Greetings from Florida

[darrellg]

Hi all.
I and my wife have been researching and planning doing the Great Loop for about 6 years. We are finally in Florida to make it happen.

We made an offer today on a 1980 36 with the Lehman 135. It was not our first choice but a very good second choice. All of the mechanics of the boat have all been very neatly redone recently. (Gen has only 20 hours on it.) I have read the posts and yes I know about the windows and their leaking. The current owner solved it by caulking them all closed. So chore number 1 will be to free up the windows. I have also posted about replacing the fore and aft teak sun hatches.

My wife's only gripes about the Albin is the lack of stowage in the cabins and sleeping under "the ledge" in the berth.

Any specific online parts houses better for Albin trawlers?

We are calling Palmetto Florida our home port. We are from St. Louis MO USA.

Thanks
Darrell

[tbnolin]

Greetings Darrell and welcome! Sounds like you are going to live out a dream! That's our ultimate goal...the Great Loop. Right now we are meandering our way from Upstate NY down the coast to Florida. It's been quite the experiance so far.
Good luck getting her ready for the trip. Sorry, can't help with a parts supplier.

[whwells]

Welcome Darrell to AOG: Sounds like you two made a great fine in the 36'. Have gotten to know a couple members with the boat who enjoy the fine vessel. That Lehman will run forever & won't break up your bank account for fuel. Yes, opening up the windows is the thing to do. Kind of like an Old Victorina home we had years back. We used a heat gun - cleaned and got them moving again. Recaulking is much like elbow grease and just takes time.
The more I read about the "Great Loop" the more exciding it is. Unlikely we Westerners will ever get to do it, but do enjoy hearing of the experience.

Be safe and enjoy the Holidays.
whwells "Howard"
2006 35TE Sportfisher/Conv.
"Nibbles" Anacortes, Wa / Trinidad, Ca.

[Chester B]

Hi Darrell - when it comes to parts for your Lehman I would recommend American Diesel Corp in Kilmarnock, VA. They are the original importers of the Ford Lehmans and they are very knowledgeable, have very conceivable part in stock and will ship ASAP. You can find them on the web. Enjoy the new boat!

[darrellg]

Thanks much.

[Veebyes2]

The 36 is a very pretty trawler. Be sure to buy some stock in a company like Sikkens. Good idea with all that teak you will have to maintain.

[byoung4653]

CONGRATS!!!! We purchase an ablin 36 this past september. You will enjoy. We boat on Kentucky and Barkley Lakes with plans for the loop in next 2 years. Wonderful to have couples, strangers approach us to look at our trawler. Something special in this area.

We are going to remove, clean and caulk windows this winter and spring. Stained interior teak veneer is most typical. But nothing else to complain about. We burn 1.5 gph with 135 lehman with over 4,000 hrs. Great when fellow boaters are burning 10-30 gph in twins. I suggest a survey, check the rudder packing for leaks, etc. good luck and keep in touch.

Barry, "0Regrets" 36 Albin

[darrellg]

Thanks Barry,
The survey with haul out is set for this coming Wednesday. On our inspection we were very well pleased with the mechanics. Bilge was dry even with it sitting at dock for some weeks. Our surveyor thinks he is familiar with the boat and he says its a good one.

The hatches are the first priority as we have to secure them then high-tail-it back to St. Louis for about 2 weeks or so. Got to clean up some biz. When we come back to Florida mid-December we are not sure whether we are driving back down or not. Windows will be done during our outfitting in late Dec and Jan. We may need to make on more trip to StL in very early Feb. Then we will certainly leave the car there. Our cast off to start the loop from Sarasota area is third week of Feb.

[jcollins]

Darrell,
Welcome to AOG. You will be doing the cruise that many of us only think about. Good for you! Great choice of boat.
Keep us updated on your cruising in the Cruising forums.

Looking forward to it. Stop in when you on the Chesapeake.