What Year Albin 28 TE ?

[jsa3107]

Over the last several weeks I have read all I can about these boats
There are several thoughts on what years are best and why ?
What engine is best and why?
I have read the older boats before the year 2000 are better made?
I would like to read all of your thoughts on this?


Thanks, Mark

[Russell]

I am not aware of any particular year that is supposed to be better than any other. More depends upon the condition of the particular boat and how it is equipped than the year it was built. You should make a list of things you want such as engine box or flush deck, transom door, fishing gear or cruise setup and then look at several boats for the best one. Professionally mounted good quality electronics including autopilot are worth paying up for. Although some may have strong feelings about engines the condition and care is again more important than the brand. I like my Cummins for the ease of maintenance but drooled over a recently sold 2005 flush deck model with the 370 HP Yanmar that could cruise at 22 Kts. My list of desirable features has changed as I see how I use my boat and yours may too. For example I did not care about the transom door but for older and non-nautical guests, especially women, that door makes boarding a lot easier. If you have years of experience you may be able to comprise a list that will suit your needs for a long time. After 30 years of boating I have found that the bigger boat fever never goes away.

[Cape Codder]

My brother ordered the first black hull Albin ever made, and he pushed for a transom door, also a first. That was back in 1994 (I think).

He was not pleased with the Penninsula diesel, although the small problems he had have been addressed.

I've got a 2003 engine box model, with the Yanmar 315 and 19x19 4-blade prop. When he rides aboard mine, he always mentions the quietness of the Yanmar. He cruised at 16-19 knots, and I do pretty much the same. There are slight improvements over the years. I prefer the engine box personally. Great seat/table, and adequate (not easy) access to the mechanicals.
Both hulls have gone through really tough waters on a regular basis. If you have ever been in Buzzards Bay with a southwest wind (not breeze) and an outgoing tide, you'd know exactly what I'm talking about. Steep, steep curlers that just have no end.......the Albins have always been solid as a rock. Nearly equal to my former 25 Whaler...and that says a lot.
With the engine box model balance, tabs are useful going into head seas, and no trim is better in following seas. The flush decks have a different balance. I have "heard" the weight has shifted more to the front, however I have never experienced one personally.

No complaints here. Great ride, adequate speed, good fuel economy. I often hear, "Wow, nice boat" or "your Albin is my favorite boat in the harbor" or "someday I'd like to move up to a boat like that". I was recently heading out in my 13 Whaler when a couple in an inflatable pulled up to the 28 on her mooring. With their little outboard still running, he had to raise his voice a bit, and it carries so well over water.
He was bestowing the virtues of the Albin 28 to his wife (or girl friend) and rode around it 3 times pointing out why they should buy one.

Perhaps I'll see a another one in the harbor soon.....we've got 4 now!

[nan1rik1]

I have a 2001 Albin 32+2 Command bridge that was one of the last built in the US. Around '03 or '04 Albin moved their production facilities to China and the quality control went ot the window, I think that is what finally put them out of buisness. There are still 2 brand new Albins sitting in the water in Cos Cob Ct., at the former Albin sales yard, 1 a 40' and 1 a 42' , the North Sea model I think. According to the yard workers one of them has been sold twice and brought back, they told me that they are just "not quite right". I think that 1 of them has yet to be outfitted with electronics etc., they can be seen on Yachtworld.com and probably can be ourchased at an advantageous price. As of now C & C yacht builders have purchased the molds for at least the Albin 28' and are producing it again.
The advice I would give is to check out the year, the hull # and where the boat was built, if it was an earlier model built in the US the quality was more accountable than those built out of the country (like many things).

[jsa3107]

I have a 2001 Albin 32+2 Command bridge that was one of the last built in the US. Around '03 or '04 Albin moved their production facilities to China and the quality control went ot the window, I think that is what finally put them out of buisness. There are still 2 brand new Albins sitting in the water in Cos Cob Ct., at the former Albin sales yard, 1 a 40' and 1 a 42' , the North Sea model I think. According to the yard workers one of them has been sold twice and brought back, they told me that they are just "not quite right". I think that 1 of them has yet to be outfitted with electronics etc., they can be seen on Yachtworld.com and probably can be ourchased at an advantageous price. As of now C & C yacht builders have purchased the molds for at least the Albin 28' and are producing it again.
The advice I would give is to check out the year, the hull # and where the boat was built, if it was an earlier model built in the US the quality was more accountable than those built out of the country (like many things).

Were any of the 28TE made in China?

[DougSea]

The 28's are all US made as far as I know.

[jsa3107]

Is there a year or so that is known to have been built with better quality
I had read that in the 2007 area some feel the quality is suspect?

[DougSea]

Is there a year or so that is known to have been built with better quality
I had read that in the 2007 area some feel the quality is suspect?

