A normal bloke sailing a normal boat that most people could afford at some time in their life. Millionaires sailing around in £250,000 cats don't inspire me either.
Years ago I bought a Vega that had only sailed the great lakes and was in amazing condition. I spent over twice what I paid for it on a refit and complete newly designed interior before sailing it to the Philippines. I am still living on the Vega and honestly don't think it is possible to find a more seaworthy sailboat of this size. With a little ingenuity it is fairly easy to convert the stove to a gimbal stove and a very good upgrade to have. Other important upgrades are stronger windows and a strong arch inside to support the mast base. Double hose clamps should be used on all hoses to help prevent a disaster. I just found this channel and look forward to browsing over your other videos. Take care.
That's awesome! Where did you sail it from? I replaced all the windows with 3/8"-thick acrylic bonded to the hull as soon as I had the opportunity. I've been working on a gimbal for the stove recently out of some creative use of some aluminum stock and clevis penis -- but progress has been slow with nothing but a hand drill and a hack saw. I've double-upped hose clamps where they'll fit, but in some places I think they'll do more harm than good.
Good call on the windows as the originals can't take a good hit from a wave. I switched over to a single burner gimbal alcohol stove so I kind of cheated. As a solo sailor I only need one burner for my kettle or pressure cooker to make most of my meals. If you can't double up on the hose clamps I would definitely keep a close eye on them and close the seacocks when they are not needed. No need to have the engine seacocks open when not in use but of course not opening them when required would be a disaster. I purchased my Vega in Port Burwell on the Canadian side of Lake Erie. After the refit I sailed through the Erie Canal, down the ICW, through the Panama Canal and then to the Philippines. I know that leaves out a lot of steps but I think you get the idea. I was not in any great hurry, and neither was my Vega, so we ended up charting 14,984nm in 209 days. I left hoping to hit 100nm per day but ended up averaging just over 70nm per day. The Vega cannot be considered fast by any stretch of the imagination. I saw lots of times when I hit over 7 knots, but most days I was happy with 5 knots and ended up averaging a little under 3 knots on that voyage. Some days I made a lot of progress, some days I didn't move at all and a few days I spent more time going backwards than forwards. By the way what started as a circumnavigation attempt ended when I landed in the Philippines and found it impossible to leave. Maybe you will find a place that calls to your heart too.
Spot on. And make sure you have a second new hose and clamps when offshore. Faults in the house can wait till next year, faults on boats need sorting yesterday.
@@jasper374 The new (to me) boat is a Westsail 32. One of the things I really like about my Westsail compared to my Vega is that I can stand up straight in the Westsail. There are lots of things I like better about the Westsail, but honestly, the Vega is a great little boat.
Wait what?! atta boy! Tarkas got new crew and a very cute crew member at that. Congrats my man! Experiences like this are just better shared! Fun episode
Same here! I've heard people say "we" referring to themselves and their boats, but "we" didn't always make sense in some cases until the end of the video.
Nice work on all the upgrades. My girlfriend and I love the vids. On a Vancouver 27 with a very similar layout. Love is putting up with the other doing business at 2AM about 2 feet away from your head :) And may I just say, the mark of a true bluewater boat is the capacity to enjoy a cold beer straight from the ship's fridge. The little luxuries that keep you going.. Cheers s/v Soma
It's true. It's the small things that really make a difference. The Vancouver 27 is a fantastic boat (from what I hear). The couple that sailed Tarka around the world have now been cruising on a Vancouver 27 for many years: www.bosunbird.com/page15.php. You might also be interested in reading about an ongoing circumnavigation by a young man on his Vancouver 27: yachtfathom.co.uk/.
The key is to sail somewhere where there are plenty of autopilots, but just remember, you're most likely to find your autopilot when you're not looking for it.
Doc... Third autopilots have been known to be temperamental and expensive to maintain. Some even say they're extra equipment. It's possible that you're better off without one?
Hey mate. Just rewatching your video again as I'm looking for the best options for a small boat. You really make the Albin Vega shine! Hope you are doing well!
I stopped with my boat in Bonaire in the beginning of May and instantly noticed your boat. 5 years ago I sailed an Albin Vega just like yours from Sweden to the caribbean. We were four guys on it so you actually got a lot of room to play with 🤣 Best of luck and safe sails 😃
The Vega's came with that storage solution. It is brilliant and the table can be put up inside the cabin or in the cockpit. It also makes a handy little beginnings of an emergency rudder when needed.
A CB radio can give local help and entertainment, and occasionally very long skip conversations. A 12 volt chest freezer is very inexpensive, and takes the hard chill chore away from the big fridge. Always run it on ECO mode so it lasts.
