Thoughts on Alberg 35

[AdriftAtSea]

I'd say you should get a boat you love, but get one that isn't going to break your heart. I'd recommend you read the Boat Inspection Trip Tips thread I started... :) 

I should have left out "BIG".  I was only meaning to say that I can buy a nice Alberg boat and to heck with the sailing experience.. just hide in the cabin if you stuck in a mess :)

You're probably right about buying smaller... I'm sure next March/April when I have my approval to buy I'm gonna buy the first thing I fall in love with.. which is just about any boat these days :)

[Bluenose]

You're probably right about buying smaller... I'm sure next March/April when I have my approval to buy I'm gonna buy the first thing I fall in love with.. which is just about any boat these days :)

First off, I want to say that all of this advice is our way, certainly mine, of trying to pass along our hard earned experience your way. I hope it doesn't feel like we are trampling on your dreams. That said...

I think you should be picky as heck about your new boat. Study everything you can. Determine what is important to you. Standing headroom, enclosed head, speed, engines, aesthetics whatever. Find your perfect list of boats. If it were me I wouldn't confine my search to boats that were available in my area. I would find a way to get one of the boats on the top, or near the top, of my list.

I have found that in any "type" of boat one looks for there are certain boats that stand out from their peer group. Great designers, classics styling. Whatever it is it was a home run. In my experience it doesn't necessary cost any more to have greatness than ordinary. It may just take more effort and determination.

I think it is okay to listen to owners, but be careful as we are a proud group. I quite like it when someone rants about a boat they once owned, or better yet, a boat they never owned but love sailing. I like it when owners aren't always positive and glowing about their boats. Anytime all I hear is praise, I look for other opinions.

Good luck in your search, it is a great journey and lots of fun.

Cheers, Bill

[Christopher]

I'd say you should get a boat you love, but get one that isn't going to break your heart. I'd recommend you read the Boat Inspection Trip Tips thread I started... :) 

I've read it a few times now.  Once before I went and looked at that old Commander, and again when I went to look at a CD28 more recently.  Great information!!!  Thanks much!

[Christopher]

First off, I want to say that all of this advice is our way, certainly mine, of trying to pass along our hard earned experience your way. I hope it doesn't feel like we are trampling on your dreams. That said...

I think you should be picky as heck about your new boat.

Thanks Bill.  I post questions here about the boats I'm thinking about because you guys seem to know your stuff.  Between the lot of you.. you've had experience with just about any boat I've ever talked about.  All the advice is very helpful.  In the end, I'm incredibly picky, and notoriously stubborn when I get something in my head.

My top 5 as of right now:
1.  '78 or newer CD 28 (too bad about that tiny v-berth)
2.  Triton (one that's had quality maintenance or rework)
3.  Alberg 35 (aft galley preferred)
4.  CD 26 (mid eighties)
5.  Ariel (again quality maintenance or rework)

Of these I've only inspected a CD28.. I spent a lot of time going through her and liked the boat very much.  Very sturdy and simple inside.  Was surprised not to find a pull out double port berth...   The rest of the list I've just read about on the Internet.  A nicely refitted Triton is for sale in Chicago right now.. very close to me.  12,500, but unfortunately the wife won't budge... solid as a rock that one.

[Captain Smollett]

You mind if I ask why you jump from 26-28 footers up to an A-35, without considering an Alberg 30?

No bias here, of course...  :P

[AdriftAtSea]

LOL...no, none whatsoever.... ;)  Good question though... And considering how many A30s were made... there's usually a small selection available for sale at any given time.

You mind if I ask why you jump from 26-28 footers up to an A-35, without considering an Alberg 30?

No bias here, of course...  :P

[Bluenose]

Thanks Bill.  I post questions here about the boats I'm thinking about because you guys seem to know your stuff.  Between the lot of you.. you've had experience with just about any boat I've ever talked about.  All the advice is very helpful.  In the end, I'm incredibly picky, and notoriously stubborn when I get something in my head.

Chris,

Good to hear. The only reason I brought this up, and with attitude, is that I had an experience where a bunch of us were going through this same process over on the oarclub (I think) board. There was a nice lively debate and a great deal of discussion and advice and then the person went in an entirely different direction because he "found a great deal on a cheap boat". I don't know what he ended up buying but there is one thing I have learned about boats.

They aren't cheap. Never. And the less you pay to get one the more expensive they can be in the long run.

And from your last post and your list of favorites I see a problem. Is your budget really $12000 to $13000 or did I read that wrong. If so I think it will be very, very difficult to get a well maintained 35 footer.

That said, I like your list.

My top 5 as of right now:
1.  '78 or newer CD 28 (too bad about that tiny v-berth)
2.  Triton (one that's had quality maintenance or rework)
3.  Alberg 35 (aft galley preferred)
4.  CD 26 (mid eighties)
5.  Ariel (again quality maintenance or rework)

Of these I've only inspected a CD28.. I spent a lot of time going through her and liked the boat very much.  Very sturdy and simple inside.  Was surprised not to find a pull out double port berth...   The rest of the list I've just read about on the Internet.  A nicely refitted Triton is for sale in Chicago right now.. very close to me.  12,500, but unfortunately the wife won't budge... solid as a rock that one.

