VAGB NEWSLETTER 29 Bugle - V1698 ega Association of Great Britain March 2001 Webpage - www.vagb.com Letter from the Secretary Bird

Hello fellow Vega sailors and Friends,

Sorry that the Newsletter is late, somehow the time has flown past, as I have been engrossed in making hoods, preparing endless paperwork for the AGM and helping to epoxy a fellow member's boat (ed. Oops, that was my Vega). Suddenly just when "Methuselah", my typewriter, chucked in the towel, the 29th Newsletter appeared over the horizon. No peace for the wicked. I am writing this in longhand so any spelling errors blame Steve's computer which he says can read longhand, correct spelling errors and change the whole thing into Times Roman. What a wondrous age we have these days.

Since NL28 we have had the Happy Hour at the London Boat Show to brighten up the long winter nights. As usual it was well attended, 22 stalwart sailors popped into the RYA lounge to join VAGB's ever expanding table. Tim Moriarity, Vega Calypso, and a new member came to say hello as did Walther Nerving (VODA President), Cai Christainsen both from Denmark, Mike Newell from Italy. They came from The Orkneys to The Solent and everywhere in-between. Nineteen went on to Mrs Lamb's home to enjoy an excellent buffet and discuss Boat Show bargains, Sailing and the world.

I had an unexpected invitation to a very late season cruise for a few days crewing for Graham Bulleid aboard his Vega "Scandi". It was cold, wet, bleak, foggy, rainy but very beautiful. Not surprising we hardly saw any other sailors but found we could get right up the River Stour to within one hundred metres of Mistley Pier before running aground at absolute Low Water Springs. The Lord Nelson Pub at Ipswich (where I had been last summer with Ross Dring, the American VAGB member who went to the Dutch IFR) was an unimaginable oasis. Its' roaring fire was a sight for sore eyes and bones as Graham and I squelched in from the rainstorm like a pair of drowned rats. Our sodden oilskins actually steamed as they dried over the backs of the chairs. An excellent menu, real ale and the dancing fire bade us stay... and we did 'til the fire died and the pub closed!

Page 1 Vega Association of Great Britain Newsletter 29 The next day we headed for home via Wivenhoe, which turned out to be the jewel in the crown of our short winter cruise. After departing in windless, rainy and later foggy weather, we motored along the East Coast passing Frinton and Clacton, both looking very drab.. But as we approached the River Colne the sun appeared together with the wind and Scandi flew up the river under sail. The scenery was beautiful all the way to Wivenhoe which itself was a picture from the past. Thatched Cottages, Thames Barges, Bowlegs, olde worlde pubs and an artist painting on the bank.

Time stood still for Wivenhoe but not for us as reluctantly we went about and headed for home. This short unexpected cruise in seemingly unfriendly conditions, as often happens, turned out to be one of the most enjoyable sorties up the East Coast secret rivers that I have ever experienced. Roll on summer, I want to visit Wivenhoe again!

Well folks, that's all that has happened this winter. Not long before the clocks go back and spring is around the corner. Good Fitting-Out to you all..

Cheerio for the present,

Diana Webb Bugle V1698 Welcome New Members Ron Davis Mike Saunders V1587 “WAKI” V1778 “CHLOE II” Chesapeake Bay, USA Weymouth

Ian Macfarlane Dr Gerald Asbridge V1375 “ALBA” Vega in Norway Kip Marina, Scotland Warminster, Wilts.

Arthur Moynihan David Schofield Looking for a Vega Looking for a Vega Dublin, Ireland Thornton

Robert Smales Jim Gray V1034 “SITKA” V1022 “RUPERT Brough, Humber Edgar Marina, Scotland “Rupert” featured in Anne Millars book Stephen Patch “Out of the Blue” completed a double V1048 “SCAMANDER” Atlantic crossing in 1984 and returning Lochcarron, Scotland to the UK in 1986.

Page 2 Vega Association of Great Britain Newsletter 29 Thoughts of Chairman Mike......

CONFESSIONS OF A BOAT OWNER

That day in late October changed my life, I finally admitted my addiction and the effect it was having on my family and me. Up to that point I had always denied that I had a problem, you know the sort of thing, I can give it up any time I want to, I just do it to be sociable, etc. etc. I finally admitted that my actions were not those of any normal person, I finally admitted my addiction to boats and I am going up the library to find out if there is a local branch of BA (Boatowners Anonymous). If there is I shall join so that I can publicly admit my addiction and learn how to control it with fellow devotees. Perhaps I will get a buddy to ring when the urge becomes uncontrollable. Well at least it will give something to do in the winter with the boat ashore.

I had planned to spend a couple of days down at the boat before she came ashore. I live in the middle of Buckinghamshire and my boat (a 27ft Albin Vega) lives at Walton on Naze in Essex. The trip involves a journey round the M25 and up the A12, a total of 127 miles in each direction, enough to make a grown commuter weep and not something any sensible pensioner should contemplate, especially when he could be watching 'Esther'. On the other hand a couple of days on the boat in the fresh air and a little sailing, how could anyone resist it, well I couldn't and didn't even try to fight the impulse.

I then checked the tide tables and started to listen to the weather forecast, it was not good. Wet and windy and likely to stay that way. My heart sank. But wait if I look at this other forecast it says it might be better on Wednesday before closing in again on Thursday. So I'll go just for the day, what all that way for a few hours, it's not that bad a journey after all and I could get a few jobs done. The internal and eternal debate raged on but we all knew what the outcome would be.