My first boat was an Albin Vega. She wasn’t easy to manoeuvre in marinas, quite unpredictable going astern. But she made up for that! She was surprisingly fast and seaworthy. Good boats 👍
You might also consider having a wooden plug of an appropriate size, tied to the seacock, so it is at hand, that can be jammed into place should the hose fail. One for each seacock, at each seacock would be a cheap bit of kit, just In case.
Nice tour id like the cockpit tent gives you the three cabins. Is this the old tarka that circumnavved before named after the otter? Some vegas have the two doors to shut off the heads, chuck often kips on the floor lealea plan b😘to missx
This is indeed the same Vega. The doors used to be there, but when the boat circumnavigated, there was some deck compression from the mast, which caused the doors not being able to close anymore, so they were removed.
Congratulations on your new autopilot, wishing you both many miles together.... Just saw on another video you might be changing your plan a bit and maybe making a stop in south america, by the looks of the map on the video it looks like Santa Marta....
Hi great video! Just a side note that you’re probably aware of already but it’s always worth double hose clamps on hoses that are high risk (I.e. all connecting to seacocks on both ends and fuel lines). I’ve been on a 43 footer that almost sunk because a single hose clamp came off the raw water intake. Anyway just food for thought. Keep up the great work.
Haha, yes, of course. It was one of the first things I learned before I ever stepped foot in a boat. That particular hose barb is pretty small though, and I might do more damage than good by trying to squeeze in a second hose clamp, but it's on my list anyway!
Hey Bryan! We like your videos a lot! Thank you! We noticed that your emergency ladder would actually be difficult to open if you happen to fall in the water and try to come back onboard. Perhaps it's just from the angle shot...? Safe travels!
Thanks! It's just our swim ladder, and the boat is low enough that we can get onboard without it -- but, that said, we always tie it up with a slip know, and all we have to do is pull the line and it falls down.
we also have a 69 a.v.27. we are getting her ready for bahama sail. your video was just great. b/t/w that lady is the most beautiful girl ever. lucky guy. thanks
Hoping your "auto pilot" (really! but good segway) knows what she is in store for. Nice to get the tour and amazing how many hidden compartments you have. Like having a tiny house that floats.
Hi! Just discovered your channel recently and have binged watched all of your content. It's really refreshing to see someone do what you are doing on a 27' boat. All of the youtubers you see generally are on 36'+ boats. Drone footage has been awesome . Looking forward to following you across the Pacific. Good luck and keep having fun!
Thanks Erin! I also like to think it sets what me apart a little from all the other channels. Though life is often easier on a bigger boat, expenses and complications tend to scale as the square or cube of boat length. So, I'm quite happy with my little boat :).
Excellent! We will add this to our Boat Tours playlist, where you will join Delos and many others... Fair winds! Chris, Rossella & baby Emma 😊 p.s. Autopilots can be very finicky, but if you treat them well, even when they are not behaving as they should, they will be won over by your kindness and so begins a great partnership and adventure!... 👍
I really admire you both for your courage and initiative to undertake such an adventure! And Tarka proves that it is feasible for such a small boat to take a couple around the world. I have only one question; do you think it might be possible to squeeze in a watermaker somewhere? With only 40 gal. of water I would be a little worried about becoming becalmed in the doldrums for an extended period. Favourable winds and gentle seas!
I am looking for a Vega 27 and accidently went on the USA sites (I live in the UK). Got your news. I am not sure I would fit your criteria. My plan is to sail through Ireland, across to Scotland, through the Caledonian Canal, down through the European river systems to the Med, across to the Canaries, The Azores and back home for tea. I do wish you luck and understanding.
I can't believe the amount of gear you carry!! I have a 41 ft steel ketch but I would be challenged to put it all away. Wouldn't mind finding the space for an autopilot, though. Certainly one that doesn't mind being introduced like that.
We carry a fair amount, haha. But every time we add something to the boat, something goes away. It's more about weight management than anything else though, and I've already raised the water line once...
now that is the dream , buy the boat go sail , meet the lady keep sailing,,,I have to leave my wife behind cause she flipped that I bought a c&c 30 to do exactly what you have done. what is life right, work, mortgage ,kids,, blah ,blah, blah you live life and that's what I intend to do as well. happy sailing you to keep the videos coming
Looks like that’s her. lol. So great man! Your third autopilot is absolutely beautiful! :) Beautiful little boat you got there, I have a 28 newport that I have trouble sailing to Catalina island from redondo. (25 nautical miles) lol my dream is to be doing exactly what you’re doing one day. Hope to see you out on the big blue one of these day. Cheers! :)
I think as long as the boat is solid, and you do things relatively safely, then you just need to get out there and start making short passages. People spend years on the hard, only to splash their boats and find out that the sea isn't for them. I think you're well ahead of those folks :).
i totally agree with you brother! Thanks for the encouragement. haha i guess i just want a bigger boat, i wanted something i could sail in for the next 20 years with the wifey and kids so im thinking of a 34-46 range... i promise you no matter what, ill be out on the water not looking back within 2 years.
