The Association has a free Alohaowners Forum which is the primary means of communication among AOA members. As a class, Alohas are well built yachts and don’t suffer too many problems, but when you do have a question, you can be pretty sure someone will be on hand to answer it. Hardly a day goes by without somebody asking an interesting question and getting the benefit of others experience.
The Aloha 34 (10.4) owners’ group website can be found at Aloha 34 Network.
Before (and for some while after) introducing the Aloha range, Ouyang also manufactured a number of Matilda 16, 20 & 23 boats. We are not aware of any owners association for these boats, but more information can be found on this Matilda Sailboats web page.
Information, advice and parts for the BMW marine diesels such as the D7 fitted to many Aloha 27 (8.2)s are available from: Sealand Power Industries
Moyer Marine carry (and in some cases have re-manufactured) a huge range of spares and service items for the Atomic 4, as well as offering manuals, “how-to” videos, etc. Nuclear Engines also carry a range of Atomic 4 parts including a new replacement (as opposed to rebuilt) distributor solution which they have developed.
For information on Universal, Westerbeke and Yanmar diesels try
Torresen Marine Diesel Direct (who are dealers for all three) or
Hansen Marine Engineering (Westerbeke & Universal Dealers) or
Westerbeke/Universal or
Yanmar Diesel America
For the Farymann engines fitted to a some Aloha 27 (8.2) & 28 (8.5)s, see their US website at
Farymann Diesel US or
this helpful parts distributor
Entec West Inc
The Volvo Penta website includes a neat “dealer locator”
Many Aloha models are fitted with Beckson opening ports. Details of spare parts for these can be found on the Beckson website. Others used ports made by Gray Enterprises – Gray subsequently became part of the Pompanette Group of marine equipment manufacturers and spares for these can be found by following the Bomar/Gray links on the Pompanette website.
Atkins & Hoyle supplied the forehatch/skylight assemblies used on most Alohas, and carry details of a full range of spare parts on their website.
The stanchions and pulpits for most Aloha models were supplied by Tops-in-Quality Inc of Port Huron. They are still in business and more details can be found on their website.
For a period most models were supplied with the Dickinson Newport Solid Fuel Heater. Specifications, manuals and spares can be found on the Dickinson Marine website.
Barlow/Barient winches are no longer in business, having been taken over by Lewmar who don’t seem to offer service support. According to their website The Australian Winch Co has obtained much of the original Barlow/Barient tooling and has all of the technical data and product information for these winches. We now have copies of some of the Barlow Specification and Service Information in the Manual Download section of the Forum.
Many Alohas were fitted with Schaefer Spars – Schaefer sold that division to Hall Spars & Rigging in the early 80’s. Find them at 33 Broadcommon Rd., Bristol, RI 02809, Tel: 401-253-4858 Fax: 401-253-2552 or see their website at www.hallspars.com. Others were supplied with Cinkel Spars, and it seems Evert Bastet at EB Spars Inc, Hudson, Quebec 514-327-7277 has stocks of many parts to maintain these.
For other rigging questions try Brion Toss Rigging or the Selden Spars site (as well as masts, Selden are manufacturers of the Furlex furler, and many other rigging components).
Some Aloha models were equipped with wheel steering either as standard or as a factory fitted option, and the systems were supplied by Edson who have a very informative website. Lewmar subsidiary Whitlock are another major supplier of steering systems. Access the Lewmar website and then follow the “Steering” link from the menu.
Some models were fitted with Easylock Rope Clutches on the cabin top. Over time, the levers on these tend to become brittle and break off. Rig-Rite Inc offer Replacement Handles or Complete Replacement Rope Clutch Units .
PYI Inc – makers of the PSS Shaft Seal
Alohas don’t seem to suffer too badly from blisters, but the answers to any questions you have on the subject can probably be found in the Yachtsurvey.com articles on osmosis & blisters. Also see Clarence Dumouchelle’s website for details of a bottom-peeling machine, also available as a mobile service at reasonable rates.
The BoaterEd site is “Dedicated to Boater Education & Training” and contains an incredibly comprehensive searchable archive of BoaterEd forums (around 25,000 topics and over 100,000 posts!) with articles and advice of every kind.
Aloha PHRF (handicap rating) information
Sailboat Ratio information and Calculator