ALBERG 37 INTERNATIONAL OWNERS
ASSOCIATION
C/O Tom and Kaye Assenmacher Box 32, Kinsale, VA 22488 (804) 472-3853
EMAIL:
http://www.alberg37.org
VOL XII, NO. 3 (SUMMER) 4 July, 2002
8
8
ALBERG 37 FALL RENDEZVOUS
Friday, September 27
through
Sunday, September 29, 2002
at the
ASSENMACHER DOCK
Hampton Hall Branch, Yeocomico River, Kinsale, VA.
It's ALBERG-37 FALL RENDEZVOUS time again! Plan to include this event in your fall cruising plans (especially you Chesapeake Bay owners). This is a "come as you are" event, no planned activities except relaxing and visiting with other A-37 folks. Plan on pot luck get-togethers as this is a most INFORMAL rendezvous. We have slips for 4 A-37s, with room for more rafted alongside. The creek is quite protected and has plenty of room for anchoring if desired. You will miss out on a good time if you don't attend. Attached are directions both by water or by land. Kinsale is about 35 NM south of Solomons, Maryland, just off the Potomac River about 10 NM from the Chesapeake Bay.
Directions by water: On chart #12233, proceed west from Point Lookout (Potomac River/Chesapeake Bay) about 10 miles to the Yeocomico River Light. It used to be on a circular base sometimes referred as the 'birthday cake', but the base is mostly gone now, sort of tilted, and somewhat hard to discern from the shoreline background, however you will see it in plenty of time. From the Yeocomico light proceed westward to Fl G 6sec "3" (line up on the large white house with red roof on Horn Point), then to "2". Note the shoal area to the Southeast of "2". Give "2" a wide berth to the Southeast, and you will have no problem (we've never run aground, but the depthsounder shows a pronounced shoal there. Continue in the West Yeocomico past 2 red daymarkers (#4 and #6) and past the Port Kinsale Marina to starboard. Continue to where the West Yeocomico stops (at Kinsale) and you must either turn to the port or starboard. Turn to port (starboard takes you to the grain elevator and a marina) and follow the channel into the Hampton Hall Branch. You will see it open up into a small bay, just continue around the bay until you see a point (WITH FLAGPOLE) on your starboard. Give this point a wide berth, (we won't mention who ran aground there last year) and continue to the second boat dock after passing the point where you will see SHEARWATER tied up there anxiously awaiting all her sisters (we'll have the A-37 sign and large pennant displayed)!
Directions if you come by car: Proceed south on Rt. 3 out of Montross, VA. About 2 miles south of Montross, you will see Rt. 202, make a left on Rt. 202 and proceed on Rt. 202 through Hague, Va. (about 12 miles, don't blink your eyes, you might miss it). About 4 miles from Hague, you will see Rt. 203 (at BP gas station and a sign to Kinsale), make a left on 203 for about 1.2 miles and you will be coming into Kinsale. As you approach Kinsale, (again, don't blink) you will be coming down a hill, just at the bottom of the hill you will see a sign saying 'Hampton Hall Estates' and also a street sign “Brook Ave.”. Make a right turn on Brook Ave. and continue for about 1 mile until 1006 Brook Ave, where you will see a red "12" "daymarker" marking our driveway. Just drive on in and come on down to the water. That's where we will be. If anyone wishes to stay overnight (those who come by boat, we assume you will anchor out or raft alongside overnight), there is an Inn and a motel in Montross, and several Bed and Breakfasts in the area, (or pitch a tent in our back yard).
The Port Kinsale Marina, that you passed on you way in by water, is a full service facility, and has a fuel dock. Groceries and other supplies are available nearby, and we have plenty of available transportation.
If you have any questions about the rendezvous, give us a call at 804.472.3853 (leave a message if we are not at home).
NEWS FROM MEMBERS
Wedding bells rang for Bill Beaver and Heather Bernhards who were married in June. Heather owns the 1973 sloop HALCYONE (ex DOLPHIN). HALCYONE is berthed in Annapolis, MD. Bill reports “The AC system is looking more complete, and we've done a bit more reassembly and varnishing on the port side, but its hard to point to major accomplishments. Currently I'm procrastinating pulling the icebox out and re-insulating (perhaps rebuilding) it.”