Mine behaves differently depending on whether I'm sailing upwind, or downwind, and in each case, the lines to the tiller need to be adjusted accordingly. Even then though, it requires a combination of trimming the sails, and balancing the whole boat to get the windvane to be happy. Otherwise (mainly downwind) it will steer us in a widely swerving course.
Get happy to see your vega, people have sail far whit vega, but dont u think she is weak, the long keal, i feel so when i sailed a vega.jump in high sea and leaning fast? I will follow your adventure..good luck
I think she is very strong, just a bit on the light end. She's a proven boat, and I think any faults I face along the way will be oversights of my own, rather than failings of the boat. Then again, I've never sailed on any other boat offshore, so I can't really say how she compares to other more-seaworthy boats :).
I am enjoying your videos and really admire what you are doing. I would ask one favor of you, however. Please double clamp all the hoses on your thru hull fittings. It is standard practice, a simple task, and provides an added margin of safety both when you are on the hook or at sea. Cheers!!
Thanks Richard! Most of them are double-clamped. For some reason though, that one isn't, and I think it's because the hose clamp is pretty wide compared to the through-hull barb, and a second didn't fit. But I'll be swapping it out for an appropriately sized pair.
Thanks for your reply. Yes, that happens occasionally and in that case a second clamp can compromise the hose - so best left alone - but attending to the proper set up, if possible, is a good approach. Best to ya.
That's great, Bryan! Congratulations on the new friend. We'll look forward to meeting her in your next episode. Question: Why is the salt water faucet disconnected? Is it a problem with the line or... ?
Nope, no problem with it. I just try to minimize how many seacocks we have open if we're not using them. We do the dishes in a bucket in the cockpit anyway, so the only thing we'd be using the saltwater tap for is cooking. But we cook with seawater infrequently enough that it just makes sense to reach over the side and scoop up a little water instead.
Nice Albin Vega! I am helping a friend sell his 1972 Vega #1366 near Anacortes, WA. Its listed for sale on Craiglist for $7995. Needs a little TLC but a great start for someone on a budget. I almost bought it but am in the middle of another refit.
Hello! That’s a cute boat! We’re thinking about buying one ourselves but it all depends on how long the berths are. We’re quite tall, so sleeping in a straight flat position is a must. How long are the berths on Albin Vega?
As always love watching your videos. Interesting autopilot you got there, is she environmentally friendly, heavy on electric consumption, reliable? All joking aside, you really make us think long & hard about our 27 footer - Paul & Steph
Haha, that's my hope! To get more people out there sailing their small boats, as it's pretty lonely out here being the only small boat everywhere we go.
Thanks friend that's the boat type I need I would take the showers outside I see you don't have one indoors that's not a problem with that beautiful scenery I would hose myself down and shower on the deck
Yeah, no shower indoors -- I'm so used to it that I completely forgot to mention it. Luckily the ocean is clean and warm most places we go, so we just have to rinse off with a bit of fresh water on deck after a swim :).
In a pinch it is possible to have a sponge bath in the cabin. Not ideal by any means but I've done it many times. I think you might have a hard time convincing your third autopilot that it is a good idea. 😊
The great thing is she draws so little some Vegas have toilet doors I’d chuck that head and get a thetford potty and convert that hanging locker to have a proper sink. You have to spend a lot to get a proper extra cabin a tent for the vega would give you the same.some yachts have the rear cabin behind the galley a great way to get incinerated, we love tanka she knows more about being out there than most. The other bunk is the floor cheers
She's a great little boat man, alot like the sort of boat I want to get one day. If you don't mind me asking, how much did she cost? Also, you mentioned earlier that you're going to make your way down to Australia later on, I'm in Sydney myself and I'm wondering if you'll come past my way :)
I'll probably answer the financial question in an upcoming video, but the she didn't cost very much! We are heading that way, and we'll get there, eventually! If we stick to our plan, we'll be in the land down under before the end of next year.
Thanks for the reply man! I hope to circumnavigate solo one day, and your channel is probably the closest thing to how I plan to do it that I can find on any sailing channel out there. 20-something on a small affordable and (sort of) singlehanded boat. It'd be really interesting to see how you arranged things financially, as long as you don't mind that is, because I am currently working out how to budget that type of journey myself. Good luck with everything man, We Aussies will be happy to welcome you here!
