VELOCIR - An Albin Vega's Journey from Graveyard to Blue Water Cruising Sailboat

[@mr.e7022]

Matt Rutherford sail an Albin Vega around the Americas single handed non stop. Your boat is beautiful. Thanks for sharing the story.

[@TsarOfRuss]

Wow!!! Kudos to your parents , especially your Dad!!! what a way to stay active and yet make your daughter happy

[@aaronseamanphoto]

My wife and I are saving up for our own little Albin Vega. You are an inspiration to us.

[@evanofelipe]

A great story - well done, lucky to have Dad so determined and he, to have a daughter who appreciated his talent and efforts.

[@curtishill6490]

You have a great caring father wanting to get you into sailing!! Those are awesome boats and the job you guys did came out beautiful 💯

[@neleabels]

I can imagine that restoring a boat like that creates special bond between sailor and vessel. Great story! Thanks for the video.

[@curiouswhiboy]

A testament to your family and character. Few people have the fortitude to commit to a project that last years. That is actually far more interesting than where you might have sailed.

[@GaryMCurran]

A great father/daughter/boyfriend project. My father, for his own project, picked up a 13' wooden runabout, and did a beautiful restoration on it. All wood, completely taken down, parts replaced, some hull work, glassed the bottom of the boat, and then proceeded to think he knew more than he did and screwed it up. But, it was his to do that to, I guess. I'm glad that you restored Velocir to better than new, I hope she will give you thousands of miles under her keel and allow you much happiness in life.

[@W4ABN]

Living room shots with everything spread out were great! I'm about to do the same when I varnish handrails soon. Everyone did a wonderful job saving the boat. Well Done!

[@oundhakar]

That's a great adventure. I really admire your dad for giving you this experience. I hope to emulate it with my daughter too.

[@goldsilverandiamonds]

Sounds like you got a great Dad who really loves you. What a great project and gift that you will remember for the rest of your life. I hope you and your husband and Dad create a lot of great memories on that boat sailing around wherever you want.

[@MOTORVESSELFREEDOM]

Great video for anyone looking to undertake a project like this......Congrats to you guys...

[@smacksman1]

I have sailed many miles with my friend on his Vega27 'Sitka' and she has seen us safely through some pretty horrid weather at times. I'm sure 'Velocir' will look after you too. You have made a lovely job of her. There are several hundred still sailing in Europe and we have been to Vega regattas here in the UK, Holland and Denmark. Great fun and a lovely bunch of sailors. Fair winds to you all.

[@mariakramer7439]

Amazing what goes into rebuilding a sailboat. Thank you for taking the time to explain the process :)

[@joselpalacios2469]

Wonderful project, loving and touching journey that you both won't forget ever.

[@lfk76]

Lots of love and a lot of work went into that Albin Vega. I hope you can still enjoy this boat as it is like fine wine, only gets better with age. My Vega is from 1969 and still is in great shape. I even have the original two cylinder Albin petrol engine running perfectly... Fair winds from Sweden

[@JeanClaudeNoel]

Wow!!! I raise my hat to everyone involved in this project. What an learning and bonding experience. You are a pro now in the "Art of Sailboat Maintenance". Be safe!

[@TheMrKrause]

It is so nice to see a classic saved from the scrapper. Great job on the restore.

[@MrOnihige]

As a Swede, I have to thank you for doing a great service to a great boat.

[@ikoo811]

Thanks for posting this video! I didn't know it took so much time effort and luck you having a such an awesome daddy! This weekend I am hauling out my small 24ft yacht for the first time since I purchase her last year. New deck paint job and antifouling awaits me.

[@blueskyredkite]

Beautiful job. The work looked daunting, your father had fantastic vision and serious determination to take that on, what an example to us all... maybe I *can* get my boat up to scratch, all I need is time!

[@christiansymonds]

Great job Guys, wonderful to see something wasting away returned to use. Enjoy your adventures onboard!

[@eskokoskenranta6280]

After all that hard work you gave a life to Welocir, and you must love it and take the best of her, your baby. I think there is analogy of giving a birth to a baby, you just don't go Wallmart and order one, lots of work and pain is included, that is why they are so dear and you take so good care of them. That was a great story, reminded me when my daughter ab. 6 years and I rebuild together our Vega and sailed with Winga for several memorable great summers in finnish archipelago.

[@joakimnorler346]

I am impressed. You guys have made an amazing job. As a Swede, I see many Vegas during the summer. None is in this mint condition! Happy sailing!

[@GILLEBRATH]

Great to see a Father and Daughter & Boat story oh yes Grant is in there too . You are so fortunate to have such a caring father . I have two daughters and well , I think sometimes they just take me for granted but I love them anyway and they say Love ya . Life goes by pretty fast so show the Love always as I am sure you do. A lovely boat ,nice boyfriend and thanks for sharing your world. Happy sailing.

