[Agri]

@copocabana

Thanks for the book recommendation. Do they compare the two boats in it? It would be nice to read a first hand account comparing the two.

Met a guy today who worked in the construction of the original Van 27s and was able to point out some of their features. I guess they had a slight design change in 77, added a bit of beam at the water line to stiffen her up. He's made one for himself, out of wood and cold molded with fiberglass. Looks really nice inside even unfinished. He even had a set of drawings for the windvane among other things. My heart says Vancouver, but my wallet says I'll have more left in the kitty with an Albin. Maybe I should just go with an Alberg 30.

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[Agri]

I'm actually trying to decide between two Vegas a Vancouver and a Pacific Seacraft 25. The higher priced of the two Vegas has been recently repowered as has the Vancouver. That said the owners of the higher priced Vega as well as the Vancouver didn't seem that big on maintenance. The survey from last year said that the alternator belt needed to be tightened which has clearly not been done, the water in the bilge is oily as well. On the Vancouver all the standing rigging is loose not just a little bit but considerably. Seeing that makes me wonder why the boat was repowered and what other things might be neglected.

On the other hand the lower priced Vega is in excellent condition for her age, at least to my eye. The owner seemed to be a very meticulous person. The kind of guy that needs to have everything working just right. The minus side was that it still had the original engine in it. That said I could see nothing wrong with it. It fired up and ran fine. Apparantly he has a spare one he uses for parts as well as a reliable supplier in Europe. If it wasn't for the engine being original I probably would have bought the boat on the spot. It wasn't just the engine that was original, it still had all the original teak cleats as well.

As far as sailing intentions go I have big dreams but for the near future mainly coastal sailing.

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[Agri]

Thanks for the help. The Vega and the Van both meet my requirements there is no doubt about that. I'm definitely leaning towards the Van I really prefer the transom mounted rudder and the overall look of the boat. The problem I'm having right now is that in the interest of covering all my bases and checking out every boat in the area that appeared to me might requirments I took a look at a Pacific Seacraft 25. Now while it checks a lot of boxes for me personally, full keel, transom mounted rudder, double ended, compression post under the mast, chain plates on everything ( even the stantions for the life lines have chain plates on the under side which the Vega didn't have) when I sat in the cockpit it didn't seem as if it would be as dry as the above mentioned boats. That said when I close my eyes its the one I'm thinking of. I guess I just need to hurry up and make a decision. The broker for the Van called me today saying that others are showing interest in it so my chance at a good deal may be slipping away there if I don't hurry up and decide.

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[Agri]

Vancouver 27's are as slow as a bureaucrat's brain.

That is definitely something worth considering which I haven't been until now. With almost 5000 pounds more of displacement and a couple feet less on the water line it's going to take a bit more wind to get a Van 27 going, I assume.

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[Agri]

I'm going to look at another Van 27 today, however I believe this one is sloop rigged. From what I know of the Van 27 design it wouldn't be that hard to change it into a cutter. It's a lot newer then the other one I've looked at but I like the extra sail area of a cutter. Is there any advantage to having a cutter over a sloop on this size of boat? I'm thinking that the extra sail area would help offset the heavy displacement in light winds.

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[Agri]

For all those that are curious, I went with a Vancouver 27. When all is said and done it seemed like the best choice. The inside is nearly completely bare. There are a couple of benches, a head, some slats on the V-berth futon style to put a matteress on. A sink, chart table and, massive stainless steel compression post (This was the feature that sealed the deal over the Vega, all the Vegas I looked at had noticeable sagging under the mast inside the cabin). Other then that everything inside is bare fiberglass. Outside it has the same rigging as a Nor'sea 27 so the mast is a little taller then on a regular Van 27 and it also means the standing rigging is bulkier 5/16 instead of 3/16. This one is sloop rigged and apparantly the last one put out by Seair, hull built 83, but not commissioned until '98.

Right now she is on the hard and the mast is down so the pictures aren't the greatest but I'll post them when I get the chance.

One other thing the current owner never named her so I get that privilege.

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[Agri]

Thanks guys and thanks for your input as well. I didn't by the one with the newer engine, but the engine in the one I bought is not by any means near the end of its life. I'm looking forward to the challenge of fitting out the interior, I'm not in any hurry and hope to have it mostly done by March/April. I'm posting a couple of pics below.



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[Agri]

I don't know Vancouver well so I'm not sure. Its on the hard at the Lionsgate Marina, I do recall seeing something about an aircare facility near there.

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