Who's still got their original boom?

[robwhelton]

I can't see much wrong with the idea but it will certainly be against class rules, I would think. Maybe it would get more in the way too?

Rob Whelton
V1583 'Mavanier'
Stornoway
Scotland

 

[capnscruffy]

I know what you mean about class rules, but the way it stands now the main
sheet lead from the traveller goes forward a good bit. I'm thinking of
making it more vertical by bringing the boom aft a little, but upon looking
at it today I won't gain alll that much. A friend suggested moving the
traveller forward to just aft of the companionway, but I don't like that
idea all that much. Another solution would be to move it from the
athwartship seat aft to the coaming edge. That would increase the lead, but
maybe also raise it up a little so it wouldn't be so obtrusive.

 

[tom_rutter]

The boom isn't too far away from the backstay. How much longer were you
thinking of making it?

 

[capnscruffy]

I was looking at again and there really isn\'t a lot of room - maybe another foot or so?
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

 

[Vega1447]

And if you heave up on the topping lift to lift the end of the boom as I
do a lot;

both to depower the main when about to outhaul it after putting in a reef

and also to get more cockpit headroom when lolling about drinking
cocktails after a sail -);

there is very little clearance between the end of the boom and the
backstay , maybe an inch or two.

I suspect that in this as in many other design matters, Per Brohall knew
what he was doing!

John V1447 Breakaway

 

[tom_rutter]

Well said John! I try to remind myself of this every time I think about new
rudders and junk rigs... (and, possibly, roller reefing...)

Tom

 

[capnscruffy]

Point taken guys : )
Sent on the Sprint? Now Network from my BlackBerry?

 

[dougpol1]

On 09/16/2010 08:27 AM, Tom Rutter wrote:

 

[eliassonguitars]

I could mention a few things I would have liked different, but the only major thing would be to have a seperate rudder and that tiller in another position.
Going backwards is also one of the things that I would\'ve liked different. Until now, the Vega is the worst boat I´ve tried when it comes to reversing with engine.

Anders
1118 "Yggdrasil"

 

[n3935j]

Backing down a Vega....
It has to be experienced to be believed.
A earlier suggestion to use a small electric trolling motor for a "stern
thruster" in tight situations is not a bad idea.




________________________________
From: eliassonguitars <eliassonguitars@...>
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, September 16, 2010 1:05:32 PM
Subject: [AlbinVega] Re: Who\'s still got their original boom?


I could mention a few things I would have liked different, but the only major
thing would be to have a seperate rudder and that tiller in another position.

Going backwards is also one of the things that I would\'ve liked different. Until
now, the Vega is the worst boat I´ve tried when it comes to reversing with
engine.

Anders
1118 "Yggdrasil"

 

[dougpol1]

On 09/16/2010 04:05 PM, eliassonguitars wrote:

 

[dougpol1]

In the slip I had previouse to the one I am in I tied the bow to a
pileing my wife put the engine in reverse and the propwash moving across
the top of the rudder swung the stern when the tiller was hard over. The
boat will swing around and around the pileing if there is enough room.
I then untied the bow and pushed off from there we could motor straight
out in forward. We have swung around the piling 12 to 15 knots of
cross wind. The rudder is very effective when in reverse the problem is
that the keel is cut away forward some much that the wind swings the bow
around. It is not the rudder or propller that is the problem it's the
bow. They could have fixed that with a long straight keel but then she
would have been slow in steering and hard to hold on course in a down
wind run with big following seas. The keel so far aft creates the keel
drag at the stern so she holds course better she is like an arrow with
feathers at the back end. If you put an enclosed Bimini on her she
will back better in a cross wind because she will have more windage
aft. You may well loose some sailing ability to windward. There is a
price to pay for everything. Your vega does not have a problem steeing
in revers she has a problem with the bow blowing off. Doug

\On 09/16/2010 11:31 AM, cira2eo@... wrote:

 

[tiempo2010]

Most sailboats have a problem in reverse because until you have speed on
there is no water flow over the rudder. The Vega should benefit from flow
over the rudder sooner because of its location. The trick with most
sailboats is to use enough throttle to get some speed on. Back in whichever
direction the boat likes, as you sometimes don't have much choice, and go
forward to turn. Know what your boat will do in a given situation and use it
to your advantage.