Tuesday night was as predicted lousy but at 7.00 am on Wednesday morning there was a glimmer of sunshine so after a hasty breakfast I was on my way.

Aylesbury was full of cars going nowhere as usual. The Tring by-pass busy but although I was part of the traffic stream my mind was on better things, the sun was shining and I was going to get the fix I craved for. I didn't even mind the inevitable hold up between J27 and J28, I had Radio 4 to keep me informed of people worse off than myself. The trip up the A12 was relatively smooth; I was finally approaching Walton and my heart quickened. As you approach you can see across the saltings and Hamford Water to Felixstowe. It was nearly high water and the sun was glinting on the grey water. The masts of Titchmarsh Marina showed the way to heaven and a sense of peace descended on me.

I called in to Hall's Yard to arrange for 'Jenavive' to be lifted out the following week. As I walked through the yard looking at the boats, old and new, some being worked on, some just standing looking for a bit of TLC, I could feel the 'fix' beginning to take effect. I parked the car at the Yacht Club and got the slightly crumpled and ancient inflatable out of the

Page 3 Vega Association of Great Britain Newsletter 29 rack, rummaged in the boat store for the oars and the dinghy pump. Pumped the dinghy up, threw my gear in and rowed down the creek.

As a real addict I get as much pleasure from rowing the half a mile plus to my boat as others would get from a continental cruise.

A couple of boats were coming in on the flooding tide, I was the only dinghy out there. I soon reached 'Jenavive' and stowed my gear. The sky was beautifully clear with just some tiny bits of cotton wool round the horizon, the wind was quite fresh from the South West. I would have preferred to sail down toward Stone Point but I needed to run the engine to ensure the batteries were charged. Off we set, the engine running like clockwork and me standing at the helm, Breton cap at a jaunty angle, really believing I was 'Master under God' of all I surveyed. I soon left Stone Point behind but then began to worry about tides. I can only get ashore just before half tide and I needed to get back. So back we went to the mooring, the late lunch was well up to my usual awful standard. The tide was dropping fast so I secured the boat, jumped in the dinghy and rowed ashore. Minutes later I was on my return journey back down the A12 and the M25, if there were delays they didn't worry me I was at peace with the world. Three hours and 127 miles later I got home, thoroughly convinced that the 6 hours of driving had been worth the one and a half hours sailing. You might think that it wasn't worth it, but I suspect that there are many of us out there, doing similar seemingly illogical things, we might look normal and occasionally sound sensible but under the respectable veneer lurks a secret boat addict.

You have been warned, there may be one living near you.

Mike Freeman - Jenavive (East coast) - VAGB Chairman

SIX OF THE BEST (Part 2 - Chichester Harbour)

It's funny how Solent sailors never seem to turn left. The ambition is always to push on south or west, to Devon or to Normandy and Brittany. So Chichester Harbour is visited infrequently by those based further west.

It has a great deal to offer and despite the reputation of "The Bar", the 5,000 cruising yachts based in the harbour seem to cope without any trouble. So can you. It boasts the best beach on the South Coast east of Sandbanks, good fishing, superb pubs and six marinas. It also contains a couple of gems for those who like quiet anchorages. One is Thorney Channel which stretches for some two and half miles north of East Head on the way to.. nowhere. For a couple of miles there is plenty of water, combined with excellent shelter except in a strong southerly which can whip up a sick-making short sea on a spring ebb.

Page 4 Vega Association of Great Britain Newsletter 29 The only landing feasible, except at the head of Prinsted Creek, Is at Thorney Island Sailing Club where an excellent and inexpensive bar (at weekends) provides a welcome for visiting yachts. Visitors can often find a free buoy but otherwise anchor clear of the moorings. The views of the South Downs are superb; bird-watching is outstanding, particularly in autumn and spring.

For the pure champagne of Chichester Harbour cruising, turn to starboard at half tide and enter Crake Rithe, two cables below the prominent TI sailing club. There's a bar at the entrance with best water on the northern side. Sound in carefully and at the first bend to port you'll find up to 3m of water at low tide and 2m for another quarter mile as the creek bears round to the north. At low tide survey the entrance and make sure you leave before HW just in case you touch. Depending on the season you'll find seals and ospreys, little egrets and eider duck. If you're really unlucky there might be one other boat sharing this enchanting anchorage.

An interesting alternative is in Sweare Deep which bears off to port at the top of the Emsworth Channel. Before you reach the entrance to Northney Marina there's a group of Harbourmaster's moorings, generally with one or two free. Alternatively drop anchor wherever you find sufficient water.

Emsworth This is a great

Langstone place to snug down if the wind promises to come in hard from any direction from south thru west to north. Time your visit for an evening HW and you can Not to be used for navigation take the dinghy up to a couple of waterside pubs at the north end of Hayling Bridge where good food and ale is assured- Twenty minutes on foot takes you into Havant. If you want to stop briefly to stock up with victuals and water, a pontoon has been installed at Emsworth allowing a two-hour stopover. Call Chichester Harbourmaster on VHF Ch. 14 for details. The town is within five minutes' walk.

Brian Pilcher - Panacea V1375

Page 5 Vega Association of Great Britain Newsletter 29 RNLI SEA CHECK (A free check on your Vega’s safety equipment)

So, what is this initiative all about? We all know that safety at sea is a huge subject and we all pay regard to safety measures at the beginning of the season and before taking our Vega to sea. But to what level is that attention?

