Albin Vega, Small Off-Shore Yacht
Older, Solid, Economical Sailboat for Blue water Sailing
May 17, 2009
Built in the 60’s and 70’s Albin Vegas have a well-deserved reputation as an affordable, reliable sailboat.
The Albin Vega as an Ocean Cruiser
The low topsides, narrow beam and 27-foot length of the Vega certainly do not fit the image of a typical ocean-going yacht. Nevertheless several Vegas have successfully circumnavigated the globe. Dozens, perhaps hundreds more have crossed at least one ocean, and one Vega, The Berzerk, sailed through 40-foot seas to Antarctica.
Vega Designed after Swedish FolkBoats
Designed in Sweden by Per Brohall in 1964, the fiberglass-hulled Albin Vega is modeled after the narrow-beamed Nordic folkboat. Like the folkboat, the Vega was built to be a sturdy, simple, economical, and easy-to-sail family boat.
Vega Design Features
- Solid Fiberglass hull, with cored fiberglass decks and coach roof for lightness.
- Relatively shallow draft at just under four feet.
- Keel about half the length of the water line for stability, and reduced drag.
- Hull and deck caulked and bolted every 5 inches for a strong, water-tight seal.
- Though topsides are lower than most modern cruisers, the cockpit remains dry and comfortable even in high seas.
Below Deck on the Albin Vega
Though compact, the Vega has nearly six feet to headroom in the main cabin. There is a small galley with an icebox, sink, and cooktop. A removable table fits between the main cabin settees for dining or charting, and the two settees also serve as 6 foot bunks. The V-berth sleeps two comfortably. With only eight feet of beam, the boat would feel cramped with four adults aboard for any extended period of time, but is well-suited to a small family,
The Sailing Rig of the Vega
The Vega is sloop rigged, and can be easily single-handed. The sail area is somewhat conservative for inland waters, but excellent for off-shore. Though the boat doesn’t point exceptionally high, it handles beautifully off the wind, is well balanced, and heels at a comfortable angle even in heavy winds.
Known Problems
Despite it's popularity, the Vega does have a few issues:
- Random Reversing: The prop is located aft of the rudder, making backing up a bit of a challenge. Many owners have found creative ways to compensate for this quirky flaw.
- Deck Compression below the mast: The Vega’s mast is stepped on the cabin roof, and supported by a beam below deck. Some Vegas have experience sagging of the support beam. Several owners have beefed up the bulkhead and support beam over the years, eliminating the problem, but potential buyers should check the support carefully.
- Weakness of the Rudder Post:The rudder is attached to the aft end of the keel rather than a skeg--normally this is a very solid way to support a rudder, but some Vegas have had problems with the rudder post. Again, this problem has often been corrected by previous owners. To test the rudder, hold the tiller still, and try to move the rudder. If it flexes, it probably needs to be rebuilt.
The Albin Vega Family
There are several Vega Associations worldwide that sponsor rendezvous, races, and opportunities for owners to exchange information with other Vega owners. Buying a Vega is a bit like marrying into a large, far-flung family. Some of the Vega groups are:
- American Vega Association
- Vega Association of Great Britain.
- Vega One Design Association
- Yahoo Vega Group
Built to last, Albin Vegas are a great old boat with legions of devotees.
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