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:
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Offshore Sailing
by Bill Seifert with Daniel Spurr
We went to a Windjammers lecture to hear Bill Seifert and I was impressed enough to buy
the book on the spot. I've heard a lot of people talk about ways to improve a boat, but
I've never heard one person suggest so many good ideas that I hadn't considered. Part
of the charm is the specificity of the suggestions. Everyone says you should secure your
floorboards, hatchboards and batteries. Bill shows good suggestions on how to do so.
The suggestions are very practical for the do-it-yourselfer, too. Many show how to
make or adapt inexpensive solutions. Tip #12 on closing the deck blower vents is one
that will pay off for me without ever going offshore. I'll implement that one to
stop the wintertime storms from finding their way belowdecks.
Besides modifications, the book also includes advice for operating offshore, cooking,
boat selection, dealing with bureaucracy, and more.
Bill Seifert has worked at Tartan, TPI, and Alden Yachts. He's a veteran of many
Marion-Bermuda races and now runs his own yacht management company. His tips are
born of experience--not of book-learning--and it shows. He obviously knows his
stuff.
(Note: commissions earned from this link help defray the costs of this website)
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