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sgwright · 13-03-2019, 20:11

In my long search for a cruising boat with offshore potential, I have looked at everything from a Hullmaster 27 (small but tough) to a Ingrid 38, and lots in between. I had been narrowing in on the 30-32 size as the most practical for a couple to handle, but then an Alberg 37 in my price range came up. (asking $28K CAD).

She's a '69 model, so no fiberglass liner. The inner ceiling was much nicer than expected, not as smooth as a liner, but nicely done, with no signs of cracking. The deck gelcoat looks original, not painted, but the hull has been painted and looks quite good. The interior cabinetry needs a lot of cleaning, and shows a fair bit of damage, wear, and water staining in some areas. Not sure how easily stains will come out of teak veneer. Yanmar 3GM30F with 1300 hrs looks fairly good.

Compared to the 70s and 80s boats I've been looking at, this one needs a ton of work inside, but all the rigging was done in 2012, as well as a new mast. I like the huge cockpit and ample deck space fore and aft. What I'm trying to decide is if a boat this old is worth it if I could get the price down to 15-18K CAD. I love the lines of the boat, it has ample space for two (although so would a 30-32') and it seems very solid. I know the short waterline makes it "slow" for a 37', but the PHRF of 168 is still better than most 30' boats built for cruising.

I'm interested in hearing from other Alberg 37 owners about the good/bad points. Ours plans are to spend a year sailing the BC inside passage, then head to Mexico, and eventually the South Pacific.

**Don C L** · 14-03-2019, 12:58

Well since no Alberg owners have chimed in yet I can say I have not sailed an Alberg, but my boat is of similar vintage and design per Cruising Club of America rules. First of all there is an Alberg 37 owners association you can check with. In certain circles it is a pretty highly regarded boat. I would trust the hull is sound and very strong. In the 60s glass was applied by hand and layers were thick. By its numbers I imagine the 37 will drive to weather pretty well, but may be a bit wet. You mention short waterline, but like mine, she usually won’t be sailing on that. Narrow beam means shell like to heel, but that heavy and deep keel (proportionally more than mine) will hold her steady at about 20 degrees heel I am guessing and give her a comfortable sea-kindly ride as long as you don’t mind the angle. I’d say it is definitely capable of making any trip. I am partial to long keels and encapsulated ballast and keel-hung rudders, so I am one who would definitely look at one if I were looking. One more thing about CCA boats is that they don’t have the interior room of more recent designs. The trade-off is the sea-kindliness of a narrower hull. I can only say I really like the motion of my boat in steep or choppy seas going upwind, but I will concede the boat will roll more than others going downwind, every boat is a compromise in some regard.

**Don C L** · 14-03-2019, 13:00

Oh, check bluewaterboats.org too for A37 info.

sgwright · 14-03-2019, 13:08

Thanks, I've check the bwb and alberg37 sites, the latter seems to be pretty outdated, and I couldn't an Alberg specific discussion group. I might look at an Alberg 30 also, although I suspect it and the Grampian Classic 31 I'm going to see will be a bit cramped inside, as they are both very similar in style and dimensions. The Classic 31 is a very nice looking boat; I actually prefer it over the Alberg 30 for the smooth cabin top without the "bump".
The main issue I have with the A37 is the amount of work to bring the interior into better shape - there is a lot of teak, and it's not seen any maintenance for a long time. The exterior fiberglass is in excellent shape, better than most boats half her age. But I doubt the owner will drop the price much; it's a partnership, so I'm sure they'll all want to maximize the sale price. Given the condition of her now, and the amount of work he's put into it, she must have been in sorry shape when they bought her 10 years ago. I also discovered the owner of this A37 just happens to be the guy who scooped the Nicholson 31 that I wanted a few months ago. Small world...

**Don C L** · 14-03-2019, 13:20

Well, I don’t know, the A37 will carry more and do it more comfortably and faster... if you can afford it and interior cosmetics is the only major problem, that A37 could be a lot of boat for the money. My 29 is pretty similar to the Grampian in volume, and I am happy to concede I have a small boat! Not complaining though!

sgwright · 14-03-2019, 13:45

Thanks, I do like the idea of more space, especially on deck for kayaks, dinghy, etc. Moorage costs will be higher, but we plan on sailing her most of the time, and may just get a mooring buoy instead of paying $400/mo on moorage.
Depending on how these others boats look, I might revisit the A37. The price doesn't leave much room for extras though, like roller furling, which it doesn't have.
Another concern is the 30hp for a 16,000lb + boat - that seems borderline. And I would certainly need a lot of practice handling that length with the full keel in tight spaces.

Paul L · 14-03-2019, 14:44

I owned and cruised an Alberg 35 for a long time. Very similar to the 37 but Pearson built. The two major updates on the 37 of the Yanmar and the mast/rigging are big. We had issues with metal fatigue on goosenecks, mast head fittings as well as corrosion and failure on lots of deck bolts. All to be expected on a 1961 vessel. The deck cores also have a tendency to get wet. Mine was an end grain balsa, not sure what the Canadian 37s used.
My 35 had a Yanmar 3GM and was perfectly adequate size for that boat. The hull is narrow and it pushes through the water easily. It has poor initial stability, so you sail on your ear as soon as the wind picks up. Weather helm can also be an issue. The long overhangs can also contribute to hobby horsing in a seaway.

Don't be shy about making a low offer, the market for 40 year old boats is not booming.

**Don C L** · 14-03-2019, 17:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul L

Don't be shy about making a low offer, the market for 40 year old boats is not booming.

50! but who's counting?

Paul L · 14-03-2019, 17:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don C L

50! but who's counting?

Man, time is slipping by!

sgwright · 14-03-2019, 17:53

Having recently passed that milestone, I know what it's like to cling to the 40s as long as possible...

Sailmonkey · 14-03-2019, 18:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgwright

Another concern is the 30hp for a 16,000lb + boat - that seems borderline. And I would certainly need a lot of practice handling that length with the full keel in tight spaces.

No worries there. We’ve got a 15,000 lb (dry) boat with 28hp. It’s more than enough.

SuW · 14-03-2019, 18:13

I'd say that a more realistic price for that boat is $10K-15K CAD.
It would be worth less without the recent upgrades.
How is the electrical system? Electronics?
We looked at an Alberg 37 25 years ago and couldn't find a berth on it that would comfortably fit my husband (6 feet). There may have been variations, I suppose.
A friend spent two years updating one of these in the late 90's and he had to change all the fasteners on the boat. They were slot machine screws which he hared, but they were also rusting out. I don't remember the age of his boat but it must have been about late 60's/early 70's.

SuW · 14-03-2019, 19:09

There's an outline of my old friend Tom's work on his Alberg 37 Brightlingsea, on the Alberg 37 forum:
The Refit of Brightlingsea

That must have been in '96 so his boat would be from about 1970.