The RNLI provide us with a fantastic back-up when we have a problem – The local Lifeboat – but is this really the only resort to those often too brief thoughts about our safety equipment. When did you last inflate your lifejacket and leave it for 24 hours to check its’ buoyancy? When did you last make up the tackle to lift a man form an overboard situation?

SEA CHECK is a national scheme launched eighteen months ago to assist all those going to sea in leisure craft. It is operated by very experienced volunteer advisors from the RNLI and is carried out at your request, where and when you want it.

Whilst the check is carried out in a formal manner to ensure that all aspects of your Vega’s equipment is checked, I found the advisors friendly and helpful. They are amateur or professional sailors themselves, some of them retired or serving lifeboat crew and all have firsthand experience of the sea and can talk about any aspect of the boat’s safety.

Whilst we may all be a bit embarrassed to ask a stranger to check your equipment it really is unnecessary, these guys are really good and are not out to put you or your Vega down, but to offer friendly advise – and they do.

Beside these SEA CHECKS on your boat the RNLI have a team of Scheme Co-ordinators throughout the country who visit sailing and yacht clubs to give talks about the scheme, GMDSS and will also arrange a “hands-on” flare demonstration. My own club, ST Mawes, have invited Kevin Riley on several occasions and each time the cruising members have been really delighted with the results – and it’s good experience (and great fun) letting off the flares for practise!

There are over 3000 leisure sailors rescued each year by the RNLI, many of whom never considered even for a second that they would ever need to call out a lifeboat and a very large number of these call-outs would have been unnecessary if safety equipment had been onboard or worked when required. Each launch of the lifeboat costs £6000 and if you review your local lifeboat call-outs then you will see that a large number could have been avoided by a little safety forethought.

SEA CHECK can be arranged by telephone – 0880 328 0600 Or www.rnli.org.uk/seacheck.asp

John Brooks Vega “Dumbea” V3011 St Mawes, Cornwall

Page 6 Vega Association of Great Britain Newsletter 29 Vega of the Month BUGLE - V1698

Bugle is a fine example of a Series II Vega. Built in 1973 she is almost original apart from her “battleship grey” colour that certainly makes her stand out from the crowd. Diana Webb has been the custodian of Bugle for over fifteen years and has maintained her in a most sea- worthy state. Moored at Hoo on The Medway in company with “Brue Vega”, “Fina IV” and “Reflection V” Bugle is often to be seen sailing the waters of the East coast, France, Solent and wherever the IFR is being held at that time. At the last IFR Diana and her crew of Lars Lemby and Ken Wakeling powered to a very cred- itable 3rd place in the Cruising Class. Not bad for a Vega fitted out for long distance sailing and I dread to think what the average age of the crew was but they certainly put most of us young whipper-snappers to shame! Still it is the taking part and competing......

Diana is also the Hon. Sec. of VAGB and spends all her free time sorting out the various problems of Vega owners around the world. She is an accomplished sailor and never panics (ed. unlike me!). Sailing is in her blood and it shows! Diana embodies the meaning of the Vega motto “International Friendship”......

A winter's sail

Why do we put our boats away for the winter, perhaps it's a Puritanical British thing, you know the argument, if you're enjoying yourself it must be wrong so stop doing it for Lent or the winter or whatever.

I put Jenavive ashore in November and settled down to wait for spring more or less resigned to my fate. I was getting ready for the dreaded Christmas celebrations and thinking that all the fun had gone out of life when the Angel Bob appeared unto me. What actually happened was that a friend of mine, Bob, a builder but not 'the builder', had been so busy that he had not moved his boat back to it's winter mooring. Would I help him move it? I said I'd ring back, rapid negotiations took place with Father Christmas's chief present buyer and wrapper, after all this was mid December and all

Page 7 Vega Association of Great Britain Newsletter 29 of Santa's elves are expected to put in the overtime and not swan off enjoying themselves. Within five minutes, having come to the conclusion that I was more trouble than I was worth at home, I had rung Bob back and we were making arrangements for the trip.

Bob has a Saga 40 on a swinging mooring at Felixstowe Ferry, for those unlucky people who don't sail the East Coast this is just inside the entrance to the River Deben. As nearly all my sailing is on my 27ft Albin Vega, sailing a 40ft boat is like going on a luxury cruise, you could play deck quoits on the wide expanse of teak deck.

Bob picked me up at the appointed hour and I settled back to being driven to the coast from rural Buckinghamshire where we live.

Three hours later we arrived at Felixstowe Ferry, we parked had a terrific 'Allday Breakfast' in the café on the shingle, then inflated the dinghy and puttered out to Bob's boat. It was quite cold but the breeze was very gentle and we even saw some blue sky. We were only going out to sea, back into the Orwell and up to Ipswich but we were both looking forward to the trip. We had to wait a while for the tide to make so Bob did a few odd jobs and I tried not to get in the way.

Around midday we hoisted the main and unfurled the genoa, and as there wasn't quite enough wind put on the motor and motor sailed away from our mooring. A strong tide was flooding in and we struggled to make headway against it, but gradually we made our way past the ferry and along the shingle bank to the bar. There were very few boats visible but out to sea we could see the shipping entering and leaving Harwich and Felixstowe.

As soon as we were over the bar, we unfurled our staysail and turned off the engine. We were sailing close-hauled towards the Naze. You don't get the same sense of movement and liveliness as you do on a Vega and I was surprised to see what good progress we were making. We had to put the motor on again as we approached Harwich but kept it ticking over and continued to sail in.

