London Excell Boatshow - anyone going?

Hi there V42s, All the best for 2009!

Kris again - just caught up on the blog - and yes - we need more responses! Thanks to those who published their personal websites: always good reading/viewing. I have now left my job in Russia and so have more time and web access :) I plan a season in the Mediterranean

Does ANYONE have a manual for the boat? I will very happily scan it and publish it PDF format so we can all have access: it's just sometimes any technical data would be of great use - if so maybe we can meet up at the London Boat show? I will be there 16th, 17th 18th Jan 09. SMS Kris on 07792 871172 ( UK cell phone)

Smile - you own one of the Prettiest Boats afloat ( eye of the beholder and all that...)

Kris and Valiant M

Prop Shaft Taper and Keyway?

Seasons greetings to one and all!

does anyone have a feathering prop fitted? I want to order one at the London Boat show but having no manual for ValiantM and having spent 3 air bottles trying to get her prop off - I still don't know what it is - I could see there was a 10mm keyway...anyone know the taper? Any recommendations on props for the originally powered Lehman engine version?

Thanks Kris

Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday

Jean and I would like to extend a Very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday to our fellow Vagabond friends.

If our plans fall into place, as they have been, we should be in a very nice warm climate this time next year. Hopefully, having a cold beverage with some of the people on the blog.

Be safe out there, we will be thinking of you all.

V42 vs V47

My broker hit me with a question that I hadn't considered; the prices of Vagabond 47's are very competitive with the 42, would I consider the larger boat?

For $20K, I get 7 tones more boat.... Really want to hear your thoughts...

Thanks
Geoffrey Kerr

New Member

Jean just invited me to the site and I'm taking this opportunity to introduce myself.

Personally, I live and work in Acton, MA, USA as an Electrical Engineer for a company called Haartz Corporation. (www.haartz.com) Some of you may recognize the name because about 5% of our business is the manufacture of SeaMark. Fatinha & I have two kids, Alison and William.

Nautically, I cut my teeth sailing with my Dad on the Chesapeake on his friend’s cat boat. Navigation was a compass and RDF. After marriage, we would sponge off the generosity of friends. Finally about 6 years ago (and kids out of the house), Fatinha said we needed our own boat! (Am I lucky or what?)

Within a year, we found BORKA, a ’79, 33’ Westerly Ketch. We have been sailing Boston and the Massachusetts Bay every since. We found a marina in the center of Boston and commute every weekend to be on her. During the winter, she has an Espar heater that keeps us toasty warm as we watch movies and enjoy the solitude. Basically we have a condo on the waterfront.

About a year ago, Fatinha announced that we had outgrown Borka and we needed a bigger boat. (Now this is beyond luck, I’m just down right blessed!) In the fall we found a 42’ Vagabond in New London, CT and ended up making an offer that was not accepted. However, we now had the monkey on our back. All boats we have looked at are now compared to the Vagabond and unless we could spend twice as much, none compare.

At this point I consider myself an associate member of this Blog. Fatinha and I are indebted to Allen and Jean for their most generous help in our search. If any others have any suggestions or knowledge of a Vagabond 42’ that needs a new and loving owner, I’d much appreciate the lead.

I look forward to participating with this site in the future.

Welcome To The Kerr`s

Hi Group,

I'm in the market to purchase a Vagabond 42'. I've been in touch with Allen Baird (Ryen's Quest) and Mike (Ka'imi) and now think I should join this site.

Let me know what I can to help the group.

Geoff Kerr

Great idea To Publish Our Personal Web Sites

To Todd and Phyllis we think it is a great idea to post our individual web site addresses. Ryen`s Quest is:

http://42vagbondryensquest.blogspot.com/

we r hear

Finally found this blog. It looks fun. We need more response though. I am sure we are all very busy messing about in our boats (V42s). Everyone should list their websites and show the progress made on our new homes.

Ours is a free website that really allows quite a bit of information, pictures and video. It is tripdiary.com

Our personal address for website is www.tripdiary.com/piratetnp/toucanshare

This will progress from our first day leaving Boise, Id. to Bradenton, Florida. The trip was half the fun, now we live onboard and deal with every day situations. (no lawn mowing though!)

We look forward to all of your journeys!

Cheers!

Todd & Phyllis Thomas
s/v Toucan Share (1989 V42)

Bow Thruster

Hi Folks,

Kris and Valaint M here - hope you are all well.

I'm just back from Seville in Spain. I have had a quickly worsening trouble with my HURTH HBW 220 gearbox as fitted to a Lehman 2200 4 cyl engine - in engaging forwards - well often she won't do it - much wailing and knashing of teeth as well as throwing emergency kedge anchors!! Big drama in the marinas - I feel I now need a bow thruster...

Anyone know why this happens? Reverse has a very positive poition, as does neutral but forward is totally loose with no positive idication of when it is in gear. I have changed all the linkages etc but thought I'd share the problem and see if you guys knew.

