ALBERG 37 INTERNATIONAL OWNERS ASSOCIATION
Tom and Kaye Assenmacher
P.O. Box 32 Kinsale , VA 22488
(Please Remove 'nospam' Before Sending)
http://www.alberg37.org/
VOL 25/26, NO. 1/2 (WINTER 2013/SPRING 2014) 24 MARCH, 2014
“MISSION SCRUBBED”
By Tom and Kaye Assenmacher
Currently Aboard SHEARWATER In Vero Beach , FL
Hi from SUNNY Vero Beach , FL !
After NUMEROUS COLD fronts, we finally have had some relatively nice weather, with temps finally in the mid 70's (F). We've recently had low temperatures a couple of nights with temps in the mid to upper 30's (F). Our Dickerson ' Chesapeake ' heater (it uses either kerosene or diesel fuel) has really helped make the cold mornings more comfortable! But at least, it’s NOT SNOWING!!
Crossing the Gulf Stream has not been in the works (for us at least) due to the short 'Crossing Windows' this winter (at least the crossing windows have not met our criteria - as we are 'Old Sailors, but not Bold Sailors'). Actually, there have been quite a few boats here that have not made the crossing either. We normally make the crossing in late December.
We (Tom and Kaye) decided to "scrub this mission" - the mission being a crossing to the Bahamas and spending several months in the Abacos, as in prior years. The weather has been a BIG factor, however, the two crossings, and the trip back up the ditch (ICW) add up to more than we want to handle this winter. We're thinking of leaving FL the end of March, weather permitting and traveling back up the ICW to home in Kinsale.
We are both well, and thoroughly enjoying our stay in FL. Vero has GREAT beaches, great FREE public transportation, is VERY cruiser friendly, but it's really not comparable to being in the Abacos.
Kaye ‘On Da Beach’ In Vero
We'd love to hear from you!
KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON!
British Quote During WW-II
Tom and Kaye aboard the S/V SHEARWATER in Vero (Velcro) Beach, FL
New Members
Welcome aboard to Randy and Cindy Olli of Manistique, Michigan, the owners of the 1978 MK-II Sloop ALLELUIA (Hull # 186), which is home ported in Manistique.
(Ed. Note: ALLELUIA is a ‘newly discovered’ Alberg 37, as we have no prior listing of this Hull Number!)
Welcome aboard to Bob and Cheryl Seaver of Winsted , Connecticut , the owners of the 1973 MK-II Yawl WIND SONG ( Hull # 112). They purchased the boat from Duncan Curry, who had previously owned the boat. WIND SONG is currently located in Matthews, VA. They plan to move the boat to Noank , CT this spring.
In early January, we received the following from Bob and Cheryl:
“We have just returned from a 4 day trip to Mathews, Virginia , so that I could see WIND SONG for the first time - I Love her ! We did a lot of work while we were there. We brought home 42 pieces of teak from the boat as we are refinishing the interior. This weekend was spent cleaning 67 hinges that were covered with years of teak oil build up. It's exciting, even though it doesn't sound it !
I have been able to reach David and Mary Roost (prior owners)! They now live in Toronto , Canada . David is involved with the National Yacht Club of Toronto . We had a wonderful chat and they were so pleased to hear that Sunday's Child (Wind Song) is alive and well! They really loved the boat. They are trying to make contact with the man that they bought #112 from. He was the second owner and the boat was called Sunday's Child when the Roost's acquired her.
I also was able to contact Stuart Gillespie Jr., whose father and mother reportedly owned # 112. There must have been some kind of mix up in reporting the hull # , because Stuart sent me pictures of their boat and she was yellow with teak decks. She was a custom build. He thought she could have been re-gelcoated, but our boat is original gel coat. I did not have the heart to tell him that there was a mistake. His father is 101 years old and was so excited to hear from us. He relayed some wonderful stories from his Dad.
So I have accounted for 31 years of ownership. Duncan Curry, 1 year, the Arecchi's , 12 years and the Roost's 18 years ! The first and second owners only had her for a total of 9 years.
I have also spoken to the Arecchi's several times via email.
Doug Stephenson from Whitby Boat Works is going to try to look up the original owners name.
