TOPIC:

I have put together a draft buyers guide primarily for new people looking to come into the class.
I would appreciate it, if the fount of Albacore knowlege that is on this forum could take a look and provide me with any feedback.

www.8oar.com/Albacore/AlbacoreBuyersGuide_Draft_0.2.pdf
The document will then be added to the NAA site as a resource that can be put under the noses of all new members to any club where they sail Albacores. [img]smileys/smiley1.gif[/img]
Im not sure if I have all the correct details regarding the different builders and hull shapes, also some feedback on the example prices would be useful. I have based the numbers or adverts and known sale values. Suggestions for additional sections would also be welcome.
Dont be shy!
Reply via the forum of email me at: john [at] woffinden.net

Without sails to identify the boat number, and having searched for a hull number, how might I identify the age of my Albacore?

Chris McKeon

Chris wrote:

Chris wrote:

John,

If you would like to contact me regarding the Speed Sails boat, I will give you an update.

I assume that the guide will be used as a hand out at the dinghy show?

The moulds are currently with me, the hull mould is not being
changed, it is however being 're-worked' this involves filling alot of
sanding, polishing and the addition of moulding flanges.

The decks moulds are knackered and being replaced and updated.


The hull mould is almost complete and I hope to mould a hull later this week to start the internal plug work.

So far both myself and Jerry have commited to new boats.

The moulds will go back to Speed sails once I have complted the tooling.

Unfortunatly the tooling will not be completed in time for the dinghy show.



chris@ovingtonboats.co.uk 0191 2576011

Did you want this for the dinghy show?

I meant to call before but too busy at work. I would like to do an update before the dinghy show so I'll try and call again tomorrow.
JohnW2008-02-13 18:43:31

Chris wrote:

John,

If you would like to contact me regarding the Speed Sails boat, I will give you an update.

I assume that the guide will be used as a hand out at the dinghy show?

The moulds are currently with me, the hull mould is not being changed, it is however being 're-worked' this involves filling alot of sanding, polishing and the addition of moulding flanges.

The decks moulds are knackered and being replaced and updated.


The hull mould is almost complete and I hope to mould a hull later this week to start the internal plug work.

So far both myself and Jerry have commited to new boats.

The moulds will go back to Speed sails once I have complted the tooling.

Unfortunatly the tooling will not be completed in time for the dinghy show.



chris@ovingtonboats.co.uk 0191 2576011

Did you want this for the dinghy show?

John

Only just managed to view your Albacore Buyers Guide - had a problem with Vista and Adobe! Excellent I wish it had been around when I was searching for my boat. As luck would have it I ended up at Maidenhead and bought Blue Jay. Your guide gives a comprehensive overview which should benefit newcomers to the class. Hope you will consider doing an update at some stage maybe with more in depth info on the varying builds and their differences. I guess you have quite a wealth of material at your own club. Well done,



Albacore Andy

GBR A7525

Blue Jay

An expansion of the cruising section would be nice. Sail condition *is* reasonably important to a dinghy cruiser, less so for a leasure sailer on inland water with no significant current and with safety cover. Especially on tidal water, its *not* pointing that counts but ability to make reasonable VMG upwind into increasing chop. Makes a big difference if you can reasonably expect to be able to make it back to your launch place inspite of a foul tide if you dont like the conditions you see at the mouth of the river or entrance to the harbour etc. Its also a realy big help not to have sails that are falling to bits or showing too much daylight through the seams.



I second the suggestion for a mast/spars section. Unless you are after a mast an elephant could pole vault with, you probably dont want a one piece Fairey rotating mast OTOH, that mast is 40+ years young, has hit many obstructions and hit the bottom on quite a few occasions and is still unbent and in good condition so suits a cruising boat nicely.

John



Any chance you could you include something about what to look for regarding the spars that come with your boat? After the hull and sails, they're the other major cost. Unless of course choice of spars makes little difference on Albacores and you've just got to make sure you get some! But i find it hard to believe that my old gold Proctor spars cannot be improved on.



Cheers

Hi Mark
I dont profess to be an expert, so forgive the omission.
Im happy to include the information on these (or any other boat), but I need the details that are relevant for a prospective buyer if you can send them to me.
For example:
- Construction: all wood/Composite/GRP/FRP etc - Hull shape were they based on (eg Woof, Fairey etc) - Numbers built and approximate sail number range - Guide price range - Suitability for cruising/club racing/top 10% nationals etc. - Features particular to that builder. - Photos if you have any.

Hi John

Great guide, but you don't seem to have covered the boats which were built by Chipstow.



I used to own Albacore 7912, Vitesse. I think 3 Chipstows were built, and my old boat had a superb racing pedigree as I am sure some forumers will remember.



Just thought I'd let you know so you could update the guide!

Cheers

Mark

John,

If you would like to contact me regarding the Speed Sails boat, I will give you an update.

I assume that the guide will be used as a hand out at the dinghy show?

The moulds are currently with me, the hull mould is not being changed, it is however being 're-worked' this involves filling alot of sanding, polishing and the addition of moulding flanges.

The decks moulds are knackered and being replaced and updated.


The hull mould is almost complete and I hope to mould a hull later this week to start the internal plug work.

So far both myself and Jerry have commited to new boats.

The moulds will go back to Speed sails once I have complted the tooling.

Unfortunatly the tooling will not be completed in time for the dinghy show.



chris@ovingtonboats.co.uk 0191 2576011 Chris T2008-01-21 12:26:22

Well done John for producing such a thorough guide

I was fortunate to be able to call on David Hammond for advice when I bought "this way up"



Paul Metcalfe-Smith

"This way up"

Well done John, looks great!

Very well put together John, must see if I can find a use for you on my Int Regatta committee





Ptarmigan AL 6703CrawfyReid2008-01-18 23:20:44

Looks great very comprehensive.

Chris
Have you checked www.albacore.org/USA/members/public/identifying_albacore.asp
This may give some clues