Center Cockpit, Shallow Draft

[ardenlester00]

Years ago I sailed the inland waterways in my big Jubilee Chesapeake Bay, gaff-rigged ketch. I once saw a smaller (maybe 30') with center cockpit, small diesel engine putt-putting along comfortably.

I think it had a small up/down mast. For years I had "Albion" in my head as the boat, but I can find no such shallow draft, simple inland boat in searches. Now, at 74, I'm wanting to spend my remaining time sailing/putt-putting down Ohio River, by-pass Mississippi River by going through Ky. river system, etc - maybe down to Tenn-Tom. Take long time, no hurry. Anchoring out, moving only when the winds and tides are right.

Does anyone recognize the boat I'm talking about - and "cheap" (being a necessary part. I live simply and a huge bathtub would suit me fine - but I may have a "1st Mate" - she may hope for more than a bucket over the side.

I'm in Williamstown, WV (near Marietta, Ohio on the Ohio River)

Thank you,

Dennis

[skipmac]

There is a sailboat brand Albin but I am not familiar with a center cockpit version.

You could look for an older Morgan OutIsland 36. Center cockpit with a 3'4" draft. Irwin also made center cockpits but again the smallest I know is the 37.

O'Day made a smaller center cockpit that I think was around 30' but not sure what the draft was.

[ardenlester00]

The O'Day hint was good - I went looking - it has a center cockpit, at 30' or 32' (I forget) some with a centerboard and small diesel - that sounds good. I used to sail/race an O'Day Mariner, 19' - what a beauty! I could sail in 2 1/2 foot of water. Perfect for pulling out of channel and parking for the night. Shrimp loved eating veggies off the bottom. For first month I thought the Ferrolite was breaking off in small pieces. My Jubilee (41") 16' beam was the ideal inland cruiser. I'd post pics but don't know how. Now, to find a really cheap O'Day - the challenge begins.

[ardenlester00]

I meant I could sail in 1 1/2 foot of water in my 41' Jubilee. My O'Day Mariner could probably sail on a moist lawn.

Dennis

[ardenlester00]

Can anyone point me to a thread here - or book or ??? about sailing through the inland passage from Ohio down to the Tenn-Tom - bypassing the Mississippi?

[steve_hendry]

Irwin did make a small center cockpit boat, the 32.5, look at
http://www.irwinyachts.com/Centercoc...nt-Cockpit.htm
for the brochure. Don't think the masts folded.

Also, I think S2 made a center cockpit 30 footer.

[troymclure]

I currently live and sail on an Albion. It's by caroff who is a french designer, it's an older model designed in the 70's though it doesn't sound quite like the boat you're talking about.

Mines 35", centre cockpit, she is 1.8m draft but there is a lifting keel version of the albion as well. They're often listed as albion 36. Haven't seen any with an up/down mast though.

Not sure if they'd be "cheap" though, depends how cheap is cheap really. They're 35-36" so alot more expensive then a 30" but all are generally older so certainly not expensive.

[ceejfletcher]

Hi, I have an Albion 36. It draws 90cm to 100cm with the centre board up. Its a pretty cruisey boat with a 35 hp perkins, sails well. Good for shollow water