A mug of tea and a fistful of chocolate biscuits and all seemed well with the world. All of a sudden a RIB roared up alongside and discharged four figures clad in black rubber on to our deck. HM Customs doing a spot check made quite an interesting diversion for us. After a number of questions and a short search below they decided they had a more important appointment elsewhere and roared off.

We continued to sail upriver but by the time we reached Pinmill it was quite dark. The wind was still light but the cold began to be felt in earnest; I was very pleased I'd got my 'long johns' on. Pilotage was quite easy as the river is well lit but I must admit we got a bit confused as we approached the road bridge just below Ipswich.

Eventually we passed beneath the bridge and made our way to the lock. This was the first time either of us had approached it at night and we had the usual difficulty of identifying the approach. It's amazing how easy it is the second time. Continued Page 14......

Page 8 Vega Association of Great Britain Newsletter 29 More dolphins ... and a whale

In the last issue, I reported my trip in Iserl (V1746) with Allen Barnby and Duncan Pepper, from Gosport to the Gulf of Morbihan, Southern Brittany. With the boat in place, Liz and I spent a pleasant summer in France. We sailed out to the islands offshore and explored the beautiful current-ridden waters of the gulf itself. In late August we came back to the UK by car and then in early September I returned to France to bring back the boat. Allen came again, and we were joined by an experienced sailing friend of mine, Peter Bell. We travelled via Brittany Ferries Portsmouth-St Malo and hired a car.

The first task was to dry the boat out, look over the bottom and give it a scrub. We did this at Vannes, at the head of the gulf, where there is convenient drying quay, but no pressure washer. A helpful Frenchman lent us his hose and the mains water pressure did the rest. During the summer I had solved the furling problem we had on the way down by buying a new halyard slider (at great expense) and getting it fitted at a French yard (at little expense). Also, I once more changed the engine oil.

After a night alongside at Vannes, which is an interesting old town, we took the ebb tide to the mouth of the gulf, winding amongst its many islands in bright sunshine. Our timing meant that we avoided the notoriously strong currents at Port Blanc and the Île de Jument. Once clear of the entrance to the gulf, we set sail for Île de Groix, arriving at Port Tudy in the early evening, just in time to get one of the last berths in the marina. In the morning we tried to fill up with diesel, but discovered that the whole of France had sold out of the stuff, due to lorry drivers blockading the refiner- ies (little did we know that the tactic would soon spread to the UK!). We were not un- duly perturbed: we still had at least half a tank of fuel, plus 20 litres in cans, but hereafter we Keeping an eye on a fishing boat, en-route to Ste Evette guarded the precious fluid jeal- ously.

The next leg was to Ste Evette, an anchorage on the north side of the Bay of Audierne and a convenient place to await good conditions for passing through the Raz de Sein. En route, we met dolphins off the Îles de Glénan, as on the outward passage, but this time the boat was surrounded by them and we estimated that the school probably had as many as 40 'pupils'.

Page 9 Vega Association of Great Britain Newsletter 29 We toyed with the idea of putting into one of the little ports on the Point of Penmarc'h, but we were doing so well that we pushed on and picked up a visitor's buoy at Ste Evette, behind the breakwater in the approaches to Audierne. We approached to the east of La Gamelle rocks in the centre of the bay, and watched nervously as the seas broke over them in the dying light. There were several British boats there and later a huge German catamaran fetched up. After dinner, we did our sums for the next part of the trip, through the Raz de Sein. We then did them again and decided to go through in the last half hour of the north-going flood tide, when the water is virtually slack, and also to keep more than 0.5 mile off the La Platte WCM. (See Nesletter 28 - Barry’s previous adventure!) The early morning dawned rather grey and blustery, with a forecast of 'W or NW force 3-4, occasionally 5', so we slipped our buoy and made west to 'take a look'. Two hours later we were a good 0.5M off La Platte, rounding La Vielle , the main light for the Raz de Sein, and enjoying a slight sea. The plan had worked. Our experience on the outward trip had made us slightly wary of passing back through the Raz, but in the event it was ...a non-event!

We passed to the east of Tèvennec and continued across the Bay of Douarnerez to Camaret-sur- Mer, which is tucked away behind rocky cliffs on the southern shore of the Rade de Brest. We arrived in the early afternoon. One of the British boats from Ste Evette went in ahead and the German cat was already there (with the towels laid out). However, we had so many berths to chose from that we walked the boat along an entire pontoon, before tying her up in the perfect spot. Camaret is a place where wooden fishing vessels are still repaired, and others lie rotting. The end of the breakwater, where the old vessels rub gunwhales with a church and a Vauban fort is real camera-clicking territory. The town itself is low-key, but with lots of eating houses to choose from. We chose well and slept well.

We rose before dawn the next morning, to catch the flood tide through the Chenal du Four. By the time we had rounded Pte de St Mathieu the sun had risen. We took the opportunity of our early rise to check the compass by measuring the bearing of the sun when it was 1.5 diameters above the horizon (the details are in the almanac). Since we had passed down the channel in darkness, we now enjoyed putting 'lights to marks'. Our initial destination was L'Aberwrac'h, but we made such good time with a westerly force 3 that we made for Roscoff. We intended to go into the Penze river and even perhaps look up some friends who lived nearby at Carentec. But the skipper got his tides in a twist and, in the event, we settled for a buoy in the lee of Île de Batz, close to the tower of the Ar Chaden SCM. Despite our apprehensions, it turned out to be a very comfortable spot, surrounded as it is by natural breakwaters. Note, however, that the leading line into the anchorage does not work: someone seems to have taken down a church spire, or let the trees grow too tall.

