Columbia, Nautica, Newport, Cal T/4 -Merged

[crashkahuna]

Originally Posted by duefocena

.... In my experience in Hawaii,(25 years), you will definitely go out one day when the weather was light and return with the weather howling. Even off of Waikiki, in fact commonly off of Waikiki......

Yes, been there and done that a couple times especially with wind howling right out of the channel to Ala Wai - glad I had strong engine as option would have been to continue and try Keehi or out to sea.

[knockout_mice]

Okay, I've found another one!

What do you think of this one?

Time is running out. Baby will be here any day. My husband might be losing interest in buying a boat.

A couple of our sailing friends really like this Vega. The most recent owner was a boat surveyor and the owner before her was a good friend of our friends. So the most recent two owners are the types who would take care of their boats (our friends know the most recent owner as well). She is probably asking too much, but I am willing to pay too much at this point. I think I'd offer $13,000. We haven't seen it yet, so this is all speculation. I am hoping to get a look at it this weekend. 27' is a lot of boat for us. Our experience is with the Cal 20's (but we have had plenty of hours on other folks' larger sailboats). But the more we think about it, the less my husband and I like the Cal T/24 from my OP. Mainly because the guy wants too much money for it and it's got a wet spot under the deck that needs replacing stat.

Thank all of you again for your advice.

The news about the MacGregor was a little disheartening, but I'd rather find out the truth in a message board than while off the coast of Waikiki with a new baby on the boat, for sure.

More info on the Vega:


27' Albin Vega

Year: 1970
Current Price: US$ 18,000
Located in HI, United States
Hull Material: Fiberglass

[l2ridehd]

Go for it, even up to 15K. 27 is not to big for your first boat. Mine was 42 feet. You have been searching for a long time when you could have been sailing. And even if this is the wrong boat for longer term, it will do nicely for a few years and HI is a good place to be able to sell it and upgrade. 27 feet will seem small after a few months and more experience and you will want a 35 or 40 foot boat. So if the budget will handle it, make the offer, get a survey and buy it. And get on the water.

[bailsout]

I love the Vega and just because of all the covers on the wood, it suggests loving care. Talk to the friends of your friends. Maybe they want to go partners with you. Or at least tell you about the boat and their history with her. I like small boats for a couple. Adding an infant into the mix makes it tougher.

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by knockout_mice

Okay, I've found another one!

What do you think of this one?

Time is running out. Baby will be here any day. My husband might be losing interest in buying a boat.

A couple of our sailing friends really like this Vega. The most recent owner was a boat surveyor and the owner before her was a good friend of our friends. So the most recent two owners are the types who would take care of their boats (our friends know the most recent owner as well). She is probably asking too much, but I am willing to pay too much at this point. I think I'd offer $13,000. We haven't seen it yet, so this is all speculation. I am hoping to get a look at it this weekend. 27' is a lot of boat for us. Our experience is with the Cal 20's (but we have had plenty of hours on other folks' larger sailboats). But the more we think about it, the less my husband and I like the Cal T/24 from my OP. Mainly because the guy wants too much money for it and it's got a wet spot under the deck that needs replacing stat.

Thank all of you again for your advice.

The news about the MacGregor was a little disheartening, but I'd rather find out the truth in a message board than while off the coast of Waikiki with a new baby on the boat, for sure.

More info on the Vega:


27' Albin Vega

Year: 1970
Current Price: US$ 18,000
Located in HI, United States
Hull Material: Fiberglass

The Albin Vega has a great reputation and many are sailing around the world. One that has been well cared for is an excellent choice. You will become accustomed to its size (it's not that big) and you will have a boat that can handle a wide variety of sea conditions well. With a Vega you can have fun daysailing and then when you are ready, you can cruise the islands safely. The design has a long keel with rudder attached, which is simple and strong, and the forefoot is really cut away so it turns better than a full keel boat. How's the engine?

[duefocena]

Congratulations~

You've found a boat design worthy of Hawaiian wind and waves and something prudent to take a child aboard.
There is one on the dock across from me who's owner has taken her from California to Seattle, South America, Hawaii, Tahiti and beyond.
At $18,000 it is much higher priced than any of the others on YW ( $10k-$16k and the high one in Greece). It is typical for a boat to be priced , by a broker, with a margin of 10% to 15% from what the seller would accept. The brokerage will typically take $3,000 fee. You could make an offer based on these parameters but still deduct additional monies based on what the surveyor finds. DO NOT use the surveyor the broker suggests. Call more than one and preferably find one who doesn't like boat salesman. I won't go into why but trust me, it is in your best interest.
This boat was originally priced at $14,000 so I would ask the selling broker why it was raised to $18,000. Was something added with a $4,000 value?
In picture 5 you can see that the jib was severely slackened, ( loose halyard, scalloped luff and creases from the clew ). I would make sure your surveyor takes a good look at your sails and advises their useful life left. They are expensive. Additionally an oil test on that engine should only run $30~$50 to see if there are any metals or water intrusion.
Try to talk to every previous owner you can find....! Go online to see if there is an Albin Vega group and see if anyone knows this boat....! I make a big deal of this because it can help you immeasurably in your negotiations and that will only work if you do it before you purchase. The fact that you have already come up with a price before seeing it shows your enthusiasm ( last week you felt the same on the Mac Gregor on Maui....thank God you didn't go that route ). I wouldn't show the selling broker your fervor to own a boat if you can help it.

