[Alberg30] Common Problems

Bill Blevins billblevins at mac.com
Sun Apr 27 04:55:47 PDT 2003 

We bought a 1966 A30 last summer that had the deck beam fix version 1 
(mid-70's - using the cold rolled 3/4 inch bar on the aft side of the 
beam) and I had to fix it again using the current two-bar preferred 
method this winter because the beam was twisting towards the floor on 
the forward side.

You will know if it's been done if there is a aluminum bar attached to 
the beam on the older boats. Not sure about the newer versions.

Anyway, it was a relatively easy and inexpensive fix for such an 
important part of the boat. 1 full day and I did it for under $200.

The chain plate bolts are easily accessible to inspect visually. You 
can certainly tell if they are twisted up or down on each end by 
looking, but removing them for a full inspection is a bit tougher. I've 
not removed mine yet. The surveyor for mine said they looked new, 
though they had been painted over already (not sure how he knew that).

If I weren't into "fixer-upper" projects, and I was set on an A30 
(which I highly recommend) I'd probably start my shopping for a boat in 
the 20K range.

I've put 10K worth of maintenance and upgrades into my 10K A30 already 
in one year. (Normal stuff - (not "extra" stuff like radars, GPS, 
autopilots or XM radio) - lines, blocks, old through hulls, hoses, 
clamps, sails, anchor, fenders, batteries, depth sounder, speed log, 
compass, replaced broken head, replaced broken glass, paint, nav 
lights).

You get what you pay for, but in my case, I love what I bought since I 
get to fix her up with the stuff I choose. The core boat is awesome and 
well worth what I paid. Actually, I think I got a steal, buying 
basically a one family boat in pretty much sound, original 1966 
condition.

You are lucky if you live near Annapolis because there are many owners 
who will show you their boats. Sometimes I wish Annapolis was closer to 
the Potomac!

Tracy & Bill Blevins
"Sabrina" #158
http://mySailingPhotos.com/Members/Sabrina/

--

On Sunday, April 27, 2003, at 07:26 AM, Tom DeWitt wrote:

>
> Good Morning Bill,
>
> I gather that the real Mary Ann is on the Comfort.  My son has several
> friends from work who were called up from reserves for that assignment.
> Hope they all come home safe.
>
> I've seen several of the reviews now that you pointed out.  I would 
> just
> make the support beam fix if it had not already been done, but how do 
> you
> know if a given boat is one of the "older" boats that needs it?  Is 
> there a
> way to determine if it is required and if it has been done by 
> inspection?
>
> Same question on the chainplate bolts?  I'd be pleased to have a look 
> at
> "Mary Ann" when I'm down Solomon's way. Thanks so much for the offer.
>
> Best Regards, Tom
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: public-list-bounces at alberg30.org
> [mailto:public-list-bounces at alberg30.org]On Behalf Of Mary & Bill 
> Mahony
> Sent: Saturday, April 26, 2003 4:50 PM
> To: Alberg 30 public list
> Subject: Re: [Alberg30] Common Problems
>
>
> Most of the common problems are covered in the reviews of the boat on 
> the
> web site and from reviews in pubs like Practical Sailor.
>
> In the older boats, the mast support beam can weaken, causing a 
> depression
> on the cabin top at the mast base, and making it impossible to open and
> close the head and locker doors.  Most older boats have been 
> retrofitted
> with a "sandwich" of steel or aluminum plates to reinforce the 
> beam--this
> fix works quite well.  Another weak spot is the bolts anchoring the
> chainplates--the originals were too thin and could distend under 
> prolonged
> use/loads.  Retrofitting with sturdier bolts fixes the problem.
>
> I learned a lot from our boats survey--while she surveyed very well, 
> most of
> her fittings and wiring were original--old "spigot" style sea cocks, 
> wire
> nuts on connections, etc.  Reliable in their day (and truth be told,
> probably still reliable), most insurance companies want these things
> updated.  Getting these details updated (new seacocks, new push-on
> connectors, etc.) were required for our insurance carrier.  We kept 
> our boat
> on the hard for about 2 months while the yard guys did a ton of this 
> kind of
> work.  Mary Ann and I worked on the interior and on the 
> brightwork--things
> that I felt if I screwed up, the boat wouldn't sink ;-).
>
> We also found the kinds of problems you can expect from any boat 
> that's over
> 30 years old--a couple of our portlights leaked, we had some dry rot on
> things like the cockpit locker covers and companionway hatch, etc.  We 
> were
> probably fortunate in that our boat had only been in fresh water its 
> whole
> life until we came along, so the engine (original Atomic 4) was in good
> shape.  I'll probably have it rebuilt at the end of this season, just 
> for
> peace of mind.
>
> While we had her on the hard, we just went ahead and updated a lot of 
> other
> things.  We replaced the head with a small, manual head, adding a 
> holding
> tank under the port v-berth.  We also replaced our main halyard and 
> genoa
> winches with modern winches.  "Mary Ann" came with a good sail 
> inventory,
> and her working sails are in good shape, so although I planned on 
> replacing
> canvas, I haven't had to yet.  Other updates have included a compass, 
> new
> radio, GPS, interior lamps and stereo.
>
> Bottom line Tom, the Alberg is a pretty bullet proof boat, and from 
> limited
> experience, I'm willing to say the majority have been well cared 
> for--as you
> can probably tell from your responses, people fall in love with these 
> boats.
> Most of the things I've mentioned here you would probably need to 
> consider
> with any old boat purchase.
>
> Here's a tip--pick up a copy of "This Old Boat" (it's referenced on the
> homepage, you can find it at Amazon or B&N)--a great insight into the 
> things
> to look at in older boats, and also a layman's guide in how to work on 
> a lot
> of them yourself.
>
> If you think you're going to be around Solomons, let me know--I'd be 
> happy
> to show you around "Mary Ann."
>
> Now we're moving to the next step--trying to get her Captain and Mate 
> up to
> the level of readiness she is!! :-)  That's this season's task.
>
> Fair Winds,
> Bill
> #276 Mary Ann
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tom DeWitt" <dewitt-t at cmltek.com>
> To: <Public-list at alberg30.org>
> Sent: Saturday, April 26, 2003 4:14 PM
> Subject: [Alberg30] Common Problems
>
>
>>
>> Are there common problems, specific to A30s, that I should watch for 
>> when
> I
>> shop.
>>
>> Tom DeWitt
>> dewitt-t at cmltek.com
>> Voice Mail 240-599-1289
>>
>> "If I only had the brains...
>> the heart...
>> the nerve"
>> Scare Crow, Tin Man, and Lion
>>
>>  +---------------------------------------------------------------+
>>  |                This Old Boat by Don Casey                     |
>>  | http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0071579931/alberg30-20 |
>>  +---------------------------------------------------------------+
>>
>> Public-list mailing list -- Public-list at alberg30.org
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>> Include command "unsubscribe <password>" in subject or body.
>> Use command "help" for more options.
>
>  +---------------------------------------------------------------+
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>  +---------------------------------------------------------------+
>
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>
>  +---------------------------------------------------------------+
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>  | http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0071579931/alberg30-20 |
>  +---------------------------------------------------------------+
>
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 +---------------------------------------------------------------+
 |                This Old Boat by Don Casey                     |
 | http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0071579931/alberg30-20 |
 +---------------------------------------------------------------+

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