Rooms = cabins, floor = deck, cieling = overhead, go outside = go topside, bunks =berths, living room = salon/saloon, bathroom = head, back of the boat = stern, just a friendly FYI to make you sound more pro!
I’m impressed you cruise in such a small boat but you make it look big with all you load in it. What model is it? Just curious to see how stable it is at sea. Thanks, jay
It's an Albin Vega 27. It's sturdy, but somewhat light compared to some comparable boat. This makes her faster in light winds, but perhaps more tenderly in rough seas -- then again, I haven't sailed on any other boats offshore.
We have a fridge! The fridge was on the boat when I bought it, but wasn't working. Eventually I got it fixed, and am now very happy that we can store vegetables and cold drinks :).
The Vega is tender to about 15 degrees but then digs in and is rock solid past about 15 degrees. I have doubted many times if I would make it to the next port but never doubted my Vega would make it.
You two are truly blessed. I enjoy your videos very much. Proper Introductions would be wise in the future or your 3rd auto pilot may hunt a larger vessel. Just saying. Safe travels.
You inspire me more than super catamaran videos. Keep posting
A normal bloke sailing a normal boat that most people could afford at some time in their life. Millionaires sailing around in £250,000 cats don't inspire me either.
Years ago I bought a Vega that had only sailed the great lakes and was in amazing condition. I spent over twice what I paid for it on a refit and complete newly designed interior before sailing it to the Philippines. I am still living on the Vega and honestly don't think it is possible to find a more seaworthy sailboat of this size.
With a little ingenuity it is fairly easy to convert the stove to a gimbal stove and a very good upgrade to have. Other important upgrades are stronger windows and a strong arch inside to support the mast base. Double hose clamps should be used on all hoses to help prevent a disaster.
I just found this channel and look forward to browsing over your other videos. Take care.
That's awesome! Where did you sail it from? I replaced all the windows with 3/8"-thick acrylic bonded to the hull as soon as I had the opportunity. I've been working on a gimbal for the stove recently out of some creative use of some aluminum stock and clevis penis -- but progress has been slow with nothing but a hand drill and a hack saw.
I've double-upped hose clamps where they'll fit, but in some places I think they'll do more harm than good.
Good call on the windows as the originals can't take a good hit from a wave. I switched over to a single burner gimbal alcohol stove so I kind of cheated. As a solo sailor I only need one burner for my kettle or pressure cooker to make most of my meals.
If you can't double up on the hose clamps I would definitely keep a close eye on them and close the seacocks when they are not needed. No need to have the engine seacocks open when not in use but of course not opening them when required would be a disaster.
I purchased my Vega in Port Burwell on the Canadian side of Lake Erie. After the refit I sailed through the Erie Canal, down the ICW, through the Panama Canal and then to the Philippines. I know that leaves out a lot of steps but I think you get the idea. I was not in any great hurry, and neither was my Vega, so we ended up charting 14,984nm in 209 days.
I left hoping to hit 100nm per day but ended up averaging just over 70nm per day. The Vega cannot be considered fast by any stretch of the imagination. I saw lots of times when I hit over 7 knots, but most days I was happy with 5 knots and ended up averaging a little under 3 knots on that voyage. Some days I made a lot of progress, some days I didn't move at all and a few days I spent more time going backwards than forwards.
By the way what started as a circumnavigation attempt ended when I landed in the Philippines and found it impossible to leave. Maybe you will find a place that calls to your heart too.
That is pretty cramped living conditions but when the alternative is not doing it at all then it's perfect. Happy trails
Go Small, Go Simple, Go Now.
Spot on. And make sure you have a second new hose and clamps when offshore. Faults in the house can wait till next year, faults on boats need sorting yesterday.
Love the Albin Vega 27. It has to be one of the most affordable pocket cruisers. My first boat was a Vega. Good luck!
Yup! It won't win any beauty contests, but it's easily one of the best "take you anywhere" boats for those on a budget.
What was you second boat and why was it better than the Vega?
@@jasper374 The new (to me) boat is a Westsail 32. One of the things I really like about my Westsail compared to my Vega is that I can stand up straight in the Westsail. There are lots of things I like better about the Westsail, but honestly, the Vega is a great little boat.
Wait what?! atta boy! Tarkas got new crew and a very cute crew member at that. Congrats my man! Experiences like this are just better shared! Fun episode
I owned an Albin Vega when on the coast of Maine. Loved her, small but very seaworthy. You made a good choice. All the best to you on your adventure.
The best tour of the vega i have seen! Wish you all well.
Mike
Throughout the video you kept saying "we" and "our" and I thought you had lost it. You obviously have not. :)
Robert Vinet
Solo sailors still say we, referring to ourselves and our boats.