In the morning several small fishing vessels were tied up temporarily near the boat whilst they sorted out their nets. They were really battered old yachts, with their sails furled up like tablecloths. One of the fishermen was out with his wife. He told us he did it for plaisir, though his wife was less keen! We bade them au revoir and also said goodbye to Brittany. Hereafter, we had a long punt up the Channel via Guernsey. It took 20 hours to cover the first leg, but the weather was extremely pleasant and the time passed easily. We followed a course north of Plateau

Page 10 Vega Association of Great Britain Newsletter 29 de la Méloine and in between Plateau des Triagoz and Les Sept Iles, doing a steady 4-5 knots in a gentle SE breeze. When the wind fell even more, we set the cruising chute and ghosted along. About 30M into the leg Peter swears he saw a pilot whale surface close by. He ought to know, as he once had a Jaws-like experience with one of them!

We spent a day at St Peter Port tied up at one of the pontoons outside the Victoria Marina. There was no shortage of diesel here, so we filled up everything. Then we lolled around the shops, fetched out our best bib and tucker went off to sup at Frogs, a French restaurant that does things in style. We even managed to ferry ourselves back in the inflatable with- “Iserl” on a pontoon in St Peter Port, Guernsey out mishap. Things were going too .... just like the big ones! well, I feared.

At 4 o'clock the alarm clock went off and we quietly slipped out of St Peter Port and took the Little Russel channel. The dawn was glorious and we checked our compass again, with an azimuth sight. It was light by the time we entered the Alderney Race, which was obediently slack. Once out in the Channel, we set a course to punch the ebb and then slide in past the Isle of Wight on the flood. About 19 hours after leaving St Peter Port we turned inside the Bembridge Ledge east cardinal and gazed on the lights of Portsmouth. . A large unlit buoy suddenly slid past as if to say: 'Watch it, mate!'. And then I saw ahead what looked like a wall - it was a wall, a wall of water! It broke over the foredeck and sped down the sidedecks. Where it came from is a mystery, but it had given us water on the decks for the first time on the trip. It seemed to prove what I often say: 'If you can cope with the approaches to Portsmouth you can take anything!'

Barry Shurlock Vega “ISERL” V1746 (Portmouth Harbour)

The Navik Self-steering Windvane (Operation and fitting with the Vega)

Many Vegas have now circumnavigated, over twenty at the last count. They all have one thing in common and that is the ability to self-steer using just the wind as a power and operating force. There are many self-steering systems on the market today so I will not try and say this is the only one but after fitting three of these systems and seeing them in action on three different Vegas I can highly recommend the Navik as an ideal Self Steering System for the Vega. First, I will try and explain the operation of this system in layman’s terms and in second article I will explain two slightly different methods of fitting this system to the Vega. A windvane self-steering system will steer a boat to a point of sail and not a compass course. This

Page 11 Vega Association of Great Britain Newsletter 29 means that if the wind direction shifts then the boat’s course will also change correspondingly, unlike an electronic autohelm which steers to a direct compass course. The operation of any windvane self-steering system depends on the boat being balanced and having her sails set well. Do not expect the windvane to make up for lazy sail-trimming – it won’t…… Once the boat is balanced, the vane is set to the apparent wind and the steering gear engaged. If all has been correctly set-up, your Vega will then happily sail to that point of sail for ever and a day. Ask Diana, she fitted the Navik and three days later set out from Harwich for the distant coast of Holland. After clearing the harbour entrance and sandbanks she set the vane gear for the first time, thirty hours later “Bugle” arrived one mile outside Iljmuiden without having to touch the tiller once. This extra crew does not need sleep, feeding, conversation or visits to the heads – in short, the ideal crew member.

The Navik is a double servo system which vastly improves the sensitivity and controlling power of the self-steering. The servo-oar is used to control the main rudder but this is not done directly, instead the control signal from the vane turns a very small trim-tab which is attached to the trailing edge of the servo-oar, this in turn forces the servo-oar to rotate. As there is a double servo system it takes a lot less control force to operate the main rudder, via two tiller lines. The Navik system is a refinement of the Servo-oar to Main Rudder principle. This system is recommended for yachts under 33 feet and of light to medium displacement.

Operation of the Servo-oar to Main Rudder system.

The most efficient way to steer a boat is to use it’s own rudder as this was designed for the purpose in the first place. With a change of wind direction the wind-vane rotates an oar on the stern of the yacht. As the oar is in the water it is forced to swing one way or the other by the slipstream of the water. This swinging or pendulum movement of the oar creates a very powerful force that operates the tiller via two lines attached from the attached quadrant, through blocks and linkages on the deck to the tiller. If the wind changes direction then the yacht will change course to ensure the same point of sail in achieved.

I realise that without seeing the windvane in action, it is very difficult to imagine the actual control movements, but believe me it works an absolute treat….

In the next article I will explain the fitting and testing of the Navik Windvane. Two people in half a day can fit it, either on the hard or afloat. It is not a difficult job and anyone with basic DIY skills will have little trouble.

