Alberg 30 handling under power

born2bfree · #1 (**permalink**) 03-03-2011

Hello,
I'm looking for an honest opinion from current and past Alberg 30 proud owners. I like the boat as a solid criuser, but I am very interested how she handles under power, specifically in closed quarters.
1. In forward - how well does she turn at low speeds?
2. Does she produce substantial propwash?
3. Does she produce the same amount of propwash on post and starboard?
4. Does she responds to steering in reverse poorly?
5. Does she produce sagnificent propwalk?

born2bfree · #2 (**permalink**) 03-09-2011

I am surprised that in such large community not a single person has an opinion on the subject.
Is it that bad?

LakeSuperiorGeezer · #3 (**permalink**) 03-09-2011

You could ask chrisncate here on sailnet. He has a lot of recent posts on his Alberg 30 concerning a complete refurbishing and even has a video posted showing his sailboat with the diesel running.
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/diesel...replace-6.html

mitiempo · #4 (**permalink**) 03-09-2011

Shouldn't be a problem in forward but with that keel she won't turn on a dime. but will be steadier on the helm under sail for the same reason.
In reverse it's another story. I would guess that she won't answer the rudder in reverse until some speed is up. And as with any full keel boat with the prop between the keel and rudder there will be propwalk to one side. The prop pushes water through the aperature mimicing a thruster a bit.

booboonme · #5 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011

Hey I've had an Alberg 30 for around 20 years now and can tell you about the handling characteristics.

The boat handles fabulously in forward spins on a dime once your moving. It does back up poorly as do many sailboats. You sort of get a chance but thats about all if you had to back down a channel you'd be in trouble. We changed our prop from an older Campbell Sailor 3 blade to a newer Campbell sailor 3 blade and the change was incredible. We used to just get horrible prop walk and now the boat goes backwards. (for a while then decides to turn and you sort of get to find out where she wants to go after the fact) so you have to be on your toes. But like any boat you get used to that and its fine. We had a chap with a new Catalina 32 backing by the other day and the same thing happened to him and bingo he was in trouble. so cum see cum saw.. It seems that you sort of give it a blast to get yourself moving then back off on the throttle and you sort of do okay. But as buddy says the full keel isn't really up to going backwards. I will say we did a race where it was blowing 30 knots and we had a full spinnaker, headsail and main up (We actually broke 10 knots for about 20 seconds..woohoo) anyway everyone was broaching all around us and we were just trucking along. (actually waiting for something to break) but what a great boat off the wind with the right sail combination. Also on a close reach it smokes!

omaho5 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011

I have a smaller Alberg design made by Cape Dory. It turn very well going forward under power..
Reverse, NOT so well. I will never master it in reverse.