[alberg30] small traditional day cruiser

[Timothy C. Lackey]

From: "Timothy C. Lackey" <tlackey1 at maine.rr.com>

Having a full keel does not necesarily preclude sailing performance!
Granted, some full keel boats are slow, deathly slow, but others are
excellent performers, and not just in heavy air.  Plus, the full
keelprovides an excellent sailing feel and good tracking ability, something
narrow foil fin keel/spade rudder boats generally lack.  Perhaps less
spirited than dinghy-like fin keel boats, but rewarding and fun to sail.
I'll take my Ensign anyday over a J/24--I've sailed both extensively.  The J
may be somewhat faster upwind, and definitely faster downwind, but the
Ensign is much nicer to sail--and certainly no slouch.  I have sailed around
J's before in the Ensign.  I look forward to enjoying similar sailing
characteristics on my Triton when I have finished her renovation.

Amazingly, the J/24 has been around for nearly 25 years--I think the
home-built prototype was built in 1976, and went into production in 1977.
They are great boats--for racing.  Not as comfortable for daysailing, and
not set up for one or two people to sail as easily as, say, an Ensign or
Commander.  The J/24 has become a classic of sorts in its own right, but for
reasons other than enduring lines or beautiful design.  That's why people
want full keel boats--daysailers or not--there is an aesthetic quality that
cannot be matched.  A boat should make her owner swell with price when he
looks at her.  Does a J/24or (dare I say it) Hunter do that?  I think not.

There are other boats the same size or smaller than the Alberg 30 or Triton
that in many ways may be more suitable for cruising or living aboard.  Old,
CCA-influenced designs, while beautiful, are narrow with short
waterlines--lacking in the two most important dimensions needed for large
interiors.  Newer designs may not be as well built, or handle loads as well,
or be particularly attractive, but they do offer huge amounts of room for
their size--usually because of short overhangs and wide beams.  I chose the
older designs for their aesthetic qualities (long overhangs, sweet
sheerlines) and rugged construction, as well as proven ability to be
seakindly and safe, knowing that I would give up interior volume in the
process.  Plus the valid concern of initial cost!

Just another opinion to add to the mix, but I think this might be the wrong
forum to suggest that there is not a place for traditional full-keeled day
boats!

Tim Lackey
Triton # 381, Glissando


-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Grosh <mgrosh at shore.intercom.net>
To: alberg30 at onelist.com <alberg30 at onelist.com>
Date: Wednesday, February 02, 2000 12:07
Subject: Re: [alberg30] small traditional day cruiser


>From: "Michael Grosh" <mgrosh at shore.intercom.net>
>
>I am having a problem understanding why anyone would want a full keeled
>daysailor. If one is interested in a 18-26' sailboat (either for economics
>or convenience) what you are going to get, like it or not, is a daysailor.
>Sure on some models you can camp out with a varying degree of discomfort,
>but mostly what you want is sailing performance, perhaps with a swing
>keel/centerboard arrangement for trailering
>
>May I suggest that the appeal of the Alberg 30 is (other than beautiful
>lines) it is the smallest practical size boat that can be cruised (some may
>say lived) on. My own thinking is that the A30 is the optimal size for the
>Alberg style (although the A37 may take that title) If I wanted a smaller
>boat, I would go the J24 route(or equivalent); larger, a cutter rig with
>longer waterline and reduced water surface area. In neither of those
>categories can a vessel be had for $13-20,000 (I think J boats even used
are
>more than that). That 30 year old Albergs can still race competitively says
>a lot (try that ,J24)
>
>Michael
>#220
>
>
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