Also has anyone fitted a bow thruster in their boat - love to talk and share notes as being a single hander I am beginning to think I need one

Very best

Kris

Annapolis to Liverpool S/V ECLIPSE

Hi All

Since my last posting Mad Dogs & Englishmen I have sailed Eclipse back to Liverpool. The trip got off to a poor start when my Hydrualic steering fell apart in a force 10 about 400 miles out from Cape May, New Jersey unable to make it back to the USA with the emergrncy steering we made landfall at Shelbourne Harbour, Nova Scotia for repairs. The true seaworthyness of this design was put to the test as we lay ahull in winds that reached 67 knots and seas of 7 metres the motion was suprisingly comfortable given the conditions and very little water made it onto the deck.

We set off for the Azores after repairs the leg took about 16 days, on arrival we proceeded to leave our mark as is traditional in Horta and after a couple of days R & R set off for Jersey, Channel Islands this leg took about 10 days, the French customs boarded us off Brest and carried a thorough but good natured search. Finally i single handed from Jersey to Liverpool taking about 4 days to complete this final leg, really enjoyed being solo and found the boat was suprisingly easy to manage despite some fairly heavy going crossing the English Channel. I will complete a few trips to Ireland over the next couple of months and then haul out for a major refit over the next two years getting ready to live aboard and do some serious cruising from 2011 onwards.

Mick Fogarty

Vagabond 42 s/v STARDUST

I am John McCahan and with my wife, Sue Stockman, we are the former owners of the Vagagond 42 STARDUST, which was sold to Al & Jean and the boat will be known as Ryen's Quest in the future. We owned STARDUST for 15 years and made lots of changes to her over the years. We cruised her from Annapolis, Maryland to Trinidad, spending a total of 10 winters in the islands of the Bahamas and the Eastern Caribbean.

Teak and Holly Flooring....How do you

Now that I am into the polishing and cleaning of the interior of RYEN`S QUEST, I don`t know how I should properly clean the floor, which is teak and holly. There are some scratches in obvious areas such as the main salon, and another spot which I know needs to be sanded down and varnished. However, I don`t know how to, or what to use for cleaning the floors without making then too slippery to maneuvre around. Can any of the other blog members tell me what has worked for them? When I do a google search all I get is marketing outlets wanting to sell product. I`ll buy whatever works. Thanks in advance for your response. Jean

Hi From Ted Dalton

It was nice to hear from you and Thank you for the warm welcome. well let's see I'm 55 at this time but will be 56 in Oct. I'm Pretty well stove up from too many years of working with my back and muscles and without using my head but will be in better shape towards the end of the year after I have surgery, that's why i'm looking at the end of the year to find a boat and hopefully purchase early next year.

I have been studying boats for several month's and was about to choose a 46 foot morgan but then saw a reference to the 47 foot Vagabond and so I started doing research on them, they look like great boats, I was leaning to the Morgan because it is built here in America, being A Navy Veteran and seeing how some other countries treat American's I was pretty sceptecle about boats built in Taiwan until I got to doing research on them. I will close for now, I spent most of the day in San Fran at the V.A.Medical center and then a 150 mile journey to my home in the Mountains. Have a great day and "GOD" Bless.

Greetings

Hi - Bill & Maureen from the s/v Kalunamoo a 1988 Vagabond 47. We bought Kalunamoo (ex-Good Times) 4 years ago and will be full time live-a-boards and cruisers in 2 years. Until then we enjoy sailing local waters from Cape Cod to the Chesapeake (when we have time). Hopefully a Bermuda trip in 2 years.

Mad Dogs & Englishmen

Hi Everyone

S/V Eclipse takes to the water for the first time in two years and I manage to catch the first snowfall in Annapolis for a sea trial. I spent my first hour aboard shoveling snow much to the amusement of the marina staff. But the crazy englishman went ahead with the sea trial and i am now the pround owner of a 1984 Vagabond 47. I am planning to sail back to the UK in May 08 and will sail locally for the next 2 years, then I hope that I can set out to join some of you in warmer climes. I would like to thank Al and Jean of s/v Ryen`s Quest for inviting me to join the Blog, and Ron of S/V Island Siren for putting me in touch with them and I look forward to keeping in touch with you all in the future.

Mick Fogarty S/V Eclipse

mick9565@btinternet.com

Hello everyone

Hi, this is Guy from Bay St. Louis, MS. I've own Trinity, a 1980 Vagabond 47 for two years. I bought her 7 months after the storm (Katrina) ended my 2 1/2 year stint building the original Trinity. A 48 foot wood motorsailer. My current Trinity was pretty much neglected by her former owner. Water up to the floor boards, teak deck deteriorated, sails in bad shape, standing rigging original. Running rigging was in bad shape as well as the canvas work. Both fuel tanks leaked. You get the picture. So I started addressing the problems as best I could. Its taken a long time since she is in TX (Kemah) and I work in MS. So I would drive over to see/work on her every other weekend. I did this for two years now. And you know what, I'm really starting to dislike the drive, imagine that! :) But I've hook up with a lot of great people who have worked on her and she is pretty spectacular now. So in about 3 to 4 week I should be bringing her to MS. I'll stay in a marina in Moss Point since there really aren't any marinas along the MS Gulf coast that I can stay at due to being a live aboard, draft and just plain availability. So anyway this is a short into and I look forward to talking to the group and learning more about these really cool vessels. The picture of her is while she was in the yard after being painted, before pulling the masts and new canvas.

