The old reader's boats picture archive

• Alacrity pics: Patricia
• Alacrity pics: The Rose
• Alacrity pics: Retrograde
• Alacrity pics: Greyhound
• Alacrity pics: At last
• Alacrity pics: Britina
• Alacrity pics: Smurfen
• Alacrity pics: Midnight Special
• Alacrity pics: Naiad
• Alacrity pics: Kindly Light
• Alacrity pics: Sabre
• Alacrity pics: Scaramouche
• Alacrity pics: Mistral
• Alacrity pics: Mistral II
• Alacrity pics: Travis Treat
• Alacrity pics: Cloe
• Alacrity pics: Demone
• Alacrity pics: Minimo
• Alacrity pics: Kama'aina
• Alacrity pics: Jorica
• Alacrity pics: Teal
• Alacrity pics: Crwydryn
• Alacrity pics: At C
• Alacrity pics: Broadway Blew
• Alacrity pics: Cee-J
• Alacrity pics: Sasparilla
• Alacrity pics: Harry Rowe
• Alacrity pics: Appledore
• Alacrity pics: Bellissimo
• Alacrity pics: Cecilia
• Alacrity pics: Butzel
• Alacrity pics: Morannedd
• Alacrity pics: Sweet Pea
• Alacrity pics: Rick Scott
• Alacrity pics: Bow Bells
• Alacrity pics: See-Hund
• Alacrity pics: Xena
• Alacrity pics: Serenity
• Alacrity pics: Jaconte
• Alacrity pics: Celtic Roamer
• Alacrity pics: Under Foot
• Alacrity pics: Heron
• Alacrity pics: Elsie Too
• Alacrity pics: Kate

Alacrity pics: Patricia

This is Dan McEachern's Alacrity "Patricia". Dan lives in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. He bought the boat in June 2003. It has not been in the water since 1995. He is now restoring the boat to be launched next spring. Here is what he told me about his boat so far:
"Our problem out here in the great southwestern desert of course is heat and sun so good UV protection in any products you are using is vital. The sun is deadly on fiberglass and wood. Both must be either covered or cared for constantly. I have been re-oiling the teak for weeks and it still wants more! So far, I have replaced the front hatch and the companionway hatch, re-fiberglassed the entire cockpit area, and removed the pulpit for clean up, straightening and painting. The tabernacle was rusted and I am having a new one built. I have restored the rudder. I also have an original 3hp British Seagull outboard that the previous owner says runs perfectly. It came with the boat. My next big project is to build a cradle and get the boat off the trailer. The keels need to be re-glassed, then the bottom paint. Then its on to rigging and the interior, electrical, I am tired just writing this!"

Dan has promised some more pictures and comments on his project's further development as it goes along.
As a start, here are some more "before pictures" and some tips on fiberglass repais.

Alacrity pics: The Rose

When Graham Bell bought this Alacrity it had been going up and down with the tide for five years and was covered in green mould. Now he has cleaned the bottom and sanded the hull which he intends to paint pale blue.

Graham has also cleaned the deck and has already purchased a 4hp outboard.

This is how "The Rose" looks in spring 2004. Graham has applied two under coats and two gloss coats to the hull. He also has painted the bottom, sanded the woodwork and put two coats of stainer on it. The boat looks really great.

Alacrity pics: Retrograde

This is Mark Stipetic's Alacrity "Retrograde" which he has been fixing up after some Hurricane damage. Mark lives in Wilmington, North Carolina, USA.

His story:
"The guy I got it from - his dad bought it about 1973. He sailed it as a boy in the Pamlico Sound, North Carolina.
It had not moved or been sailed for 10-12 years (in salt water the whole time).
The boat was hit by many hurricanes -"Floyd" and "Fran" were direct hits on it. "Cape Fear" is right here. Lightning finally sunk the boat. It came down the shrouds and put two holes in port side and one in the starboard side. After much thought, I decided to salvage it. It was free. I estimate I put $750 and 2 years work into it to get it looking and sailing good.
There is no electrical system in it though. So no running lights yet. I'm working on that."

Alacrity pics: Greyhound

This is George Bollenbacher's Alacrity "Greyhound". George sails on the Hudson River north of New York. The boat is named "Greyhound" because he also owns two "retired racing hounds".
The smaller picture shows co-owner Jacob preparing "Greyhound" for a sail at the Tarrytown Marina.
Edit: this boat now as a new owner.

Alacrity pics: At last

Tom Meara's father bought this Alacrity in 1975. Tom learned to sail in her and she
safely got him through some heavy weather during a few "ill-planned voyages of his youth".
After 30 years in salt water, he totally restored the boat and fitted a completely new interior.

Alacrity pics: Britina

This "Britina", sail no AY-65. The boat is now owned by Ulf Lange from Bremen, Germany.
The pics here have been taken by the previous owner, Dierk Thomsen. It seems to be an Alacrity Mk1 despite the double windows. Dierk also has a wooden Mast.
Dierk lives in Hamburg, Germany and sailed his boat in the Elbe Estuary.