The Albin 25 Makes People Smile

I always enjoy taking friends out on Ticaboo. There is something about the A-25 that makes people smile. Maybe it is the security of the high freeboard, or maybe it is the motion of the boat on the water but everyone enjoys a ride.

The attached pictures were taken on Lake Pleasant with my friends Joan & Eric and Joan's brother from Toronto, Canada. We spent a day cruising around the lake, in mid 70 degree weather in December. This is the time of year you want to be on the water in Arizona.

Some of you, who know I'm converting Ticaboo to a motor-sailor, might notice the mast step on the cabin top. I still have to install the chainplates and the mainsheet terminal and Ticaboo will be transformed from a trawler to a motor-sailor.

Lake Pleasant Pictures

Lake Pleasant in December

When you live in Phoenix, you take advantage of the beautiful weather in December, to get out on the water. I spent two days recently exploring Lake Pleasant, which is located just northwest of Phoenix. This was Ticaboo's first trip on Lake Pleasant. I wasn't familiar with this lake, except for some sailboat racing I did years ago.

The lake is fed by the Agua Fria River and water that is pumped from the Colorado River. Water is stored in Lake Pleasant before being released into the Central Arizona Project Canal, which takes the water south, as far as Tucson. Most of the water is used by the cities of Phoenix and Tucson but the water is also used for irrigation. The attached pictures are of the Agua Fria River arm of the lake, which winds for miles through narrow canyons.

Former Owner At The Helm

New Yanmar 3YM30 installed

New Instruments

Aft Cabin Almost Finished

Aft Cabin Work

Completed Forward Cabin

Forward Cabin Work

Full Moon on Meldrum Bay, Ontario, Canada

Ticaboo ready for launch after restoration

First Blog

Hi All:

This blog will chronicle the journeys of Ticaboo. Ticaboo is a 1970, 25' Albin Deluxe trawler, soon to be motor-sailor. Ticaboo is a Piute Indian word meaning "Friendly."

In 2009 Ticaboo underwent an entire restoration from the keel to the deck joint. Everything from the engine to the propeller was replaced and Ticaboo is now powered by a Yanmar 3YM30. The gelcoat was restored by wet sanding and new bottom paint was applied.

I stripped out the interior and rear cabin liner and all the woodwork and installed a new foam backed vinyl liner in both cabins. I did this work myself and wished several times, that I had a third arm.

I replaced all the plumbing in the boat and completely upgraded the 12 V. electrical system with two, new, breaker panels. I could go on and on about the work that took a year to complete. Pictures tell the story better, so take a look.

I'm always interested in hearing from other boaters and boating enthusiasts, so let me know your thoughts and if you have questions, I'll try and answer them.

I've taken Ticaboo on two extended cruises, so far. The first was on Lake Huron the summer of 2009 and to Lake Powell in the fall of 2009. Ticaboo is based in the Phoenix, Arizona area.