1992 Albin 32 Sportfish

[tkane545]

I am presently looking at a 1992 Albin 32 Sportfish powered with a CAT 3116 300hp. I was hoping for input on the boat and some realistic performance data; ie: cruise speed & fuel burn specifically. I know CAT had some issue with the 3116's in the day but am hoping an engine survey will provide a good mechanical report & I feel this particular boat can be bought right.

I have never owned an Albin before but have admired them on the water. Originally, I was thinking a 28 would be the best option for me but this 32 seems like alot of boat for short money. Any information would be helpful and appreciated.

Tom

[powerboater56]

Albin added a two-foot hull extension onto the 32 sometime in the 1990's because the early 32's tended to run quite bow-high. You may want to see if yours is a 32 or has the swim platform hull extension that turned it into the 32+2 model.

Also check out engine access with the CAT diesel. The engine in the 32 is shoe-horned under the cockpit using a V-drive and you may find certain parts of the engine, packing gland or transmission are hard to access. One Albin dealer told me to avoid 32+2's with a Cat diesel -- he much preferred a Yanmar or Cummins.

I have a later version of the 32 called a 35 CB and i am very pleased with the performance. I have a 440 Yanmar diesel and top out around 24 knots and cruise easily at 16-19 knots between 2500 rpm and 2700 rpm.

For all the negatives I bring up, someone has run your 32 since 1992 so I assume it must have positive attributes. If the engine surveys well and you are comfortable with access and general condition of the boat, go ahead. One point to remember about Albins is that for most years they were produced the hulls had balsa core running down to around the keel. Have a good surveyor check for water intrusion in the core because repairing water logged cores can be a huge, expensive headache.

Good luck.
John S.
2005 Albin 35 CB OTTER

[jcollins]

Are you looking in Maryland? I saw one over the weekend. Just curious.

[Veebyes2]

Sorry I found this thread late.

I have a 96 32, the 'S' type it was called at the time. The 32+2 (extended hull under platform) came into being late 96.

The 92 32 'Family fisherman' as it was called at the time, has the galley fwd & a number of other 'improvements' not seen till later models.

If not already bought, get a good survey. There were problems with the early models, particulalry to do with the engine & tranny arragement. This info I gained directly from the boats designer when I was in the hunt for mine in 99. It might be worthwhile to pay extra for a later model, which had the bugs worked out, rather than pay less for something that seems to be "such a deal" but might cost more in the long run.