Same here! I've heard people say "we" referring to themselves and their boats, but "we" didn't always make sense in some cases until the end of the video.
He met that cute Dutch girl! Super endearing!!
My favourite sailing blog!
Nice work on all the upgrades. My girlfriend and I love the vids. On a Vancouver 27 with a very similar layout. Love is putting up with the other doing business at 2AM about 2 feet away from your head :) And may I just say, the mark of a true bluewater boat is the capacity to enjoy a cold beer straight from the ship's fridge. The little luxuries that keep you going.. Cheers s/v Soma
It's true. It's the small things that really make a difference. The Vancouver 27 is a fantastic boat (from what I hear). The couple that sailed Tarka around the world have now been cruising on a Vancouver 27 for many years: www.bosunbird.com/page15.php. You might also be interested in reading about an ongoing circumnavigation by a young man on his Vancouver 27: yachtfathom.co.uk/.
Oh man you are my hero. Another great video, looking fore for the next episode
I was wondering who were the "we" and "our" too. LOL, glad you're not alone. PS: Love your little home. Thanks and best from HKG
The perfect pocket cruiser with an excellent autopilot!
I have a 48 foot ketch in need of a third autopilot. Please advise where you got yours...
The key is to sail somewhere where there are plenty of autopilots, but just remember, you're most likely to find your autopilot when you're not looking for it.
Doc... Third autopilots have been known to be temperamental and expensive to maintain. Some even say they're extra equipment. It's possible that you're better off without one?
I’m sure it’s lovely. Good luck with it
Well done dude!
She looks happy and easygoing, just what a guy and a small boat needs.
🍻
It’s more fun sharing your experiences with someone else. Then it becomes OUR experience.
You are on the right track...authentic and intelligent with one of the best 27 footers ever made. You autopilot is a sweet one...better keep her!
Hey mate. Just rewatching your video again as I'm looking for the best options for a small boat. You really make the Albin Vega shine! Hope you are doing well!
Glad I watched all episodes in a row then this episode...Congrats on your "new autopilot!"
I stopped with my boat in Bonaire in the beginning of May and instantly noticed your boat.
5 years ago I sailed an Albin Vega just like yours from Sweden to the caribbean. We were four guys on it so you actually got a lot of room to play with 🤣
Best of luck and safe sails 😃
Very neat little boat. I like the idea for storing your table. going to have a look at something like that for my 30 footer.
The Vega's came with that storage solution. It is brilliant and the table can be put up inside the cabin or in the cockpit. It also makes a handy little beginnings of an emergency rudder when needed.
Nice job and thanks for showing off your boat. I’ve been curious
You my friend are a blessed man
Best boat tour ever.
A CB radio can give local help and entertainment, and occasionally very long skip conversations. A 12 volt chest freezer is very inexpensive, and takes the hard chill chore away from the big fridge. Always run it on ECO mode so it lasts.
What a great little boat. I see the nav tablet swings out on an arm? Neat idea.
Very cute. Glad to see you have company. She's actually a mermaid. Just saying...
I'll second THAT!!! She's SUCH a beauty. ;-)
Great tour of the boat and the best part was of course the 3:rd autopilot! ;-)
That’s a lot of boat for a small boat! I am in the market to buy a boat and have big eyes. Your videos have shown the advantages of a smaller boat.
My first boat was an Albin Vega. She wasn’t easy to manoeuvre in marinas, quite unpredictable going astern. But she made up for that! She was surprisingly fast and seaworthy. Good boats 👍
Thanks for sharing, please consider 2 hose clamps, facing opposite directions, on all hose clamp moments...& well done
You might also consider having a wooden plug of an appropriate size, tied to the seacock, so it is at hand, that can be jammed into place should the hose fail. One for each seacock, at each seacock would be a cheap bit of kit, just In case.
Nice tour id like the cockpit tent gives you the three cabins. Is this the old tarka that circumnavved before named after the otter? Some vegas have the two doors to shut off the heads, chuck often kips on the floor lealea plan b😘to missx
This is indeed the same Vega. The doors used to be there, but when the boat circumnavigated, there was some deck compression from the mast, which caused the doors not being able to close anymore, so they were removed.
The Adventures of Tarka great thought she was, you will be looked after
An auto pilot that is beautiful and goes shopping.....Priceless. Nice boat!
Thank you for the tour
I love your boat! Thank you for sharing!
A lovely big yacht, mine is 23 ft with a Center board box. But plenty of room for me.
Haha, not many people get to call Tarka a big yacht, but you have earned it!
Congratulations on your new autopilot, wishing you both many miles together....
