A25 MK2 question

[AdSurrey]

Hi all,

I'm based in the UK I've owned my Albin 25 since October 2019, although first viewed her the previous October, took me a while to find the funds but so pleased I got there in the end as she's perfect for my plans and current needs.

She is, from what I gather, an aftermarket conversion to a motor sailer. She's a slow girl with a 19.5hp Kubota engine. But she is solid and very comfy

I curious if anyone knows when the MK2's were introduced, mainly to find out the main fuel tank size. I suspect she's a MK1 anyway, I think the hull number is 807, I was hoping for bilge keels but no such luck lol.

[WillieC]

Well let's see..Desert Albin 736, is a first generation. Number 736, coincidentally...NOT.
I think his is 1970, he will correct me and fill in all the details. Brace yourself.

We have a 1973 model, with the larger Volvo Penta engine, 36HP, number somewhere around 1985. Nowhere on the boat is there any indication that this is the deLuxe model that is identified on later models. I have read somewhere that this was sort of the interim model, the Mark II, which then quickly morphed into the deLuxe model.

Of course you know the main difference is the slight recurve at the transom that helps bring the bow down with all those extra ponies. The earliest, Mark I models, go straight back along the chines. Most, if not all originally, were powered with the AD21 2 cylinder super duty cycle behemoth Albin engine. Robust, to say the least.

And, welcome aboard, Ad Surrey! Pandora looks good, with a spinnaker no less! And lines run back to the cockpit. That is not seen over here. You don't need no stinkin' engine!

[dkirsop]

The fuel tank capacity did not change with the models. It remained constant at 57L.

[Bob Noodat]

....and a furling mains'l do I see!?

Does she have bilge keels?

With all that customization she could have had a new tank fitted. I saw an A25 listed in UK recently that claimed 80 litres.

Welcome adsurrey.

[AdSurrey]

Hi all,

Thanks for the replies, sorry I'm slow to get back, I scuttled away last Thursday to do some isolation on Pandora
It was lovely although we are apparently grounded so I didn't take her out but I did spend nice long slow days getting jobs done and not finishing till late, as you do. Apart from the last 2 days the weather has been awesome, hence the late finishes.

WillieC that would definitely explain some of my confusion as the interior of mine has a lot nicer fitout than standard as far as I can tell but I can't find any indicators to say Deluxe either.

Albinc.com claims the MK1 has a 75 litre tank and the MK2 has a 95 litre tank. As I said it's more of a curiousity than anything else as a previous owner installed a secondary tank under the helm adding about another 40 litres, at a guess. I've just looked at the manual that came with it (number 247 E) which states 75 litres so it's safe to assume that's what it is. My manual btw is signed? lol.

I'll check the transom but I think it's straight, not quite sure what to expect there. Unfortunately I don't know what the original engine was, the clocks wouldn't be different would they?

Yes Bob, a furling mains with all lines running to cockpit, only sailed dinghies before so I've a bit to learn

No, no bilge keels unfortunately as they would have stopped me from sliding out of bed yesterday lol.

Having browsed the manual and having looked specifically for the stern gland it mentions the usual grease fed gland, mmine is oil fed. I have emailed the previous owner but I haven't heard back yet as I don't know what oil to put in and it's now empty so until then I can't go out anyway until it's sorted. The only thing I could find was an empty bottle of jack oil. I was hoping to find that oil fed was standard for the 25's but hey ho lol

I'm currently rebuilding the dash/console so that I can rewire her as most of it flakey to say the least but the last 5 days I've made good headway and only came back tonight as work, albeit nearly a standstill thanks to Coronavirus, is starting to come in. Hopefully I'll get enough done that I can get back out there for a few more days.

Anyway sorry I waffle a lot lol, thanks for the welcome and for the info

[AdSurrey]

This one claims 95 litres https://www.boatshowrooms.com/sold-boats/albin-25/

[Bob Noodat]

Nice pictures AdSurrey.

Well now, if there are no bilge keels how is she sitting so level on a mud flat?

Maybe you need to kidnap the previous owner and lock him in the aft cabin until you can extract all the secrets from him.....

[dkirsop]

Re: Stern Gland

Albin Motor lists two different types of seals for the stern gland. One type is twice the cost of the other. Stefan tells me the more expensive seal is for an oil filled unit and the other is for grease. If you choose to convert I think the grease seal will simply change over but you should check with Albin Motor first. Mine is grease and it takes only a small amount of grease to lubricate and maintain the seal. I use a soft, low melting point, marine anti-corrosion type grease. I leave the upper half of the chamber empty so there is room for the grease to expand.

