New Owner 31TE

[nkmoody]

Have recently purchased 2007 31TE with the 500HP Cummins. Previously owned 2002 28TE. Loved the 28, hope we feel the same with the 31. Question...anybody had any of their wheel house windows tinted? Is it better than canvas privacy screens?

[DougSea]

Have recently purchased 2007 31TE with the 500HP Cummins. Previously owned 2002 28TE. Loved the 28, hope we feel the same with the 31. Question...anybody had any of their wheel house windows tinted? Is it better than canvas privacy screens?

Hi and welcome!

I'll be looking forward to hearing about your new boat! (And feel free to post some pictures - hint!)

As for tinting your windows - I have no direct experience but it sounds like a bad idea. Running at night, in poor weather, etc. I'd want to have as much visibility, all around, as I could possibly get. The removable canvas screens would give you more privacy (when your cabin is lit at night folks can see in), block more UV light when they're in place and have the advantage of being totally removable when that bad weather sets in.

Just my humble opinion...

(Note the cool shades!)

[Mariner]

I'm with Doug on this. tinting would reduce your visibility at night, which is a safety factor. The removable screens or even some blinds would make a lot more sense.

We have blinds in our boat.

[jcollins]

nkmoody,
Welcome to the board. Congratulatons on your second purchase of an Albin. Post some pics when you get a chance.
I too feel that tinting is not a good idea for night cruising.

My 2 cents

[JackK]

Congratulations on the 31.

I really love the layout of the 31. It is probably my next move if I decide to upscale the 28. Once you have run her for a little, please post your fuel #'s and how she handles in comparison to the 28.

Best of luck with her and post some photos !

Jack

[chiefrcd]

I agree, and I've seen boats with some pretty dark cabin windows and at night when they have the lights on you can see in like there was no tint on the windows. Also, congrats on the new boat....and keep us posted on how it all goes.

[nkmoody]

I'm with Doug on this. tinting would reduce your visibility at night, which is a safety factor. The removable screens or even some blinds would make a lot more sense.

We have blinds in our boat.

The 31TE wheelhouse is like being in a greenhouse - especially here in Fl. The tinting idea was intended mainly on cutting down the amount of heat during a typical day rather than total blockout privacy. The canvas is what we've used in the past but it must be removed when running. I've not seen a 28 or 31TE with shades or curtains. Once I figure out how to post pix, I'll do it. Bringing the boat down the ICW from Chesapeake Bay to St Johns river in Fl the early part of Nov. I expect to burn around 1 to 1.3 gal per nm at 18 kts. Knot good!

[Mariner]

We get about 1 nm/gal in our boat, so that's no surprise to me.

I could see maybe tinting the side and rear windows, but not the front. I would suggest improving ventilation, or even adding A/C if it's not already equipped. Of course, that means running the genny whenever you're not on shorepower, which wouldn't exactly help your fuel consumption. But hey, you live in Florida, what are you gonna do? In the dead of winter, we pretty much have to run the diesel heat (or reverse cycle A/C) all the time. Although, it really doesn't get that cold here very often. Most of the time, the "greenhouse effect", along with the radiant heat from the engine, is enough to keep the cabin warm.

[Pitou]

The 31TE Bringing the boat down the ICW from Chesapeake Bay to St Johns river in Fl the early part of Nov. I expect to burn around 1 to 1.3 gal per nm at 18 kts. Knot good!

I guess I feel pretty good in my little 31TE replica at .56 gpnm at 18 knots. Knot bad! Thanks for the boost!

[DougSea]

The 31TE Bringing the boat down the ICW from Chesapeake Bay to St Johns river in Fl the early part of Nov. I expect to burn around 1 to 1.3 gal per nm at 18 kts. Knot good!

I guess I feel pretty good in my little 31TE replica at 1.8 gpnm at 18 knots. Knot bad! Thanks for the boost!

Hey Pitou,

Either I'm losing my marbles (good possibility!) or you've typed that wrong - your 28 is getting toasted by his 31 in the mileage department!!

[Pitou]

Hey Doug / When the fingers hit the key board I knew something was OUT of WHACK, that would be ME!

Thanks for the ribbing. When I posted that fuel burn I knew something was wrong as the usual sweet spot for cruise is 2400 RPM at about 18-19 knots and 10 gph. At that speed I get about 260 nm to the tank. What a dope!

Previous post edited! Whoops!

[chiefrcd]

Huge difference feeding a 500 HP diesel and a 300 ish hp diesel.....hope you stop by Deltaville on the way down. I'm in the Deltaville Marina on Jackson Creek...

[RicM]

Which motor gives you 18-19 kt at 2400 RPM? I have a Yanmar 315 and I need 3200 RPM to make 18 kt.

[Pitou]

Which motor gives you 18-19 kt at 2400 RPM? I have a Yanmar 315 and I need 3200 RPM to make 18 kt.

The Cummins 370B Series w/turbo.

[Morning Star]

I saw these blinds in a marine store a few weeks ago, and thought they were a great idea, and a good way to handle the angle on the ALBIN cabin windows.

Don't be onfused by the brown louvered blinds; they are on the opposite side of the display.