Albin Vega

[Wansworth]

Who has an Albin Vega and what improvements have you made to it.I bought mine about three years ago and have not really changed anything except I use a portal potties instead of the fixed loo which I might remove an I made a removable table over the port bunk.Improvements if I had the cash would be a auto p8lot or windpilot a new curling jib that just reached the cap shroud and was possible to see under and a cockpit cover......... and better reversing

 

[V1701]

I had one for two years, installed a second-hand Navik windvane steering gear, these occasionally come up on ebay. Also removed the sea toilet & installed a Porta Potti which created space for a storage area behind, used some ply for that. Fitted mast support reinforcement, kit from VAGB. Fitted a TP22 tiller pilot, a Standard Horizon chartplotter, solar panels & regulators & rewired. There's lots of photos on the website here from when I sold her:

https://albinvegaforsale.wordpress.com/

 

[Rowana]

Webcraft of this parish has one. Have a chat with him, but don't for gawd's sake mention Scottish ensigns or the SNP!

 

[BobnLesley]

We had one - now sold in Greece - and improvements much depend on what you intend to do with your Vega; though we never tried it, I know several owners (mainly Dutch) managed some improvement on reversing by fitting extensions to the rudder. We did fit the mast support kit and it was definitely worthwhile. Another predominantly Netherlands thing was fitting a tabernacle to the mast to allow easy lowering/lifting. Re-engining tended to be Beta as they were offering discounts via the owners club (Google VAGB). We fitted a small demountable chart table over the port saloon berth, a holding tank under the starboard forepeak berth, additional water tankage at the front of each cockpit locker and a fridge beneath that open-topped locker at the starboard side of the galley area. Oh and a stern boarding ladder which doubled as a mounting for an emergency outboard motor - a 3.3hp outboard motor will push the Vega along at around 2-2.5 knots in flat water.

 

[webcraft]

.
I bought a Vega (V1842) for £11,000 in 2003

2004 - new standing rigging
2005 - new mainsail (Southern Sails)
2006 - new Beta BZ492 - fitted it myself. Mast reinforcement kit. New genoa (ocean spec from Jekylls). NASA GPS cockpit repeater connected to the old GPS unit. Leecloths. Second hand Navik.
2009 - Garmin 450 plotter
2010 - NASA AIS engine
2012 - Webasto diesel heater

The interior is pretty much as she was when I got her, though I have fitted a new anchor bulkhead this year. Don't understand why people want to rip out the sea toilet. I have fitted two since I got the boat - latest is a Jabsco Twistlock. I have also had the large and small tables remade. The small table is a brilliant idea - it uses jut one of the larger tables' legs. The lrge table I have cut down to a slightly smaller size and fitted new fiddles.

I did have a chart table that hung from the grabrails and balanced on the top of the seatbacks, but these days I tend to do any necessary chartwork with the chart on the bunk and kneeling on the floor.

I also made stormboards for our long trip away, and a series drogue.

I think I would be lucky to get £7000 for the boat now, though I would take a lot of the gear off her if selling.

- W

 

[agurney]

I bought mine about 30 years ago and haven't felt the need to improve her, other than swap the petrol engine for a Yanmar 1GM10 and fit an Eberspacher heater.

Alisdair

 

[Wansworth]

Thanks for replies, interesting to hear about other boats.All the owners I have met on the water have always been full of praise for the boat.

 

[LittleSister]

Thanks for replies, interesting to hear about other boats.All the owners I have met on the water have always been full of praise for the boat.

I'm sure the Vega is a very fine boat (and apart from the rudder/prop arrangement, quite to my taste), but have you ever come across the owner of any class of boat rubbishing their own choice?

 

[webcraft]

.
Oh yes, the rudder/prop arrangement.

It's a disaster, but if you are more interested in voyaging than marinas you can live with it.

Seriously though, don't get into confined spaces unless you have to, and use warps and shoving to get the boat pointing in the direction you want. No propwash over the rudder means no slow-speed control in ahead, and in astern, well, anything can happen. Wind and tide are your friends, use them.

- W

 

[Seajet]

I've no direct experience with them myself, but have known several people who have had them; never heard a bad word said about the Vega, but lots of praise.

 

[Wansworth]

.
Oh yes, the rudder/prop arrangement.

