Learn to sail aboard s/v Gemini

Learn to sail aboard a classic sailboat in Southern California or across the Pacific Ocean to Japan! s/v Gemini is getting ready to sail to Okinawa, Japan in February 2013, and is first doing a shake down cruise by exploring the coast between Long Beach and San Diego. Join the crew and learn to sail, while we first get ready and then deliver s/v Gemini to her new home in Asia.

The plan:

January 29: Launch/ prepare boat at Long Beach harbor
January 30: Dockside/ marina boat preparations and checks

Assuming all goes well...

January 31 to February 1: Transit to San Diego

February 1- March 3: Moored in San Diego, at Shelter Island Public Dock and Southwestern Yacht Club for voyage preparations and local cruising for sea trials. Overnight trips to Mission Bay, Glorietta Bay, La Playa planned for cruising preps.

March 4: Depart San Diego for Hawaii (2,270 NM)

Approx. March 26: Arrive Hawaii

March 26-31: Rest/ maintenance/ re-supply in Hawaii

April 1: Depart Hawaii for Ogasawara islands/ Chichi jima (3,500 NM)

Approx. May 5: Arrive Ogasawara islands/ Chichi jima

May 5-10: Rest/ maintenance/ re-supply in Ogasawara islands/ Chichi jima

May 10: Depart Ogasawara islands for Okinawa (800 NM)

Approx. May 20: Arrive Okinawa

Dates are estimates, and depend on weather conditions, boat readiness and crew schedules. Times between destinations were figured conservatively using a Speed Over Ground (SOG) of 4 kts, 100 NM/day however this voyage will be almost entirely with the currents and s/v Gemini should be able to make 7-8 kts SOG, to shorten travel times.

If you are interested in joining the crew for a sailing class in Southern California or want to join for a leg of the voyage to Japan, please see this page for more information or contact Greg!

Why doesn't s/v Gemini have an electric propulsion system?

For those who are wondering, s/v Gemini is a break from the precedent that I have set with my last two boat projects. I converted my first boat, Intrepid to run with an electric propulsion system. When I sold Intrepid, I bought another boat that had been converted to electric, but sold that boat to buy s/v Gemini. Electric propulsion is awesome! There are many advantages to electric propulsion systems on a boat: it is cleaner, quieter, more reliable and has better slow speed torque. Check out the complete discussion here. Of course I still believe that electric is the only way to go on the water!

There are very few electric converted boats on the market right now. When I acquired s/v Gemini she had a functioning Universal diesel engine. I have been considering re-powering s/v Gemini with another electric propulsion system, but at this point I have concluded that it makes most sense to keep the diesel engine. This is because of two reasons: 1.) financially, the net cost will be approximately $5,000 to complete the project after the resale of the diesel engine and 2.) environmentally, converting to electric propulsion by selling a good working diesel engine is a net negative for the environment. Someone else will burn fossil fuels with this engine in another boat. It is my opinion that it makes most sense to convert a boat to electric when the diesel engine dies or if the boat has a gasoline powered engine like the Atomic 4, and it is time to re-power anyway. 

Sail as much as possible on you sailboat! Keep your diesel engine until it dies and then check out ElectricSeas.

Blue Water Boats: Alberg 35 Review

Overview

The Alberg 35 is a classic cruising boat from the board of Carl Alberg, built by Pearson Yachts from Rhode Island and introduced in 1961. It earned a good reputation for her fine sailing qualities, and with a six year production run of 280 boats, she was considered a success for her builder.

By todays standards the Alberg 35 may not offer the latest in performance or much room below decks, but she still delivers fine time honoured cruising qualities. The Alberg 35 is well designed, safe, and capable of serious offshore cruising; best of all she’s good looking and affordable.

Configuration and Construction

As with all Alberg designs and in fact many sailboats of that period, the Alberg 35 derives its ancestry from Scandinavian folkboat influence. These designs are known for their classic beauty, safety and relatively good performance. Expect a springy sheer line, long overhangs, full keel with a forefoot cutaway.

Designed as a racer/cruiser and reflecting the latest thinking of her day, the beam is very narrow beam, only 9 feet 8 inches. The waterline is short at only 24 feet, which is good for light airs, but as the breeze stiffens the waterline will also extend by laying down on her long overhangs.

Read the rest at Blue Water Boats...