The Norwegian Maritime Museum is doing a great job of maintaining the traditions that made Norway famous for its sailing ships and sailors. Vega was built in Norway so clearly we watch this site closely
This carefully restored Norwegian jacht was built around 1905. Her current owner Harald Krogstad has spent 20 years restoring her with loving care and a lot of hard work. Lyna is a spectacular example of her type and class. She is also a constant source of inspiration to us on VEGA.
"Dyrafjeld" is among the few restored galases left in Norway. She was and still is famous for her sailing ability. She is a very fast sailing boat.
Seychelles Marketing Board suppliers and wholesalers of foodstuffs and almost anything else you can imagine. SMB has the best supermarkets in the islands.
This is one of the WWF national offices and well worth visiting for environmental information.
The WWF international web site. Always has the latest up to date news and links.
Beyond a doubt the best site on the web for historical sailing ships actually sailing. This site is a gold mine of information and links. If you like old boats book mark this site and dedicate a few days to explore it.
The main link for UNICEF full of useful information about projects and programs
this is the World Health Org main web site. A very good site to visit and use as a reference.
The safe Injection secretariat of the United Nations is a small but very active branch of World Health Org. Located in Geneva. The site has a wealth of good ideas and suggestions for campaigns.
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this small but very effective K-12 NGO is active in environmental communications, workshops, and seminars the world over. Managed by Brian Day it has a results oriented and cost effective approach we admire.
Raymarine UK.
www.raymarine.com
When we purchased Vega she had a mixture of electronics. After 28,000 sea miles, a few force 10's and a cyclone at sea, the only ones still working were our Autohelm/Raymarine equipment. Maybe that explains why we turned to them first when we needed newer equipment. Not having extensive budgets we have to be very careful to get the best value for money possible. In my experience no one gives better value in marine electronics than Raymarine. In Singapore contact Thomas Beck at oceantalkasia@pacific.net.sg
Classic Boat Magazine
www.classicboat.co.uk
View PDF article/ August 2005
I have always had a soft spot for classic boats. There are those who call me an unreconstructed traditionalist. It's true and I'm proud of the fact. Classic Boat is one of the best magazines in the world for those, like me, who simple love a beautiful old gaffer.
Since 1958 Cal Pump has manufactured the finest pumps available anywhere in the world. It is this legendary quality that goes into every product they make. It is our feeling that no one makes better pumps than CalPump. I love their solid stainless steel and bronze cooling pumps. No cheap plastic bits carefully designed to break on these pumps. Now if we could just convince them to go into the larger bilge pump market.........
Latitudes and Attitudes Magazine
www.latsandatts.net
I just love this magazine. It's written by cruising sailors for cruising sailors. The owner is himself an avid sailor with a sense of humor I can relate to. The articles are spot on useful, as are the news and editorials. Visit their web site for some of the most practical publications you can take afloat.
Mailspeed Marine Chandlery
www.mailspeedmarine.com
The good people at MailSpeed are fast, efficient, and they have great prices. What I like is dealing with fellow sailors who understand what I need and make useful suggestions. Before you spend your miney some where else check their web site. You will be surprised how much money they can save for you.
We want to send out a special thank you to the Iridium Satellite phone system and a case of cyber beers to the great guys that keep watch on the AST help line for fielding some pretty stupid and also some very important questions. You guys are the greatest. Without you that trip would have been a lot harder on us all!
Many thanks go out to Harald Krogstad owner of the cargo jacht Lyna. When Vegas variable pitch propeller system broke down, effectively keeping us from carrying any further relief supplies, Harald didn't ask questions he just went to tha manufacturer in Norway and got us the parts. Lyna could be a sister ship to Vega. They are the same size, tonnage, and shape. Harald is the typical old style sailor he believes that true sailors always help each other as the sea gives us enough problems to cope with. Again, Many thanks Harald.
Visit Haralds site to learn more about Lyna and his 20 year labor of love. www.lyna.no
With out any doubt Balmar makes the worlds most dependable marine alternators. They are also extremely helpful when it comes to designing a system or navigating your way through the maze of 12 / 24 Vdc power systems.
