We are looking forward to flying the AOG burgee on our [new to us] 1995 32 Command Bridge (new Cummins 375). We bought her in Vero Beach, FL, and brought her to Ft. Lauderdale to our nephew's Port 95 service yard. We ran mostly outside--a couple of miles offshore--in 3-5' seas with a couple of squalls thrown in, averaging 17 knots. A really impressive shakedown!
When our nephew is finished with fitting her up, painting and polishing, we'll be cruising "TOGETHER" up to our town marina in Fairfield CT.
We've been boating for most of our 45 married years. In earlier days, we cruised a hand-built 35' twin diesel woody (mostly teak). We enjoyed her (and the admiring looks she got whenever we arrived at a new marina) for 27 years. With our kids out of the nest, we down-sized to a 1984 Chris Craft Commander 27 sport-fisherman retrofitted with Volvo diesels, which I primarily used for fishing L.I. Sound. We had thought to cruise on this boat, too, but found the cabin just too small for rainy days aboard; and the small fuel tank denied us any kind of range.
I spent a half-year since last fall looking for a boat my wife Lyn and I would take pleasure in—something comfortable, with decent range and speed for cruising, and that would double as a good boat to fish. (I should mention, also, that our town limits boat length in the marina to 36' from bowsprit to swim platform.) Then I discovered the Albin CB32, with the forward owners stateroom and a mid-ship galley and dinette--converting to king accommodations for guests--plus a bridge, outriggers, and a transom door for the occasional story-worthy fish. Lyn loved it at first sight. I admit I did too, but from a somewhat more practical viewpoint… 260 gal's fuel, single diesel with 16-18kt cruising speed, and a serious galley to accommodate my love for fresh-caught fish dinners and high-energy sushi.
We both love the traditional down-east style of Albins, too.
We're looking forward to bringing TOGETHER up in late May or early June, and meeting many of you at the July rendezvous in Essex.
Thanks to the AOG site admin's for a great virtual place to hang out with new friends.
Lyn & Lionel Eliovson
