It all started with a call from my Uncle that there was an opportunity to obtain a classic Carl Alberg 30' #293. The boat was tied up at his old residence and dock on Broad Creek north of Oriental. He knew the owner and had been coaching him for a couple years on bringing the boat up and fitting it to single had sail her in the gentleman and his wife's retirement years. However, tragedy when the owner's wife was diagnosed with cancer, and then for five years suffered
It was a desperate situation where the previous owner had stumbled into what we all dread in our lives, running out of time and energy to maintain something they have viewed as the golden years of relaxation and sailing into the sunset, or sailing into an exotic harbor filled with beautiful boats.
After being abandoned because of health issues of the past owner, she
sat through at least five hurricanes, one that took out the dock which
made her inaccessible. The saving grace was that she had been secured to pilings that surrounded her. Her 1" anchor lines were worn down but still showed some life...barely.
My first visit to her was in a kayack. Logistically it appeared to be a nightmare. Located in an obscure creek, no boat launch near by, and inaccessible from a storm destroyed dock. Another 32' sailboat sat half sank at the next dock beside her left over from last year's hurricane Florence.
This actually ended up being a blessing for me in that it didn't allow anyone else to look at it closely. The owner had even tried to donate it to a summer camp, I heard some others tried, which all failed to see it up close and personal but couldn't access her. The inside word from the dock owner was that the previous owner had just had a brand new Yanmar 3 cylinder diesel installed professionally before she was abandoned. As well, several thousand dollars had been spent on maintenance winterizing her for a few of those years, and then even more on accessories which were all on board. This is what the others didn't know.
On my initial visit at first glance, lichens covered everything. Mud dobbers flew freely in and out of corners of any opening. I opened the hatch that was already opened an inch or so and observed three inches of water that was over the floor decking inside and into the woodwork where some low drawers were. Mildew and mold plagued the bulkheads. I noticed someone had at least opened all the cabinet doors. I pondered who had the insight to do this since this actually helped keep the mold down inside the would have been closed up spaces. The smell wasn't as bad as I had anticipated and I was surprised.
The scene on the outside was as if someone had finished sailing on a Sunday afternoon, and was planning on returning to sail again. Still rigged as if she was ready for another outing, it was obvious to me that she was in trouble. The scene on the inside was one of a tragic event that had been transpiring over a number of numerous sailing seasons, storms and neglect. I had to chuckle when I saw some boat wash and sponges in a bucket tucked away in the galley.
A piece of broken dock just below the water line had rubbed her gelcoat down to the fiberglass. It didn't help that a channel marker was only about 25 feet away from her berth with boats passing very closely, meaning that every boat that passed she was rubbing up against the broken piling. This just goes to show that Carl Alberg layed some thick fiberglass down for the hull. My heart was sinking fast. I could tell she was screaming for attention, almost like finding a puppy walking down the side of the road.
For three days we commuted back and forth from our home in Belhaven to Oriental. A short ferry ride and 30 miles (one way) of driving wasn't that bad...the first two days. The third day we were ready for a break. Working in 95-100 degree temps and in the sun will take it out of you. By the time the third day rolled around, I had prepped and planned for what might be needed for our trip back home.
My first visit to her was in a kayack. Logistically it appeared to be a nightmare. Located in an obscure creek, no boat launch near by, and inaccessible from a storm destroyed dock. Another 32' sailboat sat half sank at the next dock beside her left over from last year's hurricane Florence.
This actually ended up being a blessing for me in that it didn't allow anyone else to look at it closely. The owner had even tried to donate it to a summer camp, I heard some others tried, which all failed to see it up close and personal but couldn't access her. The inside word from the dock owner was that the previous owner had just had a brand new Yanmar 3 cylinder diesel installed professionally before she was abandoned. As well, several thousand dollars had been spent on maintenance winterizing her for a few of those years, and then even more on accessories which were all on board. This is what the others didn't know.
On my initial visit at first glance, lichens covered everything. Mud dobbers flew freely in and out of corners of any opening. I opened the hatch that was already opened an inch or so and observed three inches of water that was over the floor decking inside and into the woodwork where some low drawers were. Mildew and mold plagued the bulkheads. I noticed someone had at least opened all the cabinet doors. I pondered who had the insight to do this since this actually helped keep the mold down inside the would have been closed up spaces. The smell wasn't as bad as I had anticipated and I was surprised.
The scene on the outside was as if someone had finished sailing on a Sunday afternoon, and was planning on returning to sail again. Still rigged as if she was ready for another outing, it was obvious to me that she was in trouble. The scene on the inside was one of a tragic event that had been transpiring over a number of numerous sailing seasons, storms and neglect. I had to chuckle when I saw some boat wash and sponges in a bucket tucked away in the galley.
A piece of broken dock just below the water line had rubbed her gelcoat down to the fiberglass. It didn't help that a channel marker was only about 25 feet away from her berth with boats passing very closely, meaning that every boat that passed she was rubbing up against the broken piling. This just goes to show that Carl Alberg layed some thick fiberglass down for the hull. My heart was sinking fast. I could tell she was screaming for attention, almost like finding a puppy walking down the side of the road.
The
good news is that it appeared she had tons of accessories aboard. The new Yanmar
3 cylinder diesel engine that I had been told was like new and had just been installed. Sure enough, I opened the engine cover and the motor seemed to be fine, new in appearance, and out of any water by about three inches. The word was that it only had around 20
hours on it when she was abandoned. Also newly refurbished sails, two new winches installed, a new UHF radio, and some other bags of "stuff", much of it still in it's original bag and some with the receipts still attached, although hard to read from the mildew stains.
For three days we commuted back and forth from our home in Belhaven to Oriental. A short ferry ride and 30 miles (one way) of driving wasn't that bad...the first two days. The third day we were ready for a break. Working in 95-100 degree temps and in the sun will take it out of you. By the time the third day rolled around, I had prepped and planned for what might be needed for our trip back home.
Right off the bat on my first day, the motor was of a concern. Would it start, did it have water in the fuel, did it need a battery, what did the racor filter look like? Well, the battery was under water under a hatch cover below. I could almost make out the outline of the hatch.
Three days of clean up & prep time, and nine hours of motoring- we arrived back in our home port of Belhaven, NC, ICW mile marker 136. located on the Pungo River. My son shadowed Alert in the Scout center console as a precaution on the trip home.
Now, during the refit, and unable to devote the time that is needed to get her back in 100% shape. We have stepped up into a Morgan 40 Pilot House that has been refit in 2019 and set up for blue water sailing. Once again Alert finds herself sitting idol while the owners are preoccupied with retirement and plans for sailing sooner than later. Alert in the right hands has the potential of being once again shining and sailing in the sun. With a newish Yanmar with approx. 50 hours (or less) on it, the foundation is there for someone to own this classic boat at a great price.
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