Excessive Rolling

[Larry1942]

Before purchasing my 1984 Albin 27FC in 2013, I've had five sailboats from 22' to 30' with no concern for excessive rolling in open seas up to six plus feet. I tell the following story in fun but it was closer to the truth than I'd wish it to be. When test cruising the 27FC on the St. Johns river, a canoe went by leaving a 3" wake that caused my Albin to start rolling. Yes, that is a bit of an exaggeration but it has become a real problem. When being passed by any motor boat on the intracoastal on Florida's West coast leaving any more than a one foot wake, we have to turn into the wake to avoid unacceptable rolling. A three foot wake hit at less than 45 degree angle will throw everything and everybody on board everywhere. If I were to ignore the wake of a heavy cruiser passing me even slowly, I have serious concerns about being totally broached. At this point, any plans to participate in one of our BCYC cruises to the Keys or the Dry Tortugas or even Cuba are on hold because anywhere South of Ft. Myers Beach is open water and my "crew" who is usually at the helm and has crewed with me for over ten years has said, "No Way Sweety."
Any comments, advice, derision, insults will be appreciated if they help me improve this situation.

[JT48348]

So let me be sure I understand your situation.

You have an Albin 27FC and you have noticed that your vessel rolls at an alarming degree if you take a wake or significant wave basically broadside. Your only able to reduce the roll if you meet said wake at at least a 45-90 degree angle.

Clearly you have an issue with the Swerhauser Flueter lever. This lever is part of the original design of the Albin boats, going back to their Swedish roots. If not given proper servicing it will bind at the bearings and cause excessive roll in a beam sea.

The lever is located under the helm station, aft and to the starboard side of the wheel. You can't see it because u can't get your head into the helm access port and your belly may be too big. But u can feel it if you grope around gently.

To lube your lever take some 3-1 oil and gently massage the lever shaft in slow circular strokes. Do not apply too much friction. Some discharge is possible so keep a rag handily. You can enlist the help of your "sweety" by asking for help oiling your lever. That way everyone is working towards a solution.

Good luck. I had this same problem but with a little work u will be back in order soon. Remember the Albin 27fc has no real ballast just a low center of gravity and the hull is designed not to take a sea beam on
( as are most boats . )

[Panhdjoe]

I found a shure way to solve the problem, I bought a 36. All kidding aside I agree they are somewhat "rollie" but I never thought ours was dangerous. We did alot of ICW crusing and loved the boat. We moved to a 36 for things like AC a refridgerator and a regular double bed birth and an enclosed salon. BTW we also have a steadying sail to control roll with beam seas.

[coolchange]

Take the time to turn ...or roll some. I agree that they do roll on beam seas...so adjust course..add a yard or so of concrete down low...get a mast and stabilization sail...or learn to enjoy single handed boating.

[smacksman]

Yes, all motor boats roll. So do sail boats without a mast as I found out once.
Before they roar past you to port, I swing to the right a bit then hard left to take the waves.
They in turn get hit by bigger cruisers and so on up the scale.
If another idiot is blasting along behind the first , you get a satisfactory reaction from him as you turn hard to port to stem the wave as he has to swing his helm hard over as well which rattles his teeth.

It makes me smile - 'Slow Manatees' , what from 50 knots to 25 knots. They still can't see a thing, let alone a manatee at 2 knots.

But when they are in a marina, god help you if you so much as make a ripple as you go past. Then it is NO WAKE ZONE - we don't want to spill our drink.

Out at sea you avoid a beam sea by 'tacking' if it is a steep horrid sea (shallow/wind against tide) and reduce speed to match the period of the waves. In the open ocean with moderate seas you just go up and down like in a lift. In rough weather I stay at home.