A few very interesting ideas...

[CapnK]

Jean-du-Sud is an Alberg 30 that was circumnavigated (and more) by her owner Yves Gélinas, who is also the inventor of the "Cape Horn" self-steering vane (English-language site linked).

In his article titled 30 years with an Alberg 30, Yves mentions briefly that he replaced the stainless tubing of his companionway dodger with inflated firehose. Thus, if a wave struck his boat with enough force to collapse the dodger, it would, but the dodger would then pop right back up, like a bicycle innertube does when folded and released. Seems a brillient idea to me, so I have procured some old firehose, and will be trying it out myself. I'll post more about that as the project gets underway. Does anyone here know of another sailor/boat which has implemented this idea? It seems to have a lot going for it. The only drawback I see might be that one would lose a solid handhold that would be available with a stainless tube-framed dodger, but other than that, I only see merit.

Also in this article, Yves discusses his twinned forestay, with a roller snarler on one stay, and the other available for hanking on a sail.  Best of both worlds? (Or, as Yves puts it "...like being able to wear a belt *and* suspenders." ;D).

Then, in the article titled Re-powering Jean-du-Sud, Yves shows and describes how he mounted an outboard engine on a swing-up mount which rides outside of the hull, alongside the cockpit. Yves uses his sealed chain locker and lazarette as elements towards attaining positive flotation - an idea which I too find appealing. My outboard sits in a well in the lazarette for motoring, but if I could mount it elsewhere (like this perhaps), that space could be sealed off and made waterproof. It has enough volume that it would work well towards keeping the stern of the boat afloat if she were holed and filling with water.

Just some ideas to contemplate... :)

[krissteyn]

I had a bristol 27 alberg design - and all those Ideas Are Great...

met the man too - very quiet and un-assuming but obviously extremely competent and knowledgable - and the self steering is so damm simple - 1 spare part only - I love the concept...

good find - will keep it on favourites

[Pixie Dust]

 This guy really has it figured out!  He has the best of both worlds with the roller snarling  ;D which makes my life easy and the extra forestay.  Steering system looks awesome.   Good info to put in the *save for later use* spot.

[Frank]

He is a very 'unique' individual...brilliant in many ways.his CD /movie about his circumnavigation IS MUST SEE for anyone aspiring to sail offshore.Tons of footage...great sailing video !! He sells them for $20..refundable if you buy a wind vane off him. Well worth $20

[s/v Faith]

After a discussion with my rigger I remembered reading something here about twin forestays.

  A search turned up this thread, I must have just scanned it the first time.

  Great find!

To me, the Alberg 30 is very close to the ideal sea boat : solid enough to sail around Cape Horn, but small enough to be carried on the road to the cruising ground of my choice.  Most contemporary voyaging boats are much larger, but after 30 years I came to this conclusion : small boats, small maintenance problems and small money needed.  In any event, a boat is always overloaded, whatever its size.

[AdriftAtSea]

I've been on a couple of Alberg 30s, and I've been very impressed with them overall.  If I were in the market for a monohull, the Alberg 30 is probably what I'd get.  I prefer the boat I have now. 

[Zen]

Wow that looks nice and cozy!
I was close to buying one, but I like the layout of my islander better for long term livablity. It also is a sailing tank. :D

[CapnK]

I haven't yet tried his firehose dodger frame, but have the firehose to do it, and hope to start playing with it sometime soon.

My brother has a small stinkpot that he wants a dodger for; he may well end up being the unwitting result of my initial experimentation... :D

[AdriftAtSea]

brilliant...experimenting on someone else's boat is always an excellent idea.