Becky is mildly interested in taking a look at that A30 we discussed on the chat - not to buy at this point, but to see. Would it be possible to arrange for a 'visit' with the owner?
Scheduling for us will be an issue. We won't be able to do it for at least 3-4 weeks, but if he is amenable, I will let you know some possible dates we can come. I'm thinking there are not that many this close, and would hate to miss the opportunity to see it and show it to her, so these pictures and descriptions seem a little more 'real.'
I will get in touch with the owner, he lives a couple hunderd mniles away, but I have access to the boat. When do you want... never mind just PM me whenever you want to come out, it would be great to take you guys out sailing.
Yesterday, we took our first look at an Alberg 30 for sale. There was a lot of things to come from this look.
Most importantly was the discussion that followed regarding our long-term (and not-so-long-term) plans. Was cruising and/or coast hopping in our future, or was this something that was vaporware for us? We solidified our plans and they do include a boat.
We reallyliked the Alberg 30 as a boat; the particular boat did not jump and grab us like "we HAVE to have THIS one, though. we made an offer that was rejected by the owner. However, we decided after talking some more that this is okay. We offered an amount we could pay RIGHT NOW and the boat does need some work. But what really came from this is an interest in the boat by my wife, and last night she spent about 2 hours on the Internet looking for other Alberg 30's for sale.
My problem was I feared I was looking too much out of 'buyer's eyes" and without a critical enough view. I knew I liked the boat design itself and was crossing over that line of seeing the things I liked rather than the things that needed fixing/changing. The work she requires is not extensive (except for perhaps a re-power), but it all adds up. Also, last night, I came to remember the buyer's warning of "don't jump into the first boat you look at."
Perhaps as we look and shop a little more, we can save a little more money so our "cash right now" price is a bit higher. We'll see. In any case, having broached the subject of "do we REALLY want a livable boat, do we REALLY want to structure our lives around a cruising future" was something we've been avoiding. That issue is pretty settled, now (specifics are still nebulous).
::grin::
That decision is really important, but realise that nothing is set in stone and your attitudes will fluctuate over time - even after you've thrown off the bow lines and are out cruising!
One item you might want to think about is the galley, which is, imltho, not suited for full-time liveaboard without a real stove arrangement.
Amgine
The Alberg 30 is one of my favorite boats... There are a couple of blogs by families that are living aboard them, one is located here (http://weliveonaboat.com). The other couple was living aboard a boat called Rubicon (http://ellenjohnandrubicon.blogspot.com/2006/05/rubi-high-and-dry.html), but have since gone and gotten a larger boat. I think that it is one of the more affordable boats for cruising, as well as one of the prettier boats.
There are a fair number of them on the market at any given time, so I think you can afford to be fairly choosy about what you want in the boat you buy.
Well, some interesting developments this week. The owner countered our offer and we accepted. I guess we are in the middle game of buying an A-30.
I'm kinda stunned. (In a good way). :)
WOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) :D :D :D :D :D :D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Congrats bud!
Who is this 'Alberg guy' ???? ;D CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love the boat. I have a video of the fellow that developed 'cape horn selfsteering' as he tested it sailing around the world.Actually...some of the best 'real' type offshore footage around. He won a 'film award' with it.Happy to mail it to ya when I get back...or PM me with name/address etc and I'll have Judy mail it to ya. You'll feel great about your choice. PS..I feel great about your choice!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's got it all in many ways...relatively shallow draft,good motion,fairly fast,great tracking and proper berths for offshore. You WILL love it!!
Capt S...you will find this link interesting http://www.thesailingchannel.com/a-30_refit/a30_prodstills_slideshow.htm
A couple of pics:
In her present slip:
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10005/normal_2007_01_20_0004_small.jpeg)
And the v-berth:
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10005/normal_2007_01_20_0002_small.jpeg)
I see some good cruising in your future 8)
Have you gotten the survey results back yet????
What survey?
Quote from: Captain Smollett on January 28, 2007, 12:00:54 AM
A couple of pics:
Hi,
Wots the white object on the R/h side of the 2nd pic?.......yes. I am very nosey!
Quote from: Perro_Old_Jersey on January 28, 2007, 02:50:26 PM
Hi,
Wots the white object on the R/h side of the 2nd pic?.......yes. I am very nosey!
That's a small air conditioning unit - it is not 'shipped' in the pic, just lying in the V-Berth.
AHhhh...proper bridge deck, straight drop boards and the 'wood interior' before they went fiberglass pan later in the run....ya did good!
;D
Gald it worked out John, just let me know if you need anything.
Quote from: s/v Faith on January 28, 2007, 07:30:45 PM
Gald it worked out John, just let me know if you need anything.
Thanks. And thanks again for the heads up that she was coming for sale.
Barrel of Grog for Faith!!! ;D ;D ;D
(btw, did you get the pic I emailed?)
