Newby Hello

[dsax100]

Hi everyone,
Been happily lurking at AOG for half a year now. The content is excellent and everyone's polite and willing to help. I've looked forward to the daily digests and, of course, the ongoing saga of l'affaire du poopie. I don't have a boat now but I'm a wannabe. Until then I probably won't have much to contribute but I've got questions . Looking forward to more good information from AOG.
thanks,

[DougSea]

Welcome dsax, we're happy to have you!

Way back in the day (ok, it was 2006) I was in the same position as you and I found AOG to be a great resource. And yes, we're generally pretty well behaved here! I think it comes at least in part from the fact that many of us have met in person at the rendezvous.

Plus Albinos are just great people!

Fire away with your questions. And do try the search, there are a lot of great posts out there.

[jcollins]

Welcome to Albin Owners Group. Thanks for your donation and becoming a supporting member.

John

[whwells]

Hello: Just curious how goes your search. You are no longer a newby now, but welcome to AOG. It is fine group of Ablin owners who seem to love to share their experiences and boats particulars of the brand.
Keep us informed and all will try to help you along the way as needed. The strength out west is not the same as the eastern people because that is where the boat was made in RI and lots are around. Our western group is growing, however. Enjoy the search. That is half the fun.
whwells"Howard"
2006 35TE Sportfisher/flybridge
"Nibbles"

[sunvale1]

I have looked at a half dozen boats all over the Great lakes. It's a shame that some owners allow the boats to go neglected as they do. The last one I looked at was in Waukegan. A 36ft nice looking boat until you look closely.
But I keep looking.....(

[sunvale1]

As I mentioned in my last post, I have looked at a number of boats and all had some issues. Just how much leakage is acceptable in a boat. Not talking about the hull, but the deck, sides and from around the windows. I found some that had some delamination of the plywood under the windows and around the hatches. Am I being to picky in looking at a prospective boat?
Peter

[DougSea]

Am I being to picky in looking at a prospective boat?
Peter

Well...

Like everything, it depends. How old are the boats that you're looking at? Age is a factor. You can also have a boat that's been very well maintained but, as an owner starts to slow down or back out of boating, it doesn't get kept quite as well. The marine environment is a tough one! You'd need to determine if it's issues are structural or cosmetic, isolated or widespread. And then factor in your time and $$ to get it where you want.

I joke with a friend of mine - All boats of a particular brand and vintage cost exactly the same - it's just a case of when you spend the money! (Meaning of course that a "cheap" boat will require a lot more work, usually, than a pricier one)

So look for the boat you want with solid "bones", good hull, mechanicals, etc. and determine if the decks and such are in your comfort range.

Good luck!