Pearson Triton Vs. Alberg 30

[sailingdog]

Yes, and much of that was due to her inability to fix a diesel engine and her somewhat inept mechanical and electrical skills.

Originally Posted by cardiacpaul

And while what tanya did was amazing, daddy flew over 3000 miles with new sails, again with engine parts, she went over 3 months without lights or power, (or some such silliness).. what I'm saying is it wasn't all sunshine lollipops and rainbows...

[johnshasteen]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Yes, and much of that was due to her inability to fix a diesel engine and her somewhat inept mechanical and electrical skills.

Point being though, the 26 foot Contessa did well,despite the lack of skills of young Tanya.

[sailingdog]

Very true.

Originally Posted by johnshasteen

Point being though, the 26 foot Contessa did well,despite the lack of skills of young Tanya.

[RXBOT]

If the OP is interested in sailing ability.

Trident 16.76

Alberg 30 15.21

SD's boats

Southern Cross 28 16.01
31 13.96

According to that the Trident wins. If the OP likes Pearsons and would. accept a fin keel. The widely available Pearson 30 might be good choice.

17.41 and also only 5 feet difference between LOA and LWL

[kai34]

does anyone think that the triton could be rigged with a double head sail? i was reading up about the benefits of a double head sail setup for offshore sailing in light winds and heavy. just a thought.
-kai

[Delirious]

Yes, the Triton can be rigged with a double headsail . . . but the advantages won't outweigh the effort. The exception would be the Triton yawl and a short storm jib on an inner forestay for very strong winds flying jib & jigger. Flying a double headsail to windward wouldn't gain you much; but downwind in light airs it might.

I'm recently divested of a 2000 Catalina 34 that I consider a coastal sailer at best. My wife and I are currently looking at a 1960 Pearson Triton yawl that I would daresay is much more a bluewater boat. This is a $3,000 boat that will likely require another $25,000 to bring it back to proper shape. Nasty, but what current 28 foot boat can be had for $28 with the pedigree of the Triton?

IMHO it's a redoubtable two-person long-range cruiser. Check out Daniel Spurr's "Upgrading the Cruising Sailboat" (much about his Triton - from the editor of Practical Sailor) and Google Jim Baldwin (two circumnavigations in a Triton named "Atom"). There's a lot to be said for renovating or reconditioning a Triton.

The Alberg 30 is 5% more boat in every dimension, but almost identical in every ratio.

Charlie P.

[bcooke]

As someone who loves his Triton I would say Alberg 30. That extra 6 inches of beam and slightly more freeboard make a big difference as far as interior volume. Once you get a chance to compare you will know what I mean. In most other respects the boats are identical. I personally think the Triton is slightly more beautiful and I like the look of the 7/8ths rig. And yes, you can rig them for double headsails. Might be more efort than they are worth though.

More importantly though, 'fixing up' a boat to go cruising can quickly get out of control. Having fallen into the big rebuildling project myself, my advice is to buy the best boat that is ready to go now that you can afford. Fixing up boats is like tap dancing over quicksand. You can find yourself up to your neck in trouble all too quickly. I love rebuilding boats. But it isn't the best way of getting underway quickly.

As far as choice of blue water cruisers, you can't argue that it can't be done. They have done it many many times. On the other hand, I believe Carl Alberg would be horrified to learn that his family weekenders/ coastal cruisers were being exemplified for blue water passages. That isn't what they were designed for. If these are all you can afford and you have to do it (and I can understand this), then yes, the boats will get the job done. They are far from my ideal choices though. Limited comfort under certain conditions (while excelling in others) limited interior volume and simple old age, are all factors that would make me question these boats for long ocean passages.

-Britton
Triton #680