OUR NEW BOAT

Tractatus

On October 27, 2012 we became the new owners of a restored 1966 Alberg 35 saiboat named Tractatus. We purchased the boat from William Wildman, a gentleman and sailor from Escanaba, MI. We drove 6.5 hours each direction in order to seal the deal.  We sure got more than a few second glances at the 15 ft lovely spruce boom that was tethered to the top of our Expedition on the return trip.

The journey has been long but worth the distance.  Dave can count 20 plus boats that he/we looked at during our search.  In the beginning there was the Cape Dory in Afton, MN, left open to the weather. This former beauty was full of water with a four foot tree growing out of the companionway hatch. And, it was for sale; sad!  Then there was the Ericson 29 with decks so soft that the Marina wouldn't put it back in the water for fear that the mast would fall on a neighboring boat.  Dave looked at every available boat, 28 to 35 feet, that was within reasonable cost and driving distance.  We looked at boats that were beyond our means and we looked at one boat that was FREE!  Most boats would have been too much of a project boat at too high of an expense to make any sense.  Many of the boat owners we encountered had a unrealistic view of the condition and value of their vessel.  The Allied Seabreeze we visited in Bayfield is a good example.  The owner obviously loved his boat.  It was on a cradle at a small boatyard under repair for damage to the keel.  The owner offered to let us sleep on board during our visit.  We were amazed to find a unkempt, home handiman, project boat with so much crap aboard that there was no place to lay our head had we wanted to.  Sailboat people are funny people. Disclaimer:  I can say this because Dave and I are sailboat people too!

Dave took an inventory of all the new items on Tractatus.  The list (in no particular order), includes:

30 hp Nanni diesel

all new tanks and lines

water heater with pressure water

cockpit coamings
toe rail cap

standing rigging

running rigging
roller fuller
all deck fittings had balsa removed and replaced with apoxy and oversized backing plates
mast step rebuilt and strengthened
larger chainplates installed

interior completely removed to allow for new and larger engine compartment

all bulkheads strengthened and tabbed to the hull with epoxy

hull was insulated and covered with teak

new interior sunbrella upholstery
completely rewired with new main panel and batteries
new teak and holly sole
custom bowsprite with dual anchor rollers

windlass

custom bobstay

auto pilot

new tiller

exterior fireproof propane box

new gimballed propane stove and oven

bottom stripped and any voids epoxied with epoxy barrier coat and fresh bottom paint

topside allgripped

non-skid redone and cabin and deck allgripped

spruce boom replaced with aluminum boom and new main sail

new 150% roller furling jib

North Code Zero cruising spinnaker

custom wooden swim ladder

Dave was able to contact the former owner who verified all the work that was done to this Alberg.  He gave Dave more details on the history of the boat and was happy to hear of our plans to put her name back to Mystic.  He asked Dave about the price we paid for her and told him that we got one hell of a boat for the price.  We are so happy that we found Tractatus/Mystic and can call her ours.  Next spring...the fun begins!

Starboard galley with gimballed stove

Cabin Heater

Tractatus at anchor