A prospective buyer needs help

[ButchInSausalito]

Hi All,

I'm in love with the albin 31 and have decided that 2 engines is the way i want to go. Have heard that Cummins is a safe bet for engines types but have no idea about how the boat has changed over the years and how a used 2000 model prices up against older and newer models.

Below is a link to a boat that is near me. I want to put in an offer but dont know how to evaluate this model and year. Come here hoping someone can talk me over the information gathering hurdle.

http://marinesource.com/boat-sales/2000-31-ALBIN-Tour-Exp-370-Cummins-Tiburon-CA-100481263.cfm

Thanks,
Butch

[jcollins]

Hi Butch,
I would first compare to other models on the market. Then submit an offer contingent upon hull and engine survey.

[KathyN]

Butch,

In my opinion, you're making a great choice in boats! My husband and I bought a 1997 31TE in August of 2009, and we are very happy with it. It has twin 370 Cummins 6BTA engines, bow thruster, Northern Lights genset, two reverse cycle air conditioners, and is otherwise "loaded" (such as two refrigerators and an ice maker, satellite phone, Rupp outriggers, etc.) although it does not have the Algrip paint. I found it on the internet, and although we live in Maryland and the boat was in Florida, we found that the price in Florida was so much less than what we could find locally that we were better off buying it there even after adding costs for flying down to look at it, having it decommissioned (radar arch lowered and secured) shipped by truck to Maryland and then recommissioned. So I guess my advice would echo John's above, and additionally urge you to really look around beyond your local area for available boats and prices to compare.

KathyN

[DougSea]

Good advice from John and Kathy.

Do a search on YachtWorld for "comprables". I did a quick search for 1997-2010 31-32' Albins and found a few 31TEs in your general area. The price seems a little high to me for an '00 but no one starts out asking for less than they want! And of course she may be in mint condition.

I ended up traveling to both of our Albins, a LONG 250+ mile drive to MD for the first and a more reasonable 100 miles to NJ for the current one. And for that one the broker was from FL and had to fly up for the seatrial!

[ButchInSausalito]

Thx all. Great stories and advice. I just offered 120 pending survey so we will see. Fingers crossed

[whwells]

Butch: Just came acroos your inquiry. You may have a deal and all is well. However, there is a 31 Ablin 2003 in the Channel Islands southern Cal. I personally went down perhaps 6 months ago to view. That boat can be said to be nearly perfect. My deal felll apart because I have a trade involved that did not work for the seller. However, you should look up his ad. My impression is there is some room to work with him.
I liked both the owner and the broker. Boat is fully equiped as well. Good luck in your search. I think my search will end successfully this week. Posting to follow if it does. There maybe a cutoff year as to when the Albins became all glass as well. That my be important. Not sure when that happened. whwells