I hope that you are having a wonderful time on your cruise and I will keep you posted if I have any new information .
Regards,
Cheryl Seaver”
The Seavers also sent a recent photo of WIND SONG.
WIND SONG At Rest!
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News From Members
We recently heard from Mike and Lisa Rostron of Bellingham , WA , and the owners of the 1970 MK-I Sloop GALENA . As GALENA is currently for sale, they are looking for a smaller boat. “In any case, although we like the Alberg 30, we will be looking for something even smaller and more ‘trailerable’ - perhaps a Commander or Ariel, or something similar. As we get ready to downsize and "semi-retire" we will need to avoid the costs of mooring in a marina, so we will be looking for something that we can store seasonally on our own property and haul out ourselves.”
Back in October, we received the following from Robin Phillips, the owner of KATYDID, his MK-I Sloop ( Hull #1):
“Katydid and I are taking a year off cruising to work here in New Zealand . She is a magnificent sailing vessel who has taken good care of me as I cross the Pacific through all kinds of weather and sea conditions. I am currently building a hard dodger for her, and have finally begun the tasks required to clean up and finish the interior. I will also take this off season to reseal all of the port lights and hatches, as the crossing to and from NZ tends to be a wet one. Be sure to let Kip Newbold (RASCAL) know that the generous gift of his old mainsail is still ongoing. I had the roach cut out this year, too much sail area and a tendency for the batten pockets to fray.”
Janet and Jeff Dickie, the owners of TRUANT III (1974 MK-II Yawl) of Hammonds Plains , Nova Scotia are currently cruising in the Bahamas . They spent several weeks in Vero Beach , FL before crossing to Nassau in early January. This is their first Bahamas cruise, and are enjoying it!
Ian Dunn, the owner of VECTIS (1968 MK-I Sloop) reports: ‘VECTIS is out of the water in Port Charlotte (FL). The non-skid areas on the deck that Alex painted started to flake, so I have been sanding them off and will recoat them with Kiwi Grip (a great product if you do not know it). There are also a few dings on the topsides and the cost of repairing these was only slightly less than a repaint, so I am having the topsides redone also, as well as a redo on the bottom. I am currently also redoing the brightwork so am getting a lot of heat gun time! Should be back in the water by Feb. Ian’.
Brian and Kathy Marsh, the owners of TUNDRA (1977 MK-II Sloop) of Sarnia , Ontario recently reported: ‘Tundra is still our ‘sea cottage’ in Guatemala and we hope to fly down mid- January to get out of the bitter cold of winter. Last year Belize was our cruising ground and we sailed with old friends and new experiencing some new anchorages and enjoying the snorkeling and swimming. For further detail on our 2013 cruising on TUNDRA in Guatemala and Belize please visit “TUNDRA TRAVELS” on http://www.svtundra.ca/16.html .’
SOJOURN, a 1985 MK-II Sloop, owned by Tom McMaster and Rose Hansmeyer of Minneapolis, MN recently arrived in Vero Beach, FL from a nearly 8 year cruise to the Caribbean, Venezuela, and other points south. They had stopped by the Assenmacher Dock in Kinsale , VA in the Fall of 2006 on their first ‘Southbound Cruise’. Kaye and I met them later that Fall (October 2006) here in Vero Beach , on our first cruise ‘South’. We had not seen Tom and Rose since 2006, so it was a great reunion.
Tom, Kaye, TJ and Rose
‘On Da Beach’ In Vero In March, 2014
As of 3 March, they plan to do a bit of cruising here in South Florida , before returning to Green Cove Springs , FL where they will store SOJOURN on the hard for the summer. Their subsequent cruising plans are ‘indefinite’ at this time. Check out Tom and Rose’s Blog - Travels of Tom and Rose Aboard SOJOURN
BODILLA, a 1975 MK-II Sloop, owned by Dave Jenkins of Stoney Creek , Ontario spent a few days here in Vero this winter.
