Pearson Triton Vs. Alberg 30

[kai34]

hello,
im most likely a year or two away from owning my first boat. i am planning on the most circunavigation and the least the med or carribean for a year. depending how confident i am in the boat/my skills/money available. i plan on living on the boat during the summer months and working on it in the winter. so the two boats that have really drawn my interest is the Pearson Triton and the Alberg 30 because of thier construction, blue water capabilities, single-handing capabilities, and classic lines. Also because they are both on the small size for bluewater boats so the cost of owning should theoretically less. Now to my question. if it was you, would you either spend the 20-25k on a good Alberg 30 and make 5k of changes or buy a 10-15k on a decent Pearson Triton and put 15k into the boat?. would the added space that the 2 feet gives you make a huge difference? I have would like to spend at most 30k so i can maximum the amount of time i can spend offshore.
-kai

[Maddog046]

You would not go wrong either way. Go with the Alberg, you'll enjoy the extra room.

[mstern]

Without addressing which boat is "best" or even if it is appropriate for you or your intended use: when you are talking real blue water cruising, all other things being equal, the bigger the boat, the "better". More room for stores, fuel, water, living space, etc. That being said, I think you are almost always better off buying the boat that is closest to sail away conditition for your intended use. Btw, I absolutely love both of your choices; they are classic Alberg designs. But beware, neither was desinged or built for the open ocean; also any one you find will likely be 40 plus years old. This means that unless you luck out and find a model that already has been upgraded and modified, your new boat will need significant work to be made ocean-ready.

fwiw, I have never sailed on an Alberg 30, but I have heard that they have control issues sailing downwind. Not what you want when thinking of tradewind sailing across the Carribean or Atlantic.

[rocinante33]

$25K seems like a lot for a 30+ year old boat. It should be pristine and ready to go far for that much. With that budget, you may be able to add an Ericson to your list. The Ericson 30 is a direct descendant of the Alberg 30. You may find a 29-32 in that range.

good sailing

[RXBOT]

I'm assuming your referring to the full keel Triton, I beleive the last year it was made was 1967. The Alberg was first made in 1962, I don't know when it was last produced. There is a thread here somewhere that discusses LOA-LWL (overhangs) with a lot of comments by Jeff H. I would read it before buying one these boats for serious offshore cruising. However if your heart is set on one I hope you find a good one. The thread is in sailboat design forum.

[sailingdog]

I'd go with the Alberg... but if you can find a Southern Cross 28 or 31 it might be a better choice, since they're far newer than the Alberg or Triton IIRC.

[sailingfool]

I'm not too sure that I would consider either of these boats too bluewater..not that they are likely to fall apart in heavy seas, but that they would be uncomfortable and miserable at sea. Both have very little freeboard, poor handling and little space below. I vividly remember sailing a Triton back across Buzzards Bay in a bit of a breeze off the beam, very active steering with armloads of weather helm. After those two hours, both arms were sore for a week.
Not to diminish the joy of a dream, but buy yourself a Tartan 30 and go in comparative style and comfort.

[nolatom]

Triton. Get a survey first. Pretty spartan, but will take it if you can.
Both are Carl Alberg-designed boats. Both will keep you safe if you sail safe.

[VASailor10]

I am not very familiar with the Alberg 30. However, I am fairly familiar with the Pearson Triton and highly recommend it. May I direct you to the site Atom Voyages | Voyaging Around the World on the Sailboat Atom with James and Mei, if you have not already. This gentleman has completed two circumnavigations with his Triton. They are very seaworthy boats however I would recommend you install a stays'l if the boat does not have one already.

-Spencer

[JimsCAL]

I personally wouldn't want to go offshore in either boat. While both are solid boats, my limit would be something 35+ feet, preferably 40+. Your prices seem high for both boats. These are 40 year old boats! I would think either should be available for $10K or less. A very good friend sold his Triton a few years back for $5,500. Figure on spending at least $10K or more to get them up to snuff. Did you consider an Alberg 35? Same pedigree, but closer to the size I would consider a minimum for going offshore.