In Love with a Vega !

[aquarian]

I did it. Fell in love and brought her home. Couldn't help it.

She is a 1969 Abin Vega, type 1, with no name. Not quite complete - but that's the way I like em. She needs a bit of rewiring and finishing, but otherwise appears to be very sound. The prior owner did a lot of fabulous work.

As for real issues: So far, she has 1 leaking window in a heavy rain, water in the rudder (crack mid port side), and a very small amount of water in the keel with superficial blistering on the rear half of the keel (non balasted portion below the deepest part of the bilge). After grinding back to glass it appears she has had prior repairs to the keel glass. Hmmm . . . . . . why?

I am curious to know what the rest of you know about these little boats with such big reputations. Because I have not yet found the source of the water in the keel and because it appears that it is not a new problem, I would love to know if you know.

Thanks,

[boatman61]

Congratulations on your new 'Love' Aquarian...
Can't much help other than speculation... maybe dragged and bounced in her past and impacting caused a crack that went unnoticed a while then an improper (not dried properly) repair... could try some pic's for clarity...
Doubt anything major though..
Good on ya

[Pete7]

If you haven't read it there is a book about a Vega called Beserk which sails from S America to the Antarctic and on to S Africa. Can't give too many details away but they have just met a storm in the Drake Passage.

I get the impression Vega's are tough as old boots

Pete

[SvenG]

The Vega is a classic !

Used to see them all over the Baltic and they have gone almost everywhere.

I understand backing up is even more problematic than it is for us in the E39B, but other than that

The International Folkboat is the other Swedish classic that can steal your heart and it too has been all over but with somewhat more daring crews

Pictures would be nice.



-Sven

[aquarian]

OK, Here are some pictures.
Here she is:

Where to drill the hole for the locker?


Blister zone – drain holes are taped over , was raining.

Interior:

Another interior:


Love you guys!

[Kimmo]

Hello and gratz on the great boat. It will outlast you

Haven't sailed Vega, but have read much about them and here in Baltic you can see a lot of them. I own another Albin boat, the Scampi, from 1971.

Check out these Vega sites:
Albin Vega Worldwide Page
Vega Database

And probably a lot more info from the boat can be found from internet, probably the most documented boat.

Regarding the keel, most likely it has grounded, wasn't dried out properly before putting glassfibre again on top, water stayed there in between. Had that happen in another boat.

[otherthan]

hey visited a vega just befor I got my island trader 41...nice boat

congratulation!!

[barnakiel]

They are great boats. Repairable in-out. Bloody exposed cockpit though and wet in rough going (wet-the cockpit area only, otherwise she will sail very dry). The other shortcoming is the cockpit volume relative to the boat's displ. - if you ever get pooped ... ;-) Avoid getting pooped.

Many, many years ago they came with adjustable pitch propellers - the engine fixed to the shaft. This was unfortunately abandoned later.

b.

[ColinMurray]

Ok on buying the Vega. I have V-703, Isis. Not uncommon to have water collect in the void space, quite a few of these boats have drain screws in the bottom of these. The rudder is a weak point on the Vega's. Mine had cracking in the fiberglass forward of the rudder post where the two haves meet. This can allow water to get in there and corrode the stainless rudder shaft. Also some rudders had less than perfect welds where the tangs are welded to the shaft. I would split the rudder to check this out. Thats what I did. Epoxy back together and wrap complete with several layers of fiberglass. The Albin Vega group on Yahoo has a wealth of info. Colin...

[glenn.225]

Congrats aquarian on getting a Vega.

I have a 1971, # 1184, have had her for two years now. When i got she was looked after but things were starting to fade. Put a bunch of work into her still more to do, in the middle of a repower right now.

From you pic's, are considering a hause pipe for the chain locker if so make sure it is off set some the support for the deck runs up the middle. I have layout of deck suports somewhere just can't find it at this minute.

Here is mine.

Glenn

[SkiprJohn]

Congratulations! They have a good reputation.
kind regards,

[zeehag]

good sturdy pocket cruisers-- cute too... have fun!!!

[aquarian]

Thanks guys/gals for the feed back, links, etc. I am making use of them. Been running wide open and haven't checked back like I should. As of today: the keel is dry, the silver deck is nearly gone, and her one leaky window is repaired. Note on the anchor chain/rode locker; winch will be positioned such that hause is left/port of the support. She is coming along slowly, but that is Ok because I can't go anywhere for a while yet anyway, and she keeps me busy.

P-)

[Reefmagnet]

Hey great thread - keen on following it and seeing the input. My wife and I just purchased a Vega too #609. She sailed to Australia from Sweden. We are currently in the process of tidying her up and repowering her (she had the inboard removed for the semi-circumnavigation)

[andreas.mehlin]

there is a Vega leaving Sweden within a couple of weeks for a 2 years circumnavigation.