Ron and Kim Mobley s/v Island Siren

Island Siren is a 1976 Vagabond47. We purchased her and did a complete refit that took 4 years. She is now our home as we travel. You can see photos of her at http://www.islandsiren.com/

Kris` Buzz LightYear Dome

Kris says this "Dome" is great when you hear a noise and can`t get out of the aft cabin in a hurry. Different, but it works!

Hello From Todd and Phyllis s/v Toucan Share

Todd and Phyllis are the very proud owners of a 1989 Vagabond 42 s/v Toucan Share. They have a wonderful blog at http://www.tripdiary.com/piratetnp/toucanshare There will be lots of helpful information coming from them, they have been through it all, and having a blast at the same time.

Al and Jean s/v Ryen`s Quest

Most of you already know our story. We have been pathetically looking for a 42Vagabond since forever it seems. Quite coincidentally we were contacted by a Michigan couple, who are the present owners of "STARDUST". After fifteen years of seasonal sailing through the Islands they have decided to see America by RV and sail the great lakes in a smaller boat. What GREAT luck for us!

Allan will be going to Florida on April 15th to bring her back to Halifax. Unfortunately, due to the rules of Transport Canada, we have to change the name of the vessel. So we have decided on "RYEN`S QUEST". Everything we have seen and talked about with the owner sounds as though she has been kept like a spoiled child.

This feels right, and we don`t expect any surprises with the survey that we can`t handle. We are both excited, to say the least. Thanks to John and Todd and Mike for all of their insight and answers to our many questions. Hope they can find the time to participate in this forum.

We can`t wait until our Vagabond is here in Halifax. I have started a blog for Ryen`s Quest so if you hve any interest http://42vagbondryensquest.blogspot.com/

Most everyone that we have talked to mentioned the benefits of having an "Owners Discussion Board". This is best I can do. This is for any Vagabond owner or wanna-be owner, or open to whoever you feel can benefit from it. Those folks that I emailed have access to post. Anyone else can just email me and I will be happy to add their name to the list who can post. Everyone can read it.

Fair winds, and be safe out there!

Greetings Various Vagabonds!

How fun - good on you Al and Jean...what's a group of Vagabonds called? A pod? A gaggle? A School? hopefully not a herd....ha ha

I think it is an excellent idea - especially as I had no handover from the previous owner and no ops manual aboard...five years later I have learnt a lot and made many 'improvements' but somehow it would have been best not to reinvent the wheel and ask someone else who had the same issue/problem. (Like where to put a wind generator, or a second battery bank etc much scratching of head and gnashing of teeth!)

'Valiant M' is lying in the Algarve, Portugal - anyone around there? Maybe we can cruise and meet up? If anyone is planning to cruise the Algarve I have a lot of local knowledge etc so feel free. Am actually planning a dive expedition to the Gorringe peaks ~1/2 way to Madeira and would like a support vessel.

Attached a couple of photos - inc. one of the most questioned feature - my Buzz Lightyear to "Infinity and Beyond!" domes - real handy when you hear a sound but can't see out fro the aft cabin.

Very best,

Kris

John and Ruth s/v Eleanor Rigby

Hello Al and Jean and fellow Vagabond people. I can't believe that we now have a Vagabond 42 site. Great job!! We have a 1984 model that we purchased 2 years ago and have been restoring her since then. She was badly treated by her previously owners so the work has taken more time than we had planned (or I'm slower than we thought). She is our baby though and we wouldn't trade her for anything. Our first trip is planned for this comming June and will either be to the Bahamas or the Florida Keys. I have a massive photo collection of the work we have done on our boat so please don't hesitate to ask for any. Great to be a part of the group. Cheers t o Al & Jean. John & Ruth, s/v Eleanor Rigby

Blog Entries

Please be aware that this blog is open to everyone to read. If you wish to post or author on this blog, please send me your email address to robertskj@eastlink.ca and I will be happy to add your name so that you can participate and post your questions. The initial contact which was sent to some Vagabond42 owners, already permits them to access this blog for posting. If you have any problem posting, please contact me at the email above. Many thanks!

Purpose.....

The purpose of this blog is to bring together owners of Vagabond 42 Sail Boats, or any Vagabond vessel. Many minds tend to make easy solutions to problems we encounter with our Vagabond, whether we are on the water or on the hard.

The few Vagabond owners that we have had the good fortune to come across via the internet have been contacted; and hopefully, with their input and experience this can become a venue to post questions about the workings of the vessel and get some ideas from other owners who have had to deal with the same or similar issue.

This type of forum is only as successful as you want it to be. Good Luck!