[AdSurrey]

Thanks Bob,

Ad is fine, Surrey is the county I live in and half of my company name - Surrey Sharpeners (I suppose it should be just Surrey Sharpener but I want people to think the company is bigger than me lol)


The mud flats hmm. Well apparently a few years ago, back when Pandora's previous owner moved her to the marina/park home complex about a quarter mile starboard of the pontoon the mud flats at the club weren't an issue and were pretty much washed away with each tide. A couple of years ago the marina questionably reclaimed an outcrop of land which now prevents wash as the tides now come in at a different angle. So now there is anything from a few inches to a few feet of super soft mud, so on a good day boats will sit in their self created holes reasonably well. As you can see from this picture just before the tide came back in a few of us weren't so fortunate. Allegretto, the wooden precursor to a Colvic Northener on the starboard side has a massive issue with this whereas Seaswan, behind me is fin keeled with a draft of 5 foot and as you can see she is pretty much in the thick of it lol.

I awoke on Monday literally sliding off the V lol.

Clive the previous owner, a lovely guy in his mid to late 70's retired from boating to look after his disabled wife does stay in touch and when he can recall things he lets me know. He did get back to me this morning and as dkirsop, thank you by the way, said it's the more expensive one unfortunately doesn't remember exactly and thinks that it may have been just any ‘engine’ type oil and say he does remember buying it on the basis that with an oil rather than a grease it would be easier to ensure that the seal wasn’t running dry.

I thought I took a picture of it but I can't find it to compare at present. When I go back there I will find out the make and go from there. I don't want to just chuck any oil in just in case of some sort of negative reaction.

I have to say I love the boat, there are a few changes I have made and more to make but she's near perfect for what I want and will be a great boat to learn to sail with as well as motor.

[Bob Noodat]

That's a smashing picture, especially with the old wooden scow in the background.... that looks like quite a restoration project! Idyllic spot to survive the Global Meltdown. I can smell the ozone.

You have found yourself a really nice Albin, I am extremely envious.

[AdSurrey]

Thanks Bob, I got a bargain when I bought her, way under her value I do believe. I do appreciate that despite needing a good amount of tlc and some money spending here and there that's she a good example of a 25. I have seen many pics of A25's some with beautiful fitouts and additions and sadly some that have been ruined either through neglect or bad ideas.

Maybe this will make you a little more envious, I found it very handy the other day when I moored up there and tried to maneouvre to face that direction, she has a bow thruster I do believe quite strongly that I should eventually be able to handle her with as little assistance as possible but for now I'll use whatever aids that I feel I need lol

that wooden scow had a guy on a raft with no tether or paddle for a while doing maintenance for the owners, very risky. It's a huge liveaboard though.

[Bob Noodat]

Well.... we were getting along like a house on fire for a while, Ad, but now you've put paid to it. A bow thruster! Envy turns to gnawing jealousy! A lucky bar steward indeed. But seriously, that is absolutely smashing. And I am glad to hear you are in contact with the former owner, he certainly seems go have been one of the good ones, and no doubt is happy to see you so fond of the boat after he has done so much to it.

Looking forward to reading more about her and your progress in sprucing her up.

Is this where you are? Up the Medway? Old scows left of centre.

Screenshot_20200416-161853.jpg

Not that I'm nosy.

[AdSurrey]

Lol It's cool and very close, I've marked it all out for you

As I said I did really well out of it. Initially when I first saw it for sale I had already done my research and was looking for an Albin 25, motor or MS was fine. I emailed Clive, told him I couldn't afford it but thought the design etc was right for me and could I take the mick and go have a look. He was really cool and I fell for the boat as soon as I saw her. I tried but couldn't buy her but stayed in touch with Clive for just under a year when he sent me an email to say he had no luck selling her and couldn't justify marina fees etc for a boat he didn't use anymore so he, well took more than 50% off and I'm pretty sure she is worth the full price he originally asked. That put her within my credit limit. I got extra lucky and sold my Shetland Speedwell with no hassle at all.

I think it did help that Clive and I had and still have a good rapport, he gave me first refusal and stood up to a couple of bully buyers giving me time to get the loan sorted.

Compared to the Speedwell I got a hell of a lot of boat for my money.

[Bob Noodat]

My mother, and probably yours, would have said "It was meant to be". I, on the other hand, and probably you, would say "There's no such thing as a cheap boat". But, there are a lot worse things to blow money on, and few that can give such satisfaction.

No doubt a town alderman behind that land reclamation, for a handful of mobile homes, no less!

[AdSurrey]

My mum was highly superstitious, one of her most cranko faults lol, she once flipped her lid at my dad because he bought a green and for some reason she insisted that green was a bad luck colour lol!

Very questionable lack reclamation but my home town is much worse.

Yeah but everything costs money Bob, houses, caravans, boats it doesn’t matter as they all need maintaining and it helps if you are skilled or able to learn new skills.