Quote from: Captain Smollett on January 28, 2007, 08:04:51 PM
Quote from: s/v Faith on January 28, 2007, 07:30:45 PM
Gald it worked out John, just let me know if you need anything.
Thanks. And thanks again for the heads up that she was coming for sale.
Barrel of Grog for Faith!!! ;D ;D ;D
(btw, did you get the pic I emailed?)
Yup, I got it, thanks. (http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/normal_wavesinslip.bmp)
Cool!!! No point in messing around with three-foot-itis when you can jump 12 feet in one shot!!! Congrats on moving to the "maxi-boat" class!!!
Quote from: Ol' Coot on January 28, 2007, 11:08:43 PM
Cool!!! No point in messing around with three-foot-itis when you can jump 12 feet in one shot!!! Congrats on moving to the "maxi-boat" class!!!
LOL, I was wondering if anyone would give such a comment. It's a big jump, but I really think 30 ft will be our biggest. When the grandkids come along, their parents should have their own boat(s) by then... ;D
Capn Smollett... if you did a similar size jump now, you'd be up to a near 50' boat... :D
Quote from: AdriftAtSea on January 29, 2007, 02:33:02 AM
Capn Smollett... if you did a similar size jump now, you'd be up to a near 50' boat... :D
Yep, and I'd lose my SailFar membership. ;D
Quote from: Captain Smollett on January 28, 2007, 04:35:56 PM
That's a small air conditioning unit - it is not 'shipped' in the pic, just lying in the V-Berth.
I wondered if that might be it.........I am guessing it is a retro fit and possibly set up only as and when required? Aircon in my world is very much a luxury and not something I have ever become familiar with. But sometimes, just sometimes, I would kill for it!
What sort of unit is it?
Quote from: Perro_Old_Jersey on January 29, 2007, 12:46:22 PM
Quote from: Captain Smollett on January 28, 2007, 04:35:56 PM
That's a small air conditioning unit - it is not 'shipped' in the pic, just lying in the V-Berth.
I wondered if that might be it.........I am guessing it is a retro fit and possibly set up only as and when required? Aircon in my world is very much a luxury and not something I have ever become familiar with. But sometimes, just sometimes, I would kill for it!
What sort of unit is it?
I can answer that. ;D it is a small 'Halier' window unit that is placed in the companionway. I sold it to the boat's prior owner after I replaced it with a used 'carry on' AC unit aboard 'Faith'.
It is a decadent think to have aboard a small boat, but when you happen to have the power available to run it can greatly improve your odds of keeping the first mate happy aboard. ;D
The window units work well, and are quite a bit cheaper then the marine units. The disadvantage is that a boat with a proper bridge deck (like an Alberg, Ariel, Triton etc) make it harder to get below with the unit in the companionway.
Quote from: s/v Faith on January 29, 2007, 12:53:12 PM
I can answer that. ;D it is a small 'Halier' window unit that is placed in the companionway. I sold it to the boat's prior owner after I replaced it with a used 'carry on' AC unit aboard 'Faith'.
It is a decadent think to have aboard a small boat, but when you happen to have the power available to run it can greatly improve your odds of keeping the first mate happy aboard. ;D
The window units work well, and are quite a bit cheaper then the marine units. The disadvantage is that a boat with a proper bridge deck (like an Alberg, Ariel, Triton etc) make it harder to get below with the unit in the companionway.
I am not one who needs Luxury........but I
do have a weakness for "Decadence" 8)
I had never thought of using a domestic unit, I just thought that they would be wayyyyyy too big. I will do some Googling. Cheers.
The Smollet 30 is underway!
Capt. Smollet, Capt. K, and I had a nice motor sail down the river this am. We met in the parking lot in Shallotte.... and just to make something clear that I fear might be made less clear in the future.... I was doing boat maintenance in the parking lot while I was waiting for them to show up... ;D
After a refreshing 3 hour nap, we got up and got underway leaving the slip in the dark.
The smile on John's face barely faded as we went down the river, he was going on like someone does on the maiden voyage on the great boat they have just bought. ;D
I was only along for the first 15 miles to help out with a little 'local knowledge' of the river and was dropped off at a marina at the mouth of the river where they bought fuel and other important supplies.... the cold frosty kind that had misterioulsy disappeared over the course of the evening before ;)
Kurt bought ice, and while John was upset at first he came around to the newfound amenity, and mentioned that he might even reconsider other luxuries like electrical lighting and pre-sliced bread. ;D ;D ;D
Hoping all is well aboard the Smollet 30, and looking forward to hearing about the rest of the trip.
Sounds good to me... I hope the boat isn't going to be named the Smollett 30... ;) Does Capn Smollett know what he is going to name the boat yet??? Also, do we have any photos of this intrepid outing???
Couple of pictures;
The trip down the river was beautiful, sunrise, and a nice morning... of course I did not think to get out the camera until we were in down at the New River Marina (just south of the river, on the ICW).
