Newbie looking for an Albin 28 TE - Found!

[Norseman]

Hi from Fort Lauderdale.
Former sailboater, now looking for a 28TE to scoot over to the Bahamas for scuba diving and goofing off.
Just starting my search now, found a few 28s in Florida and will meet with a broker later on today.
In the meantime, got lost a of questions.
Will jump around on the forum and look around for threads that may answer my questions.
Any owners in Fort Lauderdale?

[RobS]

...for scuba diving and goofing off.

My 28TE was perfect for both of those tasks, good luck!

[whwells]

Norseman: You should be fine looking in Florida. Have seen lots of the 28te listing there over the years. Know the boat well and yes it will do what you want. One of our members has a 35te Flybridge for sale there in Florida. I know the former owner and it is a great boat fairly priced. The price is not much more than a 28te and it will do things way beyond that of your current search.

whwells "Howard"
Former 35te Flybridge
Flybridge owner.
2006 Sabre Flybridge 42

[Norseman]

35 TE Flybridge?
Got a link to the listing?
It may be more boat than I need, but will check it out
Thx

[RobS]

35 TE Flybridge?
Got a link to the listing?
It may be more boat than I need, but will check it out
Thx

viewtopic.php?f=13&t=7891&p=49629#p49629

[Norseman]

Looks like I bought me an Albin 28 TE today:
Owner verbally accepted my offer, then survey and sea-trial to go, next week perhaps.
Got tons of questions from experienced 28TE owners but not tonight.
I am buying Amber J in Sarasota, right turning prop. (How can it be different than the rest? Another tranny, or engine 180 off?)
Need autopilot, none sighted on brief inspection.
Suggestions on brand and type? Has to be sturdy and simple like the boat. No nav connection required, simple heading hold, not course.
And a bunch of more questions..
More later, goodnight.

[Nancy]

That was fast! Hope all goes well with sea trial and survey.

[Norseman]

Thx Nancy.
Yup, I move fast if I see sumthin I like..
Not only is life short, but I am impatient and have a low level of boredom
(Drove my ex-wife's crazy and present wife gets nervous frequently )
Hopefully good survey and sea trial.
Cored hull and cored deck is new to me.
Possibly water intrusion and permanent damage if careless work installing stuff and drilled holes.
What say experienced Albin owners, problem or no problem?
Need advice on autopilot. This vessel has none.
All the best.

[Tree]

You wont have any issues whatsoever with the cored hull - there is an article online somewhere about it. Basically Albin took a sample of the cored hull and submerged it in water for a year. When it was removed, there was no evidence of water absorption.

Is the boat you are buying flush deck or engine box model?

[Norseman]

Engine box, Yanmar 315 hp.

Good news on cored hull not being a source of future problems.

[whwells]

Norseman: Congra's. Sounds like a fine boat. Yes, you do move fast.
whwells "Howard"

[Norseman]

Thx, but not a done deal yet.
Survey and sea trial next week.
Then the delivery to my dock in Fort Lauderdale, either via the Florida Keys, or across the swamps and Lake Ocechobee.
In the meantime, got an insurance quote: $1,770 per year for $71k agreed value.

[Russell]

Just did a search on Yacht World to see Amber J and it looks like you got a fabulous deal even at the asking price. The Awlgripped hull is a great feature for the Florida sun and will look new for years. Congratulations. You say you want a simple autopilot but I would recommend you get one connected to your chart plotter so you can sail to waypoints rather than compass headings. When steering to a waypoint the autopilot will compensate for current or wind and save you enough on fuel to pay for the initial added expense of connecting the pilot to the chartplotter. I have been very happy with the Raymarine autopilots on my boats and you already have a Raymarine chartplotter.

[RobS]

... I would recommend you get one connected to your chart plotter so you can sail to waypoints rather than compass headings...

Absolutely.

[Norseman]

Yeah, connecting the autopilot to the plotter is pretty slick, but I can also set a heading to keep the X track error at o, or adjust the heading frequently to stay on the correct course and see similar fuel savings.
I will start looking around for a Raymarine autopilot. What size hydraulic ram do you guys use?
Any idea what a pilot cost? $2 or $3k maybe?
Thx for the suggestions, I will need some help initially before I get to know the boat and the systems, etc.