19009 61st Ave. NE #4, Arlington, WA 98223, 360-435-6100 Tel, 360-435-3210 fax
www.balmar.net
www.blakes-lavac-taylors.co.uk
Blakes Lavac Taylors traces its history back to 1798. A catalogue from a century later, shows a wide range of equipment including cookers, stoves and smaller general chandlery items. When we needed a new cooker we turned to the oldest most dependable company in the world. We do not use gas on our boat but if we did it would be a Taylors gas cooker. They are simply best built and safest one can buy. Their Blake classic heads are works of art that go on working for ever.
Xantrex are the power people. They make the worlds best inverters, chargers, and monitoring equipment. Their Link 2000 system is an extremely robust and modern approach to the age old problem of managing your batteries and shore power systems. Take a long look at their products before you waste money on anything else.
Craig Johnson whose ham call sign is W7WXQ is an old school, "It has to work first time every time or it dosen't belong on the water", marine electronics engineer. Craig has helped us to get our faltering SSB system working. I think his best advise was, " get rid of that ancient piece of junk and get a real radio". Honest Craig, we are trying our best to do just that!
This is another old dependable company that specializes in sanitation equipment. Their lectraSan sewage purification units are extremely dependable and require no additional chemicals to do their job. If you want the most modern electric marine sanitation system any yacht can have you might want to take a long look at their site.
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Set-Zeise makes dependable rugged marine generators at very reasonable prices. Their units are quiet and fuel efficient. One day, when we can afford it, we want an even bigger one. For now the one we have is fantastic and completely trouble free. If you want good solid German enginnering at your service everytime you push the button check their web site. www.set-zeise.de |
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Paintex Systems Pte Ltd.
Email at awlcoats@singnet.com.sg
The paint man for this whole region and that is a simple fact. Michael Ang travels constantly servicing his vast client base and yet always has time to drop off a liter of primer or some bottom paint. When our last bottom paint failed, Michael stepped in and not only pointed out the reason it failed but helped us to find a better paint from Altex with a two-year verbal guarantee. Michael’s telephone number in Singapore is 6425-1132. We found his advice to always be honest and straightforward.
Alquest Marketing www.alquest.com.sg or email at alquest@singnet.com.sg
These great people represent some of the finest brands in boating and have the stock to back up what they sell. Ask for Jason Quek who is very knowledgeable about the problems of life on the water and making things work there. Jason tried his best to get us a Spectra Water maker, undisputedly the best available, but our budget just wouldn’t stretch that far (and he made us some fantastic prices). We know we will regret it later, for sure. We have put his contact here because we were so impressed with his professional and helpful personal approach.
Gimex Pte. Ltd. www.gimex.com or their email at gemix@pacific.net.sg
Ask for Nicholas Oh who is very knowledgeable about lines and cables as well as knowing most of the shipping suppliers in Singapore. We found NavyFlex synthetic lines there that are the best in the world for manila look-alike lines that last for years and years. Each line has a trace with the certifying body list on it. They include Lloyds, Veritas, ABS, and a whole list of others. Always first class materials and at very fair prices.
This well organized classic boat regatta is now going into its second year after a fantastic start. We strongly advise all classic boats in the Caribbean to make it a must on their yearly schedules. This web site also provides contacts for many interesting sources in the area.
We aboard Vega are proud to be direct supporters of the International year of the Turtle. Turtles represent more than just another endangered species fighting for survival in the world’s oceans. They are an accurate barometer of ocean conditions and any attempts made to improve those conditions. Turtles live amazingly long lives and are extremely well adapted to their environment. Examples known to be well over 100 years old are common in almost every indigenous area. The sad fact is that man is killing off sea turtle populations at an alarming rate. Nesting areas are becoming tourist destinations. Local populations are using more refined methods for collecting turtle eggs, and finally pollution is taking its toll among already decimated turtle populations.
One of the most amazing adventures we have come across in years. Imagine a trip around the world by pedal boat. Jason has already crossed the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in his miniature human powered peddle boat. The book alone will be a fantastic read but why wait when you can participate in the final stages of this great adventure dedicated to preserving the worlds sea turtle population. Jason needs your assistance to continue his adventures. Although his expenses are modest they are often enough to hold up his expedition for months at a time.