NEW MEMBER WANTED A 28TE

[cdahmen]

WANTED
28TE ALBIN 2004+ FULLY EQUIPPED.
I HAVE READ MANY OF THE POSTS ON 28' S AND FOUND THEM VERY INFORMATIVE, CAN ANYONE GIVE ME ADVICE ON WHICH MODEL FLUSH DECK OR MOTOR BOX WOULD BE ADAPTABLE TO MOSTLY CRUISING



CARL

[JackK]

Hi Carl -

Welcome to the group. I think that for cruising either model will work well. I have a 2003 Flush deck. This was the first year the flush deck was offered. Since I mainly fish the boat it was the hands down choice for me.

As for difference between the two models in my opinion -

Engine Box -

Pros -
* Engine box can provide a nice seat or lounging pad
* Easier access to the engine for service
* Larger quarter berth

Cons -
* Reversing Transmission (Not sure if that's a con or not)
* Less room for people in the cockpit
* A little tighter for maneuvering between the helm and cockpit

Flush Deck -

Pros-
* Huge cockpit space for coolers, chairs, etc.
* Easy access to the helm from cockpit
* Straight drive
* Center fish box provides quite a bit of extra storage

Cons-
* Smaller quarter-berth
* Engine is difficult to service (unless you are 3'8")

The fuel economy and ease of handling make the 28TE a really nice boat regardless of model. Good luck with your search.

Jack

[jcollins]

Jack,
Great post! I'm borrowing (stealing?) it for the TE 28 forum.

Carl,
I have the engine box. Jack's post says it all.

Welcome to the board.

[Tuxedo]

Except -

It's not a "V-Drive", it's a reversing transmission. Albin used V-Drives on their early 32s. A jack shaft a couple of feet long came out of the transmission to the V-Drive. The propeller shaft came out of the bottom of the V-Drive. These were subject to alignment problems, and the V-Drive robbed power. All in all, not a good arrangement.

On the other hand, a reversing transmission has the same number of parts as a regular transmission, it just has one of the gears turned around. It uses no more power than a regular transmission and is just as reliable as a regular transmission.

Sorry for the dissertation, but this was a common misconception when I was selling Albins, and a bit of a sore subject with me.

[Butsh17]

Carl, I'm in exact same situation as you. Jack's info is excellent ! I was leaning toward the flush deck, but I'm big (6'3") and know about the value of having ample access to engine area, hence the engine box model seems more practical for me. Decisions, decisions.

Gary

[Cape Codder]

I just finished winterizing my 2003 28 TE, with engine box. It's not too bad, although I did play a little "Gumby" to reach everything. Since I service the Yanmar myself, I'm glad it's got the engine box.
Plus, the flush deck looses about 8-10 inches on the aft birth. I really like the room.
If I were seriously fishing all the time, different story.
But we do fishing, cruising, entertaining, etc. and we find the seating on the box really super. Pull off the cushion, it's a pretty good serving table.

[Tom Myers]

Hi Carl:
On an extended cruise, the raised engine box worked very well for us. We took nine weeks to run from Beaufort, NC to Southwest Harbor, Maine and back to NC. The engine cover was our "coffee table" every day. We ate all breakfasts and most lunch and dinners there. If fishing is your primary activity, I would consider the flush deck, but if you plan major crusing, the raised engine box is an advantgage.

Tom

[RicM]

We are probably 80% fish, 20% cruise, and the engine box has never been an issue. I usually lay out the plano tackle boxes on it for easy rigging. If we are tuna fishing, which is faster action than striped bass, I remove the cushion and throw it below. That way if a rod goes off on the other side of the boat I just step onto the box and walk right over it. I have rod holders screwed to the sides of the motor box which are much more convenient than rocket launchers on the radar arch. Sometimes yo have to think around the box rather than outside it.

[chiefrcd]

Just posted this in another forums, but I fish mostly and love the engine box. Have issues with the seat post in the flush deck as I too am a big guy and they just seem too dainty for me. Engine box does afford better access to the engine, but more-overly for me it's the best seat in the house if you are fishing off the side, which I do a lot.

[Pitou]

Whenever possible fishing is the name of my game, but I find plenty of time to cruise and just relax. Being an engine box guy I agree it makes a great tackle station. Tackle Boxes at the ready, a place to air dry the spreader bars or just a place to sit waiting for the rigs to go off while on the troll.
As stated earlier it also makes a great cocktail hour table for pitchers of whatever, shrimp plates, etc. or a place to lay out the buffet. When the sun is out the ladies love the cushion.
Are there times I wish I had the big dance floor? Absolutely, but it's hard to have it all on a 28.

[Russell]

Ric, I would like to see a picture of the rod holders you have screwed to the side of the engine box. I have two bolted to the aft section of the bow rail but could use a few more. Do you have to watch out not to trip over or kick them? Thanks, Russ

[RicM]

They are plastic tubes on a rack. I will try to get a photo this weekend. They sell them at West Marine and Boater's World.

[jcollins]

WANTED
28TE ALBIN 2004+ FULLY EQUIPPED.
I HAVE READ MANY OF THE POSTS ON 28' S AND FOUND THEM VERY INFORMATIVE, CAN ANYONE GIVE ME ADVICE ON WHICH MODEL FLUSH DECK OR MOTOR BOX WOULD BE ADAPTABLE TO MOSTLY CRUISING



CARL

Here you go http://albinowners.net/aog/viewtopic.php?t=1252

[jcollins]

WANTED
28TE ALBIN 2004+ FULLY EQUIPPED.
I HAVE READ MANY OF THE POSTS ON 28' S AND FOUND THEM VERY INFORMATIVE, CAN ANYONE GIVE ME ADVICE ON WHICH MODEL FLUSH DECK OR MOTOR BOX WOULD BE ADAPTABLE TO MOSTLY CRUISING



CARL

Hey Carl,
Here's another one:
http://albinowners.net/aog/viewtopic.ph ... highlight=

[RicM]

I was not able to get to the boat today, as tonight is our annual holiday party, oysters & champagne for 50 people. Here is link to the ones I have
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=12451. I mounted them on the sides of the engine box, not centered, a little toward the stern. We have not had any problem with bumping into them. The motor box sides do slant in toward the top so I put a rubber washer between the box and the upper bolts to bring the rods back verticle.