Hello just signed in a week or so ago

[amber jj]

I'm just new to this group.I've been a power boater for the past 15 or 16 years.My first boat was a 20 ft. 78 pursuit single.We had it about 3 years and moved up to a 86 27 amberjack with twin 4.3's.Over the years we continually up graded her, radar arch,hardtop,repower , counter rotatating outdrives,chartplotter.radar,auto pilot,single engine hatch with gas lift shocks,John Deere excavator seat for the helm.All the upolestry throughout the cabin and cockpit was done in ultra leather,4 electric walker downriggers,1 with strikevision.I had just over 500hours on her and in July at the marina the boat beside caught fire at 4 in the morning and took our Amber J and 3 others. She burnt to the water line the sunk.Thank God nobody was hurt.Well that is what brings me here.With all the boat looking we have been doing,the Albin looks the best for us.Promlem is I can't make up my mind which one 28,31 or 35,single or twin.Well I'm sure if I watch and listen I will get some guidance here.
That's my story and I'm stickin to it
Bungler Bob (Amber J)

[whwells]

AMBER J: Let me give you my 2 bits worth. Started out looking at the 28' because you can't help but like the looks. The performance of those I know who own them is great. Just happens they are all Yanamar's but you will hear good things about the Cummins and Volvo. Some like the Pennisular's and others not so well. Most say they are fine. The upside of the 28' is you can tow it whereever on your own trailer legally.

Along the way I saw a 31' with Pennisular's in the San Fran. "Redwood City" area . Great looking boat but one engine was down.. Did not want to build another boat. Went through 3 years bulding the Luhrs which is still forsale. Never again But I loved the 31' arrangement. Overall it may be the best boat for most. Plenty of room and the upper station has lots to offer. The one I looked at had twins. With the Penniular and twins the engine compartent is very tight. Better with the smaller Yanmars. Well, I liked the boat so much several offers were made on the one down in the Calif. Channel Islands whiich is super nice with twin low hours yanmars. I would say the boat is nearly perfecdt. Our plans to trade fell apart - but would have loved the boat.
Well, that owner was looking to go to the 35' with twin bunk beds. In any event when I finally saw one and the extra room - that was it. Has all the advantages of the 31' and 4' longer. I perfer the Down Galley - but the Upper galley gives you the twin bunks below. So if you need more people room that is a way to go. Personally, the extra room below with the Down Galley works best for me. Up top you only have a double slid out bed with the Down Galley. For two people and an occasional large group 2 max it should be fine.

So after a year of looking and 2 flights back east it had to be a 35TE for me. Along the way the 35TE Sportfisher Conv. came up. The view from the flybridge on Georgian Bay where this fresh water boat was kept inside all winter - just made it my find.

So I like them all, but still think the 31 has it all for most. Enjoy your search. whwells "Howard" 2006 35TE Sportfisher/ Conv. "Nibbles"

[whwells]

Bob: Now I have a question for you. Look under General Discussion for my inquiry about Walker Down Riggers. Nibbles came with two of them including the heat sensor divices and the contol panel mounted on the back of the cabin. The boat was a fresh water boat, but will now be salt water only. I have been told the Walker's are for fresh water only. Turkey Pt. Ontario, Canada must be such a place. My question not answered by anyone is are the Walkers for fresh water only - and no good under salt water conditions..
Also meant to say sorry about the the loss of your boat to fire. Hopefully finding the right Albin will mean some good thing come out of the experience. You will love the Albin - & I am sticking to it as well.
Howard

[amber jj]

Bob: Now I have a question for you. Look under General Discussion for my i nquiry about Walker Down Riggers. Nibbles came with two of them including the heat sensor divices and the contol panel mounted on the back of the cabin. The boat was a fresh water boat, but will now be salt water only. I have been told the Walker's are for fresh water only. Turkey Pt. Ontario, Canada must be such a place. My question not answered by anyone is are the Walkers for fresh water only - and no good under salt water conditions..
Also meant to say sorry about the the loss of your boat to fire. Hopefully finding the right Albin will mean some good thing come out of the experience. You will love thej Albin - & I am sticking to it as well.
Howard

Howard I am sorry but I can't answer that.If you like I could phone Walker for you it is just in Stayner Ontario

[whwells]

Hi Bob: If it close for you, please do. Would like to know what they think. Had planned to go on line and see if there are any posting form Walker. Nothing yet. Have all winter to move the Cannons over. However, Nibbiles is already rigged for Walker. They look like nice downriggers. May be they just don't have the right heavy duty construction required for saltwater fishing. Hope my long search from the 28-35 was helpful to you.
I still think if a 31' had been available it would do all one would require.
Thanks for the reply:
Howard

[whwells]

Amber J: My intitial response was so long winded I did not discuss the single vs twins. There are some clear advantages to the single. The boat may costs you a little less, and for sure the costs to maintain a single is less than the twins. There are numberous discussions here about the Cummins 450. Their are of course 370 Volvo, Cummins and Yanmar twins as well. Seems those with the 450 single would have it no other way. I can concur with that as well for costs and keel protection of the prop. My thoughts are if you want ecomony the single 450 maybe the best way to go. The single also gives you the keel protections that is lost with the twins.
Still having now had two previous boats with twins inboards: Whaler 27' , Luhrs 29, and now the 35 Albin I would not be happy with the single. Mostly, because it takes less skill to handle twins than the single. I also had way back a Navy Captains Gig with the slant 6 detroit diesel. It was a 34' with the single and & no bow thruster. It was a lot of boat with wind and current and slow to the point of making you want to paddle faster. So my personal thought is the safety & back up of the twin is worth it. However, all it will take is one log to remind me of the lost keel protection of a single. I would have chosen twin 370 Cummins if it had been available with the other things I wanted. The 35TE Sportfisher has twin 315 Yanmar's which will be fine, but not as fast as the 370's but they are smaller and provide some additional work room I am told.
Howard

[lpbp]

Well you are not to far a way We have our 28 in Dover . Been up in the bay last weekend fo perch and cruised through Turkey Point on the way home Your welcome to come dwn for a look and maybe a cruise if weather good . Boat will be in till end of month