Forever Boat

[AndrewMac]

bubb2, as I said, I don't disagree with any of the points you made.

[capnvega]

The way I read Mr. Tagers question is that what he wants is an ocean crosser for $15,000. I just bought an Albin Vega for $400. Hull and deck are good and everything else is there. I already have a good 4 stroke O/B. It has good cushions. sounder, log, VHF and propane heater. There is a lot to replace, repair, refurbish and buy, but I should have it ready for sea in a year for less than $14,600.

[chall03]

Tager,

I guess your budget is what your budget is.....If you have only 5k for a refit then thats that. You obviously just need to work out how you do what you need to do for that amount of money....

Please be careful of painting everyone on here with the same brush. Bubb is anything but an 'old fart'.....If I was a serious 'dreamer' off on a shoestring adventure then I would definitely want guys like him on my side....

We have clashed heads in the past Tager, But if you are really a young dreamer with a thirst for adventure then I offer you the best of wishes. Get out there and do it man, but please be safe and listen to those that have been there and done it.

[sailingdog]

I'd second what Bubb2 is trying to say. While you can get a off-shore capable boat for a limited budget, doing so requires a fair bit of luck and a good understanding of the requirements. An Albin Vega is one of the boats that could be had for such a limited budget, but it would require a fair bit of work to get ready for a bluewater passage.

Just remember, refitting a 30' boat costs about the same, whether the boat is five years old or thirty...

[bubb2]

Originally Posted by tager

I will be doing a refit before I go offshore, and for peace of mind. Things like bedding deck hardware, standing rigging, plumbing and electrical just can't be trusted to previous owners. So there will definitely be a refit. I am planning on purchasing something in the 10k range. Before going offshore I will have probably spent another 5k on preparations. I will take a look at the vega 27s.

I want to thank the above posters for their kind works.

First I am not here to dash anyone dreams. I guess I fall into the trap that what is obvious to me is not so obvious to others.

Lets take a look a Vega's 27. We are talking about boats that are on the average 35 years old. Time takes it's toll, on a boat and on us old farts.

The OP states that his refit is going to be rigging, plumbing, and electrical. I want to suggest to the OP thats the easy stuff.

35 year old bulkheads will at a minimum need to be re tabbed. If it were my boat and I was going offshore I would be doubling up on the bulkheads and bedding them in tape and epoxy. I would not trust the stringers in a 35 year old boat for offshore. At the least, I would sister in new stringers and cross brace them. Then enclose them in epoxy and fiberglass. How about those nice big ports on a vaga. I would be surprised if they are tempered glass. At the very least storm covers need to made, but it would best to replace them with lexan. I would divide up the bilge and do the best I could to make water tight compartments. This would mean adding more bilge pumps.Chain Plates need to be pulled,
inspected/replaced and refasten. The rudder needs to be pulled. all bearing replaced and stock and tube reinforced.

Days at sea can take a weak boat and tear it apart just by the flexing.

Just my thoughts before I would get to plumbing, rigging, and electrical. Then we can talk about the equipment we going to put on the boat.

[mitiempo]

Here's a link to an article about a couple that took their Vega around the world and what they changed and upgraded. http://americanvega.org/images/Tarka_the_Otter.pdf
Here's a link to various Vega 27 voyages also with upgrade information. Long and Short Voyages of Vega 27 sailboats and others
I think I would certainly inspect the bulkheads and maybe add tabbing if I deemed it necessary but not double them. Everything obviously needs to be inspected but I wouldn't build a second boat inside the first - the Vega is a strong boat that has proven itself many times over. These items are more labor intensive than dollar intensive. Chainplates need to be checked and rreplaced if needed. The ports are large but storm shutters are easy to fabricate. The Vega has pretty simple systems so unless you're adding a lot of electrical equipment the rewiring won't be too expensive.
Watertight bulkheads are hard to do effectively but here's a link to James Baldwin's site. Atom Voyages | About the Sailboat Atom
His Atom (Pearson Triton) has taken him around the world and he gives good advice on changes necessary as well as water tight bulkheads.
Brian

[bubb2]

Originally Posted by mitiempo

Here's a link to an article about a couple that took their Vega around the world and what they changed and upgraded. http://americanvega.org/images/Tarka_the_Otter.pdf
Here's a link to various Vega 27 voyages also with upgrade information. Long and Short Voyages of Vega 27 sailboats and others
I think I would certainly inspect the bulkheads and maybe add tabbing if I deemed it necessary but not double them.

Please go to your first link and read the section about mast support. That was a 1983 boat being written about in 1990. They noted flex in the cabin top that caused a "ridge." That boat is 20 years older now,as is the plywood bulkhead. That why I would be thinking about doubling up on those bulkheads as they support the mast in a Vega. Sometimes it is easier to double up then it is replace a bulkhead.

[mitiempo]

Adding a strengthening beam under the mast step at ther top of the bulkhead and attached to that bulkhead can be a good idea on a lot of older boats - as I will be doing to my boat. Tritons quite often need this fix as well. But I know of no-one who suggests doubling the whole bulkhead. See the top picture in this link - it enlarges - the boat is a Triton. Northern Yacht Restoration | 1966 Pearson Triton Circe
Brian

[bubb2]

Originally Posted by mitiempo

Adding a strengthening beam under the mast step at ther top of the bulkhead and attached to that bulkhead can be a good idea on a lot of older boats - as I will be doing to my boat. Tritons quite often need this fix as well. But I know of no-one who suggests doubling the whole bulkhead. See the top picture in this link - it enlarges - the boat is a Triton. Northern Yacht Restoration | 1966 Pearson Triton Circe
Brian

As long as you feel good about a 25 to 35 year old 1/2 plywood holding up your mast support beam, I not one to stop you. I am just saying the flex could be in the bulkhead and not the beam and a new beam is not going to fix that. But doubling will. I also seen boats built like this, that have been framed out under the mast step and beam much like a door using jack studs that are run to new stringers in the bilge.

[kekkul]

Without doubt Norsea 27, the Cape Horner boat.......
You have to condider too Bayfield 29.
KeK