Steve Birch Vega “Southern Comfort” V1703 - Fawley, Southampton

(VAGB now have an account with Plastimo and can therefore offer big discounts on all Plastimo equipment, which includes the NAVIK Self-Steering Wind Vane. Contact Steve Birch (Tel. 01684 568676) or Diana Webb Tel. 0208 642 9521 for further details. We have both fitted the Navik to our Vegas).

Page 12 Vega Association of Great Britain Newsletter 29 Email to VAGB

Hi Steve,

I was thinking about my old Vega this evening, decided to see if there was anything about them on the internet, and found your site. Thanks for building it, and keeping alive a wonderful boat.

I'm an American and in 1970 I was working in the North Sea oil business, living in London. I had sailed for years, mostly dinghies, and started to look for medium sized cruising boat. One day in the spring of 1970 I found myself at Moody's Marina on the Hamble, where some young Swedish fellows were selling the Vega. The manager, Earling Aman, took us for a demo sail, and I fell for the boat. When I asked about delivery, expecting the usual mention of a six month lead time, he said they had a dozen or so in the country and could have one delivered the next week. The price for the boat, well equipped including main and jib was Pds3,290. My main extras were a spray hood (Pds28) and a Seafarer echosounder (38).

With my wife and teen age son as crew, we cruised "Flood Tide" around the Solent from Chichester to Poole. The boat was a pleasure to sail, and very comfortable for family cruises up to a week. We had her out in some severe weather, including a memorable sail from Lymington back to the Hamble in a genuine Force 8. We blew back under the storm jib only, and the boat surfed the whole way. It was a Sunday in August around noon, and we counted exactly eight other yachts in the Solent.

I was active in forming the original UK Vega Association, and according to my old files the first Chairman was a Commander R.L.Lyle, the Secretary was Norman Harding, and the Sailing Secretary Brian Guttridge. We had a membership of about 40 Vegas in the Solent, plus a few others around the country, and had regular rallies at places like the The Folly on the Medina. One of our members was Tim Severin, who made a name for himself a few years later as an adventurer sailing replicas of ancient boats.

In 1973 Albin brought out the Ballad, and I sold the Vega and bought the newer design. My boat was bought by a Mr G.S.Vincent of Walton-on-Thames. The boat stayed around the Solent for a few years, then I lost track of her. In future years I owned several other cruising boats, up to a 35' cruiser/racer, but in many ways the Vega was the best all around of the lot. If they were still being built today I'd be tempted...

Bob Mendes

Denver, Colorado, USA Ex. owner Vega “Floodtide of Chichester” V892

Page 13 Vega Association of Great Britain Newsletter 29 Letter to the VAGB Dear Diana, Almost a year ago, you sent me a nice letter and I never replied, although I meant to. I am the person who wrote an article on moving the mainsheet ahead of the companionway. You say your boat is in the Medway and that has a tie-in. My mother's family lived in the Rainham/Gillingham/Chatham area. She grew up in Upchurch which is a tiny place. My uncles either ended up as Commanders in the navy, or a couple of them long ago ran sailing barges out of the Medway, often going across the channel for cargo. I have a picture of one uncle's boat in a race (of barges) .

You asked if I knew Tony Skidmore and I did. Visited him in 1989 and saw his beautifully rebuilt boat. The inside was all wood, superbly done. The engine compartment gleamed white. Etc. Inspiring. He sent us a few postcards and pictures of the boat in exotic places. He rescued us once in 1985. We were coming into a marina in B.C. to meet one of my grad students (I was on leave). The end came oft the cable for killing the engine and I was cussing and wondering how to fix it. Tony was there working and apparently noticed our VODCA pennant, came down to look. Was kind enough to drive us to a place where I could buy a replacement cable. Lucky. Followed your account of going to the IFR and it sounded good. I'm most impressed that you go as far as the Baltic. Yes, the Baltic does look a lot like parts of Canada. I've only glimpsed it, S. of Stockholm, but the first boat that came by was a Vega. That, and the islands and conifers, made it look a lot like Georgian Bay, a beautiful part of Lake Huron where we sailed for many years. That is the one thing I miss in Ontario, where we lived for a long time. Anyway, just wanted to know that your letter was appreciated. I'll look for more news of British activities in the new American newsletter.

Best wishes B Sprague Canada

Continued from page 8.....

Eventually the lock opened up in front of us and we entered and made fast to the vertical lines in the walls of the lock. We soon passed through and made our way through the black still water to our mooring in the marina in the centre of Ipswich. We had taken 7 hours to cover 16 miles but we felt we had made a major voyage.

At the marina, Ken joined us for the night and helped us move the boat to the final berth in the morning, we tidied up and made all fast. The day was still young so we decided to go up to the Norfolk Broads where Ken keeps his Hardy 27ft Motor Cruiser. We then enjoyed three hours of motoring gently through the Broads. Another first for me, with the central heating blowing over the helmsman's feet, we had to open the roof to keep cool and awake despite the ice on the banks. I have resolved to try a bit of Broad's sailing in 'Jenavive' this year. After all that is was back in the cars and off to mid Bucks, a most satisfying and unexpected two days.

Mike Freeman - Jenavive (East coast) - VAGB Chairman

Page 14 Vega Association of Great Britain Newsletter 29 Round Britain

(Technical Jottings from Vela Vega experience)

Steve suggested a technical article on the lines of conclusions and reflections on the Round Britain cruise in year 2000. In general terms the plan, the boat and its systems worked out really well, so the first point to make is – if you get the urge to sail your Vega round the islands of Britain – just do it! A small warning though about the early stages. A lot of the preparation work has to be on the lines of ‘what if...the worst happens…and we end up in the dinghy with the grab bag and no distress call?’ Don’t be put off, the more thorough the preparation the less likely you are to need it in anger, and the planning can become part of the pleasure of the project.

