If you've added some feature to your Alberg 30, this would be a good place to describe it.

A Cautionary Note

Rebuilding, Restoring, Adding To, or Upgrading Your "Classic" -- Six Rules for Success is a short, but well-written article. Make sure your upgrade isn't really a downgrade.

Lightning Protection

I did some in-depth study of the problem, some years back. Even if you're not concerned with direct hits, there are significant problems.

For one thing, you need *at least* 2 square feet of clean copper in the water to begin to have a grounding system that will do any good at all. Any electrostatic discharge system should be grounded to that, and isolated from the through-hulls. There have been many incidences of through-hulls being blown out of the boat because of bonding or grounding. You also need a fairly straight path with a heavy conductor from the air terminal to the ground. Unless you have an exposed lead keel and a keel-stepped mast, the difficulties are overwhelming.

Even then, it's not clear that grounding is the best idea in all circumstances. If I'm going to take my chances, anyway, I'll do it in the fashion that requires less work.

- George

Interior Layout Modifications

My Alberg has these modifications. She was a live aboard for some years before I owned her and the former owners put a number of well thought out additions in.

The stove, which used to be, of course, to starboard of the sink, is replaced by a Force 10 two-burner stove and oven facing forward. In the place of the old stove is a refrigerator box. Another refrigerator box is installed in the place of the oilskins hanger. This gives good benchspace for the galley.

Opposite, where the old ice box was, is a nav table. What is left of the starboard berth has been raised about 25 cm to allow for more storage underneath. The backrest is gone, with cushion extending to the liner. This extra width allows the space behind the oven to be used to make that berth into a quarter-berth style arrangement. It is a surprisingly good sea berth, where I can wedge myself in safely and comfortably.

In the forepeak, the berth has been filled in so that it forms a double bed.

To starboard there is storage, fire extinguisher and soon to be bits of the collapsible tender I am building. It works well, I think, however it leaves the drawers under less accessible. It also fills the interior in more than would the original set up.

For weekending and daysailing, the original interior would definitely be best, but as my home for at least part of the year and when I sail mostly single-handed or with one other, I find my arrangement great.The Force 10 oven and stove alone make the galley a better cooking area than what I have at home.

David, Kalitsah 440, Sydney. From: "David Fisher" <liquid_addiction@hotmail.com>