Wanita Gray wants to know if anyone has a good set of line drawings/specifications for the Alberg 37.
Bill and Jean Kellett reported in April: “WANESA, our 1969 sloop, is presently on the hard in Eddyville, KY, and waiting for the next leg of our journey south. We took two weeks in September, 2001 to travel down the Mississippi to the Ohio then up to the Tennessee and then a short side trip though the Barkley Canal to the Cumberland and up to Rottgering Marine where she now sits. Approximately 860 miles from Lake Pepin on the Mississippi in Minnesota. We’re looking at another 700 miles to Mobile and the Gulf. We’re planning a couple of week long sojourns on the Tennessee, leaving the boat for a couple of months in between trips. After that it’s probably Sarasota, FL or Isla Mahara, Mexico. I’ve got about eighteen months before partially retiring and the boat is going on ahead, scouting the way.”
Steve and Gail Smith have decided not to sell their 1976 yawl THISTLE.
Bill and Karen Hartman have sold their 1982 sloop SAUCY to Gabriel Latremouille and Darquise Pellerin of Ottawa, Ontario.
Sonny and Petra Power spent a few days with us (the Assenmachers) in Kinsale, VA aboard their sloop/cutter KANDACE ROSE enroute from ‘down south’ to their home port of Mulgrave, Nova Scotia, after spending last fall and winter cruising the Bahamas
Marcel Steinz recently stopped by the Assenmachers’ dock in Kinsale, VA on his way back North with the sloop/cutter SOUTHERN CROSS which has spent the past 5 years in The Bahamas/Florida. Marcel plans to return for the Fall Rendezvous in late September and possibly do some fall cruising in the Chesapeake Bay. He plans to leave SOUTHERN CROSS with us until next spring.
John and Diana Eby recently sold their 1985 sloop JABBERWOCKY. “We(or, rather our bank) have purchased a new Beneteau 393. I hope to semi-retire in 5-6 years, and buying a charterable boat is the only way we can afford it. Having traveled to Hawaii and back this spring with my son, I came to understand the huge difference between high latitude sailing and the tropical trades. ……the west coast storms can really beat up a crew even on a sea-kindly vessel. The boat (A-37) can take anything, but it is the crew that takes the abuse. Over the past 11 years I have fixed just about everything on the Alberg and have tremendous respect for the thoughtfulness of her architect and craftsmen. I would now feel safe offshore in anything short of a hurricane in an A 37. I have met several men who have sold their A37s and regretted it. This is not going to be easy!”
Bill Horne/Debbie are currently cruising their 1967 sloop SERENADE (and enjoying it) in the US Virgins. I know you thought we'd never make it but we're here & enjoying it.
Mike Phelps recently sold his 1969 sloop CHRYSALIS, to Miles Pilch, of Tortola, BVI.
Jay Zittrer recently reported: “The gooseneck slide for my mizzen broke and I've tracked down the original supplier. If anyone is in need of parts for the mizzen mast or boom they can be had from Kenyon spars now a division of Rigrite. (www.rigrite.com)
Lou and Jean Wayne report that they haven't left the dock yet but plan a week or 2 cruise to the thousand Islands (East end of Lake Ontario) in early July.
Recently received the following from Dan Stuart:
“Well, it's been a bittersweet experience. We have sold Falcon to a couple on Lake Michigan. As Alberg 30 sailors, they should appreciate the 37's seakindly comfort. In a short time, they'll learn to love its strength, security and "sneaky" speed.
We were contacted by 7 individuals within a week of posting our ad on the A37 website, ranging geographically from Lake Michigan (3), Lake Erie (2), the Chesapeake (1) and the Atlantic coast(1). Four were serious buyers.
Although we think we asked too little for the boat, we are fairly certain the new owners are the right people for Falcon. Rita and I are and shifting gears. After about 25 years of owning in-the-water sailboats, we're going to spend our summers travelling.