[@riphaven]

Great job, your dad is a hero.

[@pokeysaurus1]

That is an amazing story, I like the father daughter twist. I hope daughter who is a teenager will start speaking to me again...Lol, so we can do something as rewarding as this. Smooth sailing!

[@legend343]

Thank you for posting this ato more postings!!s well as all the other posting you have done.... You guys have a new boat!! I had a Vega many years ago, they are great little vessels............. Look forward

[@Kurlman5150]

Albin Vega's are awesome boats and you guys did an amazing job bringing her back to life. Cheers!, matt

[@starbucks3954]

Nice! I love fixing things up, and can't believe you did this, I would be way too scared! Awesome learning experience, and makes me feel like if anything happened to my boat, I could use your courage and work it out. Thanks.

[@kevinhornbuckle]

This is a wonderful story. Your dad really loves you. Your boyfriend is talented and obviously happy. Safe sailing.

[@youyouulf]

Very inspirational. I'm about to start rebuilding my own Vega, and I've got loads of tips from your site. Thank you! Creds to the father, but also to the daughter and her man! S/V Tiger Lily, Vega #48, Norway

[@svvelocir]

Thanks, wishing you the best with your Vega!

[@cockpit001]

As a kid I many a summer on a Vega (approx. 40 years ago). I still love this brave little yacht. Wishing you lots of happy and safe sailing!

[@michealwilliamson2427]

What a great job and a simply wonderful father! Love the Vega!

[@tomasvilmunen4968]

Had an Albin Vega sailnumber 2791, still in use in the lake Vänern in Sweden. I wish for the best to the new owners.

[@mmanut]

Great story, thanks for sharing. Hope she's still seaworthy. Beautiful work, love all the details. Good Luck & stay safe.

[@davidshaw7505]

WOW well done looks wonderful. Congratulations on all your hard work and dedication

[@yonidunbar4259]

Great story. Those memories are priceless.

[@rocket685]

Presented very well, thank you for sharing your history with the vessel and i hope you both enjoy her for many years. I would also like to say i have enjoyed following your journey and hope to see more. Jay

[@rickflippin1]

Cost might be a lot but passing this knowledge on to your child “priceless”

[@ronniepaulinc]

There seems to be a lot of discussion about the cost here and was it worth it. The truth is they spent more on that boat then they will ever recoop. However, that is not what they paid for. She clearly says her father made this decision and has a vast wealth of information to draw on. This was a fathers decision to buy a very strong vessel and judging by what I seen from the shape it is most certainly that. I absolutely loved that hull design. Most look as though they are top heavy and this one looks like it puts a good hole in the ocean. Remember the cost also includes the price of school to educate his DAUGHTER on every inch of the craft and it's hardware. Rebuilding one from top to bottom is the only way to set her Dad at ease. I am sure he is confident that she can understand and diagnose anything that may arise during offshore sailing. As a father, you can not put a price on that.. No expense spared.......

[@TinkAndGracie]

I loved this video; thank you and your Dad for sharing this wonderful but daunting process. I also have a small Swedish pocket cruiser, a 1971 20 foot Havsfidra Fisksatra, purchased from its original owner, 15 years ago. Tiny but seaworthy, I've loved sailing her. Not sure yet but I may ready to find a new owner for her as my sailing partner has passed away. Wish I had owned her when I was your age. Maureen

[@thechevyscrounger]

so kool ,and the best part was doing it with your father ,it will be memories for a life time

[@Me-zw5pw]

awesome,thanks for sharing!! so lucky to have such an amazing father!!

[@AndrewClelland]

Fantastic and passionate renovation :) a friend of mine here in Sweden has a Vega 27, and I am in the process of renovating an Avance 24 which was sitting out of the water for 20yrs forgotten and tired. Not quite renovating to the standard that you did, but still great fun! Enjoy your sailing :)

[@ralphholiman7401]

Beautiful story! And, boat!

[@josephdupont]

God bless you..you inspire all of us...

[@ananda_miaoyin]

Nice vid. Gotta love those hand crank Volvos! I have an old MBD1 10 horse on my Coronado. Runs forever and uses hardly any diesel but it sure is loud. Fair winds to you.

[@betterrobots]

great job. that boat has more kit then some 60 foot sloops i have sailed on. Im sure she will serve you well for many years.

[@svvelocir]

Thanks! Looks like a great sailboat, we wish you the best. We would love to sail NZ some day.

[@BearWoodz83]

Turned out Beautiful! Congrats!

[@GulfCoastTim]

Great job and nice boat! A classic re-done is nicer then a new production boat.

