Are these toe rails okay?

[Sailingbluew]

Hi, I was looking at an old 27 foot boat today and my biggest concern is the toe rails that have a big opening on one side and 1 lot of stuff under them on the other side.

The paint is chipped away all over the cockpit and deck too, is this just cosmetic or will it affect the fibreglass as well due to sun exposure.

[Don C L]

I believe you are looking at an Albin Vega, and I also believe the hull and deck are bolted together and what you are seeing there is the bedding. Chances are it is ok I'd bet. Squirt a hose at it and see if it leaks. I doubt it will. Hopefully some Albin Vega owners will chime in. Albin Vegas have a good reputation.

As far as lack of paint causing damage to the fiberglass, the answer would be no. Well of course sunlight damages everything on a boat, but the boats came unpainted and then after many years the outer part you can see, the gelcoat, becomes dull and degraded and to improve the look we all eventually paint. But the fiberglass is fine.

Welcome aboard!

[Don C L]

https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/vega-27-albin/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albin_Vega

[Sailingbluew]

Yes, it is an Albin Vega. Thanks for the reassurance about the bedding

[GordMay]

Good eye, Don!
According to the “Practical Sailor” review, updated 2020, of the ‘Albin Vega’:
➥ https://www.practical-sailor.com/sai...0ft/albin-vega

"... The hull-to-deck joint is an internal flange with pliant caulking (“2 pack rubber”), fastened through with 5/16″ stainless steel bolts every five inches. None of our readers have reported leaking...”

[Sailingbluew]

I also noticed these outward lines directly under chain bolt. It starts probably 40 cm under it. By knocking on the hull, I get a very dense sound here like hitting a rock. They are on both sides but more prominent on starboard side.

I found out that it is the bulkhead that is showing through. But should I be concerned about this?

It is an Albin Vega

[Don C L]

That is odd, but I will defer to Vega owners on that one. I presume the tabbing (connection) on the bulkheads and hull in side are all good? If so I'd just chalk it up to a quirk of the Vegas in general and go sailing.

This is from the article:
There is ample evidence, however, that some panels, such as the cabin sides, are too thin. On one boat we sailed, they oilcanned easily by pressing the hands against them.

They weren't designed to be "bluewater" boats, but people have sailed them far and wide.

[Don C L]

Have you bought the boat or just considering it?

[capt jgw]

Originally Posted by Sailingbluew

I also noticed these outward lines directly under chain bolt. It starts probably 40 cm under it. By knocking on the hull, I get a very dense sound here like hitting a rock. They are on both sides but more prominent on starboard side.

I found out that it is the bulkhead that is showing through. But should I be concerned about this?

It is an Albin Vega

Yes that's just a bulkhead. The plywood against the hull causes a hard spot that shows up as the fiberglass continues to cure and shrink. That continues for decades after the original manufacturing. Other than being visible, it's not a problem. In more modern designs the plywood doesn't actually contact the hull skin so there's no hard spot. Early Catalinas had a similar problem with the woven roving showing through the gelcoat after 30 or 40 years, it made the boat look like a wicker basket. It's just cosmetic.

[Sailingbluew]

I will buy it if the engine runs normal. It is on the hard, so it is a little process involved in testing it out

[Sailingbluew]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Have you bought the boat or just considering it?

I will buy it if the engine runs normal. It is on the hard, so it is a little process involved in testing it out

[Fore and Aft]

Sailingbluew I can't say I have ever seen a crease on the topsides from a bulkhead. I surveyed a 1977 Albin Vega a few years ago and it had main bulkhead issues.
I noticed those toe rails have been roughly fastened down with pan head screws, so that should make it easy to remove them and reseal them down again. This time making sure you rebate the screws into the toe rail and put a teak plug over them.
I hope that chain plate is not just a U bolt through the toe rail? I would hope it goes right through the deck?
Cheers

[Sailingbluew]

Originally Posted by Fore and Aft

Sailingbluew I can't say I have ever seen a crease on the topsides from a bulkhead. I surveyed a 1977 Albin Vega a few years ago and it had main bulkhead issues.
I noticed those toe rails have been roughly fastened down with pan head screws, so that should make it easy to remove them and reseal them down again. This time making sure you rebate the screws into the toe rail and put a teak plug over them.
I hope that chain plate is not just a U bolt through the toe rail? I would hope it goes right through the deck?
Cheers

The chain bolt are connected with a backing plate on the inside.

[Sailingbluew]

I ended up walking away, thanks for all the helpful replies

[Fore and Aft]

SailingBluew I never understood what all the hype is about Albin Vega yachts. Sure, they have done the miles, but they're getting old and are pokey inside compared to a modern yacht.

Cheers