Twentynine

An Alberg 29 Site

Welcome to Twentynine!

Twentynine is a site dedicated to the Alberg 29, a sailboat designed by Carl Alberg to replace and update the popular and successful Alberg 30. After becoming discouraged by the lack of information on the Internet about these boats, I decided to put up a site featuring all the information I have, in hopes that others (and I know you’re out there) will find what they’re looking for. If you have information about Alberg 29s you’d like to share, please email me at adrian@twentynine.ca.

The Alberg 29 Blog

The Niagara Bar · May 22, 2006

This weekend, as anyone on Lake Ontario knows, was not an ideal sailing weekend. It was cold. It was windy (48 knot gusts on 35 knot steady winds) and, depending on where you were, wavey.

Winds were NW, so the North edge of the lake was spared the waves. The southern shore wasn’t quite so lucky, with 1-2 meter waves. I know these aren’t huge, but they can be unpleasant, especially when they’re sporting foamy tops like they were this weekend.

I will stop here, momentarily, to mention that I have sold my Contessa 26 to a wonderful young man from Quebec City. In its place is a larger sailboat – with more room for my family and more room for me to stand up. Its a lot more boat, on the order of double the weight. And so I digress.

My new sailboat, a rare Alberg 29, is located at the Niagara-on-the-Lake yacht club, pending a nice sail across the lake. For those who have been anywhere near Niagara-on-the-Lake or Youngstown NY, you know there’s a shoal at the mouth of the river, formed by silt being deposited as the water slows down entering the lake. It’s called the Niagara Bar. Further, there is an intereresting current in the river – more lumpy than simply moving water. None of this, of course, bothers me.

On Saturday we attempted to sail the Alberg home. I am still trying to get used to the strange, distant, hydraulic wheelsteering, which is so much less responsive than a Contessa 26 tiller. Over the bar the NW wind pushing past the opposing current raised some hellishly steep froth, and coupled with the sudden decrease in depth, resulted in water that, for the first time in my sailing life, significantly scared me. It wasn’t the height of the waves (around 3 meters) it was the steepness. They were like walls of water. I’ve never experienced anything like it in my life, and would like to avoid any possible repeat.

After about 15 minutes of trying to battle through this, of burying not just the bow, but the forward part of the cabintop up to the mast, I decided I’d had enough, and turned about and took her back to the yacht club, where she still lays. Hopefully this weekend will be more favourable for the trip. At least it will be warmer. It snowed not far form here this the other day…

I would like to say that the Alberg 29 pleased me to no end in these conditions. She is, in every way, a seriously seaworthy boat. Like a giant Contessa 26, really. One you can even stand up in. I had concerns about moving away from a boat I trust so much to an unknown quantity, but this experience totally put me at ease in her seakeeping abilities.

Commenting is closed for this article.

29 reasons to smile

What is an Alberg 29?

The full keel traditional line of Carl Alberg’s designs have long commanded the respect of the yachting world. Their shorter waterline and long counter add speed in both light and heavy air. The fair hull shape and full keel (not long keel) provide a tracking ability and comfort in a seaway which few other designs can match.

What then, is the difference between the Alberg 29 and other designs by the same architect? She is a more modern hull with increased stiffness resulting from firmer bilges, increased beam and the fact that her fullness is further aft. In addition, a deeper draft and wider keel lowering the center of ballast (lead) by several inches along with a higher ballast-displacement ratio, add to her stability.

The bows are finer than other designs and the keel more cut away, reducing wetting surface.

A higher aspect mastead-rig and larger foretriangle result in better balance, less weather helm and more efficient windward performance. Her stiffness results in an ability to carry more sail.

A beamier hull provides comfort. The galley is laid out for safety in heavy seas or while racing, and the quarter berth navigation table is new to Alberg production boats. The craftmanship and attention to quality are unsurpassed.

There is a difference in “full keel” yachts and even between similar Alberg designs. For the cruising yachtsman, there is no reason to sacrifice speed, performance and club racing for the comfort and safety of a sea-going vessel.

(From the 1980 Nye Yachts Alberg 29 brochure.)

Alberg 29 Standard Equipment

Hull and Deck

Hand-laid fiberglass mat and woven roving with laminate design in accordance with Lloyd’s Specifications. Deck, cored with balsa, is one piece with nonskid surfaces molded in. Gelcoat color of hull, boot and deck are molded to owners specifications.

Ballast

Ballast is an internally installed and glassed in lead moulding. Due to keel and ballast shapes, the center of gravity of the ballast is only 15” from the bottom of the keel.

Rudder

Rudder is of fiberglass encasing a stainless shaft and webbing and set into the hull with bronze heel and through-hull bushing.

Steering

Cable steering with pedestal and 28” destroyer wheel.

Spars and Rigging

Extruded aluminum mast and boom sections. Standing rigging is of 1×19 stainless with stainless turnbuckles. Halyards and topping lift are internal. Jiffy reefing and cunningham controls are included.

Deck Hardware

Stainless steel double rail pulpit and stern rail with stainless stanchions and double lifelines. Cast bronze bow, admidships and stern mooring cleats and chocks. Four bronze framed fixed portlights, six bronze frame opening ports and a forward coachroof plexiglass opening hatch providing ample ventilation. Two bronze two-speed genoa sheet winches, two bronze halyard winches and bronze handles. Jib/genoa track and fairleads.

Auxiliary

Two cylinder fifteen horsepower diesel engine with reduction gear, water-cooled exhaust and control panel. Located with cover providing complete and easy accessibility.

Interior

Crafted in teak and oak with a teak-and-holly cabin sole. Cabinetry and joiner work is done to the highest standards. Forward cabin includes 2 “V” berths, with shelves, drawers and storage in the forepeak area. Main cabin has a settee, double-berth, single berth galley and quarter berth, and navigation area.

Galley

Stainless sink and fresh water pump, insulated ice box, gimballed stove with oven. Drawers, dish racks and cupboards. The galley is designed and fitted to make use in heavy seas and is both safe and practical.

Main Saloon

Has settee double berth to port and a single berth to starboard. Permanently mounted table has leaves to fold up while in use or down to allow clear passage when sailing. Galley area is opposite navigation quarter berth. Cabinetry above each berth incorporates both shelves and cupboards for safe storage of small items, while ample lockers are provided under berths.

Head

Marine toilet to port and counter sink to starboard (with hanging locker) allow maximum utility in minimum space. Optional shower sump amidships allows full head room.

Cockpit

“T” cockpit allows unhampered movement forward by the helmsman for single or shorthanded sailing yet leaves him aft for racing. Larger self-bailing drains, coaming hand holes and seat locker storage add to safety and comfort.

© 2007 All Rights Reserved.
Email: alberg@twentynine.ca