What is an Albacore?

My long time 505 crew asked me just that - I thought for a minute and told him that "…it is a cross between an Interclub dinghy and a 505" — both boats with which he is intimately familiar. With rounded bilges and a plumb bow, the 240 lb Albacore hull resembles a 15-foot Thistle. A deep, airfoil section centerboard and rudder make the Albacore exceptionally maneuverable. The Albacore’s rig uses swept spreaders supporting a tapered mast, a powerful vang, and adjustable jib halyard and other sail controls to depower in high winds - enabling both light and heavy crews to race head to head in all but the most extreme conditions. The powerful, rig and easily driven hull give excellent performance over a wide range of conditions. The Albacore is a boat that is both simple to get into at first, and one which will challenge your tuning and tactical skills for the rest of your life.

The real proof is in the sailing. The Albacore is a great first boat for those who are just learning to sail and a very competive racer for more advanced sailors. While the Albacore is a fast and lively boat, it is relatively easy to get up to speed and the racing is very tactical. A very versitile boat, it is often sailed by husband/wife and parent child combinations. Some of the all women teams are the most competitive in the class. Albacore sailors comprise an eclectic group from all ages and walks of life including students, professionals, senior executives, and retirees ranging in age from 15 to 71.

Albacore Sailing in Washington, DC

The Potomac River Albacore Fleet has existed since the late 1960’s. Events range from low key cruising, day sailing, and instruction, to local and regional racing, to top-level international competition. To start, the Potomac River Albacore Fleet (PRAF) conducts low-key fun racing every Wednesday night between 1800 and 2000 hrs during the summer - sailing right off the dock at the Washington Sailing Marina, located just south of Reagan National Airport. The Albacore class has been running short course races on Wednesday evenings for over two decades and will typically see 8 to 15 boats on the water. The format is casual. Boat owners are encouraged to rotate a different crew in for each of the 5 or 6 fun races, so everyone gets a turn. No reservations are needed and everyone is invited — just show up and sail.

This year, two past PRAF members donated their boat to the fleet. Several fleet members worked over the winter to rebuild and rig it for racing. This boat has served well as a demonstrator this summer. Anyone can reserve it for a weekend regatta or a Wednesday night. PRAF will ask for a small donation help defray expenses - for details about how to try out an Albacore see the PRAF web site.

The Potomac River Albacore Fleet has grown to 100 members and over 50 boats.

The most recent local growth has been from those who live in Northern Virginia, or the District, and are looking for something closer to home. These sailors have found the Albacore to be a neat alternative and, in some cases, addition to their sailing pursuits in Annapolis or other Bay locations. Now they sail Albacores on Wednesdays only a few minutes from their home or office and still see all of the Chesapeake Bay they want on weekends.

Weekend racing on the Potomac River is low key and convenient to the Northern Virginia and Washington DC areas. The PRAF participates in the Potomac River Sailing Association’s (PRSA) spring and fall series’, which are conducted between Haines Point and Reagan National Airport on Sundays, along with Lightnings, an assortment of catamarans, and other classes. Twenty-two Albacores participated in the 1999 PRSA Spring Regatta. Wind during the spring and fall can be ample — and the combination of shifty breeze and variable current velocity make for challenging, tactical racing.

Close, Tactical Racing on the Potomac River

Albacores on the Chesapeake and beyond

Beyond the Potomac, the Albacore is raced in Virginia, Maryland, New York, Florida, New Jersey, and several provinces in Eastern Canada. In particular, the Albacore is well represented at events on the Chesapeake Bay one design regatta circuit. With a 1998 average of 14.75 boats on the line, as reported in the April 1999 "Spinsheet," (page 76) the Albacore has better participation than any other one design class raced on the Chesapeake Bay.

Consistently Better Turn-Out than Any Other One Design on Chesapeake Bay -1998 Average of 14.75 Starters- -1999 Average of 25.54 Starters- -2000 Average of 21.56 Starters-

A well-attended series of National and International championships serves to satisfy the competitive urges for hard-core racers. The Albacore is currently raced in seven countries, and a World or International Championships is held every two years. In 1999, the International Championships was hosted in the United States at the Rehoboth Bay Sailing Association in Delaware. This was a weeklong event from October 9 — 15, 1999 with 66 teams participating. See the United States Albacore Association web site or the Canadian Albacore Association web site for further information about upcoming regattas.

Getting Started

Over 30 new Albacores were built in North America alone during the past year for new owners in Canada and the United States. Ontario Yachts is the primary North American builder. They build a great boat with simply equipped standard models going for about US$5,600 and top competition models incorporating modern sandwich composite construction, fully fitted out with top quality fittings and ready to race for around US$7,000, including sails.

A second hand boat is a great way to get started on a tight budget. Competitive racing boats in good condition sell for around $3,800 and a good starter boat can be purchased for $1,500 or less. Many Albacores will have a competitive life of well over 15 years, and there several 20 to 40 year old boats that regularly place at the top of the fleet. Campaigning an Albacore is economical: new sail purchases are limited to one per year by Class rules, and are typically done in groups to keep costs down. Much of the racing is at venues where camping is possible and the boat can be trailered behind a small car.

The real proof is in the sailing. While the Albacore is a fast and lively boat, it is relatively easy to get up to speed and the racing is very tactical. PRAF members comprise an eclectic group from all ages and walks of life including students, professionals, senior executives, and retirees who range in age from 15 to 71. One Albacore is currently owned by a member of the US Senate. Truly, there is something in the Albacore and PRAF for everyone who loves sailing.

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