IMHO this could make a great boat for you and is heads and shoulders above any of the previous choices you've been offered. ~ Good Luck~

[Terra Nova]

due--good post.

Indeed the Vega 27 is a seaworthy design, quite a step up from a MacGregor 25. This one appears to have been somewhat cared for. But it is still a 45 year old boat!

Condition is only everything. You will hire 3 different people to survey the boat: a hull surveyor, a marine diesel engine specialist, and a qualified rigger. Having the local sailmaker hoist all your sails is also a good idea. Their fees will be money well spent if you choose the right help. First do a rigging survey. When you sea trial is when you'd like the engine specialist scheduled. Last is a haulout and hull survey, if no deal breaker has yet been found. This is the point at which all survey recommendations should be repaired, if possible, while the boat is in drydock, and fresh bottom paint applied.

At each inspection you have an opportunity to walk away or renegotiate, and therefore avoid the expense of additional surveys or unanticipated expense. As your offer must include all those survey clauses.

The rigging was replaced in 2001, so probably needs replacing again. The sails are only claimed as "good" condition. So you can expect to spend more on sails. And there will be much more spending (you'll see) as you ease into boat ownership. So be prepared.

[knockout_mice]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

But it is still a 45 year old boat!

Terra, if I took your advice, I would never, never ever sail. Nothing is good enough for you. There are four choices and one month.

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by knockout_mice

Terra, if I took your advice, I would never, never ever sail. Nothing is good enough for you. There are four choices and one month.

Does that mean you won't be getting the surveys I recommended?

[knockout_mice]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

Does that mean you won't be getting the surveys I recommended?

I'll try, but I only know of two surveyors on island. I'll have some experts I know look at the various parts, but I'll probably only be able to get one survey. I'm not going to fly someone in to inspect it, that's for sure.

[l2ridehd]

Just do the survey from a qualified SAMS surveyor. If he does a sea trail and haulout and hull inspect he will uncover anything that is really bad. He will not be a rigging or engine expert, but he can tell you if you have big issues with either. This is a solid well designed boat. Yes you will pay a bit more in HI just because it's HI. And any boat you buy will need something. It's the nature of the beast.

You have been looking for a long time. This seems to be a decent boat. Make a viable offer, get they survey, and if nothing major jumps out, go sailing and enjoy.

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by knockout_mice

I'll try, but I only know of two surveyors on island. I'll have some experts I know look at the various parts, but I'll probably only be able to get one survey. I'm not going to fly someone in to inspect it, that's for sure.

Then you'll deserve just what you get.

You don't have to personally know a surveyor to benefit from one's help.

You are not qualified to identify who are "experts."

And you are saying there are no mechanics or riggers in Hawaii?

[VinnyVincent]

Mice if you can't get them looked at individually , just assume the engine and rigging may be toasted and budget accordingly. After all, its ONLY a 27ft boat I got mine with no engine and just got done hiring a rigger to replace the rigging and it was just under 5k total for a new 10hp outboard (which powers the boat fine even in strong current) and th new rig. Ive been following this for a while and even Im starting to get frustrated lol...the vega is a well made boat and maybe worth fixing even if there are major issues

[duefocena]

Mice~

Don't listen to some animostic bonehead and feel their word is IT ! Or anyone that thinks a 10hp outboard is sufficient for Hawaiian waters. Maybe in a lake, but not in Hawaiian channels.
Google Hawaiian marine surveyors and there is a roster of 5 marine surveyors in Hawaii on Oahu. All listed in Honolulu. You can have friends look at the sails and rigging for you. That isn't magic. Just make sure you have someone go up the mast and look at the fittings. A hull survey should cost approx. $10 a foot ( $8 in CA.) and an engine survey on a little Yanmar shouldn't be more than $250 with an additional $50 for an oil sample survey. You don't nesscessarily need different surveyors if you have one who knows little Yanmars he can do the hull and the engine. I personally would try to find the surveyor who previously owned the boat. He presumably would know the boat better than anyone.
If your Albin is the one, you will have a great boat that will last a long time.

[VinnyVincent]

Originally Posted by duefocena

Mice~

Don't listen to some animostic bonehead and feel their word is IT ! Or anyone that thinks a 10hp outboard is sufficient for Hawaiian waters. Maybe in a lake, but not in Hawaiian channels.

9.9hp at the prop is totally inadequate, but the 13hp at the shaft that the boat comes standard with works in the some of the most treacherous channels?...are you speaking from experience with a 10hp outboard on a 28footer? Because Iam and I have gone thru channels in a 5kt+ current with no issue. It pushes the boat to 6.5kts on the gps and 5kts at about 30-40% throttle