Albin Vega but bigger??

[Lanny]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and am looking for a bit of advice for buying a sailing yacht. I've been having a look at Albin Vega's and have the impression that these are great value for money as well as being solid for offshore sailing (we plan on doing a fair bit of this). Another thing that we liked with the Vega is that there seems to be, for want of a better term, a classic car-style scene around these older boats. The ones we have seen are well taken care of, refurbished often with new engine installed. What we're worried about is that the Vega might be slightly small for our needs as we had originally planned to buy something between 30-33 ft. As we're new to the British boat market we were wondering if anyone could recommend a boat with a similar profile to the Albin Vega but just slightly bigger? I'm aware that Albin produced larger boats but I haven't found too many for sale and they don't seem to have the same reputation as the Vega. Is there anything else that you folks could recommend?

Any advice much appreciated!

Lanny

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

Albin made a 30ft. Ballad. Fast good mannered sea boat. Make sure you have a thorough survey though; there can be issues with mild steel strengtheners for the mast step

 

[Avocet]

I think a Nicholson 32 might have very similar virtues to the Vega (and more space)?

 

[Tranona]

If you are thinking long keel, heavy displacement "traditional" style boats there is a huge potential choice. Vancouver 27 and 32, Twister 28, Halmatic/Barbican 30, Nicholson 31 and 32, Rustler 31, Victoria 30 just off the top of my head. No doubt others can quickly add to the list. All of these have enthusiastic fans, but most being 30 or more years old they are very variable in condition so you will need to look at a lot of boats to get a fix on which are good buys for you.

 

[Hial]

The Vega is such a good overall package for around 8k that you would need to spend over double that to get a significant increase in space.

 

[scottie]

Albin Cumulus if you can find one
28ft lovely boat yanmar engine most likely to need replacement though

 

[chinita]

Nice Ballad here in Lagos:

http://www.bluewateralgarve.com/use...el/listing/pl_boat_detail.jsp&boat_id=2679968

 

[JumbleDuck]

If you are thinking long keel, heavy displacement "traditional" style boats there is a huge potential choice. Vancouver 27 and 32, Twister 28, Halmatic/Barbican 30, Nicholson 31 and 32, Rustler 31, Victoria 30 just off the top of my head. No doubt others can quickly add to the list. ...

Victoria 34? Lovely boats, beautifully built, but still awful expensive.

 

[Kelpie]

Now that I've moved up to a bigger boat, I realise just what a good package the vega is. For example the berths are actually larger than in my new boat, making them more usable, even though technically my new boat three berths extra. Also quite forgiving to sail- our new boat is proving quite sensitive to trim, so it'll take a while for us to get the best out of her.

Would a Rival perhaps be a good step up? Poorer SA/Disp ratio but longer waterline.

Or you could just buy my Vega!

 

[Deleted member 36384]

A selection of Rivals that are for sale on the Rival Owners Association web site [link below]. The 32, 34 would suit your needs and fits the profile. Some good examples here at very reasonable prices. They are solid boats, sail well, will look after you and have Ocean crossing pedigree as well. Also a good owners association and that 'classic car' style of sailing that some like. The web site is worth reading if this class is of interest to you, old brochures, drawings, pictures are all there to help you decide.

Food for thought!

http://www.rivalowners.org.uk/noticeboard/forsale/forsale.htm

 

[Kylora]

Just noticed an Albin Ballad has just been listed for sale here at Kip.

Ash

 

[Lanny]

Wow! Lot's to get my teeth into there. Thanks a lot for all of the responses

Cheers!

L

 

[jerrytug]

Could you settle for a design with the rudder aft of the propellor, you will struggle otherwise.

 

[Topcat47]

Not sure if I've ever seen a boat with a rudder in front of the propellor.

 

[Tranona]

Not sure if I've ever seen a boat with a rudder in front of the propellor.

Not uncommon in the 60's and 70's. Albin Vega is the best known example. All before the days of marinas!

 

[Kylora]

Not sure if I've ever seen a boat with a rudder in front of the propellor.

Have a look at a Vega on the hard!

Ash

 

[chinita]

http://www.boatoon.com/media/boat/medium/albin-albin-vega-wNs-F1pg.jpg

 

[BobnLesley]

If you're seriously looking for an 'Albin Vega but bigger', then the boat that most precisely fits your requirements is the Albin Singoalla; the Ballards are a very different boat to the Vega, but the Singoalla is just like a Vega on steroids; exactly the same profile, but 34 feet long. The downside might be finding one, I've certainly never seen one in UK waters.

 

[Kylora]

If you're seriously looking for an 'Albin Vega but bigger', then the boat that most precisely fits your requirements is the Albin Singoalla; the Ballards are a very different boat to the Vega, but the Singoalla is just like a Vega on steroids; exactly the same profile, but 34 feet long. The downside might be finding one, I've certainly never seen one in UK waters.

You learn something new every day - I had never heard of a Singoalla - same designer - fin keel though.
Info available on this link - http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=1494

Ash

 

[BobnLesley]

...fin keel though...

But longish and a full skeg. We came across a Swedish flagged one in Turkey and I got to take it out for a play; it sailed very well and had reasonable handling - miles better than the Vega! - under power. When we upsized from our Vega I looked around for one, but didn't find one advertised anywhere, I don't think they made that many and all were sold in Sweden.