“Alden Fiberglass Boats” List

southport · Dec 20, 2006

This is really great!

949N: TARNA/MUSKRAT/ 1960/ Halmatic/Derecktors/Smiths of Southport, ME.

2 more years to the 50th ann of the Challenger design, 4 to the first hulls, unless there were some in 1959. Hmmmmmmm....

I wonder if the gap between design & build was due to developing enough interest before the molds were built? I think Alden tries to keep their own list as well. We actually got an email Happy Holidays from them!

southport · Dec 20, 2006

Yes- Went to their website and you can order plans, etc for all their designs.

The Specifications were for design No. 937 (typed) and then 949 added in pen(cil). 937 was for a 27'-0" centerboard yawl dated July 17, 1958 initialled D.G.P.. From what I received there is an addenda No. 2 to Spec Design 937 which becomes design No. 949 on August 8, 1958- also intialled D.G.P.

It seem differences are small other than a reduction of draft from 4'-3" to 4'0" (which is still really small in my book!). With out going line by line the changes appear to be more cosmetic, but there is a section missing about hull construction, etc. I've wondered if they took a wood hull design and lessened the draft for a fiberglas hull (to compensate for weight) or ??? I'm not at all familiar with this end of yacht design but may be we can fill in the blanks.

How many 937a-z's are there??? What do they look like??

I've emailed back and forth with Niels Helleberg at Alden and he has been incredibly helpful about any questions. This is one I've never thought to ask. But I will!!

Dan Cassidy · Dec 20, 2006

949O Boat list update

Alden 949O was the only Challenger finished at the Saybrook Marine Company in Connecticut. Its original name was Windoon II. Subsequent names were Petrel, and Magic. Since our purchase in 2000 it has carried the name Fleana. Home port is now Bangor, Maine.

I made an inquiry to the Alden Company which indicated that they have record of 54.

Dan Cassidy

TomY · Dec 21, 2006

Thank you Iain for taking the time for this.

We'll all benefit, this is the master list already. I immediately thought of ECHO, the Challenger owned by the Cabot family and kept in Cabot Cove, Pulpit Harbor, North Haven Island, Maine. I don't see her yet.

Also, the Caravelle in Camden Harbor I've been onboard. I can't think of the name or owner but will in time.

This winter I plan to ask Alden again about the mystery of my boats builders plate. They had no idea why the plate has the correct number (letter Y) but the incorrect design # 917. Does anyone know what design 917 was, date etc?

Thank you again, I'll do some research in my neighborhood to hopefully plug a hole or two.

southport · Dec 21, 2006

I heard from Niels at Alden. He e-mailed their list of all Challengers built w/ orig owner, builder, etc. I don't know how to post it here- bubt I'll try. Send me an email and I'll attach it if your interested.

Apparently Challengers have a cousin- the 937 design is wood! 3" deeper draft & 750# more lead. One was built in 1963 for an owner in Aukland, New Zealand.

There also is a sloop/cutter challenger built in 1963 and finished by Molich. Only one was built but in all 56 Challengers were built..[/img]

TomY · Dec 22, 2006

Iain, I believe all were molded at Hallmatic.

I don't know of any built as anything but yawls. ECHO looks slightly different so may have been finished elsewhere. She look s all original and has aluminum spars(I believe that was an option)

Also, the Alden Caravelle in Camden Harbor Maine is named SATORI.

SATORI has the wooden cabinsides. Were the Caravelles all finished that way Iain?

Whit · Dec 26, 2006

949BB 1960/Yawl/Halmatic/Le Comte #35/Snow Goose/Hosanna II/Stormbird/Cotuit, MA

Dave Richardson · Jan 1, 2007

Wonderful list

Thank you for a huge effort.
To add a few details:
According to information sent to me from Alden, 949EE was originally owned by Frederick W. Ludwig, Jr., of Darien, Ct. and named "Mirily." Subsequent names included "Willing Slave," "Sunsong," and "Gypsea." And now "Essay."
She is still yawl rigged with aluminum masts and wooden booms, and was a product of Halmatic/LeComte.
Dave Richardson, Port Charlotte, Fla.

Dave Richardson · Jan 3, 2007

Iain, the designation 949EE comes from Niels Helleberg and also from the U.S. Coast Guard documentation, which lists the same original owner as listed with Alden and shows subsequent owners to the present. That's all I have; it seems consistent, if not totally conclusive.

TomY · Jan 4, 2007

Do I have the numbering clear?

Alden used the alphabet and omitted the letter "I,i" so A through Z is 25 Challengers. And then #26 is titled AA, 27 is BB etc. until the 25 double letters are again assigned. Then we go on to AAA which is in fact the 53rd Challenger built?

Iain, my boat lived as GANDER TOO for around 35 years in Hingham Mass owned by the Brewer family. It was their great care over those years that kept the boat in great shape. I've still no clue as to the Alden build plate being 917-Y. I'll be removing it this year(I have to rebuild the slide), there may be a clue on the back.

In the future, it may be worthwhile documenting any former owners or other info for these boats on a future site. This type of information erodes and would be useful for future owners.

This is wonderful. Can you bring the other Caravelle owners onboard the site here?

Bill Merrick · Jan 4, 2007

Information on Mistral 981-A

Iain,

Great work so far.

Here is the complete info on my Mistral, 981-A

981A/1964/Sloop/Halmatic[#1237]/Field[#1237]/Cortship/CARMINA/Seattle,WA

The dates on the 981 drawing is 1962 and the Mistral is referred to as a "Aux. "RFG" Keel Sloop. Actually 981-A, I have been told by Neils, was the only sloop, the rest were Yawls.

The Zephyr drawings, Model 959 are dated 1959 and the boat is referred to as Aux"RFG" C.B. Sloop.

The original owner of 981-A was B.B. Snyder, Jr. of Santa Cruz, CA

“Alden Fiberglass Boats” List

CaravelaofExe

southport

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CaravelaofExe

southport

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Dan Cassidy

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CaravelaofExe

TomY

CaravelaofExe

southport

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TomY

CaravelaofExe

Whit

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Dave Richardson

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CaravelaofExe

CaravelaofExe

Dave Richardson

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CaravelaofExe

TomY

CaravelaofExe

Bill Merrick

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