Tied up at the fuel dock;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Smollet_04.jpg)
Her beautiful stern..... Alberg did not know how to draw an ugly boat.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Smollet_03.jpg)
Watching them get underway for the rest of the adventure without me, I thought about asking to go along... then remembered the only place left to sleep would be in the hanging locker... with the extra outboard.... ;D
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Smollet_02.jpg)
The Smollet 30, with Capt' K and Capt John Smollet was last seen departing New RIver marina heading south in the ICW.... all SailFar Sailors should keep a sharp lookout.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Smollet_01.jpg)
Borrowing the marina office 'puter for a quick update. The passage took much longer than expected, food ran out, and I am sad to have to report that John/Smollett didn't make it...
He was a little stringy, but, with enough sauce and a pressure cooker, didn't taste too bad.
:D
Actually, things went well, the weather cooperated, even if the owner of the boat was surly and drunken the whole time. ::) :o John sure does like his rum! I wish he would have shared, but he is one of those mean drunks, you know the kind...
I'm lucky that he also has bad aim, although I would have felt better if the winch handles hadn't all gone overboard when he threw them at me because I got too near his "likker locker" by accident that one time. That man sure can curse, too - I don't know if some of the words were made up, or if it was just the slurring, but there were some new ones to me, and I'd thought I was pretty good at it myself. Anyway, as long as I stayed on deck, stayed busy at my paint scraping in between steering/boat handling, and was quick about fetching John more ice for his grog cup, he didn't yell too much. Not quite as much as Connie had, at least.
A couple of sleeping pills slipped into his drink when he wasn't looking eventually allowed me to singlehand in peace for a while, and although he complained that it was "itchy" under the duct tape when he woke up, I couldn't hear him whining when I was abovedeck in the wind, so that worked out OK. I feel bad that he got pretty badly bruised up when I changed tacks and he wound up on the sole, but I was singlehanding, and the boat does come first, right?
We were 38 hrs underway total from the time we left the dock with Craig, including the above mentioned fuel stop. Went offshore @ Cape Fear 11PM Sat, made the sea off Gtown at 4:15PM, were docked here at the marina around 7:30 last night. John is out looking for some larger ground tackle for his mooring setup.
The Smollett30 is a fine handling boat, very nimble even in light air. Yesterday afternoon she was loving the 15+ kts and 2-3' seas, we were ticking off 6+ kts close-hauled, no problems... Our only difficulty came just as we entered the jetties, as the days sea breeze died out, and the NWesterlies kicked back in, heading us. Third try was the charm, and we managed to sail most of the way in before resorting to the iron genny. ;D
Congrats John!!!!! :D
----------------------------------------------------
PS - Despite Craigs claims and cries of innocence, his "boat maintenance" almost resulted in jailtime and the subsequent delay of the start of our trip. It is not considered proper to, ah, erm, how should I say it - "polish ones jackstaff" in public, at least not in North Carolina.
Luckily, a trip to the bank to max out the cash limit on my Platinum Card (thanks for the ride, Officers...) served to keep Craig from doing time.
C aptn K. to rescue yet again ;D
POOooor capt K....seems to have "abuse abuse abuse" stamped on his forehead. :( At least he is always game to help and participate ....(providing rum is involved) ;D :D :P
Quote from: Frank on April 30, 2007, 03:59:54 PM
POOooor capt K....seems to have "abuse abuse abuse" stamped on his forehead. :( At least he is always game to help and participate ....(providing rum is involved) ;D :D :P
"Abuse abuse abuse" and yet he's not the one duct-taped in the v-berth... ;)
Quote from: CapnK on April 30, 2007, 10:38:05 AM
He was a little stringy, but, with enough sauce and a pressure cooker, didn't taste too bad.
;D ;D ;D
Quote
That man sure can curse, too - I don't know if some of the words were made up, or if it was just the slurring,
It's Irish, man. You don't REALLY curse until you do it in another language. ;D ;D
Obviously, reports of my demise and subsequent digestion are the artifact of a very beer soaked mind. That or I'm just a ghost...
In all seriousness, I would like to extent a very
BIG thank-you to both Craig and Kurt.
Both are excellent "pilots." I'd probably STILL be sitting in the New River, on one of the many shoals, if Craig had not run that first 15 miles with us. Well, if it were just me, anyway. ;D
As for Kurt, well, it was with his guidance that we made it through the Cape Fear in the dark. What a place! As I described this to my wife, about the best analogy I could adopt was:
"Imagine one of those football games where the people in the stands are taking flash photos. All those flashing light going constantly, and you've got to pick out the ONE you need to head for."
Craig mentioned that his favorite time sailing is when the engine is first turned off. Around 10:30 Saturday night, after 17 hours of motoring and motorsailing, we got there. Just outside the Cape Fear Inlet, sails up and outboard off, the boat came to life. This boat loves to sail.
