Carl Alberg (1900-1986)
Carl Alberg was one of the most prolific yacht designers of the 20th century with over fifty designs to his name.
Alberg's career coincided with the newly developing fiberglass boat-building techniques beginning in the late 1950s, and the founding of Pearson Yachts, one of the pioneers in the field. Thousands of boats designed by Alberg were built by Pearson and others, and most are still sailing to this day. Among his most well-known designs are the Pearson and Aeromarine Triton, Bristol 27, Pearson Ariel, Commander, Ensign, Alberg 30, Alberg 35, Alberg 37 and many of the Cape Dory designs.
Although a Swede by birth, the vast majority of his designs were built in the US where he spent most of his life. He was adamant about what he considered a good, safe design and resisted the trends toward fin keels, spade rudders and flat bottoms. His designs are typically recognizable, with long, graceful overhangs, low-slung sheerlines, narrow beam and sweeping full keels that are cutaway in the forefoot, designed to the CCA rules of the 1960s. It has been said that Alberg designed but one boat and simply scaled it up or down as needed.
This site is dedicated to Carl Alberg and the graceful, sea-kindly boats the "stubborn Swede" designed that have brought generations of sailors so much enjoyment.
Carl Alberg's yacht plans and drawings are now owned by the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA USA.