Kittiwake 23/ Alberg design?

[Dave Scott]

A guy down the way from me is looking at a kittiwake 23'.

He claims it is an Alberg design and it looks like it could be.

Does it sail as well as a CD?

Does any one know where we could get more info on this boat?



dsfiii@yahoo.com

[Peter Bigelow]

The Kittiwake is indeed an Alberg design, built by several mfgs over the years (Kenner is one, I forget the others) and some were kit boats (owbers finished the interior) while others were complete. The design is a hybrid of the Electra/Ensign and other more "classic" Alberg designs like the Sea Sprite. The boat reportedly sails as most Alberg designs do "sails on her bottom" is stiff, excellent in heavier weather but is not exactly a race winning light air boat. The problem with many Kittiwakes is that none of the manufacturers were really high quality companies -- and that combined with some boats having been finished by the owner makes it necessary to really inspect the boat or have it surveyed by a pro. The well built ones should prove to be a joy -- the others a higher maintenance issue. Also, if you go to the Alberg 30 web page they have a link listing all of Alberg's designs -- an impressive list in length, size, and number of mfgs.

Hope this helps.



peterbigelow@msn.com

[Harris]

Looked one over really carefully last year witht he intent of purchasing. Theturn off was that the ballast is comprised of lead pigs suspended in a cemennt like substance.Theboat I lloked at had had the bilge pan crudely removed and the top of the ballast was visible. It was more like a congealed sand with some of the lead pigs laying loose on top. I thought that this was added ballast until I researched it and it proved to be original. The other issue is that the hull oilcans on the Kittiwake. Go up to anyone and press your palm on the turn of the bilge just below the water line. My freind had one years ago and said it was alarming to watch the hull from the inside as the boat was driven into chop. About w inches or more deflection. Core issues are another thing to check as the boat i looked at showed signs of the entired deck being "drilled and filled". dont be put off though. These boats were built to last and seem to be in the weight class of a CD 25 with the finer hull of a Sea Sprite 23. Possibly on the top of the altime beautiful Alberg designs. I just am warey of boats from the 60s as some of the experts Ive talked to say the construction quality improved as timne went on. PLus something about a the idea of a boat being almost 40 years old makes me wonder.



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