[@RockwoodJoe]

Great video. We had an Albin 25 and 27 Vega. Ditching the AD-21 motor (made by the original Albin - not Volvo) should be priority number 1 -as you did! Seeing it in the vid brings back memories. Damn I hated that motor!

[@duaneharnes]

Great video and good job. I am currently resurrecting an Islander 23 from the Mojave Desert. "Sweet Resail" is a swing keel day sailor. I have a ton of work yet but your video gives me hope and motivation. Peace and good sailing.

[@rossguidotti8341]

Truly and incredible outcome. I admire you and you father. As for the naysayers.. Haters are gonna hate, Sailors are gonna Sail.. Sail on Velocir Sail on !!

[@C5BAMF]

Cheers to you, your family and friends, and your fantastic boat! I enjoyed your video (and the depth it went into) :)

[@adam56usa]

You have a great Father!

[@MarinaBatham]

I appreciated this video very much. As a 4th generation sailor I love older boats. In the early days of fiberglass, they went heavy on the glass because they didn't know exactly how strong it was going to be. As the years went by, they thinned down the glass, so my bet has always been on the oldies if you are going to buy a fiberglass boat. Once you get these newer ones out there in real weather on blue-water, they had had a tendency to either open up like a tuna can or be easily stoved-in on a tree branch. I think for the amount they spent, they actually got a very good little boat. They know it inside and out, and it's in excellent shape from stem to stern. Can't buy much like that for $30K (if they actually did spend that) and actually sail it past the lighthouse. Beautiful work and good prep for blue water sailing. BTW if you've ever been hit by a 50 knot willy-wah at 3am on an atoll and are knocked down blowing onto a reef, a windlass is a safety item to get you off! Try hauling yourself off without one!

[@AndysEastCoastAdventures]

Your right about that, my 1970's GRP sailboat is almost an inch thick in places, you wouldn't get that on a modern design.

[@Strange-Viking]

30k??? wow.you can get them for 3 to 8k euros. tip-top in holland and germany

[@briansrensen8204]

That Old school myth should be burried. Newer boats are lighter, stronger and less prone to osmosis. Lamination, baking, materials and processes evolves you know. You're a bit nostalgic I believe. "..open up like a tuna can..". My gosh!

[@Vindsong]

That little Vega really turned out nice! I'm sure you could buy a perfectly fine Vega for a fraction of the cost, but this one you know inside out. I am impressed! :)

[@rylo022000]

What an amazing video, I truly do love what you all have done to this boat. Can't wait to see more :)

[@belekas565]

What a nice job!!!!!!!❤❤🤝🇩🇰

[@svvelocir]

Thanks! Hanu looks great too, best wishes on your adventures!

[@OHFORPEATSAKES]

Well done. Enjoyed your video, isn't it amazing how much time and money goes into a project like this? And we still love our boats... sailors are a weird bunch.

[@Strange-Viking]

Nice! I grew up on an Alba viggen. Have spent years of my life on it, and still in perfect shape. The viggen is a bit sturdier even as its design was a bit better but its a bit shorter. Its about a meter shorter then the Vega. Nice vid!!

[@michaelread2067]

True romance. Loved your story. Appalled by the comments of sbc388550.

[@stratplayer53]

Props to your dad for he is a good man

[@petten20233]

Interesting merci .

[@DBassistos]

Great job done!

[@awuma]

Congratulations on a superb job! Regarding the mast raising: find a Polish Mazurian Lakes boat, and see the A-frame. Of course, the shrouds and chainplates need to be correctly located, but there are thousand of boats with that setup. One can lower and raise the mast in a few minutes to pass under low obstacles. The mast lowers aftward. The A-frame gives good lateral stabilityeven in rough conditions. The only derigging is taking the boom off the gooseneck and laying it on the deck, and removing one pin at the bow. The furler and jib stay in place relative to the mast, held by the apex of the A.

[@umpadedooo2]

Great video, super work on your boat, enjoy

[@SailingHanu]

Excellent video - beautiful project. My 1966 Columbia 29 is nearly complete after being completely refit since May 21, 2012 - however, unlike you, I'm having a boatyard do everything (much quicker). :-) You have such a beautiful boat - be careful out there!

[@alansailing1387]

There should be more fathers like this!

[@briansrensen8204]

and daugthers

[@kg6tgr]

This was an awesome video. I enjoy all boat restorations and have a nostalgic heart in taking something and making it new again (In your case, better than new). Subbed.

[@ericlakota9095]

awsome boat great video

[@svvelocir]

Thank you! We are planning a Great Lakes cruise next summer and some more projects this fall.

[@williamcarr442]

Well, you have refurbed a boat with a great reputation with Viking DNA engineered in, I think. I'm jealous of you and your Dad's relationship. Super video! Grant's a lucky guy. Smooth sailing!

