Hey Everyone,

I'm a new member, and interested in converting my (new to me) 1966 Alberg 30 to a junk rigged sloop.  My family recently moved up from our beloved West Wight Potter 19 because the four of us no longer fit in the cockpit.  We sail out of Henderson Harbor, New York, USA on Lake Ontario.  We have loved sailing the Alberg 30 this past summer! She is sweet sailing boat, and built tough!

I am interested in conversion to a junk sloop, and have had preliminary conversions with Andy Dize, and an email exchange with Sebastian at Tuchwerkstatt. 

I am admittedly not a craftsman, and so my proposed project approach is as follows:

1. Find someone who can complete the overall rig design, including mast selection, and mast step and partners design. 

2  Have the mast step and partners installed by a local boat builder.  I anticipate the installation to be very similar to Arne's article in Issue 76 (February 2018).  I have a friend who runs a metal shop and can fabricate metal components for the mast step mount and partners.  

3. Procure a mast in the USA.  Aluminum preferred.

4. Purchase a junk sail, source to be determined - maybe Tuchwerkstatt, and have the yard and battens built locally by a boat builder to the junk rig sail designers specifications. To my untrained eye, I think Arne Kverneland's Johanna 60 Master sail at 43.9 sqm would be a good place to start.

I am interested in feedback from the group on my approach before I go any further.

Thank you,

Joe Alfieri