I had a similar list before I went in another direction. And I quite like what I saw in the Cape Dory 26 (although I have never been aboard one). They seemed like the Cape Dory version of the Pearson Ariel. At roughly 5300 lbs with 300 to 400 square ft of sail area she would be handy and easy to sail single handed. The SA/D ratio of 16.4 with the working sails and 20.4 with the genny is a bit above average and should let you sail often (but I would still be thinking of really light air sails).

But what really set the CP 26 design apart for me was the aft engine well. Since I am not an engine person, I liked having the easy choice of no engine or a small electric in a well. For my way of thinking, an inboard diesel seems like a huge space hog in small boats.

And finally if the build quality of the 26 is anything like my friends Typhoon, then they are way above the average classic plastic build quality.

Alas, the CP 26 is quite rare.

It will be fun to follow along and see where you end up.

Cheers, Bill

[TJim]

That is an interesting question. I do the same thing but never really thought about why.  Now you got me wondering about that.  There must have been a reason originally, but I can't quite remember what it was.  Without checking numbers on the two boats, I just don't think of the A30 really being significantly bigger than a Triton, In fact they seem pretty much like the same boat.  Having had both a lite weight EC version and a heavyweight WC version, I can tell you I might feel a lot different if I'd never had the WC version as my major concern about a boat has always been primarily blue water capability. TJim

[Captain Smollett]

I just don't think of the A30 really being significantly bigger than a Triton, In fact they seem pretty much like the same boat.

For quite a while, my 'ideal, dream boat' was a WC Triton.  But reality set in on the four people aboard thing, and those extra two ft LOA and what, 6" or so on the beam, makes a fair difference 'comfort' wise.

I mean, you should hear the comments we get NOW, with a 30 footer.  I'd probably be tarred and feathered if we were on an even SMALLER boat...    ;D

(Of the liveaboards at this marina, and the percentage is high here, we have the one of the smallest boats...and the largest family/number living aboard - 2 adults, 2 children and a cat.  There are two families of three, one with a dog and turtle the other with no pets; the family with the dog live on a 31 footer, so they are close to us in terms of 'space.'  But...they also own a house they go to on weekends!!)

[TJim]

Believe me I can relate to lack of room on a Triton. I just spent the last 6 months aboard moving mine from SFran to Mexico.  It's in La Paz on the hard now and I'm in Salt Lake recooperating from leg and knee surgery.  But I had good crew from SDiego on down with no schedule pushing us.  With 2 "Guys" aboard they just grow smaller and smaller.  And it really gets old cooking 1 pot meals on a seaswing.  While I know from a sea going point of view the Triton is twice the boat that a Ranger 33 is, the extra room and amenities sure do make life aboard a heck of a lot better and the Ranger isn't really short on sea keeping qualities if you compare it to most boats out there, it just isn't the same kind of boat.  It ain't no Alberg and it ain't no Hess, but it sure do make living aboard one heck of a lot more comfortable and she moves pretty good.  I got hot water, I got a shower, I got an electrasan, I got an oven and 2 burners.  Heck I even got a flat screen TV and 6" foam wider/longer settees not to mention a real chart table that don't take on water thru the companionway hatch. Where can you put that stuff on a Triton?? Sometimes you just gotta make trade-offs. TJim
TJim

[Christopher]

You mind if I ask why you jump from 26-28 footers up to an A-35, without considering an Alberg 30?

No bias here, of course...  :P

It would certainly be up there too.  I chose top 5 so I had to limit myself to 5 :)  Those are the boats that are in the forefront of my mind because I've gone to look at them or talked to sellers about them.  The A-35 is attractive to me for the length, but I'm certain an A-30 would suit me just as well as a CD28, Triton, or any of the others.  Someone had mentioned the difficulty of hoisting sails on a 35 footer and that had not occurred to me.

I'm certain that if any come up in the area that survey well, meet my expectations, and are within my price range, or close, I'll be all over it.  I've seen a couple Ariels in Lake Michigan lately, but there is a seller of a CD 26 I've been talking to.  Hopefully he'll still have it when the time comes.  The wife seems to like that one because it's in nice aesthetic shape, is newer, and is priced fairly decent.  10 months and counting....

[Gerald A. Gotts]

I've had  "some" misgivings about buying my Bristol 27 this past year but only because it feels a bit cramped inside.  I've been looking around at other bigger boats but  I would tend to agree with the others about the expense going up with a larger boat ie; maintenance etc.

I like my Bristol but I sure would like more room.  Anyone have any experience with a Columbia 34 MK II ?  It has tons of space but wondering if it would be too much for me to handle singlehanded.  I found one for a good price in OK shape.

Just wondering as I tend to agree with a smaller boat going the distance.  I forgot to mention that I would be living aboard her for long periods of time.