Starting with hull and propulsion – think about putting careful work into stopping all leaks through the deck join, hatches, and windows. Ours were reasonable but could have been better. The engine gets a lot of use and you should plan to need at least two changes of oil and filter. The Penta 6/7 series suffers 1 2 3 4 from poor cooling flow and really needs exhaust manifold checking and cleaning before you start. The diagram shows how the water gets from ex- haust manifold into the rest of the engine block, and 3 of the 4 ports are quite small and easily blocked. We used Fuel Set diesel additive to manage any water contamination, and removed the alternator to 1. Water Jacket MS2 2. Sea Water Pump a testing workshop to en- 3. Thermostat 4.Thermostat housing sure full output at design 5. Sea water inlet voltage. 5 On the safety front, I suggest that really a convenient life harness set and running line is more relevant than a dedicated liferaft. The life harness that includes a lifejacket becomes an automatic habit, and protects you from falling out of the dinghy as well as falling off the deck. Safety lines in the form of tapes lie flat on the deck and avoid the foot slipping effect of wires. Our approach to safety after losing the ship was to keep the partly inflated Avon Redstart on the foredeck, with the bow portion folded under and covering the forehatch, which was then limited to about 20 mm opening for ventilation. The survival bag (‘grab bag’+ dinghy inflation pump) was included within the storm jib bag, and

Page 15 Vega Association of Great Britain Newsletter 29 comprised the usual small stocks of flares, water, food, clothes and first aid. The storm jib was piston hanked and doubled as dinghy cover in the survival situation. The radar reflector was permanently fitted to a mast bracket above the cross trees.

Careful use of locker space is vital to both safety and ‘findability’. We stowed the kedge on a pushpit rack, with its chain going through a modified ventilator into a custom-made chain box which exactly fitted between the cockpit drains. The in-use gas bottle was stowed on the after deck. The port (‘dirty’) locker contained the main fuel tank, all greases and engine fluids, 25 litres of canned fuel, and the spare gas bottle and spare rudder and tiller set. The starboard (‘clean’) locker was stowage for storm jib/grab bag, spare hanked genoa compatible with inner forestay, spinnaker and cruising chute, and dinghy paddles. This arrangement allowed us to stow the boat bicycle in 2 sections in the port and starboard quarters, well clear of locker lids.

The only major deficiency in navigation kit was the GPS. The main and standby sets worked well and the only failure was traced to a satellite drop out, but the display was too small to read without glasses and could not be seen from the cockpit. The old DECCA display in Vela Vega was actually better in both respects. On reflection we could have done with a Yeoman Plotter but we managed without.

Life will be more comfortable if you provide some kit that is not much use at sea but is worth stowage space. Mobile phones need to be carefully selected – Eire and Isle of Man use different operating systems from UK, and both refuse to connect ‘pay as you talk’ customers. A shore adaptor lead is useful, together with a battery charger to cheer up the battery after a stay in port. A battery powered drill gets plenty of use. We had a tent cover made to fit above the boom from backstay to mast. A plank to go between generous fenders and rough harbour walls will save a lot of heartache.

I hope this has been encouraging – you will notice that we did not have to spend a lot of money, the single most costly item being the coachroof/cockpit tent cover. A final challenge to all readers of the Newsletter – what precautions should all Vega owners now be considering in the light of global warming? As far as I can see, it all boils down to stronger winds at shorter notice, therefore we need (in rough priority order):-

# 5 day weather forecasts # user-friendly three stage reefing systems # hefty ground tackle and plenty of it # a very reliable engine and associated systems # continuous position monitoring # refusal to be put off by scare stories

What do other Vega sailors think? The fruit of your hard-won experience, please!

Ted Uren Vela Vega V3303 - Chichester Harbour

Page 16 Vega Association of Great Britain Newsletter 29 KRONBORG og CORDUA den allerbedste assistance!

Dear friends of the sailsport - Dear friends of the VEGA One Design - Dear friends all over the world - after 88 sluices and 46 bridges we hereby report to you'

PARTNER is in Gent, Belgium, Jorn and Ruth are in Copenhagen. We spend 108 days in the North-European rivers and canals. Most of the honoured readers of this newsletter know about the gipsy-boat, the crew of two retired Danes and the 4-year-plan (may be 5-year-plan). Now we are back in our apartment, spellbound and VERY dizzy after year 2 in our plan. In a newsletter written in Gent we said to you all: THIS IS GREAT! We will do it again next year, and the allover goal shall be PARIS in year 3, 2001. In this newsletter we shall only give you the numbers promised about the economical aspects of our decisions. (f.eks. I have readen 2842 pages of English litterature, second hand bought in Copenhagen).

BASIC ECONOMY OF A RIVER- AND CANALBOAT Distance sailed 1098.7 nm = 2034.8 Kilometers. (Year 1-2: 2255.0 nm 4176 Kilometers) Duration: All in all we were touring 108 days, of which 48 days were transitdays, 60 days were for rest and fun. Basic economy figures: (currency Great-Britain-Pounds and statistical based on 108 days) Meals 1 person/day: £3.20 -Fun 1 person/day: £3.40 -Harbour fees/day incl. Electricity and Wash- machines: £6.30 -Diesel/day incl. Gas, Benzin: £1.60. The mentioned figures are not including spiritus, photo and ordinary house maintenance.