It's a disaster, but if you are more interested in voyaging than marinas you can live with it.
I has bene aware that this was a problema but my ver y first outing ended up in a marina .We where Gale bound for a fea days.Backing out of the berth suddenly brought into sharp relief that it was true.Have now developed strategies for getting out of berths before getting in...
Seriously though, don't get into confined spaces unless you have to, and use warps and shoving to get the boat pointing in the direction you want. No propwash over the rudder means no slow-speed control in ahead, and in astern, well, anything can happen. Wind and tide are your friends, use them.

- W

 

[Wansworth]

I found out on the very first outing when we landed up in a marina gale bound.It was truewhat they said.Since then planning to get out of somewhere has been at the back of my mind after arriving.

 

[Kelpie]

We had one for four years. A previous owner had refitted the interior to some extent- photos here:

https://vegaforsale.wordpress.com/2014/03/28/photos-interior-april-2014/

We added a secondhand spinnaker and changed the genoa to a 130% sized one- the previous owner had favoured a single 150% genoa and no spinny.

 

[Spuddy]

A chum with a Vega has put a mounting for an electric outboard on the back with a dedicated battery (maybe not necessary). The outboard faces athwartships so it acts as a stern thruster. Selecting forward shoves the back end sideways; selecting reverse shoves it the other way

 

[Wansworth]

Was thinking if the inboard became unusable I would install an outboard on the back, something like 4 hp or even scull I favourable conditions in harbour, touchwood the engine seems to be going ok..

 

[Vega1447]

A chum with a Vega has put a mounting for an electric outboard on the back with a dedicated battery (maybe not necessary). The outboard faces athwartships so it acts as a stern thruster. Selecting forward shoves the back end sideways; selecting reverse shoves it the other way

Clever but OTT I think.

Maneuvering my Vega under power took some getting used to but her good behaviour under sail more than compensates.

 

[spottydog]

Albin Vega owner for about 10 years, during that time I have tried to be unfaithful a few times. The Vega will not allow it, the few boats I have been tempted by have not persuaded me to change, much to the annoyance of my wife.
Over a period of time I have re-engined to a Beta, fitted a mast support, a tabernacle, chart plotter, AIS, re-rigged, double bow roller/strengthened stem, 3 batteries + intelligent charging system etc. etc. But the best upgrade was removing the furling Genoa having hanked on foresails and having a folding prop. Wow, the boat suddenly changes character to a very sprightly beast that points much higher, that inspires confidence and rarely fails to bring a smile whilst sailing.I sail singlehanded nearly always and in a challenging area ( the west coast of Scotland ) the Albin Vega is a well behaved boat under autopilot that allows sail changes underway.

 

[Wansworth]

I agree mine just seems to slip along and I agree about the furler.I ponder the idea of a solent rig with a working jib with a reef keeping the furler for a lightweight Genoa.

 

[agurney]

Albin Vega owner for about 10 years, during that time I have tried to be unfaithful a few times. The Vega will not allow it, the few boats I have been tempted by have not persuaded me to change, much to the annoyance of my wife.
Over a period of time I have re-engined to a Beta, fitted a mast support, a tabernacle, chart plotter, AIS, re-rigged, double bow roller/strengthened stem, 3 batteries + intelligent charging system etc. etc. But the best upgrade was removing the furling Genoa having hanked on foresails and having a folding prop. Wow, the boat suddenly changes character to a very sprightly beast that points much higher, that inspires confidence and rarely fails to bring a smile whilst sailing.I sail singlehanded nearly always and in a challenging area ( the west coast of Scotland ) the Albin Vega is a well behaved boat under autopilot that allows sail changes underway.

I completely disagree; the West coast of Scotland isn't challenging, compared to somewhere muddy and grim like the Blackwater, or overcrowded like the Solent. I can't remember the last time I had to share an anchorage.
Oops, sorry, it's horrid and rains midges all the time.

 

[webcraft]

Clever but OTT I think.

Maneuvering my Vega under power took some getting used to but her good behaviour under sail more than compensates.

I have had a Vega for 12 years and have never got used to maneuvering her under power. That is because essentially she does not/will not. The secret is to not go in anywhere you think it would be difficult to get out of.

Some Dutch sailors have fitted a second small rudder behind the prop. The use of an electric outboard as a stern thruster sounds like a brilliant idea, but I have so much crap (windvane, wind generator etc) on the stern of mine that I would not be able to find room.

Agree that all other aspects of the boat more than compensate. After all, what percentage of your time/total mileage do you spend going astern as opposed to ahead?


- W