LINEBURGER WOODEN SNIPE

Who was Alberto Lineburger?

Alberto Lineburger, born on March 18, 1918, was a descendant of Lithuanian immigrants who arrived in southern Santa Catarina in 1890. His father, Jonas Whilhelm Lineburger, was a farmer and rancher, skilled in crafting ox cart wheels, which led his children to early exposure to woodworking tools.

In 1947, after marrying, Alberto relocated 320 km away to Porto Alegre in pursuit of better work opportunities. These early years were marked by great sacrifice as he had a young son. He initially worked at Walter Wingers Florist in the Sadness Neighborhood, tending to flowers and vegetables.

It was in Porto Alegre that he crossed paths with a master shipbuilder working at the Funk Shipyard, renowned for crafting wooden ocean boats. Recognizing Alberto's woodworking skills, he extended an invitation to join the team.

Within a short span, Alberto Lineburger rose to the position of chief craftsman at the shipyard. In 1955, he began constructing his first Snipe sailboat, named "Brocoió," with sail number 10.423, for the sailor Valdemar Bier. The inaugural boat was delivered on September 26, 1955. During this period, Alberto received valuable guidance from the Brazilian Snipe champion, Gabriel Gonzalez, whose teachings influenced his work throughout his career.

Alberto's boats quickly made a mark in regattas, earning praise for their quality and dedication to craftsmanship. This reputation led to him being selected to construct the Super 20 Snipes for the 1959 World Snipe Championship, which were dubbed "Famous 12000." These boats remain in use or are treasured as relics.

Over the years, sailors from various generations and nationalities secured numerous international and national titles in Alberto's Snipe boats, including renowned champions like Paul Elvstrom (1959), Nelson Piccolo (1967), Torben Grael (1983), and Santiago Lange (1985).

In the Lineburger family, conversations about boats and sails were a constant at mealtimes, fostering a deep connection to the Snipe Class.

After his father's passing in 1962, Alberto Lineburger returned to Criciuma with his family. There, he, along with his children, continued to craft Snipe sailboats, accepting orders from all over Brazil. Requests were often made by mail, and their correspondence remains part of the family's cherished collection.

These were challenging times for sailors, as they had to assemble their Snipe boats with limited access to suppliers. A common phrase upon receiving one of Alberto's boats was, "- It has to go to the cabinet," highlighting the meticulous craftsmanship and finishing.

Alberto Lineburger passed away on June 22, 1996, at the age of 78. In 2021, he was posthumously honored by SCIRA for his technical contributions to the Snipe Class, cementing his legacy in the sailing world.