Alestra, a Wooden Alberg 30

The photo is of Alestra, nee Venture IV, an Alberg designed 30 ft sloop that was built by Graves Yacht Yard in Marblehead, MA in 1960. She had a plate identifying her as hull No 762.

At the time I had acquired her, I had, the year before, sailed a glass Alberg 30 from Bermuda to San Juan, and there was an incredible "feel" of a like boat. My cockpit was 2' longer than the glass and the stove and icebox were reversed, but to me it felt like the same boat, perhaps just a family resemblance, as I seem to remember that the A-30 was a commissioned design.

-- Jonathan Wye

More of the story:

• Wooden Boat Relapse
• Alestra as found
• Refastening Alestra
• Brochure for Venture IV
• Love at First Sight: Adventures in Fortitude by Leonard G. Kavanagh

Cruising the Chesapeake: A Gunkholer's Guide 4th Edition My favorite Chesapeake Bay guidebook. While it mentions marinas, it concentrates on anchorages—the kind of places I prefer to spend my time. And in addition to listing shore facilities, it rates each location for Beauty/Interest and Protection. This is the guide you need to really cruise the Chesapeake Bay—a smorgasbord of small creeks and coves. (Note: commissions earned from this link help defray the costs of this website)

• Carl Alberg
• Alberg's designs
• Anecdotes
• Kurt Hansen
• Wooden Alberg designs
  • Alestra or Venture IV or Fortitude
  • Katuna
  • Serenity or Watusi, a US One Design
  • Wemba