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SHEARWATER ‘Lessons Learned’
By Tom and Kaye Assenmacher
(Currently aboard SHEARWATER in Vero Beach , FL )
Over the nearly 32 years of cruising aboard our 1975 MK-II Yawl SHEARWATER, we’ve ‘learned a few things’ that we thought might be of interest to A-37 owners – the following few items and ‘suggestions’ come to mind:
‘Summerization’ (Preparing a boat for Summer Storage)
. Back in April, 2013 we left SHEARWATER on the hard at Westland Marina in Titusville , FL. We followed the INSIDE/OUTSIDE CHECKLIST - WARM CLIMATE STORAGE but would recommend the following additions: If you use ‘de-humidifying’ crystals, be sure to place the crystals in LARGE plastic containers. The containers that we used were too small, and the resulting highly corrosive liquid overflowed the small containers we used and caused a BIG MESS! Since we left the dorades open for ventilation (we of course covered the dorades with ‘no-see-um’ screen) we really doubt whether the de-humidifying crystals significantly reduce the interior humidity, especially in the high heat and humidity summer season in central east coast of Florida area.
Fuel and Fresh Water Considerations.
We carry approximately 80 gallons of water in SHEARWATER’s internal tanks, and an additional 18 gallons in ‘jerry cans’ on the port side deck. Two of the tanks (V-Berth tank, and the small tank aft of the mast) are aluminum, and as such, are subject to ‘pitting’ and corrosion if one adds a small amount of chlorine bleach to the water. To avoid this pitting, we have installed magnesium anodes in each of these tank, which has eliminated the pitting and corrosion. The anodes last for approximately 2-3 years and we have replaced the anodes several times. Unfortunately, we didn’t take photos of the ‘spent’ anodes, but after several years of use, there is not much of the anode remaining. We drilled and tapped a ½’ NPT hole in the aluminum access panels of both aluminum tanks (may not apply to MK-I A-37s). The anodes are ordered from McMaster-Carr. The V-berth takes a 14” long anode, and the small tank aft of the mast takes a 12” anode. The McMaster part numbers and descriptions are:
Magnesium Corrosion-Inhibiting Rod 1/2" NPT, 12" Rod Length, 5/8" Rod Diameter Part # 3642K15
Magnesium Corrosion-Inhibiting Rod 1/2" NPT, 14" Rod Length, 5/8" Rod Diameter Part # 3642K16
12” Magnesium Anode Before Installation
Water Tank Access Panel Showing Magnesium Anode Installed
Dinghy Storage Considerations
Since SHEARWATER is a yawl, we don’t have dinghy davits. On offshore sailing sessions, or where we expect rough seas, we stow our inflatable (Achilles LSI 10’-4” inflatable floor) on the foredeck. When at anchor OR when on a mooring, AND if the wind is forecast to be less than about 20 kts, we use a 4-point dinghy sling attached to spinnaker halyard to lift the dinghy with motor (9.8 HP Nissan) attached. This keeps the dinghy bottom clean and free of marine growth, and if rain is predicted, we remove the dinghy drain plug, so that the dinghy will ‘self drain’.
Dinghy In Sling On Port Side of SHEARWATER
Galley Considerations
Use of Flame Spreaders
We still use the original Shipmate 3 burner propane stove (SHEARWATER was built in 1975, which makes the Shipmate stove nearly 40 years old. Even the oven still works! It's not quite as 'modern' as later propane stoves, as it requires a 'match' or a 'lighter' to to light the top burners and the oven. The following are a couple of 'suggestions' on how to 'get along' with an older propane stove:
We use a 'flame spreader' to heat up muffins, leftover pancakes, or to heat up small items that would normally require the use of the oven. This saves time, propane, and since the oven is also a storage area for baking pans, etc., it saves having to 'unload' the oven for small heating tasks.
Flame Spreader Ready To Use
Muffins Needing 'Heat'
Flame Spreader In Use
Since our oven of our Shipmate Stove has a 'hot spot' (where you insert the lighter to 'light' the oven), we often use a flame spreader to more evenly distribute the oven burner heat.
'Pretzel Things'
Kaye does most of the cooking on board SHEARWATER (TJ can boil water and can make coffee!) and TJ does the dishes! One thing which she makes occasionally are 'Pretzel Things'. They are easy to make, are enjoyed by SHEARWATER's crew, and make nice 'baggy gifts' to other cruisers. The following photos show how to make 'Pretzel Things'.