Aloha Owners Association
Alohaowners Forum Boards => Aloha Discussion => Topic started by: Sheila on March 01, 2006, 10:56:46 AM
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Hi:
We've an offer in on Malcontent, an 1984 Aloha 28 lying Mimico. This will be our first boat (so we're really excited about this!). We had her surveyed by Peter McGuire and are negotiating getting a few things fixed.
We'd appreciate any insights that you have about the 28 in general as Aloha owners. We've read everything we can about them, including all the great info on this site, but nothing substitutes for those who own one.
Thanks,
Sheila
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HI Sheila,
A couple of years ago at the Rendezvous ant Mimico I had the pleasure of meeting Walter and enjoying a cool "adult beverage" onboard MALCONTENT.
You will be hard pressed to find a more well looked after and well appointed Aloha 28. While many boats can offer cool beverages, few can attain the lovely ambiance that Walter has created. I'm sure you will be very happy wit the Aloha 28 and with MALCONTENT in particular. Here is an article I wrote for SailNet some time ago. Although I'm abviously biased I tried to stay subjective. I have described the features on my particular model, a 1981, but the overall comments apply to any Aloha28.
Traditional design and layout, some people call it "old" or "early eighties". Well built by production standards, solid. It's not a sleek design, more of a raised coachhouse. Steering is a bit heavy when motoring, the prop is offset and washes against the port side of the rudder. (I find an autohelm makes up for this). Turning is slightly hampered due to a skeg hung rudder, however this makes for a stronger rudder and much better tracking. I often leave the helm well balanced on it's own. There is plenty of storage in two large cockpit lockers. There is a big strong anchor roller and a large anchor locker. The mast is deck stepped. There is lots of storage below behind many teak louvered cabinet doors, under and behind both setees and under the V berth. . A There is a hanging locker opposite the head. There are several shelves beside and forward of the hanging locker, with a cupboard below. There is lots of wood below, the sole is gelcoat. The head is enclosed and is roomy ( well it's all relative, right ). The boat sleeps 4 adults, 2 in the vberth, 2 in the main saloon port settte and one child on the stbd settee. The V berth is very large for a 28' boat and a large forward hatch gives lots of light and ventilation. There are louvered doors on cupboards linning both sides of the v berth and a small forepeak locker as well. Ventilation in general is very good, there are 6 opening ports, all screened and 2 other large windows. The starboard setee in the main cabin is too short for an adult to sleep comfortably. (the stove and oven take up a bit of room). The Port side folds out to a nice double but this does constrict the passsageway slightly. The ice box is to port below the companionway with the sink and stove/oven to starboard. The hull shape is a bit outdated, the stern tends to curve inward rather than the large wide sterns of 1990's boats.
There is a review by Canadian Yachting Magazine at :
http://www.canyacht.com/aloha85.html
Send me a note if you would like more information.
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I love our A28 as well and endorse everything Dennis has said.
I can't even think of anything to "warn" you about except, maybe, for "prop walk" which carries the stern of the boat to port when applying reverse thrust, which some folk find disconcerting at first. Once understood and practised a little, this can be used to advantage in manouvering or wanting to turn in a tight space - see the article "Mastering the Tight Turn" at http://www.alohaowners.com/pages/projects/turn/turn.jpg on the main website. When going in to dock (unless some other factor such as layout or wind conditions precludes this) I always go in forwards, port side to the dock at a few degrees angle and then use reverse to bring the boat to a halt and at the same time tuck it neatly in to the dock. I also chose my marina berth to take best advantage of this characteristic.
On the v-berth I confirm it is very large for the size of boat. I am 6'4" tall, but when it's just my wife and I on board we always sleep very comfortably in the v-berth meaning we can leave the salon ready for use.
Have a great time with "Malcontent"
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Malcontent is now ours, and in the water. Today we're learning how to finish rigging her, and tomorrow the plan is to take her out for a sail with her previous owner "supervising". It's really exciting! Thanks for the posts and info as we went through this process.
It would be great to know of other Aloha 28s in Toronto Harbour.
Sheila
Malcontent
Toronto