TOPIC:

Having just upgraded to a Speeds Alb 8063, we've found that the knee between the transom and the floor in the centre back, which is ply covered with fibreglass, has rotted out and the similar ply it connects to in the centre of the transom is going the same way. The toestrap mountings are the same structure and some have already been replaced by the previous owner with hardwood cores but the rest need doing.
It's something we can sort out ourselves but it's very disappointing in a boat just 10 years old, especially when we've had no structural problems at all with the 40 year old Fosrite (5198).

Have others with Speed Albacores of this age experienced similar (or other) problems that we need to be aware of and are there any limitations we should observe when replacing these glassed ply areas? We will not need to do anything to the outer skin of the transom or hull but are planning to re-shape the knee to leave a larger gap for the bung and provide a hole to keep the weight down and allow for elasticating the toe straps.

Also has anyone a picture of their rear toe strap arrangement in these boats? The rear mounting points seem very far forward leaving no strap for the helm when hiked out right back on the corner!

I've had problems both sides with the knees supporting the side deck coming adrift allowing the decks to flex. Also the thwart coming loose from them side tanks, though I'm not sure how structural it was. My previous boat, a Porter, was more durable

Stewart
Al8072

Hi,
we have 8074, and have had problems with both the side deck knees and the base of the main bulkhead which we have had strengthened.
I understand - no doubt someone will be able to confirm - that the earlier Speed boats were moulded at Woodwind in Todmorden but that Speed moulded the later boats somewhere else.
We have examples of both series at West Kirby and the earlier ones look better made although there doesn't seem anything in it as regards performance - ours doesn't have a bung either.
Cheers,
Mike de St Paer
8074
Egret

In reply to Old Blue One I dont think that you need to hike out right at the back of the boat even in survival conditions and big waves. Just forward of the tiller is far enough back, unlike some other boats I have sailed eg Merlins

Just having my Speed Albacore (8062) professionally refurbed to properly sort out deck knees, deck strengthening, buoyancy tank and centreboard case joins. Should hopefully make it better than new as the original quality did not impress me.

No bung on mine either.

I used to own 7995 (now at West Kirby) one of the first Speeds to be built. No problems with knees failing etc but one thing that struck me was the amount of correctors circa 5kg? when extra resin strengthening could be added under the side and foredecks and would probably still be below weight.