Just saw on another video you might be changing your plan a bit and maybe making a stop in south america, by the looks of the map on the video it looks like Santa Marta....
That's correct! Santa Marta is our next stop.
Nice place, I am living just down the road in Barranquilla, if you have the time while you are there maybe we can meet and have a few beers...
What a lovely little boat!
Small boat but a HUGE back yard..
very sweet : ) loved the tour also!
Great video and a great autopilot.
Hi great video! Just a side note that you’re probably aware of already but it’s always worth double hose clamps on hoses that are high risk (I.e. all connecting to seacocks on both ends and fuel lines). I’ve been on a 43 footer that almost sunk because a single hose clamp came off the raw water intake. Anyway just food for thought. Keep up the great work.
Haha, yes, of course. It was one of the first things I learned before I ever stepped foot in a boat. That particular hose barb is pretty small though, and I might do more damage than good by trying to squeeze in a second hose clamp, but it's on my list anyway!
Hey Bryan! We like your videos a lot! Thank you! We noticed that your emergency ladder would actually be difficult to open if you happen to fall in the water and try to come back onboard. Perhaps it's just from the angle shot...? Safe travels!
Thanks! It's just our swim ladder, and the boat is low enough that we can get onboard without it -- but, that said, we always tie it up with a slip know, and all we have to do is pull the line and it falls down.
we also have a 69 a.v.27. we are getting her ready for bahama sail. your video was just great. b/t/w that lady is the most beautiful girl ever. lucky guy. thanks
Nice! Have a good trip down there!
Hoping your "auto pilot" (really! but good segway) knows what she is in store for. Nice to get the tour and amazing how many hidden compartments you have. Like having a tiny house that floats.
Haha, thanks ma!. Every day she's getting to know better what she has signed up for :).
Hi! Just discovered your channel recently and have binged watched all of your content. It's really refreshing to see someone do what you are doing on a 27' boat. All of the youtubers you see generally are on 36'+ boats. Drone footage has been awesome . Looking forward to following you across the Pacific. Good luck and keep having fun!
Thanks Erin! I also like to think it sets what me apart a little from all the other channels. Though life is often easier on a bigger boat, expenses and complications tend to scale as the square or cube of boat length. So, I'm quite happy with my little boat :).
Excellent! We will add this to our Boat Tours playlist, where you will join Delos and many others... Fair winds! Chris, Rossella & baby Emma 😊
p.s. Autopilots can be very finicky, but if you treat them well, even when they are not behaving as they should, they will be won over by your kindness and so begins a great partnership and adventure!... 👍
Hi Chris. 😊 This is the same basic sailboat that I have, so he is either a genius or insane. I haven't decided yet. 😊
Hi Jacobus, I believe the two are often intertwined, so maybe we are all in the same boat, despite being in different boats... 😉
Another nice video!
Thought that was strange changing from singular to plural. Nice boat none the less.
Did you see the girl near the end?
Mister Professor yes I did 🙂
I really admire you both for your courage and initiative to undertake such an adventure! And Tarka proves that it is feasible for such a small boat to take a couple around the world. I have only one question; do you think it might be possible to squeeze in a watermaker somewhere? With only 40 gal. of water I would be a little worried about becoming becalmed in the doldrums for an extended period.
Favourable winds and gentle seas!
Double hose clamps, especially on thru-hulls, please! Otherwise, nice AV27. Good job on the electrics. Very neat.
I am looking for a Vega 27 and accidently went on the USA sites (I live in the UK). Got your news. I am not sure I would fit your criteria. My plan is to sail through Ireland, across to Scotland, through the Caledonian Canal, down through the European river systems to the Med, across to the Canaries, The Azores and back home for tea. I do wish you luck and understanding.
Cute. LOoking forward to more about your new autopilot! Cheers!
I can't believe the amount of gear you carry!! I have a 41 ft steel ketch but I would be challenged to put it all away. Wouldn't mind finding the space for an autopilot, though. Certainly one that doesn't mind being introduced like that.
We carry a fair amount, haha. But every time we add something to the boat, something goes away. It's more about weight management than anything else though, and I've already raised the water line once...
now that is the dream , buy the boat go sail , meet the lady keep sailing,,,I have to leave my wife behind cause she flipped that I bought a c&c 30 to do exactly what you have done. what is life right, work, mortgage ,kids,, blah ,blah, blah you live life and that's what I intend to do as well. happy sailing you to keep the videos coming
Looks like that’s her. lol. So great man! Your third autopilot is absolutely beautiful! :)
Beautiful little boat you got there, I have a 28 newport that I have trouble sailing to Catalina island from redondo. (25 nautical miles) lol my dream is to be doing exactly what you’re doing one day. Hope to see you out on the big blue one of these day. Cheers! :)
I think as long as the boat is solid, and you do things relatively safely, then you just need to get out there and start making short passages. People spend years on the hard, only to splash their boats and find out that the sea isn't for them. I think you're well ahead of those folks :).
i totally agree with you brother! Thanks for the encouragement. haha
i guess i just want a bigger boat, i wanted something i could sail in for the next 20 years with the wifey and kids so im thinking of a 34-46 range...
i promise you no matter what, ill be out on the water not looking back within 2 years.