Thanks,

Jerry

[TJim]

It's the amenities or lack thereof. That's what happened to me after 5 months of cruising and live-aboard on my Triton. Things like cooking on a seaswing which is great in the sense that it works and you can cook in any weather but one 7" pan really limits what you end up eating and it wears thin after awhile.  2 burners and an oven makes a world of difference as do things like a refrigerator, hot water heater, shower, nice chart table with chart storage that doesn't get your charts wet. 6" cushions are a real upgrade in comfort, an electrasan toilet makes life a lot easier. I just bought a 300 gal per day water maker that will basically allow me to shower all day long if I feel like it.  These are a few of the things that make living aboard and cruising a heck of a lot more relaxing. A cold beer is just so much better than a warm beer.  No way can a quart of water and a washcloth
compare to a shower.  A cushion to sleep on that compresses down to feel like a solid board before morning just don't get it after awhile.  These are the reasons I went from The best sail boat on the water (In my no so humble opinion) to an extra 5' of pure pleasure that gives away one heck of a lot of sea kindliness. I already miss sailing on my Triton but I sure don't miss the seaswing.  TJ

[AdriftAtSea]

TJim—

A 300 gallon-a-day watermaker is pretty impressive for a boat the size found on Sailfar.net.  That means it can make over 12 gallons of water an hour...you'd need a pretty big genset to power that...

[Frank]

"an electrasan toilet makes life a lot easier. I just bought a 300 gal per day water maker that will basically allow me to shower all day long if I feel like it.  These are a few of the things that make living aboard and cruising a heck of a lot more relaxing. A cold beer is just so much better than a warm beer.  No way can a quart of water and a washcloth
compare to a shower."...............sounds way too complicate for this simple mind  :o Give me a pump head that doesn't take power and I can fix myself (grudgingly),30 gallons in tanks and a raincatcher,my pump up garden sprayer/shower @ a qt per shower and my little engel when needed with only one solar panel. I'm with ya on the extra foam tho  ;) Next Vberth mod is good quality 4inch with an additional 1 1/2 inch memory foam on top.

[CharlieJ]

"..............sounds way too complicate for this simple mind  :o Give me a pump head that doesn't take power and I can fix myself (grudgingly),30 gallons in tanks and a raincatcher,my pump up garden sprayer/shower @ a qt per shower and my little engel when needed with only one solar panel. I'm with ya on the extra foam tho  ;) Next Vberth mod is good quality 4inch with an additional 1 1/2 inch memory foam on top.

I'm with you Frank. First, there is NO WAY I'd have a shower below decks on a smaller boat- I've seen too much mold and mildew caused by them. Plus I refuse to give up the room for something used so seldom. Just like I see no need for two sinks on a small boat- the one in the galley works just fine for washing hands and we brush teeth using a cup of water, usually out on deck.

Now on the 4 inch foam, I'm in total agreement ;D But that's what we already have on Tehani.

Of course we don't, and don't plan, to live aboard Tehani full time. THAT makes a difference for sure.

[Gerald A. Gotts]

I guess I'm beating a dead horse or .......

I  have been looking at a Columbia 34 MK II .  I agree with everything you guys say about smaller boats like my Bristol 27 but that Colmbia has so much room!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Does anyone have any particular thoughts on the C-34 MKII ?

This  Columbia would be a wonderful place to call home as I plan to live aboard, but how about single hand sailing ?

The deck appears solid and the hull.  I can't detect any leaks .  The diesel runs great etc, however there are air ferns growing on the rigging (not kidding).

[TJim]

Actually don't need a genset at all and for normal living only have to run the engine about and hour an day (110 amp alternator) to keep both battery banks
and the starter battery topped off.  For most purposes I only need to run the water maker a half hour a day.  That's the beauty of having a 300 gpd capability.
TJ

[Bluenose]

This  Columbia would be a wonderful place to call home as I plan to live aboard, but how about single hand sailing ?

My feeling is that in your gut you know the answer to this question.

I have always been intrigued by Bill Tripp's bubble top designs



but the Columbia 34 MkII it is twice the boat of your Bristol 27.

For me it isn't so much as whether you could single hand her, it is whether you will want to as much as you do in your smaller Bristol, which is still large to some on this forum.

As we have probably all seen, the frequency of casting off the dock lines seems inversely proportional to size.

Best of luck,

Bill

[Christopher]

Still love the Alberg 35, at least in pictures.  I've yet to climb aboard one.  I've been sailing aboard a Hunter 34 this year and feel as though it's single-handable.  Handling the sails is certainly not as easy as it is on an Ensign, but I can lock the wheel in place and grab the winch handle and manage a 150 and main.  Granted the boat has a roller-furling main and I've sailed only in the loveliest of conditions.  We're taking her across Lake Michigan and back this weekend so I may have a bit more to report on the subject after that :)

The owner of the H34 took my wife and 3 month old baby out for a daysail last weekend and it was marvelous.  The wife actually said she really enjoyed it and she actually uttered the words "I want a sailboat".  I believe she liked the smoother motion that the longer length provided.  Prior I had only taken her out on Ensigns and Solings.  She's acknowledged that a nicer, longer boat costs money and is okay with the idea.  Heck YEAH!  If a nice A35 pops up with some modernizations, solid hull/deck and nice sails comes on the market, I think I'd be game.