Early Sunday morning was beautiful. We had a 7/8 moon and not a cloud in the sky. Winds were about 15 kt from a little north of west (later NW, which helped our course), temp I think about low 60's or so. This was truly an incredible experience. :) :)
I guess I don't smile a whole lot. I can't say I sit around just smiling. But Sunday, while still about 5 hours out from Georgetown, I was laying down taking a break (which I am sure will be re-worked into "passed out on Rum"), just smiling. I was thinking, "I Love This Boat." And knowing that she wants to take us places.
I did take a couple of pictures (not many, unfortunately). I will post them later.
There's another chapter in the saga in which Kurt did not participate. The Mooring.
Touched the mud, dropped an anchor, outboard died. Pull. Pull. Pull. Pulled one time too many. Pull cord broke.
Took the blamed thing apart and started rethreading a new cord. About the time I got it wound (but not installed), she floated again. Went ahead and laid the mooring Where I Was to get it sorted out later.
Got everything stowed and was ready to dingy ashore. Pumped up chamber 1. No prob. #2. Alls well. No. 3, the MAIN tube of the boat, pumped up nicely. But...the stopper plug was GONE. Odd that it was there when I started to pump, gone when I was done pumping. Looked and looked and looked for it. No dice.
Ah, #1 leaks anyway, so I took the plug from #1, pumped up #4 and went on my way.
The whole process from arriving in the anchorage to back to the car took about 3 hours. Maybe a little less.
The drive back inland was uneventful. Except for a lot of thinking about "boat ideas." And so the process begins again.
Small Boats. Long Distances.
Congratulations, Cap'n Smollett. You seem to have had a nice 'running in' sail in your new boat.
Quote from: Frank on April 30, 2007, 03:59:54 PM
At least he is always game to help and participate .
Boy, Frank, you got that right. If anyone even thinks about passing through Georgetown without stopping to chat with KR, they are nuts. One need only approach with a Cold Beer to offer, but plan for a few hours of
lies sailing stories and great local knowledge.
John- you gonna be on the chat tonight? I have some info for you on masthead sheaves
Hi Charlie,
I plan to be, at least for a little while. If I miss you tonight, could you send it via PM or email?
Congrats on a fine choice from a fellow A-30 sailor! It's a great design that you'll be happy with. I'm sure you've found the A-30 association by now, but if there's anything I can help with please ask!
Bill
My 1965 A-30 OSPREY...
Hi Bill,
That sure is a beautiful boat...of course, I might be biased. ;)
While puttering down the ICW Saturday, a fellow passed by heading North who smiled when he saw the boat...and told us he used to liveaboard an A-30. It was kinda cool to be 'recognized' like that...and for the boat to bring a smile to his face.
Okay, I did not take many pictures on the delivery run, but here are a couple that I did get.
I was busy stowing stuff below while Craig and Kurt were hard at work on the dock:
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10005/2007_04_27_0001_small.jpeg)
We got to the Figure Eight Island Bridge at 5 after the hour. We were pretty bummed to have missed the opening. CapnK was grumbling something about losing that 5 minues we were aground at the can marking New Topsail Inlet (a tight squeeze, we were probably less than 80 feet from the can and bumped hard). But, a call to the bridge tender revealed he opens on the half-hour! Yoo Hoo!!
Anyway, during our 20 minutes of doing circles, we noticed this sculpture on the shore. At first I thought it was Ursula from "The LIttle Mermaid" but it was actually more interesting than that. This is a blow up from a pretty long shot without a telephoto lens.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10005/normal_EightMileIsland_Bridge_Sculpture.jpg)
CapnK was gracious enough to take the tiller once in a while ( ;D ) - actually, he seemed to really enjoy sailing the boat. Here's a shot of him having fun during the offshore leg. I'm not sure what has his attention so completely. I don't recall seeing any ladies in small bikinis out there. ;D
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10005/normal_2007_04_27_0004_small.jpeg)
And finally, tied alongside at Georgetown Landing Marina for the night after 38 hours underway.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10005/normal_2007_04_27_0005_small.jpeg)
Very nice.. :D
That is NOT me in those pics. At that point in time, I believe I was using my only toothbrush to scrub the bilge. Or was it the anchor chain? One of the two, for sure...
BTW, "SoftScrub" works nearly as well as Crest, although it tastes quite a bit different.
Here's another A30, looks like a great deal for somebody who wants to build out their own boat:
A30, hull stripped inside and out, eBay, in Ohio, delivery east coast @ $1.25/mile (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/30-ft-Project-boat_W0QQitemZ330115909586QQihZ014QQcategoryZ63731QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem). Bidding starts at $100, no bids yet.
PS - John - when are you going to send my GPS back to me? I mean, I know you liked it and all, but tossing your sextant overboard, well... Anyway, your radar arrived today, along with your genset, new fridge, 8 speaker stereo system, DVD/TV, and electric windlass.
