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John G. Alden
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YACHT DESIGNER
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John Gale Alden stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the great American yacht designers of the 20th Century. He is ranked with such designers as Starling Burgess, Nathaniel Herreshoff, Olin Stephens and Philip Rhodes.
Alden’s contribution to yacht design is written in the lines of his yachts. Seakindly and comfortable, these ocean-going yachts were made for the real world. He was critical of some of the overly tender cruising yachts of his day, of which he said, they sail “on their ear.”
John G. Alden
Yacht Designer
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MALABAR VIII
Design No. 331 Built 1927 LOA 54’ • LWL 39’ |
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MALABAR X
Design No. 453 Built 1930 LOA 58’ • LWL 44’ |
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TIOGA TOO
Design No. 687 Built 1939 LOA 53’6” • LWL 37’6” |
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Click to see photo of MALABAR
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John G. Alden
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YACHTSMAN
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In 1923, not only did his MALABAR IV win the Bermuda Race, his Malabars took three of the first five places. In 1932, MALABAR X set the record with three other of John's schooners right behind. This time period was his “golden age” – when his designs dominated ocean racing and when Alden listed more boats in Lloyd’s than any other designer. The MALABAR name would be used again by him, for ketch-rigged cruisers (up to MALABAR XIII) and for an early production boat, the sloop-rigged MALABAR JUNIOR (of which some 65 were built). |
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John G. Alden
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YACHT BROKER
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John G. Alden opened his design office in 1909, and right from the start he was involved in building and selling yachts. John Alden would occasionally build a yacht “on spec” – acting as designer, owner, broker and insurer.
By the time the first world war ended, Alden’s brokerage department was well-established, with full-time yacht brokers on staff.
In a full page ad that appeared in YACHTING magazine’s January 1928 issue, John Alden set the policy that guides Alden’s yacht brokerage to this day:
“Based on the belief that to buyer and seller alike the reliable yacht broker is of the utmost importance, this department has enjoyed a constantly increasing business for the past ten years. To establish a reputation as a dependable broker, a conservative policy in selling second-hand yachts is necessary.
Our policy, which has resulted in an increasing business every year since the war, is conservative. We endeavor
To supply reliable information
To express our frank opinion of boats we know
To sell yachts suitable to the particular needs of our clients at prices fair to both seller and buyer.”
This tradition of service to our clients goes back to the earliest days of our company and continues to this day at the Alden Yacht Brokerage. Honesty, frankness and fairness have been part of John G. Alden's corporate culture and we are proud to carry on this tradition of service to our clients in today's Alden Yacht Brokerage.
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1987 Alden Yachts 52 Cruising Sailboat |
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Alden Yachts, A Separate Company |
During the 1960's Alden began building its own designs at various yards including Hodgdon Brothers in East Boothbay, the Danish Molich yard, and the Dutch LeComte yard and later at its facilities in Rhode Island. In April of 1996 the RI operation was sold to a group of investors. In order to distinguish themselves from the original John G. Alden Company in Boston, they are licensed to use the name "Alden Yachts". |
Unlike some companies that are bought and sold, and change hands frequently, John G. Alden, Inc. (our parent company) has remained remarkably stable. In over nine decades, the company has changed ownership twice.
The first change in ownership came when John G. Alden retired in 1955. He sold the company to Donald Parrot, Bill Anderson and Dave Heilner. Donald Parrot, who went to work for John Alden as a broker around 1950, carried on the business with his associates until 1967, when they sold it to the present owner, Tillotson Corporation.
Under Mr. Tillotson's guidance, Alden expanded and modernized its operations in the Yacht Brokerage, Naval Architect and Marine Insurance divisions. The company's offices were also moved from Atlantic Avenue to our present location on Commercial Wharf.
He built and operated a number of international businesses (including Tillotson-Pearson, Inc., builder of quality cruising and racing sailboats) and was considered a quintessential Horatio Alger. This self-made man also achieved fame of a different sort, becoming known as the first voter because he cast the first vote in every U.S. presidential election for four decades, voting from his beloved Dixville Notch, NH.
A respected entrepreneur, distinguished industrialist and philanthropist, Mr. Tillotson passed away on October 17, 2001 at 102 years of age.
Neil Tillotson
1899 – 2001
John G. Alden, Naval Architects
Although different in hull form, keel and rig from their predecessors, today's designs from John G. Alden, Naval Architects reflect the same philosophy John bestowed on his original designs.
For example, BORKUMRIFF IV is a 165-ft gaff headed schooner designed by Niels Helleberg of John G. Alden, Naval Architects in collaboration with Gerry Dijkstra and John Munford. She was launched in the spring of 2002.
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