Nice boat man ! Can you tell me what material the black solar arch is made of? Thanks and fair winds !
It's made of marine plywood of all things and painted with an epoxy primer.
The auto pilot that shops is great, must be an import model ya... haha
Definitely an import ;).
She has a beautiful smile. Hopefully we will get to meet her as a person with a name in a future episode.
willyF the navik is an old one made by plastimo alot of vegas have them on the uk ebay u see them for 500 pounds
You mentioned that it was somewhat difficult to learn how to operate the wind vane. Could you please elaborate?
Mine behaves differently depending on whether I'm sailing upwind, or downwind, and in each case, the lines to the tiller need to be adjusted accordingly. Even then though, it requires a combination of trimming the sails, and balancing the whole boat to get the windvane to be happy. Otherwise (mainly downwind) it will steer us in a widely swerving course.
You could tell us a little bit about the process of choosing your boat. What was your budget limits, size etc? How the idea of this travel started?
Lovely boat you have there, could you let me know what program you are using on your tablet for the chart plotter. Thanks.
Sure! I'm using Navionics primarily, OpenCPN as a secondary when needed.
Another great video! Your new Autopilot seems a little bit shy, though ;-) But looks even prettier than Riley´s! Greetz from Germany.
Also doesn't always do what you tell it to! Better consult the owner's manual ;)
Get happy to see your vega, people have sail far whit vega, but dont u think she is weak, the long keal, i feel so when i sailed a vega.jump in high sea and leaning fast? I will follow your adventure..good luck
I think she is very strong, just a bit on the light end. She's a proven boat, and I think any faults I face along the way will be oversights of my own, rather than failings of the boat.
Then again, I've never sailed on any other boat offshore, so I can't really say how she compares to other more-seaworthy boats :).
I am enjoying your videos and really admire what you are doing. I would ask one favor of you, however. Please double clamp all the hoses on your thru hull fittings. It is standard practice, a simple task, and provides an added margin of safety both when you are on the hook or at sea. Cheers!!
Thanks Richard! Most of them are double-clamped. For some reason though, that one isn't, and I think it's because the hose clamp is pretty wide compared to the through-hull barb, and a second didn't fit. But I'll be swapping it out for an appropriately sized pair.
Thanks for your reply. Yes, that happens occasionally and in that case a second clamp can compromise the hose - so best left alone - but attending to the proper set up, if possible, is a good approach. Best to ya.
That's great, Bryan! Congratulations on the new friend. We'll look forward to meeting her in your next episode.
Question: Why is the salt water faucet disconnected? Is it a problem with the line or... ?
Nope, no problem with it. I just try to minimize how many seacocks we have open if we're not using them. We do the dishes in a bucket in the cockpit anyway, so the only thing we'd be using the saltwater tap for is cooking. But we cook with seawater infrequently enough that it just makes sense to reach over the side and scoop up a little water instead.
Nice Albin Vega! I am helping a friend sell his 1972 Vega #1366 near Anacortes, WA. Its listed for sale on Craiglist for $7995. Needs a little TLC but a great start for someone on a budget. I almost bought it but am in the middle of another refit.
Vegas can be found for great prices in various states of sea-worthiness. But in the end, they're all pretty affordable.
I can't believe Larry is selling his mistress. I hope he is okay.
Hi I'm up to episode 42 are their any more.cant wait to see more.
Hello! That’s a cute boat! We’re thinking about buying one ourselves but it all depends on how long the berths are. We’re quite tall, so sleeping in a straight flat position is a must. How long are the berths on Albin Vega?
I would be very interested in a vid about the ins and outs of the windvane / autopilot(s)
I talk a bit about it in an early episode: ruclips.net/video/Eg4F7mWgUgo/видео.html
As always love watching your videos. Interesting autopilot you got there, is she environmentally friendly, heavy on electric consumption, reliable? All joking aside, you really make us think long & hard about our 27 footer - Paul & Steph
Haha, that's my hope! To get more people out there sailing their small boats, as it's pretty lonely out here being the only small boat everywhere we go.
Enjoyed the tour. Wish you both the best. She is a beautiful girl.
Very cool your boat! I lost pictures, letters, books, drawings, clothes, shoes and what not because of water leaks, hard to back track some of them
Nice auto pilot!