[@svvelocir]

Thanks for your comment!

[@Lehmann108]

This is wonderful!

[@johansvaren]

still have the boat, blessings from sweden

[@johnnyohness]

What a fantastic video. Sounds like a lot of your father's love and knowledge for boats and sailing has rubbed off on you. You are one impressive young lady. Sounds like your boyfriend/husband? is quite the guy too. He is very impressive. Did you know him at the time your Dad bought you the boat, or did you meeting him come later. What ever he sure seemed to fall into the notch of the family and seems to have been a big help with the project. You guys are awesome. Have to see all your vids.

[@redwood1957]

It has been 2 years since my last visit to you site . I know you are on hard ground. Hope all is well

[@Deutschtown]

You saved a nice boat!!!!

[@emmanuelsamaras8974]

Well done Dad n Daughter

[@gamachoduck]

Realy nice story. Thanks for sharing it. Did you Dad get to sail it with you?

[@svvelocir]

Thanks for your comment. We wanted a project, but yes, that is a great idea. There are a lot of well cared for boats out there-- that would be a less expensive way to go and require less work.

[@svvelocir]

Hi Mik, thanks for your comment. We moved the traveler for more room in the cockpit, we like it! Great website, love the photos!

[@totalchaos290]

Great job on the boat.I would love to rebuild my Gulf 29.

[@svvelocir]

Hi David, thanks for the comment! The cockpit hatches have a drip system as part of the molded fiberglass. So they will drain naturally with just the flat hatch covers.

[@runarandersen3439]

Hi. Have a 1973 my self. Love it. Been thinking of moving the Main Sheet track like you did. Any preference on "not to or do" this? Also going to duplicate your table mounting. Smart touch i think. Where did you buy the wind vane selfsteering? Best reg.

[@svvelocir]

Sorry for the delay. We had the track sent to Harken to bend and I was happy with the result. Otherwise it assembled well for us. Navik wind vane from eBay.

[@cfolman]

Your dad was right. Scandinavian boats of that era tend to be way overengineered and therefore extremely solid and virtually indistructable. You could go around the world in that little boat :)

[@briantracy1324]

cfolman All fiberglass boats from before 1980 were pretty solid as fiberglass was cheap then they laid it down thick... on any rebuild/refit you'll end up replacing all or most of the small pieces anyway... it's rare to find ANYTHING that still actually works on a boat that age except maybe the compass. You should look at wet sandblasting (with ground glass) ... you can strip a hull that size in about 2 hours... and at a reasonable cost.

[@gerryc3112]

+Brian Tracy What would you consider "a reasonable cost" where you are?

[@youyouulf]

That's talking shit! My Vega #48 from 1966 is still in very good condition, except for the normal wear and tear that happens to any boat, new or old. I am about to start rebuilding her, not because it is necessary, but because I want to change the interior, put in a new engine and have other upgrades made, some of them inspired from the Velocir rebuild. I'd rather spend money and time rebuilding a boat from the early 70's and before that, than doing it on a newer production boat. S/V Tiger Lily, Vega #48/ 66, Norway.

[@fpangaro]

Awsome. Congrats and enjoy.

[@beaujoire]

Beau travail ! 👍

[@giuliom8520]

Wow, cool! It's kinda like a family hot rod story, but with a sailboat. ...composting toilet?!

[@Coyotehello]

Wow, the difference between a survey and 'a friend's opinion' !

[@Coyotehello]

and you still need a survey to finance or insure the vessel!

[@lutacrew]

Question - I hide sight....would you do the stove with oven again. I am a pizza nut and loved watching you make it on board....just asking...

[@bryanfurr818]

my close friend Charlie lived on the same boat in Freeport Texas. 15 years ago me and Charlie sailed to Houston, and then to Port Aransas. we drank and fish all night. the next morning we woke up fished for a while and decided to head back to Houston. I fell asleep leaving the jetties at Port Aransas with Charlie setting the tiller pilot. hours on hours later I woke up in what I thought was a washing machine. drawers and cushions flying everywhere. Charlie fell asleep too and we we're driven right into one of the Texas barrier islands that is uninhabited. the Coast Guard rescued us. a hurricane was coming through the golf of Mexico and so when that hurricane came through Charlie's boat was 50 feet onshore. it was very sad to see Charlie lose that boat. he died a couple years later. I'll never forget Charlie and that Alvin Vega

[@vutEwa]

thanks so much for sharing this!

[@billbye1432]

Albin's were and are a fine boat! imho

[@dale3858]

What a great dad!!!

[@haroldmcbroom7807]

Wonderful video, how have things been going since 2012, any new adventures?

[@svvelocir]

Thanks for your comment. We are happily living in CA! Our 10 year plan is to go cruising again in about that many years.

[@tstoneami]

This is so cool.