Quote from: CapnK on May 03, 2007, 08:36:04 PM
PS - John - when are you going to send my GPS back to me? I mean, I know you liked it and all, but tossing your sextant overboard, well... Anyway, your radar arrived today, along with your genset, new fridge, 8 speaker stereo system, DVD/TV, and electric windlass.
LOL.
Just be glad I returned your fishing rod. I felt sorry for you, ya know, what with only getting to eat if you caught your dinner....
BTW, I figured out a way around this GPS dilema. BECKY is going to get one and let me use it occasionally.
;D ;D
Capn Smollett-
Do you have an official name for the Smollett 30 yet??
Dan,
No, not yet. I have two possibles: Aistear (Irish Gaelic for "journey") and Galaxy (which when I first thought of it, came to me as Gaelic Sea).
Still waiting on some input from the Admiral. I believe the name of this boat should be something the whole family chooses, so I am not wanting to rush into it. My son, almost 2, wants to name her "Apple Cake." ;D
It may be a while before we choose a name. Til then, she'll continue to answer to her current name, which is Deneb.
I like Gaelic Sea... particularly if you're of Hibernian descent.. :D Keep us posted, and taking the admiral's advice is a sound idea, and a good way to prevent mayhem... ;)
John -
Congratulations on the boat, and the successful delivery home.
I look forward to hearing about her outfitting and your adventures with her.
For what it's worth, I, too, like the name Gaelic Sea. :-)
Craig and Kurt -
Thanks for filling in the details of the delivery. Very entertaining!
Quote from: CapnK on May 03, 2007, 08:36:04 PM
Here's another A30, looks like a great deal for somebody who wants to build out their own boat:
The winning bid was $760. They guy who bought it just posted on the A30 mailing list. It seems that she's gonna live in Idaho. He works for a boat yard, so I'd bet money this boat will be a true beauty when he's done.
Here's his blog on the A30 project (http://alberg30.blogspot.com/)
http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/11078 (http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/11078)
Not sure if it's even worth a look, but $850!
What is a Whitby Alberg? Anybody know anything about these?
I don't know the North American boats, but to me she just "looks right". So did some Googles.......
http://www.alberg30.org/ (http://www.alberg30.org/)
http://www.alberg.ca/hist_1.htm (http://www.alberg.ca/hist_1.htm)
USD850.........
(http://www.sailboatlistings.com/sailimg/m/11078/main.jpg)
A "finished" version........
(http://www.alberg.ca/images/30/gallery/rubicon_2.png)
I can see that price tempting someone Rightly or wrongly :P
I wasn't familiar with what Whitby was, but according to your URL it's Whitby Boat Works, Ltd.
If I wasn't in school full time, full time job, and a baby on the way I might consider taking on a project boat, but something tells me the wife wouldn't care for it much. She wants me to get something we can sail in from the get go, which makes sense.
There's an old Triton for sale in Northern Wisconsin (much closer than Maryland to Milwaukee).
From the looks of this boat it's a money pit.
Whitby was a Canadian boat maker IIRC. They were based up Ontario way or so... and made Alberg 30s.
ready to sail?
How about this one (http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1964/Alberg-Sloop-%282004-Fwc-Yanmar-Diesel-Repower-W-60-Hours-just-Reduced-To-13k%2C-Seller-Anxious%21-1979469/Smith%27s-Marina-Crownsville-Annapolis/MD/United-States)!
complete with a cape horn windvane and everything. I've been drooling over this for about a month now, somebody is gonna snatch it up soon!
Quote from: dnice on October 24, 2008, 06:41:12 PM
How about this one (http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1964/Alberg-Sloop-%282004-Fwc-Yanmar-Diesel-Repower-W-60-Hours-just-Reduced-To-13k%2C-Seller-Anxious%21-1979469/Smith%27s-Marina-Crownsville-Annapolis/MD/United-States)!
Beauty of a boat! I've got to stop even looking. It puts me in a bad mood :) It's winter here, everyone's pulled their boats in. The guy with whom I was going to split slip fees with next season for use of his Catalina 30 got fired from where I work and is moving back to Chicago, and I can't get a boat until 2010 unless it's DIRT cheap.
It has iron ballast instead of lead, other than that it's an Alberg.... I haven't heard of anyone having trouble with the iron ballast other than it takes up more space. The Rawson is another good boat that has iron ballast. The Rawson has really good seakeeping specs.... TJ
Quote from: dnice on October 24, 2008, 06:41:12 PM
ready to sail?
How about this one (http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1964/Alberg-Sloop-%282004-Fwc-Yanmar-Diesel-Repower-W-60-Hours-just-Reduced-To-13k%2C-Seller-Anxious%21-1979469/Smith%27s-Marina-Crownsville-Annapolis/MD/United-States)!
