Plastic Classic Forum

Here is a great site I found about the 2006 Voyage of the Alden Challenger "Fleana"(949O) From Bangor Main to Bangor Ireland and more.
Here is the link:
http://fleana.com/
A picture of Fleana

Jimmy Small

What was your process for bringing back tthe cabin sides(they look great, Teak?). What sort of finish did you use?
Jimmy Small

Where are you keeping her docked?
Jimmy Small

I just noticed this Rhodes 41 on Ebay. Looks like it needs some work, but pretty spiffy none the less.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Classic- ... dZViewItem

Jimmy Small

Are you at Wormley Creek Marina?
Jimmy Small

Who did the hauling with the hydraulic trailer?
Jimmy

It may go really cheap. The fellow selling it dropped the reserve to $1526.00.
Perhaps I need two Challenger projects? Or should I stay married?
Jimmy Small

There is an old pearson for sale on the Govt. Liquidation web site.

http://web.govliquidation.com/auction/e ... md=keyword
Jimmy Small

I had to cut down a small to medium sized Orange Osage tree in my yard today. It seemed very heavy and hard. I did some research and have found some references to it being the hardest native wood and to it being rot resistent. I wonder, would this be a good wood for a tiller, cleats, rubrail? Hmmm. ...

It seems a little cheesy(perhaps I'm wrong) ,but has anyone used this imitation teak and holly sole. It is sold on the Defender web site.

http://www.lonsealspecialty.com/lonwdteakholly.html

Jimmy

How many knot (or mph) wind gust would it take to knock a Triton down(90 degrees) with main and working jib up? I would imagine there is some mathmatical way of determining this, but being a history major math is a bit like voodoo to me.
Jimmy Small

Try Yukon Lumber in Norfolk Va. I have not been there but have heard good things about them.
Jimmy Small

http://www.yukonlumber.com/

Would the gps receiver, being in the cabin, cause any problem with it picking up signals?

Ok it is not a crusier, but I am having boat lust for a plastic classic Thistle. Does any one have expirience with the Thistle?

Jimmy Small

Could one extend the shine of a one part with the application of wax?

I was just wondering what kind of boat this is?
http://www.salvagedirect.com/asp/viewit ... 786&bhcp=1
Not buying, just curious.
Jimmy

I've had luck with "pics place"
http://picsplace.to/
Jimmy Small

I have noticed a 500 to 600 dollar price difference between rv and marine propane stoves(magic chef vs seaward for example) Is there a big difference or is it that being labled "marine" a premium may be charged?
Jimmy Small

I think it is a little worse than it looks (perhaps the photos are from before some work was done) according to some discussion on the Le Comte owners web site. Here is a link to a description from someone who visited the boat a couple of weeks ago. http://www.lecomteowners.com/index.php?option=com_...

This is a free program that you can use with a laptop and a GPS.It is called seaclear. http://www.sping.com/seaclear/ You can find free downloads of BSB charts at: http://www.freeboatingcharts.com/ oops! It looks like I am just repeating info, but together these work well, though I have not yet trie...

What kind of boat is Lions Whelp?

Yukon Lumber in Norfolk Va. might be an option. I have not been there myself, but my Dad says they are really great. They seem to have a nice variety of lumber for boatbuilding ect.
http://www.yukonlumber.com/
Jimmy Small
Triton #662
Challenger 949L

I am in Fork Union and plan to restore the Challenger at my house. I have a 1966 Pearson Triton at my mothers house on Goose creek, off Chisman creek in Seaford. Where do you have your boat?
Jimmy Small
Triton #662
Challenger 949L

Very cool boat!

I need to ship my Alden Challenger from near Tampa FL. to near Richmond VA. I want to keep it at my house, so I was thinking of trying to find someone with a hydraulic trailer. I also may wait until fuel prices are lower. Does anyone have any thoughts on a good, affordable marine transporter? Thanks...

Has anyone ever used Tek-Dek and is it any good? I was thinking of using it over plywood in a cockpit rebuild.
Jimmy Small

I think these are great looking boats. I have heard some say they were Alden's version of Finisterre, (other versions might be the Bermuda 40, or the Bristol 39/40). http://img5.picsplace.to/img5/1/1RLDay1962.jpg Here are links to a couple of Challenger web sites: http://www.sailingblackpearl.com/ h...

Thanks Rachel, that was a neat set of pictures. Tom Young's write up about Christmas in Good Old Boat, first introduced me to the Alden Challenger. I have also read his posts at the Alden Challenger Forum: http://949.reno2.com/index.php Most Challengers, as far as I can tell, had Mahogany cabins/dec...

I played history detective, and tracked down the daughters of the original owner. They were wonderful, emailing me stories about their memories of Kittiwake. This is one of the pictures they sent me of the boat in the 60's
Jimmy Small

I currently sail Triton#662, but have embarked upon a new folly. I recently purchased a 38ft 1961 Alden Challenger "Kittiwake" I plan to have it shipped from FL to my house in VA. I will keep sailing the Triton during the Challenger restoration. http://img5.picsplace.to/img5/1/webIM002418....