Vivacities in disguise on Hurley page?

I just found out that there is a page about the Alacrity on the Hurley Owner's Association's website. Hurley did build the Alacrity for a few years and she was even marketed as "Hurley Alacrity" in 1969. The webpage does contain some info and a picture gallery which contains some interesting pictures that I haven't seen before on the web. Unfortunately, however, it also shows three pictures of what looks like Vivacities...declared to be Alacrities...

Tips for buying an Alacrity

I have received some emails recently from people thinking of buying an Alacrity and asking for a list of typical things to check. This has even been discussed in the yahoo-group where I posted basically the same as below and did not get any opposition so I guess I have the rest of the crew with me.

As with all small fiberglass sailboats the things to check are the obvious ones. Most importantly of course the integrity of the hull. If the boat floats and does not leak the rest is fixable. :)
Next is rigging, that's mast, shrouds, stays, halyards and all that jazz and of course the sails. Sails are important to check as they are, together with the mast itself the most expensive things to replace. Shrouds, stays and halyards can be replaced quite easily for little money so should not be of great concern.
Finally the engine if there is one. As Alacrities generally have outboards it's not really a part of the boat and should not prevent anyone from buying the boat - but of course an old or unreliable engine should get you the boat for less money.

Sea Devil

Sea Devil is another Alacrity, owned by Jesse Gibbons from Poughkeepsie, USA. He writes:
I just wanted to send you a picture in case you want to put it up on the site, I will try to get some more this spring, It will have new paint on it and I am putting in a forward double berth in place of the single. I will be racing it this next year so Ill be sure to let you know how it goes.

I am looking forward to it!

Another new owner

David Appleby sent these pictures of his Davalon. He will soon start workning on her and I hope we will soon see more pictures documenting his progress.

Another Alacrity blog

I got an email from David in Cornwall who just had found this site. This is his story (or his wife's really):
"I have just found your websites and have had loads of fun looking at all ofthe pic's and reading your tales and adventures. We have just got our Alacrity 19 or 18'6" with a sail number of 862. At the time we did'nt even know what sort of boat it was we just liked the look of it.

The boat is called Spindrift and must have lots of history as there is a log on board which shows over 21000 miles not far off once around the world. My wife owns the boat is an artist and illustrator of childrens books. She also keeps a number of blog sites about here work and life, we have now started a new blog about her boat and its new life with us."

Here is the blog about Spindrift.

Another innocent member of the crowd

Carroll Owens just bought an Alacrity now named "Virginia's Dare", almost by mistake. Here is the story:

"I purchased an Alacrity 19 a couple of weeks ago not knowing what it was. There is a convoluted story connected to this event. The short version. I originally was searching for a 26 foot Westerly (twin keels specifically in mind). However, with limited sailing experience I decided to ease my way up from my current AMF Puffer to something a little larger before a substantial (for me) out lay of money. My wife and I could then see if we could handle the motivation, motion and maintenance of a daysailor/weekender. There had been a boat apparently for sale in side yard about 15 miles from our house. Quite a surprise finding it a twin keeler. I contacted the owner and, among other things, asked what model vessel it was. He said that he thought it was a Sterling.
Extensive web searching turned up very little on that score. I bought it regardless (against the advice of two sailing acquaintances) . I think the Sterling may have been the make of an outboard motor that is long gone. The fellow I purchased from got it from two others. Each had the intention of refurbishing. That didn't happen so now it is up to me.
Finally Googled "English twin keel sailboat", found some articles and photos so now I know what I have. I have looked at all 635 posts here and gained invaluable information. I am looking forward to the project and reading about everyone'sadventures posted here. I am located in Upstate New York about 40 miles inland from Henderson Harbor on Lake Ontario. Are there any Viv or Alacrity owners in this neck of the woods?"

Any other twin-keeler owners in the area are of course welcome to comment or drop a message in the yahoo groups forum, link to the right.

Sail plans and quotes

Just found an extensive array of sail plans on the sailrite website. There are six different Alacrity sail options, a mainsail, two different jibs, a genoa, a spinnaker and an assymetrical dito. The website even offers quotes for new sails online.
Link to the website.