That looks far more tempting........
MKe-
What part of the country are you in??? I'm sure that you can find someone to sail with whereever you are.
TJim-
One problem with Iron Ballast is that it makes the boat slower or more tender, or both. It isn't as dense as lead, so to have the same righting moment, the keel has to be larger—and that makes the boat slower—more underwater surface, more drag. If the keel is the same size, then the boat is going to be more tender, since there's less ballast. Most of the time, at least on externally mounted keels, I'd imagine it is a compromise, and the keel is slightly larger, and slightly lighter than the lead version—so you get a boat that is marginally slower and more tender.
Since the keel on the Alberg is encapsulated, the real problem is that if any water gets in...the iron will rust and expand about 10% as it does so. That means that if the encapsulated keel has any water leaking into it, the ballast will rip apart the fiberglass. That wouldn't happen with a lead ballast keel IIRC.
Finally, iron is much less malleable than lead, and in a hard impact, will tend to transfer more of the energy of the impact up to the rest of the boat. This is less of an issue on the Alberg 30, since the keels are encapsulated...but on a newer, bulb keel design, it may be the difference between the keel bolts failing or not.
Iron ballast on A-30's doesn't seem to be too much of a problem in the real world.
At least two A-30's have been solo circumnavigated; at least one of these was around Cape Horn.
Numerous A-30's have beaten other, theoretically faster boats in races...not on corrected time, but actually across the line.
Bandying about theoretical pros and cons about how a boat sails is fine for rainy days at the dock, but there's no mistake that in real world "tests" in the Big Tank, the A-30 is a well made, seaworthy boat, no matter what material is in the keel.
And I would add that our Meridian 25 has external iron ballast. Seems to do just fine for us.
Quote from: dnice on October 24, 2008, 06:41:12 PM
ready to sail?
How about this one (http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1964/Alberg-Sloop-%282004-Fwc-Yanmar-Diesel-Repower-W-60-Hours-just-Reduced-To-13k%2C-Seller-Anxious%21-1979469/Smith%27s-Marina-Crownsville-Annapolis/MD/United-States)!
(http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd256/CaptSail/Misc/Alberggalleymod.jpg)
This boat's interior is not the stock A-30 interior; it's been significantly modified. That big galley was added at the expense of the starboard settee/berth which is now still a settee but too short for a berth. For a boat that only has two real sea berths (I never considered the V-berths as sea berths on my old A-30), giving up one is a huge tradeoff for a big galley. I suspect this is a major reason behind the low price.
Everything you said makes sense and is reasonable to me, however I've never heard of it happening...
and the Rawson that I mentioned has a capsize ration of about 1.55....TJ
Quote from: AdriftAtSea on October 25, 2008, 07:11:59 AM
MKe-
What part of the country are you in??? I'm sure that you can find someone to sail with whereever you are.
I'm in Milwaukee, on Lake Michigan.
I find people to sail with and get out at least twice a week, plus I've got a membership at the local sailing club. They've got a nice fleet of about 15 Pearson Ensigns, 5 J/24's, Solings, a C&C 27, and a bunch of International 470's. This allows me to get out pretty much whenever, but ultimately I really want my own boat. Most of the sailors I know aren't really into long passages. The only way I've found to take long passages is to crew on boats in races. This is not much for relaxation though, and doesn't quell my desire to get out and explore the Great Lakes.
The wife has recognized my frustration and is going to try and work with me to get a boat next season, but we have a baby girl due in March, so I doubt I'll be able to swing it next year. It'll be a good exercise in patience if nothing else. I'll still get out plenty, I just long for the freedom to go wherever I want.
Quote from: mkeChris on October 25, 2008, 09:45:10 AM
we have a baby girl due in March, so I doubt I'll be able to swing it next year.
Congrats!!
Bringing a child up sailing can be a blast. My daughter took her first sail at 7 weeks of age. Both my children have done an overnight offshore passage.
Hardly a day goes by that my daughter, now six, doesn't look to the sky and say "today would be a good day to go sailing."
As for swinging your own boat next year, have you considered a small-ish trailerable? Might be more affordable and there sure are plenty of cruising opportunities on The Lakes. In case you are not familiar with the site, check out TSBB (http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/trailersailor/index.cgi). There are quite a few Great Lakes trailer sailors active on there - OPB opportunities as well as they know of boats for sale.
Quote from: Captain Smollett on October 25, 2008, 10:16:28 AM
Congrats!!
Bringing a child up sailing can be a blast. My daughter took her first sail at 7 weeks of age. Both my children have done an overnight offshore passage.
Hardly a day goes by that my daughter, now six, doesn't look to the sky and say "today would be a good day to go sailing."
thank you!
