Help educate me-Considering a smaller Albin in WA

[Aljameela]

Happy to have stumbled upon this group. I recently became interested in Albins after finding a motor cruiser for sale on Yachtworld. There are a few Albins for sale in my general area, and I plan to have a look at them within the week. I am interested to hear opinion on the 25 and what I should be looking for.

I prefer the "soft top", but does anyone have experience with cutting a hole in a hard top? I realize most folks opt to go the other way....preferring a hard top. I want sun on my head when underway. I will be boating alone most likely, so I think the 25 will be manageable, but I would consider a 27 as well. I have not seen any 27s for sale in my area so I am not familiar with them except for reading on this forum that they exist.

Also, one that is for sale is a motor cruiser type (with a mast). I don't know if I am considering this one...that idea needs to roll around in my mind. I kind of like the option to sail, though I don't know how. I cannot tell if there is more than one sail, if it is just for stabilization, or what. So, anyone with experience here would be welcomed to reply.

Are there issues with the hulls blistering in certain years, or other historical problems that I should be aware of when shopping? I did notice, when comparing two 25s, that one seems to have the engine mounted on deck under a box near the helm, while the other seems to have it mounted in the bilge. I am not sure why the difference and I have not seen them in person to confirm.

Any advice and observation is welcomed. Thank you.

[parkerj]

The boat with a mast maybe is what I have which is a 27' Albin 82 Motorsailer. 1977. midship cockpit, aft cabin, 4' draft 10' beam with windshield. MIne is a project boat requiring a new engine and complete refurbishing which I just acquired last Fall. Good luck with your search John