We bought Bones from friends of ours in Toronto, who were selling her after not having been able to get her in the water for a few seasons, because of their busy lives. An Alberg 30 was right at the top of our list for most-wanted used boat, so we were thrilled to get her. We had her trailered out from Toronto to Lunenburg in October of 2002.

Here is a picture of Bones arriving in Lunenburg in October of 2002 after her long trip across the country from Toronto. She stayed in the Scotia Trawler boat yard for ten long months, enduring a rough winter and heavy spring rains (that flooded her interior and destroyed her old Atomic Four gas engine). Oily water made a big mess in the cabin, too.

From May to August, Bones was worked on by a number of people, as we first of all tried to replace the Atomic Four engine with a used Volvo single cylinder engine.

Bones was launched for the first time in salt water just before 4 PM on Thursday August 21. Although it was great to see her in the water, finally, it turned out that the Volvo just was not going to work, for a variety of reasons. One week later we decided to yank it out, and mount a new Yamaha outboard on her, which we hope will actually get us out and sailing before the end of Nova Scotia's all-too-brief sailing season.

We will keep you posted!

Update: September 15, 2003: the outboard worked like a charm, letting us go for our first sail almost a week ago, on September 9. Since then we've been out 4 times, including a longish sail to Cross Island on Saturday, during which we saw Harbour Seals, Dolphins and, best of all, a Minke whale! Bones is a beautiful, rugged, sea-worthy boat, and she seems to love being back in the water. We're very happy!

Update: November 6, 2003: After surviving Hurricane Juan at her mooring like a trooper, Bones will be hauled out next week. We're looking forward to working on a few projects for her over the winter, and will refinish her hull next spring, to get her ready for her first full sailing season on the Atlantic!

Update: May 8, 2004: Bones spent a fairly quite winter at the boatyard. A few weeks ago we started making her ready for her launch. The Yamaha outboard has been overhauled, David's added some backing plates to the motor bracket, we've cleaned it out and refurbished the galley, and done a number of other little projects. I have to get some foam to make new berths for the main cabin, and mend the sail cover. But the best thing we've had done is to get the poor thing polished up! Her gelcoat was pretty badly oxidized after a few years living rough, so we got the guys from Car Brite here in Lunenburg to go over the hull. Here are a before and after picture ... NB: The "after" picture is after the polishing, not the wax.

Bones before her buffing

Bones after buffing, but before wax

Bones after buffing and wax

Quite a difference, eh?!

For more information about the Alberg 30 class, see the Alberg page at sailquest.com or the excellent Alberg 30 class website.

copyright 2004 Nina Scott-Stoddart and Mock Turtle Productions
nina@ninascottstoddart.com