Thanks friend that's the boat type I need I would take the showers outside I see you don't have one indoors that's not a problem with that beautiful scenery I would hose myself down and shower on the deck
Yeah, no shower indoors -- I'm so used to it that I completely forgot to mention it. Luckily the ocean is clean and warm most places we go, so we just have to rinse off with a bit of fresh water on deck after a swim :).
In a pinch it is possible to have a sponge bath in the cabin. Not ideal by any means but I've done it many times. I think you might have a hard time convincing your third autopilot that it is a good idea. 😊
The great thing is she draws so little some Vegas have toilet doors I’d chuck that head and get a thetford potty and convert that hanging locker to have a proper sink. You have to spend a lot to get a proper extra cabin a tent for the vega would give you the same.some yachts have the rear cabin behind the galley a great way to get incinerated, we love tanka she knows more about being out there than most. The other bunk is the floor cheers
I was wondering if you use paper charts too?
I usually carry them for the region I'm sailing, but I've never had to use them. They're there just in case.
Happy Autopilot happy life.....lol...and she smiles too! Happy voyaging guys.
I love tours where I can standnin one place and just rotate
have you thought of getting a bigger boat yet?
I think something like a 32-36ft boat would be great, I don't think I'd want to go any bigger though.
Hi how tall are you? How do you cope with no standing head room? Love the vids 👍
that's why you double up on that hose clamp...and have one close and ready maybe
I bet that 3rd autopilot can run circles around the other two.
She's a great little boat man, alot like the sort of boat I want to get one day. If you don't mind me asking, how much did she cost?
Also, you mentioned earlier that you're going to make your way down to Australia later on, I'm in Sydney myself and I'm wondering if you'll come past my way :)
I'll probably answer the financial question in an upcoming video, but the she didn't cost very much!
We are heading that way, and we'll get there, eventually! If we stick to our plan, we'll be in the land down under before the end of next year.
Thanks for the reply man!
I hope to circumnavigate solo one day, and your channel is probably the closest thing to how I plan to do it that I can find on any sailing channel out there. 20-something on a small affordable and (sort of) singlehanded boat. It'd be really interesting to see how you arranged things financially, as long as you don't mind that is, because I am currently working out how to budget that type of journey myself.
Good luck with everything man, We Aussies will be happy to welcome you here!
Обьясните кто нибудь, что за прибор с названием "новик" ?
How do you learn you're too sail a boat like this?
Nice pocket cruiser very well set up, bad luck to have bananas on the vessel though. Aloha nui
Is it? Hmm, I've never heard that before...
This is a fairly common belief among commercial fishermen but usually not held by sailboat crews.
Rooms = cabins, floor = deck, cieling = overhead, go outside = go topside, bunks =berths, living room = salon/saloon, bathroom = head, back of the boat = stern, just a friendly FYI to make you sound more pro!
Hi, great series. what nav software for the Android?
and for extra head room add ballast to lower the floor! [hahaha me so funny]
I use Navionics for primary navigation.
Gwoon pindakaas, excellent choice.
Simple and happy
hey just wondering what model of boat tarka is
Awfully HOT autopilot you got there Bro!! Keep her happy!!
I’m impressed you cruise in such a small boat but you make it look big with all you load in it. What model is it? Just curious to see how stable it is at sea. Thanks, jay
It's an Albin Vega 27. It's sturdy, but somewhat light compared to some comparable boat. This makes her faster in light winds, but perhaps more tenderly in rough seas -- then again, I haven't sailed on any other boats offshore.
Bonjour mon amis,can i ask you why did you decide to do without fridge,since you have solar panel should be possible ?
We have a fridge! The fridge was on the boat when I bought it, but wasn't working. Eventually I got it fixed, and am now very happy that we can store vegetables and cold drinks :).
What sewing machine do you have please?
hi any suggestions on catamaran or sailboat under 100k dollars for world cruising ?
You have to clean out the tube set in the heat exchanger on the beta or she will stop
I see that the Albin Vega has a relatively low D/L ratio (186). How does that work out regarding offshore sailing? Does it feel safe?
She's probably more tender than a boat with a higher D/L ratio, but I don't really know because she's the only boat I've sailed offshore with.
The Vega is tender to about 15 degrees but then digs in and is rock solid past about 15 degrees. I have doubted many times if I would make it to the next port but never doubted my Vega would make it.
Hey guys. It’s been a while. Are you guys ok ??
You two are truly blessed. I enjoy your videos very much. Proper Introductions would be wise in the future or your 3rd auto pilot may hunt a larger vessel. Just saying. Safe travels.
True, I better tread carefully!