Again, not that I'm aware of. There were changes made in the layout, such as the flush deck, and the "Newport edition". Some will argue that the boat was designed to have the engine located where it is in the engine box models (which is what I have) but without taking them out side by side I can't comment on the accuracy of that statement. They did change from balsa coring in the hull to a synthetic, not sure of the exact date but some searching of the forum should find that info. Again though, not something that would overly concern me.

Bottom line - pick the layout and engine that you want, find a boat, and get a good survey. You can buy a great 1990's boat and I'm sure you could pick up a much newer one with lots of issues. It's all about the individual boat, how she was used and maintained. A boat is a massive collection of seperate systems so asking for the "best" year isn't going to do you a lot of good.

Good luck in your search!

[RicM]

Almost all TE's were well built in Portsmouth, RI, the exception being "after the fall" one was built by Bladen Composites in NC that was supposedly a dog and may still be out there somewhere, and one just recently finished by the new owner, C&C of Bristol, that should be good as C& C is a well respected builder.
My VERY general criteria when I was shopping was synthetic not balsa coring, Yanmar or Cummins, engine box, transom door, windlass. I have not regretted any of my choices. My 2003 28TE has been an extraordinarily reliable boat in lot's of different conditions including one hellish ride down Buzzards Bay as mentioned above. The only thing worse was that I did that run with a full head, no fresh water, no beer, no food, and a mate who had lost a crown off her tooth when the first big wave slapped us. Oh and it was in the afternoon after an already long run. The boat was fine. I was a mess.

[jsa3107]

Do you know when they started with synthetic In what year?

Thanks

[Pitou]

Do you know when they started with synthetic In what year?

Thanks

Here is a link to a previous thread regarding the transition from wood core to Air - ex. viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2847&p=17197&hilit= ... ore#p17197

[jsa3107]

Do you know when they started with synthetic In what year?

Thanks

Here is a link to a previous thread regarding the transition from wood core to Air - ex. viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2847&p=17197&hilit= ... ore#p17197

So anything after 2002 has the new hull Including 2002?

[Pitou]

Do you know when they started with synthetic In what year?

Thanks

Here is a link to a previous thread regarding the transition from wood core to Air - ex. viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2847&p=17197&hilit= ... ore#p17197

So anything after 2002 has the new hull Including 2002?

Exactly which month and hull # in 2002 the change took place .... who knows. Is it a safe bet to believe all 2003 hulls have air-ex ... not entirely. As I was told, Albin went to air-ex in 2002 and as with the auto makers a hull started in 2002 depending upon month of manufacture could be a 2002 or 2003 model. I would think if synthetic is a must have criteria a 2004 would be an entirely "Safe" bet. Possibly a surveyor could tell the difference by sounding their mallet on the hull. When my survey was done I did not ask the question, but as the link above states, I'm dry as a bone and she sure is solid. Remember most fiberglass boats have a wood core and if thru hulls are installed properly there are no problems and during survey a moisture meter will be employed.

For me it was more about engine hours and overall condition. It took me 30 days from mid Feb. to mid March to find my 28 by scouring the coast from CT to Maine until I came upon a 2 year old boat in cherry condition with 89 hours on the clock. If I had not found this particular boat a trip to Maryland was next. Glad I did not have to do that. Happy Albin hunting!

[RicM]

Just remember that I said these were MY criteria and VERY GENERAL. The debate about cored hulls will rage on until they are all gone from the face of the earth. There is nothing wrong with a hull cored with balsa if it has been properly treated and all through hulls sealed. Indeed I believe I have read that balsa is lighter and more rigid than synthetics. Hours on the engine were important to Kevin and I respect that, but the other argument is that a very low hour boat that has sat and not run a lot can have other issues. Diesels are made to run, not sit, and some will argue that it is better to run a diesel everyday than to let it sit for 6 months at a time, the dry start taking more out of it than the constant running. Charter captains have reported getting 10,000 hours from the Yanmar 315 if maintained well and run everyday. A very heavy recreational user will put 200 hours a year on a boat, so figuring half the above lifetime figure (5000 hrs) you would get 25 years of service from a well maintained Yanmar. Are hours really all that important?
While there are the occaisional dogs, and Albin made a few, the TE series is without a doubt one of the most reliable, well built, practical boats around. Well cared for, it will outlive the average American male at the stage of life who has time for boating and the money to do so. It's not the fastest, or the sexiest boat around, but it's safe, comfortable, and reliable. I know I agonized about my decision to spend $100K on a "plaything" for several months, then I realized that I had to trust my instincts and research and when a boat called out to me I had to answer. Time after Time called, I answered, and I have never looked back.

[jcollins]

It's not the fastest, or the sexiest boat around

This sounds sexy:

The Convertible, on the other hand, is a wide open sportster. Although squarely within the realm of Albin's salty heritage, it projects a younger, more with-it image. It's a tanning machine, not to mention a cruise-equipped fishboat.

Yea. That's me. Younger and with-it.