 

[tim_klynn]

Leaving the slip, my boat always backs to starboard regardless of rudder position. Is that the case with all Vegas, or do some like backing to port better? I've got the Beta w/a 3 blade fixed prop.

Before I decided that it is easiest just to go where the boat wants to, I found that the boat is light enough that I could push it off the dock and jump on at the bow as the stern heads out to port. I've also had some luck using lines to control it.

 

[dougpol1]

Tim, I seem to be able to back to port or starboard. I have the combi
drive with the variable pitch propeller. The prop comes out of the hull
on the port side. This was to compensate for propeller rotation that
tends to drive the stern to starboard in reverse. I think! With a
three bladed prop the shaft may need to com out of the hull farther to
port to compensate. I don't know this, so I am speculating here. All of
the other boats that I have owned had the prop on center in front of the
rudder and they all had a tendancy to back to port. A transmition
reverses rotation when in revers the combi unit does not. The prop
turns in the same direction in forward or reverse. The shaft being
offset to port compensates for this. If you install a transmission the
shaft should exit the hull on the starboard side to compenstae for
opposit rotation. here again I am guessing. Most diesel mechanics don't
even realize the propellar is on the port side on a Vega so have no idea
what the consiquence of installing and engine with a transmission. Of
course if you combi wears out you don't have much choice but to install
a transmition. In this case you just have to learn to compensate for
the backing to starboard. It just takes a little thinking and planning
when leaving the dock. Doug

 

[dougpol1]

It is possible that in my last post I have the backing thing exactly
backwards. It's hard to picture all this in my mind with out setting on
my boat. These are some of the limitations of getting old

Doug

 

[pjacobs55]

I find a nudge in the desired direction seems to work, either port or starboard. The boat just keeps turning that way. (Campbell Sailer 3-blade prop)

Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'

 

[emmajen5]

I have a Vega equipped with a Beta and three bladed prop and I would
say that the tendency is to starboard when going astern but it is not
very pronounced. Wind strength and direction is always the overriding
factor to consider and Doug is right, it is the relationship of the
bow to the wind that determines the outcome. As to balance, the new
prop is aligned the same as the old combi arrangement and drives the
boat straight and true going forward. I know you love that old Volvo,
Doug, but replacing it and the combi with this Beta was the best move
I ever made. Unfortunately, though, it hasn't done much to improve
the Vega's reversing behavior.

Garry
V. 2427

 

[j.hunter9999]

I love this topic! I've gone in reverse on all kinds of boats, fin keel, full keel, heavy displ, light displ, variable prop and fixed. Our little Vega makes me feel like a complete idiot every time I put her in reverse! We love her just the same!

Jack
Bella - V2620

 

[winslowbuoy]

At one of the IFR rallies in Denmark in 1992 the organisers held a manoeuvering
competion within the marina to demonstrate astern capability. The winner, a
german Vega I think, although the memory could be a bit weak on this point, took
an extra largecrew aboard his vega and carried out the whole exercise with
minimal rudder but shifting crew weight from side to side

It was great entertainment but quite thought provoking. As a sailor from the
East Coast of england whose boat lives on a bouy my marina skills are poor but
it showed that with practice it is possible to make a vega go where you want in
astern. Mind you I think my current set up of a Beta engine and a three blade
prop has helped me as I get greater initial speed astern which helps.

As others have said, the wind has a major effect with the bow falling away from
the wind (or the stern coming up into to it if you prefer ) The other thing
I've noticed is that all my best moves are carried out without witnesses but the
minute the boat has a critical audience it demonstrates its cussed
nature.

________________________________
From: j.hunter9999 j.hunter9999@...
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, 18 September, 2010 1:41:53
Subject: [AlbinVega] Re: Who's still got their original boom?


I love this topic! I've gone in reverse on all kinds of boats, fin keel, full
keel, heavy displ, light displ, variable prop and fixed. Our little Vega makes
me feel like a complete idiot every time I put her in reverse! We love her just
the same!

Jack
Bella - V2620