I'm looking forward to raising kids with sailing in their lives. I wish I would have been exposed to it when I was younger. My wife, despite not being as enthused about sailing as I am, is incredibly supportive of my love for sailing and is not opposed to us getting the kids out there... My little girl will be able to tie a bowline before she can tie her shoes ;)
It looks like we've moved from the Alberg 30 project to sailing with kids. This is a fantastic subject, and with everyone's indulgence, I've started a new thread on cruising/sailing with kids under SB/LD Cruising. I think many would love to hear other's experiences.
hi fellas. i've been looking for a nice coastal cruiser for the west coast for about a year now. so far i havnt seen anything that really took me by the neck and said "I'm her, buy me now". Came pretty close on a cal 2-27, but he thought it was worth more than i did. oh well, nice boat though.
i dont think i really need i need something that would survive a nuclear 1st strike, but i do want a solid boat. anyway, i stumbled on an alberg 30 thats in napa california. havnt seen the boat, but talked to the broker who wasn't at his office so didnt have all tha facts in front of him. need to call him back next week.
Anyway, i would sure appreciate any input from people that own, or have sailed one. how do they sail. how do they singlehand, are they a boat you would sail down the coast of california and down to the sea of cortez? its a bit bigger than i have been looking for. i've been looking at 27-28 feet if for no other reason than any bigger and you run into a lot of "systems" that i dont feel the need or want for.
this particular boat is a simple old gal. not a lot of systems, but a lot of new good stuff like a yanmar, new standing rigging, new paint, cushions. good ground tackle, charts and a whole bunch of little extras that are nice to have. no hot/pressure water, im ok with that. tons of storage. could use some varnish on the outside brightwork. asking 17900.
thanks for any input you guys care to share. best regards, j.d.
JD,
I went ahead and merged your thread into the couple others on the A-30. I think you will find your answers here,
just remember... our beloved captain (K)... the truth is not found in his stories... ;)
lol, ok and thanks
Hi JD,
Couple of comments to address specific points in your post that might not be addressed earlier in the thread.
Quote
how do they sail.
Like a full keeler that is fairly heavy (by modern standards) for her LOA. She has a very seakindly motion at least in the conditions that I have had her. I used to marvel at the difference in the motion of the two boats when I had a Santana 28 slipped next to me. Now, there is a Morgan 38 next to me, and again, I am amazed at the visible difference that I can see, even in the chop in the marina.
I don't know what you are used to, but she is a bit tender
at first by some measures, but stiffens up in a major way, oh at about 15 or so degrees. I've only had the lee rail in the water once (offshore) and in that instance did not for one single instance feel like she was on the verge of letting go.
As is typical of boats of her era (and designed by Alberg at that time), with her smallish foretriangle and large mainsail, she likes an early reef in the main but keeps a large headsail to stay balanced, but so long as you give her want she wants (rather than trying to apply some book-rule to when to reef), she does just fine.
Some might look at her PHRF Rating of 228 and scoff. But then "the real world" and actual experience (http://sailfar.net/forum/index.php/topic,1772.msg17845.html#msg17845) sets in and we confess "fast" is perhaps a loose term when talking sailboats.
She does okay in light air, too. Her design does not favor the general modern notion of 'easily pushed through the water,' but her inertia DOES favor keeping her going once you get her moving. The one time I've had her in really light air, I was actually kind of surprised at how well she moved to or just above steerage way in such little wind I had that day (with cruising main and genoa). I'll be adding a nylon drifter to my sail inventory to improve this. We only dropped below steerage way when the air truly was calm.
Hope this addresses your specific question to at least some degree.
Quote
how do they singlehand
At least as well as any other. There have been two that I know of that have been single handed around the world. One rather famous example (http://www.capehorn.com/sections/performance/withjean.htm) has a movie about the trip and is well worth a look if you want to see an A-30 in action in all types of weather...being single handed. It's worth a look even if you have no intention of ever owning an Alberg 30.
I would guess beyond any overt design flaws that make it hard to do (which the A-30 does not have that I can tell), single handing success owes more to the mental and physical preparation of the sailor than the boat's specific design.
Quote
are they a boat you would sail down the coast of california and down to the sea of cortez?
Can't think of a reason why not. If they can round the Horn and cross ocean, I thinks that makes 'em a good candidate for these cruising grounds.
Quote
asking 17900.
That's about a median price. They range from around $10,000 to right at $30,000 (or a touch over), so if in reasonable condition that's probably fair, especially if you can find some wiggle room with the seller.
Yve's on Jean du sud is one of the more important insperation!
Like he sead" Only way to stop thinking about it ..is to do it"
I Agree...
thanks capt smollet, just what i was looking for and apreciate your input. i had no idea one had been around the horn!! i think in the next few weeks im going to fly into s.f. and go check it out. theres also a vanguard in richmond i will probably look at.
have you had it out in any wind?? i read somewhere where they dont handle worth a darn over about 20knots. i was looking at several reviews at the time though and it could well have been a different boat.
anyway, thanks again. although it doesnt really mean much, to my eye they are a pretty boat. they just look right, wide decks you can actually walk on. cockpit thats just right, lots of storage, i like em. besides, life is way to short to sail on an ugly boat. best regards, j.d.
