Albin Vega Review

Two reasons I chose the Albin Vega

  • Technical – It was considered among sailors to be “blue water capable”
  • Logistical – It was in the right place at the right price at the right time

To the first point, let me be clear that when I first embarked on this purchase I was unaware of the design qualities that made this “blue water” capable, only that people more informed than myself considered it (almost unanimously) to be so. Since the purchase and my subsequent hands-on education, I have actually learned a thing or two that about the boat…enough to confidently expound the qualities which I feel make the Albin Vega a great blue water sailboat. Some of them are:

  • Albin Vege blueprintsEncapsulated 3/4 keel. No record of them falling off, profile helps the boat maintain a straight line and reduces rolling while sacrificing some maneuverability
  • Deck cored with synthetic foam. Huge plus on an old boat because synthetic foam cannot rot like wood cores when neglected. Why does no one usually mention this?
  • Narrow, thickly laid up hull that cuts through waves rather than bobbing over them (also has a deep & well placed bilge)
  • Stout rigging that is simple, strong and effective
  • Inboard rudder w/ tiller steer. Also simple, strong and effective
  • High coamings to keep the cockpit dry
  • Basic cabin layout that allows for easy movement

Due to the narrow beam (width) and light weight, it also tends to be a quick little sailboat. It doesn’t have tremendous top speed, but the Albin Vega gets going even in light wind. It is noted to have once held the record time for an Atlantic crossing. It tends to be very tender for it’s size, not unlike sailing a dinghy.

Albin Vega drawbacks

Despite a number of positive features, the design of the Albin Vega also has a few drawbacks. They include but are not limited to:

  • 5’10” headroom. At 6’1″ I am relegated to hunching over when in the cabin
  • Narrow beam is good for performance but bad for cabin space
  • Minimal (but adequate) storage space for long-term cruising

These are more or less the most significant drawbacks I have come to find after spending 2.5 years working and living on the Vega. Some weaknesses that can be corrected include:

  • The part of the deck at the foot of the mast (referred to as the mast step) is considered to be a weak point, because over time water can trickle down to the wood support beam below and weaken the structure. Some say that even without a weakened support beam, the step will compress from the weight of the mast and rigging. Either way, this is corrected by adding some type of metallic reinforcement (common modification). See my post about this.
  • Some will note that the stock power plants are under-powered for the vessel, or that the placement of the rudder relative to the propeller causes unpredictable behavior in reverse. Both of mine had the inboard engines replaced with outboards mounted to the transom, so this was never an issue.
  • Some amenities that are not present from the factory include:
    • Chart Table – More or less no longer needed. This is basically like having a table to work on but not a desk. I do my primary charting digitally anyways.
    • Fridge – There is an ice box. An Engel drop-in fridge/freezer can be installed in this location. I instead mounted an Engel fridge/freezer in the vacant engine room.
    • Shower – A solar shower or water bottle with holes solves this issue.
    • Oven – Some have rebuilt the cabin to accommodate a stove/oven. I purchased a Coleman folding camp oven to be used on the stovetop.

That’s about the extent of the drawbacks. As far as comfort, a bigger boat is probably always better. With that said, smaller boats tend to be more fun to sail. They are also significantly cheaper and generally easier to handle shorthanded.

I will add that the Albin Vega was constructed as an inexpensive boat. Everything is adequate in accomplishing the job which it was intended to do, but will not really exceed at anything. Examples:

  • The bulkheads creak under sail
  • Some vertical areas of the deck may oil can
  • The sapele wood used throughout is fine, but nothing to gawk at

For one person, an Albin Vega is more than enough. For two, sufficient. I have had as many as four friends aboard on a 3 day sailing trip to Catalina island. The five of us managed just fine with one sleeping on the floor, and quite honestly had a great time. The Albin Vega can accommodate 1 – 4 for extended sailing. How much you and your crew are willing to tolerate is entirely subjective.