Alpha 42

[scarlet]

Hi folks..
I was looking at the exhibitors and dock map for Annapolis, and I saw a cat I wasn't familiar with... the Alpha 42. I went and looked it up on line, and it looks beautiful.

I searched here and found 2 threads, but they are quite old. Does anyone have any updated information on this boat? and also, I'd love a price sheet if anyone has one....

[downunder]

surprise you missed the discussions on the Alpha 42

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...-us-82061.html


http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...al-127008.html

[scarlet]

Originally Posted by downunder

surprise you missed the discussions on the Alpha 42

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...-us-82061.html


http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...al-127008.html

I did see it.. but those conversations were from 2012... whilst they were working out the kinks. Just wanted to know if there was any update, or more recent info available.

And I didn't see a price sheet in those threads...

[2Hulls]

I spent a fair amount of time on the Alpha 42 at the 2015 Annapolis show and had lengthy conversations with the owners. Very nice people. I did not explore the "reasons" or corrective actions for hull #1's loss.

A few observations:

I think this is a capable boat. I didn't crawl in the engine rooms or bilges - I spent very little time below decks as my interest is in the sailing features, always looking for new stuff or good ideas to apply to my own boat.

This specific rig has a quite small mast section. Because of this it has double spreaders and a LOT of standing rigging aloft. But it's a Selden mast, which I hold in high regard. I would have spec'd a bigger section to allow a single spreader rig just to simplify the rigging. Take a look at other 42 foot cats to compare. This is around the break point for single/double spreaders on aluminum spars, but few 42s have double spreaders. The chain plates are really far aft. This is a good thing for the rig, but a bad thing for sailing downwind with the main - the sail will be against the shrouds really quick, effectively preventing DDW with the main without the risk of a jibe. Not a rigger, I don't understand why the chainplates were so far aft. BUT, this means peace of mind if the owners choose a sym spi for deep angles without the main. Easy cruising.

The genoa leads are really far inboard. This is a good thing for upwind angles, but this boat also has a self tacking solent. I discussed with the owners the options of using a reverse barber hauler for getting the clew of the genoa outboard for off the wind angles. Of course, having a solent means that you have to furl the genoa to tack it upwind, which kinda negates having the far inboard genoa track. Pick yer poison. I would not have chosen the self tacker if I was ordering this boat in favor of utilizing the really good sheeting angles on the genoa. If it only had boards.....

The traveler track is pretty short. Given the aft location of the chainplates, at least it's consistent. Get the sym spi for deep angles (with no main) and this issue and aft chainplates are a bonus.

No mainsail outhaul adjustment. Sacrilege! But most cruising cats don't have adjustable (underway) outhauls, so this boat is no outlier. It's a shame this valuable feature is overlooked on so many boats.

Dave

[Factor]

My take on the Alpha 42 is that it at least starts from a good place, i.e. the thoughts of Gregor Tarjan. He understands the basics of multihulls better than most people I have met, indeed is probably one of the few that can be called "expert" in the field.

[paxfish]

I was curious, and stepped aboard. I steadied myself by grabbing the obvious handhold - the overhead top on the port side. It shook around like a 10 year old Gemini hardtop. I took a close look at the support in that area, reversed course and continued to other parts of the show.

[Wind Bludger]

Expert is a very strange description, obviously based on no "actual experience' with said "expert"


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[LeeV]

There is still one sitting in our marina, and its issues have not been addressed - from the stern I can still see the port side sitting much lower than the stbd - and it's not from batteries or gear being stowed improperly.

I'd not spend that sort of money without all the problems solved.

[Factor]

Originally Posted by Wind Bludger

Expert is a very strange description, obviously based on no "actual experience' with said "expert"


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

I have met the man more than once, and read his books and listened to him speak at seminars, so no, my description is based on actual experience

[boatman61]

Still do NOT like those bows..
Call it a 'Gut feeling'.. they just look counter to what they claim to do.
But.. will likely make a great fair weather coastal cruiser..

[cruisingkrol]

Originally Posted by LeeV

There is still one sitting in our marina, and its issues have not been addressed - from the stern I can still see the port side sitting much lower than the stbd - and it's not from batteries or gear being stowed improperly.

And LeeV, just from curiosity, you know this how?

[LeeV]

Originally Posted by cruisingkrol

And LeeV, just from curiosity, you know this how?

I know this because I asked the owners; I do not make presumptive remarks about other people's issues.

We spoke with the owners, who live not far from us, and it's not a pleasant story. The issue, now 6 months later, has not been addressed. We feel bad for the owners.