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PALMER JOHNSON - Alden 78 - For Sale

The Alden 78blends pedigree naval architecture and ocean-ready build quality: asail yachtrigged as acruising ketchwith a robustaluminum hullbyPALMER JOHNSON. Represented by Andrey Shestakov and Shestakov Yacht Sales, this 78-footer balances purposeful performance with long-range comfort for serious voyaging.

Selecting a Alden 78

Choose the Alden 78if you want a centerboard ketch that pairs classic J.G. Alden design with proven aluminum construction and practical long-cruise utility. With a single Caterpillar inboard diesel for efficient passagemaking, a 10-knot cruising pace, substantial fuel and water reserves, and four heads, it’s configured to support extended time offshore and at anchor.

Features of the Model

Centerboard hull configuration offering a notable draft range for varied cruising grounds (min 23.512 ft / 7.1666 m; max 45.932 ft / 14 m).

All-aluminum build: aluminum hulland aluminum deck, constructed byPALMER JOHNSON.

Hull by renowned designer J.G. Alden for capable bluewater handling.

Ketch rig: a balanced, versatile sail plan within the sail yachtclass, specifically acruising ketch.

Propulsion tailored to reliability: single Caterpillar inboard diesel; cruising speed 10 kn (11.51 mph).

Endurance-oriented capacities and layout fundamentals: fuel 1200 gal, water 1400 gal, and 4 heads.

Technical Specifications

Model: Alden 78

Builder: PALMER JOHNSON

Type: sail yacht/cruising ketch

Hull: aluminum; configuration: Centerboard; designer: J.G. Alden

Deck: Aluminum

LOA: 78 ft (23.77 m)

Beam: 18 ft (5.49 m)

Draft: min 23.512 ft (7.1666 m), max 45.932 ft (14 m)

Engines: 1 x Caterpillar, Inboard, Diesel

Cruising speed: 10 kn (11.51 mph)

Heads: 4

Fuel capacity: 1200 gal

Water capacity: 1400 gal

Pricing and Ordering

For current pricing, availability, and to discuss inspection and logistics for the Alden 78, contact Andrey Shestakov at Shestakov Yacht Sales. Our brokerage will guide you through offer strategy, surveys, refit planning, and delivery options for yachts byPALMER JOHNSON.

Questions and Answers

Q: What is the typeof theAlden 78? A: It’s asail yachtconfigured as acruising ketchwith a durablealuminum hull.

Q: Who is the builderand who designed thehull? A: Builder isPALMER JOHNSON, and the hull designer is J.G. Alden.

Q: What are the principal dimensionsanddraftrange? A: LOA 78 ft (23.77 m), beam 18 ft (5.49 m). Draft ranges from 23.512 ft (7.1666 m) minimum to 45.932 ft (14 m) maximum.

Q: What enginesetup andcruising speeddoes it have? A: 1 x Caterpillar Inboard Diesel; cruising speed is 10 kn (11.51 mph).

Q: What are the key capacitiesand onboardamenities? A: Fuel capacity 1200 gal, water capacity 1400 gal, and 4 heads support extended cruising. For opportunities to acquire aAlden 78, consult Andrey Shestakov and Shestakov Yacht Sales.

Owner Experience Review

Listings portray the Alden 78fromPALMER JOHNSONas a capable bluewater cruiser for serious passage-making. The ketch rig and substantial displacement are framed as seakindly and easy to balance, while the shoal-draft centerboard (about 7'2" up / ~14' down) lets you reach shallower harbors yet sail with deep-keel bite offshore. Under power, brokers cite roughly 10 knots on the main engine (Caterpillar 3208N), which is adequate for passagemaking schedules.

For living aboard and family cruising, the interior plan shows four cabins and four heads, with a forward owner stateroom, cherry joinery, and teak & holly soles. A U-shaped galley opens to the large salon with settees, a hi/lo table, and a built-in bar; aft, crew/aux quarters and a full nav center support owner-operated cruising with crew help. Tankage noted on listings is substantial—about 1,200 gallons of fuel and 1,400 gallons of water—supporting extended range and autonomy.

Maintenance expectations match a serious cruising yacht of this vintage. Spec sheets commonly list the Caterpillar 3208N (210 hp) and a Northern Lights 20 kW generator, along with a Navtec hydraulic centerboard—systems that warrant inspection of service records and hydraulics. Several listings highlight recent works such as hull and deck paint, new dodger/bimini, updated HVAC, Dometic electric heads, and a Victron inverter/charger; engine-room access is conventional via the companionway/under the cockpit for routine checks, though the age of systems remains a consideration.

Pros and Cons

Long-range fuel and water capacity and a ketch rig suit bluewater passagemaking.

Shoal-draft centerboard provides access to shallow harbors while retaining deep-keel performance when lowered.

Four cabins, four heads, an open U-shaped galley, and a dedicated nav center support family cruising and liveaboard use.

The Caterpillar 3208N main engine and Northern Lights generator are older units, so age-related upkeep should be expected.

The Navtec hydraulic centerboard and associated hydraulics add maintenance complexity.

Typical operation assumes an owner with crew support rather than true singlehand convenience.

Comparison with Other Models

Model	LOA	Beam	Draft	Speed (Cruising/Max)	Gross Tonnage
Alden 78	78' 0" (23.77 m)	18' 0" (5.49 m)	23' 6" (7.17 m) – 45' 11" (14 m)	10 kn	-
124 Sports Cruiser	120' 0" (36.58 m)	24' 0" (7.32 m)	21' 4" (6.50 m)	24 kn / 29 kn	-
PJ120	120' 0" (36.60 m)	23' 0" (7.12 m)	6' 6" (1.98 m)	15 kn / 26 kn	197
SuperSport	162' 0" (49.50 m)	35' 0" (10.78 m)	6' 3" (1.90 m)	18 kn / 25 kn	490
SportYacht 170 Series	171' 0" (52.40 m)	29' 0" (9.10 m)	6' 11" (2.10 m)	17.5 kn / 31 kn	495
PJ 135	136' 0" (41.45 m)	27' 0" (8.38 m)	6' 1" (1.86 m)	24 kn / 28 kn	305
80 Sportfish MY	80' 0" (24.38 m)	21' 0" (6.48 m)	29' 10" (9.08 m)	-	-
120	124' 0" (37.80 m)	24' 0" (7.47 m)	19' 0" (5.80 m) – 20' 4" (6.20 m)	19 kn / 28 kn	197
Motor Yacht	100' 0" (30.48 m)	23' 0" (7.01 m)	22' 12" (7 m)	10 kn / 21 kn	-
Tri - Deck FB	121' 0" (37.03 m)	25' 0" (7.62 m)	-	-	-