Quote from: jdsackett on April 23, 2010, 05:35:04 PM
have you had it out in any wind?? i read somewhere where they dont handle worth a darn over about 20knots. i was looking at several reviews at the time though and it could well have been a different boat.
HAD to be a different boat...or a comment by someone who does not know how to sail. ;D
Biggest wind I've had my A-30 in is 18 knots, so knocking on the door of 20. Sailed like a DREAM in 18, so I cannot imagine for the life of me that anyone would see a marked difference at just two-ish more knots.
Anyway, I know of A-30's that have been actively sailed (not 'survival tactics') in 40 knots and more. Really, get your hands on the movie "With Jean-De-Sud Around the World" - small boat, long distance solo sailing at its finest.
The boat can handle what you throw at her.
Quotehave you had it out in any wind?? i read somewhere where they dont handle worth a darn over about 20knots. i was looking at several reviews at the time though and it could well have been a different boat.
Had to be a different boat, I haven't seen an Alberg design that didn't love being sailed in a 20knot breeze.
you guys are correct, it was a vanguard, my bad. dont know how the heck i got em crossed up, but backtracked and found the errors of my ways. anyway, i'm going to go check it out. will let ya'll know what happens. thanks again guys. best regards, j.d.
well, got off my overfed butt and went to look at it sooner than i had planned. without question, a fine boat. on deck, very roomy and enough room to walk around without tripping over anything. inside was very nice, new cushions, very clean. stepping aboard was like stepping on concrete, didnt move an ounce. but.....this boat is freaking HUGE!!! biggest boat i have owned is a 25 footer and i think i could park it in this one and use it for a dink. i know lots of people dont consider 30 feet big, but it was a little intimidating, and when it comes down to it, i think i'll pass. this is not a knock on the boat, it was relly nice and a guy could throw a party on this gal and invite the neighborhood. just too damned big for me
also looked at a vanguard. another nice boat, but even bigger than the alberg!! looked at a flicka that was in very nice shape. really liked that boat. well built little gal and was obviously loved by the previous owner. could use a few things, but the price was right and looked dry. outboard powered, but i can live with that. checked out a pacific seacraft 25. also a nice boat, but couldnt stand up in it. for me, thats a deal breaker. all in all, not a wasted trip, and had a good time looking at boats.
so, the search continues. i want to thank all of you that gave me some excellent input. much appreciated. regards, j.d.
J.D,
You've got good taste--all the boats you've checked out were on my list when I started looking.
In fact, I started out trying to track down either a Flicka or a Pacific Seacraft 25 (both pretty rare here in the Northeast), and ended up with a Cape Dory 25D--referred to in at least one online posting as the "East Coast Flicka."
Good luck with your search. Keep us posted.
--Joe
thanks joe...flickas arent hard to find out here, there are several for sale. but they are small. the one i looked at had an outboard, so quite a bit of storage is open for that. no matter how seaworthy a boat is, you still need room for a dink, water, stores, sails, repair parts. however, when you get aboard one it doesnt take a genius to see the build quality.
out here, tritons, cape dorys, ariels, etc are very rare. if i could find a 25d in good shape for a decent price out here, i would be the new owner. in my opinion, perfect size for a single or couple that still like each other. unfortunatly, they are just not around. so, will keep looking and keep you posted. regards, j.d.
Don't be afraid of the Alberg just because your first impression is it's BIG. That's a natural reaction but you'll get used to it in 2 weeks of cruising and just move round the boat.
I don't know the price differences between a Flicka and the Alberg, for instance, but the Flicka is small. It means it's SLOW. It also means you will always have problems with storage and all that, and in the long run - if your considering long-term crusing and liveaboard - you'll be SO much happier with an Alberg 30. Proven GOOD sailing boat. No disrespect to the Flicka, a nice little boat....
but:
'There's no substitute for waterline lenght'
...or was it cubic inches... ;D ;D ;D
Alberg 30 is TOO BIG?
Well, then you just need more people aboard! ;D
I just ran across this reference yesterday, so I thought I'd post it. I have not read this book, so I am 'quoting' this at least second hand.
Apparently, according to Desirable and Undesirable Characteristics of Offshore Yachts (http://www.amazon.com/Desirable-Undesirable-Characteristics-Offshore-Yachts/dp/0393337189/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273495760&sr=8-2) by Davis and Rousmaniere, a list was compiled of about 75 'offshore boats.'
On the list of 75 boats, the Alberg 30 has the second best ranking. Interestingly, the Alberg 37 ranked lower, at fourth.
Having encountered several "naysayers" in regard to taking my Alberg offshore, I will NEVER stop compiling evidence that shows otherwise - either from my own experience or the experiences of others.