Since buying my first Albin Vega in 2014 (and second in 2015) the idea has always been to undertake my circumnavigation on them. This decision was largely due to cost (relative of course to the capabilities of the boat).

Enter January 2017. My second Albin Vega was very nearly ready. The most important stuff had been taken care of, and what remained was mostly cosmetic (a significant amount of work by any measure). I could see the end in sight and planned on departing in April.

But everything abruptly changed after I sold my Rutland wind generator to a man in Oregon by the name of Dirk. Dirk had an interesting story, and through some alignment of friendships and acquaintances was given a 1970 Hallberg-Rassy 33 in late 2016. His intention was to get it ready for cruising and head north up to Alaska. After spending some time working on it: rebuilding the Perkins 4-107, buying some expensive parts and hauling out for bottom paint, he began to conclude that maybe the circumstances weren’t right for his trip.

At this point we had already been communicating back and forth a bit – “shooting the shit” as one might say. At a certain point he began alluding that he may be looking to sell the HR33. I was very envious of the person that could afford such a vessel, but figured it was probably out of reach for me. Nonetheless I asked him to keep me posted on what he’s hoping to get out of it.

As it turns out, what he was willing to sell it for was essentially what he had into it, between the parts/rebuild/haulout. Well shit, now we’re talking. After some more communication he eventually gave me a number, and suddenly I was overjoyed…I could do this. It’s going to be a huge amount of work getting the new boat ready, but I could do it.

I planned to go up and take a look at the HR that same week, which was located in Monterey. I did, and I gotta say the thing was in pretty admirable shape. Although the exterior mahogany had been neglected far too long, it was an excellent foundation.

The teak decks and rigging had been replaced back in 2012. The topsides and cabin top had been painted relatively recently. The engine was just rebuilt by Dirk. The interior of the cabin had been treated very well throughout it’s life. Research indicated that they were constructed of a synthetic foam core, so I wasn’t concerned about rot (though delamination can still occur). To say the lease, I was ecstatic. I called Dirk a few hours after arriving to let him know I’ll take it (he stayed home in Oregon and allowed me to spend the weekend on it without him).

The next few months were a flurry of activity. I had to go back to Long Beach and finish my Albin Vega, sell it and then supplant my life onto the Hallberg-Rassy. I also needed to move the HR33 to a marina in the Bay Area which would allow me to work on it while living aboard.

By June the Vega was finished and sold, a few days later I headed up to Monterey to get the HR33 ready to move to Brisbane Marina, located just south of San Francisco. My friend Gabe and I set off for Brisbane from Moss Landing marina on July 2 and arrived July 3. July 4 the work began.

My plan was to spend three months working full time, so that I could be in Ensenada by the 2017 Baja 1000 in November. For a [mostly] complete list of the work done, go here.

As planned, by the time October rolled around I was pretty much ready to go. I did take a couple extra weeks, finally departing Brisbane at the end of October. I’m actually writing this from Ensenada, Mexico. I’ll stay here until January before continuing south.

I had a lot of help along the way, from friends both new and old. I can’t thank them all enough. Here are some photos of the cosmetic progress. I didn’t document the mechanical stuff too much (which took up the vast majority of the time):