36' Alden Zephyr Sloop (1962) - MOTH

Moth is a classic “transition fossil” – Zephyr’s were the first all fiberglass Alden class, solid hand layup with hull top hat ribs and deck framing carefully laid in, wooden rudder, mahogany Herreshoff interior, all teak exterior trim, 15″ teak coamings, bronze fittings throughout.

She is a high quality build with bronze centerboard and trunk, monel water tanks, lead keel, and a wooden boat shape to her hull (hollow bow @ waterline, shaped counter stern. All deck hardware penetrations have deck pad above and wood plus glass pads below, with bronze fastenings. Most systems and fastenings are new or recently renewed.

Her cockpit is large, T-configuration, with bronze Whitlock pedestal, teak spoke and smooth rim wheel, White compass with 6 lens lantern and conical cover, Edson single handle engine control, drop leaf teak table. Currrent record is 13 for raft-up cocktails! Cockpit lockers are large enough to sleep in, so plenty of sail or gear storage.

Schaefer in-boom reefing/furling and self-tending club jib makes for easy short-handed sailing. Club and jib can be dropped for using Genoa when desired. Cutaway forefoot and large rudder make for in-length turns. Adjusting the centerboard neutralizes the helm, which will be nice for the autopilot going in this winter.

The beamy centerboard design allows both transom and pilot berths with drawers under, on either side of a fixed drop leaf table in the salon, with aft galley, stove to port, icebox to starboard. V-berth forward, then chain and bosun’s locker. Head to port, lockers to starboard amidships. The companionway stairs and sink box remove easily for engine and plumbing access.

Moth can usually be found somewhere between Block Island and Nantucket, often in Lake Tashmoo, Cuttyhunk, or anchored in one of the secluded coves scattered among the Elizabeth Islands. We get told wherever she goes, she’s the “prettiest boat in the harbor” – nice for a 60 yr old girl to hear!