EXTRA COSTS AND SURPRICES We have mentioned before and repeat: never hesitate but pay for the best and most convenient handbooks and maps. Yes, we have, with a bleeding heart, paid in the wintertime for a complete collection of literature, which covered our sailing according to our 5-years plan. This summer we supplemented the collection and used £400. Now we have filled in some areas which we covered with the help of Netherland and Belgium dealers. The next three years we shall have nothing to worry about, where ever we choose to go north of Paris.

WINTER STORAGE OF PARTNER In Gent, Belgium, we paid for 8 months £388. Unfortunately we paid half a year ago in Leuven, Belgium, as well for 6 months only £118, But the distance from Gent to Leuven was dangerous to pass this time of the year, and we decided for security reasons to stay in Gent, which suits us enormously, and the start of year 3, 2001 is more convenient from Gent. We are going West over Durnurque and into the French waterways near the coast line.

REPAIR AND BAD LUCK This year we were also hid by a small accident and gotit settled by experts at the Kloop Werft on the river Vecht in Holland. In 21 hours they made a miracle for which we paid happily £242. It was an ordinary problem around the engine axe, and we were very satisfied, that nothing else happened

Page 17 Vega Association of Great Britain Newsletter 29 during the summer.

MAST AND KANAL-ENTRANCES The mast and sails were by one of our dear VEGA-fiends returned front Lubeck to Ishoej during the summer to the cost of £136 including Lift. The Belgium kanal authorities ask here and there for money, it only counted to £49.

GOING BACK HOME BY AIRPLANE We left PARTNER 10.00 o'clock by taxi, left Gent Station 10:56 - left Bruxelles 12:09 - left the Airport 17:30 -entered our home 19:40. Folks, it was absolutely heaven to be back home for the price of two persons £383.

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO THE AUTHOR OF THIS MAGAZINE Hey everybody Send me your questions! Let us have some fun in the next edition of this magazine. Send your questions to the author, and my husband and I shall with great energy give you our best answers. And ask for photos of which I have more than 1400 (fourteen hundred). May you all be happy and enjoy a comfortable winter with sweet dreams of river- and canal sailing (Address: Kro- nborg and Cordua. Oestergaarden 24 III tv, DK-2635 Ishoej, Denmark) LOVE, J0RN and RUTH - Vega “Partner” V2186 OBITUARY Brian Blakeney

It is with great sadness that I have to report the sudden death of VAGB member Brian Blakeney.

Brian was just 52, loved owning and maintaining his Vega Notyarc. He would forgive me for saying that he was more for the boating life and socialising than actually sailing but none the less he ob- tained his seamanship qualifications at evening classes and was a competent sailor. This season he intended to do more sailing but, alas, it was not to be. Our condolences go to his wife Anna and his family in Australia and the UK.

Page 18 Vega Association of Great Britain Newsletter 29 Fitting-Out Special VEGA SPARES

COMBI REBUILD KIT (Diesel MD6A,B,7A only) £38.00 CONTROL TUBE - Hardened Bronze £105.00 Oil Filters (MD6A, MD7A, BETA) £9.50 Fuel Filters £10.00 All BETA Spares available P.O.A.

Brand new VEGA ROTOSTAY FURLING GEAR £485.00

All canvas work undertaken for the Vega. Call Diana Webb with your requirements. Tel 0208 642 9521

Complete running rigging packages available. Call Steve Birch Tel. 01684 568676

Beta Replacement engines a speciality. Ideal for the Vega. Over twenty five fitted in the last year alone. Installation notes, photos, technical help and advice. Fitting service available in the Solent area at very competitive rates. Engines or complete packages available. Call for a chat and/or brochure & price list. 13.5HP and a conventional gearbox, it’s almost like driving a Moody backwards !!

Many spares available. We can obtain all PLASTIMO parts at a discount price. Call with your requirements. Remember, if you need a Vega Spare then call us. We know where to obtain the best quality, price and availability of most Vega Parts. Vega Spares 8 Cockshot Road, Malvern, WORCS WR14 2TT Steve Birch Tel. 01684 568676 or email [email protected] or Diana Webb Tel. 0208 642 9521

V.A.G.B. POP-RIVET GUN

The VAGB have purchased a strong Pop Riviter. If any member wishes to borrow this then please contact Diana Webb (Tel. 0208 642 9521). You will have to obtain your own rivets (ensure you use monel for your Vega). There is no charge for the use but the member is liable for the cost of postage etc. This is a professional tool and not to be confused with the cheaper import tools that are available today.

Page 19 Vega Association of Great Britain Newsletter 29 Around the Island in your own time

Due to popular demand, the famous “Around The Island” get-together is returning. The event will take place during the second Bank Holiday in May and is a fantastic way to meet other Solent vega Owners and cruise/race in a relaxed way.

The trip will start from Gilcker Point and the first day’s trip will be to Yarmouth. The second day will be from yarmouth to Bembridge. Last year everyone really enjoyed themselves. Prizes galore, Vega friendship, Sociable evenings and Great Food .

above all ENJOY......

Contact Brian Pilcher for Details Tel. 01403 822524

The new season dawns... Stamp Anyone want to anti-foul my Vega?

VAGB Newsletter 29

Page 20 Vega Association of Great Britain Newsletter 29