Hello everyone, thanks for having me! My name is Greg and I am an Alberg-aholic.
I can't remember when I first saw an Alberg designed sailboat, or even when I fell in love with them. What I can tell you is in one short year I went from ZERO sailboats to TWO!
Both Ariels.
The story of the first one is pretty straight forward if you don't take into consideration all the coincidences and "Wow small world!" moments. Seems these little boats have a lot of friends.
I had been following along on several sites looking for an Alberg boat for a few years when I noticed this nice looking Ariel that was for sale on Craigslist. The kicker was that it was located up in Puget Sound Washington State. Now I have nothing against that particular area. As a matter of fact, I lived up there for a while years ago and it is one of my most favorite places. But, since I call San Francisco home, it was not very practical. Yet poor judgement led me to follow every price drop for several months.
I have a few friends with whom I ask advice and one is a Captain who works tour boats in Alaska and spends time down in Puget Sound when it's off season. I had helped this guy sail his 50' Bill Tripp designed boat down from Astoria, Ore. a few years ago and had become great friends. I remember he had told me that he had an Ariel years ago over in Hawaii. I called him up and told him of my interest in an Ariel in Washington. He shared all his info he had about the boats and of course gave a glowing endorsement, specially for a first boat. He asked where in Washington she was located, and I said she was out in Port Orchard. He laughed and asked what was her name, I had the ad up and could read "Spirit Wind" in one of the photos. He exclaimed he knew the boat and had had several conversations with owner. It seems my friend had had his boat in the same small marina for two years just up the dock! He said the guy was always taking care and taking it out. He said it was in pretty good shape. I started to plan.
Well, my poor judgement(on a few different points) led me to a plane trip to the Pacific Northwest and a date with Spirit Wind A-238. I cannot lie and tell you fine readers that I didn't have an envelope with clean, fresh U.S. currency inside it. There was just enough for the asking price. I hadn't made up my mind of course, but I was prepared.
I met up with the owner and we had a good long look at her. She was clean, good deck, standing and running rigging was newish, outboard in the well that ran like a top. Sails a little dated. Below she was very nicely appointed. The bright work in the cabin was great, and one of my favorite points was that the bulkhead and locker wood paneling was gone. She had shimmering white laminate that matched the cabin ceiling. She was very bright inside.
I could tell in his eyes he did not want to sell this little boat. His story sounded familiar. Boat vs. Wife.... Wife was winning. Oh the humanity.
I said that I would get a hotel for the night and then we could both have time to consider the transfer. I had already watched the price drop $1500 dollars over the last couple of months and knew he wasn't going much lower, specially if he didn't really want to see it gone. I just had to see if I was willing to pay the price.
After a nights rest and some more quick research about these boats on line I called up the owner and said I was still very interested and we could meet down at the boat to make a deal. He was game.
So early July of last year(2016) A-238 "SPIRIT WIND" became my first boat.
I spent from July to October sailing her around Sinclair Inlet, near the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Wa. I knew no one and therefore coincidentally started my solo-sailing career at the same time. I will always look at this time as a truly great experience and my decision to buy this boat as one of my best ever.
I sailed her out of Port Orchard with trips to Seattle's Bell Harbor Marina as well as Shilshole Bay Marina and Blake Island Marine State Park.
This past month I was finally able to get up and get her outfitted for a two week cruise to the San Juan Islands. Which as anyone who has been knows, is an amazing cruising experience.
I will save that story for another time, as well as the story of how I came to own yet another Ariel here in the Bay Area. (It was easier than one might think!)
I look forward to exploring the forum here and hopefully getting to know other Alberg fans.
Thanks for reading, if you made it this far.
Have a great day!
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Originally Posted by GSGardner