Our Flying Scot, purchased about 2 years ago, will have to suffice when the sailing bug bites. Of course, it's not the same, but neither would any other boat be the equal of our Alberg 37.”
John Wilke recently repainted the mast of his yawl, IOLANTHE. “My mast was originally painted with something resembling Awlgrip, but had started to flake off because the gray primer didn't adhere well to the aluminum. About 8 years ago I scraped and sanded the loose paint and primed it with a galvanized and aluminum primer and painted it with the same brand of exterior enamel, which I bought at Canadian Tire in Sarnia. Can't remember the brand offhand. However, it stood up quite well, and only showed moderate chalking, but in putting up and taking down the masts each year, and having the rigging scraping on the masts at times, it had gotten rather scraped up, so I used the same materials again, and just brushed them on outdoors on our mast racks”.
MAINTENANCE ALERTS
(A New Feature)
EDSON STEERING SHEAVE PIN WEAR
Submitted by Bob Prescott
(1980 Sloop THULE, #211)
“I had a very load thump in the steering at random intervals that I traced to the bronze pin on the starboard after steering sheave. It is worn just as shown in volume 10 number 4 newsletter:
http://www.alberg37.org/Newsletters/vol10no4_Fall-00.pdf
I have made my own stainless pins for about 75 cents each. (6 feet of the stainless rod is $25). I used two washers and two cotter pins.”
Bob received the following from Edson regarding the sheave pins:
“Edson has been providing stainless sheave pins since 1989. Boats prior to 1989 were installed with bronze pins. These bronze pins are a wear item and need to be replaced. They are approaching 23 years old. There is no recall to speak of, but we are on a crusade to educate owners of older vessels to check and replace these pins. There is no trick to pulling the pins, perhaps loosening the steering cables may help take some pressure off them. The most common size was a 3/8" X 1-11/16" pin with a working length of 1-3/8" (part # 960-A-1315A). These replacement stainless pins are in stock and sell for $12.00 each. Please give us a call and we'll process an order for you.”
Best regards,
Jim Thomas
Edson Sales Dept.
Phone: 508-995-9711
Fax: 508-995-5021
Visit our website www.edsonintl.com
(Editors' Note: We recently replaced all sheave pins (bronze originals which showed some but not severe wear) on our 1975 Yawl, SHEARWATER, with 3/8" stainless bolts with Nyloc nuts, purchased at the local Ace Hardware for about $1.00 each. We suggest all Alberg 37 owners having Edson wheel steering check these sheave pins and replace as required.)
CUTLESS BEARING HOUSING BOLTS
Submitted by Marcel Steinz
(1977 Sloop/Cutter SOUTHERN CROSS, #180)
Marcel Steinz recently reported (6/18/02) that while bringing SOUTHERN CROSS back north from several years in Florida and the Bahamas, and while about 40 miles offshore of South Carolina, the boat began taking on water. Upon investigation, the source of the leak appeared to be in the area of the stern tube/stuffing box. Water was being taken on rapidly, with the bilge pump running almost continuously. Heading immediately for shore, they eventually had the boat hauled at Beaufort, where they found that both of the bronze bolts holding the cutless bearing housing/stern tube/stuffing box, had sheared. Subsequent investigation revealed a severe case of electrolysis in the bolts. All A-37 owners are advised to periodically check the condition of these bolts for electrolysis and replace as required.
(Editor's Note: Several years ago, we noticed deterioration of the heads of the bronze bolts. After replacing the bolts, we attached a small teardrop zinc to the side of the hull immediately adjacent to the cutless bearing housing, and attached the zinc running a small piece of #10 electric cable to one of the bolts. In the subsequent years, no electrolysis has occurred. Additionally, we also found severe electrolysis in ALL the attaching screws of the rudder center gudgeon and the rudder shoe. We subsequently attached small zincs to all of these items, with no electrolysis since that time.)
ALUMINUM WATER TANK PITTING
Submitted by Tom Assenmacher/Wayne Bower
(1975 Yawl SHEARWATER/1977 Sloop TEELOK)