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The Contessa Corner → Posts by Adrian
I've read all the pertinent stuff on the Cape Dory board, as it seems to be the closest thing i can find online to information about Alberg 29s, a rare and apparently Internet shy boat.
The reverse issue doesn't really bother me much. I'll make do. Spring lines seem like a great idea.
She was built in Belleville in 1981, but hasn't gone anywhere but around and about Lake Ontario, according to the PO. I have the original registration papers, with all the previous owners listed on the back. It's a very pretty document. We are what appears to be the 6th owners, with four only having owned her for one year, and the previous owner for ten.
It's interesting that the boat doesn't have a Hull Identification Number. Apparently none of them did till the 1983 models.
This weekend was much better than last. Instead of a freshwater hurricane over the great lakes, we had a massive high bringing blisteringly hot (and lovely) temperatures, along with light and variable winds. Instead of pounding my lovely new Alberg 29 through house-sized waves over the Niagara Bar, the lake was dead smooth, requiring some motoring to get the boat back to her slip.
I had read somewhere, the Cape Dory board I think, about how badly some of Carl Alberg's designs handled under power in reverse. Not having an Alberg-designed boat, I didn't pay much attention. Apparently sailboats with cutaway forefoot keeps and single propellors are a bit dicey when backing up.
I didn't really believe it in fact, instead dismissing it as perhaps operator error. Boy was I wrong. The new boat is interesting in reverse. She'll go backward, just not the way you think. Like Kennedy's brain, she goes back, and to the left, back and to the left. Except when she goes to the right. It'll take some getting used to, especially after my Contessa, which tracked like a car in reverse.
Of course, the boat wasn't bought to go backward. It sails like a dream. Critics of the design have said its a dog in slow air. I disagree. Two knots of wind, two knots of boat speed does not a dog make. she was fantastic - stiff, responsive, easily handled and graceful. Once I get the minor slippage out of the hydraulic steering system, its good as gold.
Anyway, the boat is home, its even more amazing that I had already believed, and I'd rather be there right now. They tell me I can get wireless at the marina. If only my employers would let me work from "home."
This weekend, as anyone on Lake Ontario knows, was not an ideal sailing weekend. It was cold. It was windy (48 knot gusts on 35 knot steady winds) and, depending on where you were, wavey.
Winds were NW, so the North edge of the lake was spared the waves. The southern shore wasn't quite so lucky, with 1-2 meter waves. I know these aren't huge, but they can be unpleasant, especially when they're sporting foamy tops like they were this weekend.
My new Alberg 29 is located at the Niagara-on-the-Lake yacht club, pending a nice sail across the lake. For those who have been anywhere near Niagara-on-the-Lake or Youngstown, you know there's a shoal at the mouth of the river, formed by silt being deposited as the water slows down entering the lake. It's called the Niagara Bar. Further, there is an intereresting current in the river - more lumpy than simply moving water. None of this, of course, bothers me.
On Saturday we attempted to sail the Alberg home. I am still trying to get used to the strange, distant, hydraulic wheelsteering, which is so much less responsive than a Contessa tiller. Over the bar the NW wind pushing past the opposing current raised some hellishly steep froth, and coupled with the sudden decrease in depth, resulted in water that, for the first time in my sailing life, significantly scared me. It wasn't the height of the waves (around 3 meters) it was the steepness. They were like walls of water. I've never experienced anything like it in my life.
After about 15 minutes of trying to battle through this, of burying not just the bow, but the forward part of the cabintop up to the mast, I decided I'd had enough, and turned about and took her back to the yacht club, where she still lays. Hopefully this weekend will be more favourable for the trip. At least it will be warmer. It snowed not far form here this weekend...
I would like to say that the Alberg 29 pleased me to no end in these conditions. She is, in every way, a seriously seaworthy boat. Like a giant Contessa 26, really. I had concerns about moving away from a boat I trust so much to an unknown quantity, but this experience totally put me at ease in her seakeeping abilities.
The experience also reminded me of the importance of a harness - which I wasn't wearing. After dropping off one ledge of water and finding myself only attached to the boat by the deathgrip I had on the wheel, I am going to purchase an inflatable PFD with integral harness at some point this week, and not sail without such in the future.
I had the same thing on #322 I believe Jose. Bronze bolts instead of proper bronze pins.
What next boat? 
Pride Marine is not only great, they generally have prices lower than West. For those of us in Ontario, its important we support local businesses.
West is all right, I guess, but local businesses are the heart and soul of our communities.
I've noted that the bold is sold on the Marketplace page as well.
I'm working on the tech note. Sorry for the delay guys!
I'm not sure what's going on with the rest, as I only took over this portion of it.
Such a trip is certainly within the capabilities of a Contessa 26. It's a long trip though, and you have to consider that when you think of spending that much time on such a small (but pretty) boat.
I can't really say. #322 had the traditional head-holding tank installation.
I replaced the ankle biting jam cleats with newer, rounder ones, which also handled the 1/2-inch line. I think 3/8 or 7/16 line should be fine for halyards (I think?).
Keep in mind that 1/2-inch line will swell, and be bigger than 1/2-inch.
If the ballast had "rusted away" your boat would be sitting very high above its waterline. It would be something you'd notice rather right away. I've never heard of an iron ballast rusting to that extent.
As you said, you most likely misread the wind conditions. In general, the Contessa will develop excessive weather helm which can only be cured by reefing. As Shannon said, the boats tend to get a little skittish when the main is reefed and the 150% genoa is out.
Reef early, reef often. I think I read that on the Alberg 30 board, but it applies to the Contessa equally well.
Wow. JC, why don't you write that up and I'll post it on the main part of the site. I know a lot of people have been wondering about the process for Canadian vessel registration and transfer of ownership.
The first launch is the best feeling ever!
Thanks guys.
Jose C: I'm in. Let me know what time you're going to make the voyage, and I'll be there. Very exciting!
Jose S: I'll update the registry once the new owners take possession. It looks like #322 will be moving to Quebec City.
It's true. Kefi, my 1985 Contessa 26 sold last night.
Just to keep everyone informed, this will have no impact on this site or this forum. I will happily continue to support and participate in this forum, only without the benefit of a Contessa 26.
I just couldn't say no to an Alberg 29.
Hanky Panky is now listed in the marketplace!
Christian, you should most definitely stop over at Bronte on your way up. It's slightly out of the way, but its only a 5-6 hour trip from Bronte to the Welland Canal and we'd love to see you here. Bronte's just west of Toronto, just east of Hamilton.
I'd love to take a peak at your 32 and see how she compares to the ones we've looked at.
Wow. I had just had some email from Peter about the site on the 15th. A sad loss for Contessans everywhere.
The Contessa Corner → Posts by Adrian
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