vega will take you anywhere, and more
so than larger boats with deeper drafts.

It would be nice to meet a woman who can live in small spaces.

Steve DeMont
Erendira (2947)
 
May 9, 2011
1,000
Hi Hank,

Roller furlers are definitely a plus. This winter I'll be running my
halyards and reefing line into the cockpit. I want to start single-handing
next year. I'm getting too dependent on crew.

Keeping the hull flat is key to performance. The main looks nice when fully
hoisted. But it doesn't do much for performance when the boat is on it ear.
Too much latteral movement.

Anyway, I'm really enjoying her.

Chat with you soon,
Steev
 
May 9, 2011
1,000
Dear Steve,
With great pleasure we read your message. You are right: the
Vega is a very interesting boat. And ours (Ahalani, V 3334) still intrigues
and amazes us, although we own her already eleven years. 
 
Although we did not "raped, stressed or overpowered" her, once
she sailed 12 knots over the ground.
We started sailing under spinnaker with 2 knots over the
ground. Slowly the wind increased wich we did not mentioned, but we were
astonished that people, coming high on the wind, all had reefed their
mainsail. We looked on the GPS and we were very frightened to see the speed
running up to 12 knots. But she kept dancing on the waves without any damage and
we could handle her without any problem with two people on board. 

This happened on the IJsselmeer.
 
Another time we had to beat up against the wind (5 beaufort)
before the coast of Belgium, from Oostende to Nieuwpoort (8 miles against a
tide of 4 knots). We had the standard foresail and two reefes in the main. She
did it and we were broken! 
 
In the eleven years we are dealing with her now we sailed
to the Isle of Wight (2 times), Denmark, German Bight, Helgoland, Belgium and
France. And the lady did it, she never failed.
 
We agree: the Vega is a "reliable, beautifull, small
jewel", thanks to Per Brohäll.
 
If you like to know more about our Dutch \'Kring van
Vega-zeilers\', please let us know. We are very happy with this way of
communication about the Vega, all over the world.
 
Ciao,
Yvonne Barnasconi and Hartmut Hinkel
\'Ahalani\', V 3334.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In our Dutch Vega association we have first owners of the Vega
since 25 years. The oldest Vega in number is 110, the youngest is number 3384.
In the Dutch organisation (called: Kring van Vega-zeilers) there are about 250
members.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
May 9, 2011
1,000
Dear Steve,

Here in The Netherlands its the same. People who know about sailing, say
admiringly:
Ah do you own a Vega? Thats a fast boat and a very comfortable one too.

I have been invoved in regattas with other Vegas for many years and the guys
who knew more about racing than I , always said donot use too much sail.
If you use too much sail the Vega looses speed because the wind cannot
catch a sail which is low over the choppy waters.

Today this have become a lot easier with a roller jib. Before owning one , I
had to go to the front and change jibs , loosing precious minutes. Still
the real racing people donot like roller jibs.

Keep her going!
Regards,

Henk Jansen