Albin 36 Express Questions

[AK_Albin36]

I've been a fan of these boats for 10 years and am finally in a position to buy one. Hoping to get some pre-inspection info from the group. The one I've got my eye on is a 2004 36 ET with 420 single cat.

What is the overall length, including the anchor?
What kind of fuel economy are folks getting at 7-8-9 kts?
Did the builder fix the keel / prop / 2000 rpm vibration issue by 2004?
Any other issues I should be aware of and looking for during my inspection?

Anyone thinking of selling that's not already posted in the for sale section?

Thanks in advance.... looking forward to being a real member.

[joreyn]

I have the twin cats version, so can't answer the fuel economy question. I believe there is a modification to the skeg keel that alleviates the vibration. You should be able to find a discussion of this on the forum.
The one issue that everyone seems to have is a rainwater leak which comes down from the starboard flybridge into the galley area. If water finds its way inside the rear seat/locker up on top, it eventually runs down through the hole inside the locker that is for wiring that runs up to the mast.

I did a couple of things to fix that. The most important is to keep the drain holes open. I also rigged a short length of flexible plastic tubing over the wires and into the hole. I then sealed around the tubing. Others have advised just sealing the hole up completely, but that might pose a problem if you need to work on the wiring.n Also, if the boat has flybridge canvas, use it when you are not underway. In Alaska, a full enclosure for the flying bridge would really be good, and would probably eliminate the problem.

Other than that, just verify that everything is working properly. Generally, Albin equipped these boats with high quality equipment, and if properly maintained, it should all have a long life. The one exception is the refrigerator, which was typically Norcold. They don't last. Compressors fail after 5 to 10 years, and it costs more to replace the compressor (includiong labor) than it does to install a higher quality new refer.

Other than that, these are really good cruising boats, with lots of usable space. Hire a good surveyor. And pay attention to any problems called out in the report.

[AK_Albin36]

Thanks for your reply joreyn. Appreciate the insights. I was able to measure one here in Alaska today and confirm the 37 foot overall length, plus another 6 inches for the anchor when stowed.

36 ET owners with twin screw 330s..... ever run on one side and let the other freewheel at slow speeds to save fuel? I know some equipment is built for it and others not. How about these?

[Engineer6]

If you look at my post of March 14, 2010 you can see the solution to the vibration problem. It involved adding a fiberglassed in tapered fairing to the trailing edge of the flat back of the keel that was near the prop.
I do not know if Albin had implemented that solution in 2004 on other single screw 36's. It is easy to implement and it sure fixed our problem.

[marko]

I have a 2001 36ET with twin Cummins 330's. One engine quit in the ICW Currituck Sound last fall and we let in free wheel going displacement speed because the ZF Transmission owner's manual stated it was ok for towing situations or at anchor with current. So far, seems fine, but I wouldn't want to run one engine regularly.

[Mariner]

I've been a fan of these boats for 10 years and am finally in a position to buy one. Hoping to get some pre-inspection info from the group. The one I've got my eye on is a 2004 36 ET with 420 single cat.

What is the overall length, including the anchor?
What kind of fuel economy are folks getting at 7-8-9 kts?
Did the builder fix the keel / prop / 2000 rpm vibration issue by 2004?
Any other issues I should be aware of and looking for during my inspection?

Anyone thinking of selling that's not already posted in the for sale section?

Thanks in advance.... looking forward to being a real member.

I think any vibration issues had been solved. I noticed some vibration when we first got Nordvika in the water in Puget Sound (after no problem durring a sea trial in San Francisco Bay). It quickly went away. We determined that it must have been related to an impoper installation of the shaft collar zinc. Nordvika is a 2003, and should be nearly identical to your 2004. In fact, I would not be surprised if the boat you are looking at in California was one that was for sale at the same time we bought Nordvika. If so, we looked at both boats closely, but ultimately decided to purchase the 2003 due lower hours and usage at the time.

For reference, here is a picture of our keel/shaft taken just a coule weeks ago:

DSCF3577 (Large).JPG

[AK_Albin36]

Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far. It was very helpful during my pre-purchase phase.
Did sea trials last weekend and closed yesterday. EvenTide will be relocating to Alaska this summer on her own bottom. Unfortunately the timing of our stop in Anacortes is a few weeks ahead of the Rendezvous. Looking forward to future conversations and adventures.

Stbd Bow.JPG

[DougSea]

That's great news! Congratulations!

[joreyn]

You may have heard that your stepmother and I are co-workers. What a coincidence. Anyway, I'd love to visit you if you are coming through the Puget Sound area. I think Kris said you might be stopping in Anacortes for a while?

When do you plan to head North?

[Al_Bin]

Hi!

We're considering an Express Trawler 36, looking for fuel consumption info for both single and twin versions, please help if you can.

[AK_Albin36]

I have a Cat 450 single screw on my 36 ET. After a 2400 mile delivery at various speeds, here is what I have figured out.
Econ Cruise - 1400 rpm - 7.5 knots - 4 gph - 1.9 nmpg
Fast Cruise - 2500 rpm - 14 knots - 18 gph - 0.8 nmpg
When less than 200 gallons of liquids are aboard, the fast cruise can be maintained at 2450 rpm at 15 knots and 15 gph (1.0 nmpg). Of course at that burn rate and fuel level, you better be headed for the fuel dock

Through dipping and fully filling, I have verified she holds at least 380 gallons. Went from Northern California to Anacortes, WA on one tank, with 100 gallons in reserve. That was a good test for the Gulf of Alaska crossing on one tank, from Juneau to Seward. Did it in 54 hours, averaging about 8 knots.

From what I can tell from other owners, the twin screw is more like 1.2 nmpg econ and 0.5 nmpg fast cruise (but at 18 knots).

[joreyn]

It probably depends on what the twin engines are. I have 3116 cats 300hp each. My top speed is 22 based on GPS speed over ground and I burn 32GPH at that speed. So that is roughly .7 mpg. I rarely do that though. Usually in a short burst to burn off carbon after a day of cruising at 8 or 9 knots. Or to
get out of the way of a BC ferry in a narrow pass.

You had quite the cruise this summer. You should post an account of it on the site.