Our New Albin 28 TE is Home!

[Chris & Dale]

Well the deal is done, we bought Irish Wake in Annapolis, Md., last week. A friend and I went up a week ago Thursday, planning to leave Friday morning, but that very bad storm on the Chesapeake prevented that, so we left Saturday morning. Very rough as we passed by the Potomic, but she handled well and we made it to Portsmouth. Sunday we took the Va cut as we wanted to get across the Albemarle sound, as once again, the weather on Monday was going to be bad there so we blew thru to Bellhaven. Next day was rather uneventful w/a shorter day into Swansboro, and then a short 5 hr run here into Southport, NC, her new home. I will see if I can attach a picture here of her new name, which I might add was my wife's idea and design (I'm truly blessed!). Anyway, it was everything the previous owner said it was and more. Enough for now.

[Nancy]

Congratulations! What year is the boat? And what's the connection to the Steelers?

[DougSea]

Congratulations!!

It's always interesting to take that long first trip, isn't it? Our 28's maiden voyage started in the Chesapeake as well, with a run north to the C&D, down the Delaware, and up to NYC and then Long Island Sound. It's a great way to learn all about your new family member!

I'll be looking forward to hearing more stories, including the history of the name!

[Chris & Dale]

In a nutshell, I'm a 35+ year Steelers fan, approaching 62 years old. My favorite Steeler - # 58, Jack Lambert. Last year I did the unthinkable and got a tattoo on my right upper arm that was the model for the logo w/the numbers around it in the boat name. When Dale & I started discussing a new boat name we struggled, so I told her to pick one. I was flabbergasted, surprised, and pleased when she came up not only with the name but the design. Naturally I immediately agreed! So, there you have it.

Steel Hers is a 1999 w/a 300hp Yanmar. She was a 1 owner boat which had all the owners manauls, service records, and had been meticulously & professionally maintained. She was true to form in performance, including 2 mpg @ 3200 rpms and average of 16.5 knots. The only problems we've had is that the GPS will have to be replaced as it's never been upgraded to accept the new style chips, and I've got to plumb up the live well as we're going to fish her. As Dale said the 1st time she climbed on board...."She's Perfect!" and I agree.

[Nancy]

Sounds like a great boat!

You might want to check with the GPS manufacturer to see if there's a software upgrade that would work for you. That's what our Raymarine C-80 needed to get it to read the higher capacity Compact Flash cards.

[Chris & Dale]

Yeah I checked on the upgrade - $400 + shipping + new chart chips for a 13 year old unit, black & white, moderate resolution. Think I've found a new replacement in the Standard Horizon CP390i, but I'm still doing research. More to come.

[DougSea]

Great story behind the name and the graphic Chris. And while I love our 35 I do miss the economy we had in Sonny III (28TE) whenever I pull up to the fuel dock! (New England prices are still north of $4.20/gal right now)

I hope you guys have many excellent voyages!!

[Nancy]

$400! Yikes! Our was just a software upgrade. I downloaded it from the internet, copied it to a CF card, stuck it in the C80, crossed my fingers, and fired it up. Kinda scary in the same way as rooting your phone or updating your BIOS, but it went off without a hitch.

[Chris & Dale]

Nope..hardware upgrade for the software upgrade. Thus the decision.

[rcornejo]

Hi Chris and Dale

Congratulations on your new boat. That is very exciting. You are blessed to be surrounded around a group of awesome owners. They have all been very nice and helpful to me!! You will enjoy communicating with them. Given my location, I have not had the honor of meeting any of them. I hope to one day.

You mentioned in your post that you got 2 mph at 3200 rpms

[rcornejo]

Sorry Chris and Dale but I hit the wrong button on my phone and it sent off the message before I was done, buy what did you mean by your statement of 2 mpg at 3200 rpm? I am wrong thinking that you are burning 2 gallons of fuel per hour going at 3200 rpm's?

[RobS]

Sorry Chris and Dale but I hit the wrong button on my phone and it sent off the message before I was done, buy what did you mean by your statement of 2 mpg at 3200 rpm? I am wrong thinking that you are burning 2 gallons of fuel per hour going at 3200 rpm's?

For example: Burning 8 gallons an hour doing 16 knots = 2 nautical miles per gallon.

[Rjmycock]

Chris:

I was the gentleman that you met in Norfolk at Tidewater. I had purchased the 31 TE from Southport back in February and was running north to it's new home, a very small world indeed! I am glade you had an uneventful trip home. When I saw you we had hit a submerged log in the ICW, which caused minor damage to a prop. We were able to have the prop's removed on a Saturday night, turned on Monday and back on the boat late Monday afternoon!!!! Try getting that done almost anywhere in that short of time. The diver and shop were great and the boat ran better than before the hit. After that everything ran well for us and we arrived back on Cape Cod yesterday. Enjoy your new boat it is a beauty.

[Chris & Dale]

Rob S. was correct. 8 gal per hour = 2 miles per gallon. Was tickled with that. Ronald, I'm glad to hear you survived it and got back underway. Was that submerged log near one of the swing bridges almost across from a semi-floating tree which you were trying to avoid? If so, we may have shared more than a marina for a night....LOL. Fortunately we had no damage that caused vibration or gave us any indication. Is being dived on here anyway in the next week. 6 degrees of seperation. Ya'll take care.

[RobS]

Rob S. was correct. 8 gal per hour = 2 miles per gallon. Was tickled with that. Ronald, I'm glad to hear you survived it and got back underway. Was that submerged log near one of the swing bridges almost across from a semi-floating tree which you were trying to avoid? If so, we may have shared more than a marina for a night....LOL. Fortunately we had no damage that caused vibration or gave us any indication. Is being dived on here anyway in the next week. 6 degrees of seperation. Ya'll take care.

There's the advantage of the single screw with the skeg protecting the running gear. As with everything else, it's give and take.

Ron we were fishing between 75 and 100 ft of water south of Moriches on Saturday but did not see you pass. You had a superb weekend to run the outside (ocean) to Montauk and then the Cape. Where in MTK did you stay? Was really disappointed our Friday plans fell apart but I'm sure I am not alone on that one