New member, in market for a 28

[Crosby-dog]

Hey guys,

My name is Ryan and our home port is Saugerties, NY. The wife and I are strongly considering an Albin 28 as our next boat. We're attracted to it as a fuel-efficient weekend cruiser that can top 20kts and be comfortable for some longer hauls down the Jersey Shore and into Long Island Sound.

If anyone has any great ideas for seating in the aft on a flush deck or the raised engine compartment model, I'd love to see it. The new 28's have great built-in seating, but a new 28 is not financially feasible for us. This seating would be for guests on the (usually) glassy northern Hudson and entertaining at anchor. I keep telling the wife $10 folding lawn chairs from Wal Mart are the way to go, but she says she wants something less "fishing boaty". Whatever that means..

The other thing I'd love opinions about (and I get the feeling this is a hotly debated issue) is there are a few Albin 28's with Peninsular diesels for sale in our area and they are significantly cheaper (like $20k cheaper) than Yanmar and Cummins models. I know they are the older 28's, so that's definitely part of the price difference, but I've read some really nasty forum posts on Peninsular motors on thehulltruth.com and I'd love to hear honest feedback on these motors from anyone who currently owns an Albin 28 with a Peninsular.

Thanks and looking forward to being a member here.

[Mark Deeser]

Welcome Crosby-dog, lots of 28 owners here, sure you will get a good response on your engine question. On the seating issue why not just compromise, get the 20 dollar chairs, everyone wins. Hope your boat finds you. Thanks, Mark.

[RobS]

... but I've read some really nasty forum posts on Peninsular motors on thehulltruth.com

I wonder how many of them have actually owned a Peninsular? There's a lot to consider when engine brand shopping but local support by a good shop is an important one, especially if you will be relying on them as opposed to DIY. Spend the time here searching and on boatdiesel.com too. No matter how well respected any engine is it all means nothing if there's a "nut behind the wheel"

[Jeremyvmd]

I can't speak from personal experience as Ive owned my Albin for about 3 weeks, lol, but I will tell you that when I did my research 90-95% of the people bashing peninsular never even laid eyes on one...it's all he said she said. That being said there were a small number of blocks that came from gm missdrill we but it's hardly an epidemic.

As far as seats I have two suggestions.
1) I got some west marine folding admiral chairs. Used them on my other boat for a yr and a half. Super comfortable and "yachty". They will make the transition to the Albin next year.
Simar to these but mine are strait blue... http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-mari ... --16246092
2) use a cooler and use the padded bolsters as a backrest...functional and confortable.

You could also consider something like the below but it would limit your access to the hull...
http://www.westmarine.com/buy/wise-seat ... --12066429

[Mpayne]

Hello Crosby-Dog,

You might think I am biased, but I am selling my 28 TE engine box with Peninsula 300 hp 6.5 liter diesel only because we bought a "new to us" Albin 32+2. The Peninsula has been great! and the manufacturer is very much in business and helpful!

Our 28 Andiamo is in terrify shape and located in Stamford CT. check out the website http://www.boatandiamo.com

The new Albin is called Ancora, obviously we like all things Italian!

[jcollins]

Welcome to AOG. I too am selling a Albin with the Peninsular. I have had a few minor problems over the years but would agree with others that it's a great engine with very good factory support. It is louder than Yanmar if that is an issue for you. It's also true that 95% of the naysayers are only repeating misinformation they have heard from others or read on sites like The Hull Truth. This site has been online since 2006 and I can only remember one or two Peninsular owners that had major problems. Yanmar had issues too that ended up with a class action lawsuit yet owners swear by them. The point is that any brand can have issues. It all depends on how it's taken care of.

I have two of the chairs that Jeremyvmd has. They are very comfortable.

[Serenity]

My 28 engine box 98 Albin was repowered from a 300 Peninsula diesel to a Yanmar315. The previous owner did have some issues with the 300. In regard to the seat in the stern, a good canvas/upholstery firm could build one for you. I had looked at a company in Florida that made a seat that folded down under the bolsters. It was somewhat expensive, $800.00. However, the price of a cushion for an Igloo cooler is ridiculous as well.

good luck and welcome to the club

[Crosby-dog]

Awesome. Thank you all for the info. Those chairs look great and would be a nice option over an expensive custom build. Re the Peninsular motors - You guys are confirming my suspicions about the internet pile on regarding the Peninsular motors... that it might be partly just that... A pile on.

Sound is an issue for us, but just don't think it's a $20k issue for us.

[Jeremyvmd]

Our 28 has some extra soundproofing from the factory, but we don't feel like the motor is that loud.