Laser Vago

   Just now
I am thinking of selling my RS Vision and getting a Vago. I am a little worried about structural issues with Vago though. I was on a Nielsen holiday and they had a Vago grave yard. The instructors sail that the early models had an issue with the deck cracking in the helm area but Laser changed the design. Any ideas at what sail number this mod happened, was it successful? In addition there appears to be some issues with the lower gudgeon ripping out?

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tink Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 23 Jan 16 Location: North Hants Online Status: Offline Posts: 789	Post Options Post Reply Quote tink Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Laser Vago Posted: 28 Mar 17 at 8:39pm
	Just now I am thinking of selling my RS Vision and getting a Vago. I am a little worried about structural issues with Vago though. I was on a Nielsen holiday and they had a Vago grave yard. The instructors sail that the early models had an issue with the deck cracking in the helm area but Laser changed the design. Any ideas at what sail number this mod happened, was it successful? In addition there appears to be some issues with the lower gudgeon ripping out?
	Tink https://tinkboats.com http://proasail.blogspot.com

Time Lord Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 03 Dec 13 Location: Warwickshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 301	Post Options Post Reply Quote Time Lord Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Mar 17 at 11:44am
	Be very wary. A club member bought a new Vago and it developed a hole in the foredeck after only a few weeks. He eventually got a replacement from the manufacturers. This was about 20+ kilos overweight and developed a crack in the floor just aft of the mainsheet block right where the helm stands. This was repaired once by manufacturers but went again in a few months and guess who refused to do any more repairs.
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Sam.Spoons Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3401	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sam.Spoons Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Mar 17 at 12:22pm
	The issue of weight is, I suspect, a real problem with some SMODs. They aren't routinely weighed at events nor are they measured before registration, you only have the builders quoted weight to go off. A builder of a trad class would not allow a hull that was 20 kg overweight leave his workshop (and if he did, the buyer would reject it as the weight would be written on the measurement certificate). But building poly boats light is always going to be a compromise between weight and durability. It's probably not so much of a problem with poly boats mind you as they are less likely to end up in the hands of a serious racer. GRP/FRP SMODs OTOH are a different matter, if I was buying a new one I think I would ask the dealer to weigh it before delivery and reject it if it was overweight.......
	Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

iGRF Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 11 Location: Hythe Online Status: Offline Posts: 6499	Post Options Post Reply Quote iGRF Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Mar 17 at 1:14pm
	I heard similar storys regarding the reliability of the Vago having considered one myself with the alleged single handing option they write about, but seriously read this from their Wiki entry: The Vago is renowned for fantastic performance in high winds due to the lightweight hull design and the Mylar mainsail. As a result, this boat is sailed mainly by more experienced crews than boats such as the Laser 3000. Who writes this drivel, it's classic misrepresentation and they should be reported.
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jeffers Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3048	Post Options Post Reply Quote jeffers Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Mar 17 at 2:13pm
	I believe one of the pricately owned Vagos at my local club had a similar issue with splitting. It has been repaired though and seems good. The ones the club own have not shown any sign of this but they were new when bought.
	Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74

winging it Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 22 Mar 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3958	Post Options Post Reply Quote winging it Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Mar 17 at 6:44pm
	Two were new when bought, the other was second hand. None have shown signs of splitting. Boats in holiday centres can be a little more prone to this sort of issue because they take a pounding from customer use, plus they spend a lot of time exposed to sunlight which weakens the plastic. Our second hand Vago (about to be sold) has been fine. It's sail number 1240. You have already asked on the Facebook forum and I think they have given good advice. To be honest, I have visited centres with large graveyards of almost any of the rotomoulded boats: Picos, visions, qu'bas, Fevas the lot - including Visions. Rudders have been seen to warp dramatically, floors split, transmission come apart and so on. I know the transom fitting literally dropped off our Vision, mid sail! That is the gamble you take when buying a used rotomoulded boat; the process is nowhere near as precise and balanced as the manufacture of a grp frp or wooden boat. You pays your money and you takes your choice.
	the same, but different...

dohertpk Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 28 Sep 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 172	Post Options Post Reply Quote dohertpk Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Mar 17 at 9:09pm
	I can't give you any information about the build quality, but I can tell you what it's like to sail. It's a pig, a heavy heavy pig. I don't know anyone who owns the boat privately. It seems to be used mostly by sailing clubs and schools. If you're looking for something a bit sportier than a Vision, maybe consider an RS500? Are you committed to trapezing? If not, there's always the 200 which is a great little boat with great racing on your side of the pond.

NickA Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 30 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 784	Post Options Post Reply Quote NickA Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Mar 17 at 10:37pm
	By all means sell your Vision but don't buy a Vago. Even if they don't fall apart (and whilst I know a few owners and my club has a few for rental, I've never seen or heard of a privately owned one failing) they are really not as nice as the competition. Wobbly, flexy, heavy, need a howling wind to get planing and really hard to mend if you break it. The wiki entry is indeed a travesty of the truth! The small trapeze and asymetric double hander sector is crowded with boats. Think Laser 3000, V3000, Buzz, RS500, 29er even. Some of them are getting long in the tooth, but there are good ones around at good prices. I'll admit to bias as I have a V3000 ... but waited until the Vago was released (rotomould, heavy, wobbly, turtles in capsizes ...so no) and the RS500 arrived (it's an RS Vario with a jib basically, bit heavy, bit over canvassed to single hand so no) and tried a 29er too (too wobbly and powerful to single hand .. though I've seen it done) before making my mind up. Edited by NickA - 29 Mar 17 at 10:40pm
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Sam.Spoons Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3401	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sam.Spoons Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Mar 17 at 10:46pm
	Any reason for a poly boat rather than FRP tink?
	Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

Late starter Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 24 Feb 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 481	Post Options Post Reply Quote Late starter Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Mar 17 at 11:55pm
	Most of what's been said on this thread re polyprop boats I've seen at my club. The only folk who seem to buy these beasts are newbies. The usual pattern is newbie buys said polyprop beast because they have read the unbiased ? reviews on the likes of wiki, join a club, try and sail said beast at the club and find that they sail like a pig, they then sell said pig at a substantial loss and buy what the rest of the club sail. Whats's that phrase, caveat emptor ?