Alcanboats Forum

Our Alcan 290 "Little Blue Whale" is in Parry Sound moored across from the town in a serious non-party marina with gorgeous views and quiet. We have paid this years mooring fees and these are included in the price. So there is an instant cottage to be had with loads of exploration and mooring in the...

thanks Frank,
i don't feel so alone in the 290 world now.
robert

I will not be able to drive the boat to the rendez-vous, since we just got into Toronto. But if it is anywhere near or on the Trent, i would love to drive over and say hi to all and bring some photos at best.
regards
Robert Stork
Alcan 290 -Little Blue Whale
Toronto Island Marina

I am glad to read this post. Our 290 has been blocked poorly throughout its life and has dented the keel. There is nothing except thin skin and foam. I have encourage all blocking and support to take weight at the sides and transom. The marinas are useless, and they keep doing it the same way (the 3...

If you have a solid swim platform this Dinghy lift is a great solution. The weight sits on the platform and the boat goes in the water quickly and easily with one rope. I saw this a few years ago, and i thought it novel. I just had it installed. My Zodiac is 11' and can carry a 10hp motor. The guy w...

The Alcan 290 weights about 12000 lbs. and does float.
I would love this brochure.
robert stork

Hello everyone, All alcan 290's are full of foam, from front to back, and this is what provides structure, stiffness, and warmth, and float for the disaster. Yes a 290 will float when filled with water. So foaming the front triangular space may provide some grace in case your Sea Villa goes into a h...

My table will do exactly as yours or others, lower to sit on edges at front of each bench. Back rest cushions will fit over table area. But how do you guys raise and lower the table? Brute force lifting? and then throw a leg underneath and hook it on the wall with pre-formed double J-brackets to cat...

Hello everyone! I have slacked off but the next phase of interior restoration is on the way for our Baby Alcan 290 (Baby Blue Whale, formally "Holdfast"). Unfortunately we are not in the water since i tore things apart last fall. So the next phase of work involves building things back to the way the...

I agree that the business card is a big first step. If you are making some for the site, let me know. This summer i would go over to the few boats we saw, and where possible encourage and tell them about the website. But to leave a card with the address promoting it would be very helpful. Bits of pa...

david,

I will do my best to get and provide scans come Sept. I will keep you posted

robert

Let us not forget to put the Alcan 290 on that list. I have a plate on the underside of the steering station and will get the info. this weekend. Otherwise i admit to having removed my registration number on the side of the hull from the last paint job. the intent is to put it back as well as give t...

Thanks everyone, We have been cruising. our boat, Little Blue Whale, has a 225 HP v-8, OMC with drive. We have no gen. but probably too much stuff. I will use all the advice to rough guess. i tend to think wet weight (with two adults and two kids) at about 11,000 lbs. when i rev. up to 4000- 4500 rp...

All, i have managed to photo copy the nov. 1969 issue with cover story from magazine Family House Boating: "Cruising in the Alcan 370" As well as other article from Motor Boating: " Sailor Meets Houseboat" and other 370 info. and data from a 370 owner in Port Credit. I have photo copied a binder ful...

Rob, We are currently moored next to a gorgeous one-off Sparkmann and Stephens wooden boat built in Maine about 30 years. This sailboat has spent the last 10 years in fresh water and has a gorgeous teak deck, which has never been varnished. The current owner refuses to do so and it looks grey great....

David,

Thanks for all your work. We are unfortunately quite a boat distance away in Parry Sound, but we intend to start our move back down the Trent next year, and look forward to connecting with everyone.

Robert Stork

Perhaps some of you 370 owners know what the design weight of my alcan 290 boat could be, or you know of someone who has one. I would like to avoid the lift out of the water and the drive over to a weight scale. I need this to do calculations for required H.P. and see what it would take to get it on...