[Alberg30] Common Problems

[Mike Lehman]

Tom,

If you want to see an example of a new style A30, let me know, I'd be happy
to show you "Gilleleje" #505 - she's not for sail!


----- Original Message -----
From: "Mary & Bill Mahony" <mabwjm at starpower.net>
To: "Alberg 30 public list" <public-list at alberg30.org>
Sent: Saturday, April 26, 2003 4:49 PM
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
> > http://www.alberg30.org/mailman/listinfo/public-list
> > To unsubscribe: email to Public-list-request at alberg30.org
> > Include command "unsubscribe <password>" in subject or body.
> > Use command "help" for more options.
>
>  +---------------------------------------------------------------+
>  |                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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> To unsubscribe: email to Public-list-request at alberg30.org
> Include command "unsubscribe <password>" in subject or body.
> Use command "help" for more options.
>
 +---------------------------------------------------------------+
 |                This Old Boat by Don Casey                     |
 | http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0071579931/alberg30-20 |
 +---------------------------------------------------------------+

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