Messages

I've been worried about old Francine. Glad to hear she's OK and totally concur with your sentiments regarding the victims of the storm, so many of which share our special affinity to the ocean.

Rico

Since selling my Commander I visit here often and images of Mephisto Cat, my old Francine (now beautifully restored by Jake Shisha) and other boats never fail to prompt a serious case of seller's remorse. Your hard work has created one of the best examples of Classic Plastic and a tribute to Carl Alberg. You know you'll regret leaving her behind. Bring the boat to Boston!

Jake - Words cannot express what you have done to old Francine. Beautiful. Just beautiful.

Now its time to enjoy.

The Cape Cod Marlin is a Nathaniel Herreshoff design. Captain Nat and Commander Alberg may have been distant cousins because Herreshoff dna is clearly present in the Commander, the Ariel and other Alberg designs. According the the builder, Cape Code Shipbuilding, "The Marlin is a wonderful midsize keep sloop when you want the accommodations of cabin space without a full cruising boat. The Marlin is offered in a day sailing version with plenty of cockpit space and a smaller cabin and a cruising version with more cabin space and a self bailing cockpit. Being enlarged from the H-12 1/2 design, both versions deliver performance you expect from a Captain Nat design." Cape Cod Shipbuilding will build you one of these wholesome craft for (better sit down for this) a mere $80 thousand bucks.

Jake -

Thanks for the photos and congratulations! Old Francine is absolutely beautiful! I may have sailed her for 25 years but she was just waiting for you.

Jake -

Hopefully you were able to dry the boat out and continue restoring / refitting Francine. Please provide an update when you have a chance.

I anchored next to an Allegra 24 at Swans Island in Penobscot Bay on my first cruise in 1985. I didn't know what it was but it was captivating. When the sun went down, the interior was lit by a kerosene lantern. Despite its simplicity, it seemed like all the boat anybody would ever need. When I got up the next morning, it was gone. I've always hoped to see another and find out what it was but I guess they're pretty scarce on the East Coast.

Ebb - thanks for pointing out this special boat. One of life's great mysteries solved.

Mike Hoff
Nonsuch 26 #112 Evelyn May
former caretaker of Commander 131, Francine

Jake -

Eagerly awaiting photos. Please post if you have a chance.

Just viewed the beautiful picture of CommanderPete's boat, still in the water but sadly covered with snow. Up here in Massachusetts, my boat's sitting under a tree and I'm not looking forward to the next 5 months at the helm of my easy chair. There's gotta be a better way, so here's my question. If a New England sailor were to relocate to sail all winter, where would he find the best winter sailing in the U.S.?

Frank, thanks for recalling my comments on Wade and Forrest Dow and the Bridges Point 24. I'm enjoying my Nonsuch 26 (really a daysailor with amenities - see photos), but still lament selling Commander 131. As for opting off of Wade's waiting line to buy the Nonsuch, the BP 24 will forever be the beauty I let get away. She is pure, Joel White's Mona Lisa.

Mike Hoff
Nonsuch 26 #112
Lake Tashmoo, Martha's Vineyard

P.S. Jake - please post some pictures of Francine!

Bill -

I'd like to add my best wishes for a speedy recovery, and thanks for the work you do as moderator of this special community.

Though I'm enjoying my Nonsuch 26, my heart will always be with my Commander, the old Francine.

The latest pictures of Sea Glass may motivate some manufacturer to start producing these beauties again. Does anyone know if the mold still exists?

Congratulations on your new Commander. If you think you're enthusiastic now, wait until you get to know her. Great boat.

Now that you're thinking about the plumbing, its a good time to check the condition of the 2 cockpit drain hoses, each of which connects a cockpit drain near the companionway to a thru hull below. Check the hose clamps too. Most Commanders do not have seacocks installed on these thru-hulls, so if an old hose or hose clamp breaks, you could be in for a long swim.

Seacocks installed on these thru-hulls might provide safety in the event of a break in the hose, but most would be left open while the boat is moored unattended, or while underway to drain the cockpit as intended.

What do others think about installing seacocks on these thru-hulls?

Marty FYI:

Providence Craigslist listing for Nissan 6hp:
Nissan 6hp 4 Stroke Outboard - 10 hours - $1000

Reply to: sale-294925245@craigslist.org
Date: 2007-03-16, 9:18AM EDT

Bought 3 years ago and used only about 10 hours on a sail boat. We had a baby two years ago and sold the sail boat and went to power. Motor was used one season and then it was serviced by the dealer and has not been used since - stored indoors. Motor has the long shaft (20") and runs like a top. Exhaust through prop, quiet, starts on first pull and hums like a sewing machine. This motor lists for near $1,600.00 - get it now before the season heats up.


Location: Bristol
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 294925245

Marty -

Sorry for my mistakes regarding the length of the "long shaft" and the availablility of an alternator.

My Nissan 6 HP 4 Stroke came with the 20" "long" shaft and an 8 x 8 prop. It works well and doesn't cavitate. In 2005, it cost $1265.00 from Hawthorne Cove Marina in Salem. I also purchased the vertical start option part #369B059110 & #3b2059120 for $75.

Other options available included a 8"x7" prop for $50.00 and and alternator
$178 for + $140.00 installation.