Albin Factory Shutdown - Part Two

[Elizabeth Ann]

Just out of curiosity...what kind of money do you think it would take to purchase Albin?

I jokingly asked in an earlier discussion if we could purchase/acquire the mold for the 28. It wouldn't be that much different than most of the BHM hulls that are made and then distributed to private builders.

Seriously, if this were at all possible, it would at least be a way to preserve a boat we all love.

[DougSea]

I spoke with a friend today that knows the Peters family. What he's hearing is that there is no deal in the works currently to sell the company.

I guess the stuff they were working on didn't pan out. Time will tell.

[RicM]

If you want to sell something and people express an interest in buying it and you can't close a deal there is only one reason. Price ain't right. Don't sell it and close it down, the price is zero. Enjoy your profits.

[Albinflorida]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we have all seen the end of the Albin name. The assets of the company were moved into separate corporations and the company is in the process of liquidation of which there is not much left. Fred owes a lot of people a lot of money. The "Albin" name carries that debt. The buyer of the name will incur that debt. You may see the 28, 31 and 35's with different names in the future. I understand the molds may be leased soon to a builder in NJ. It's a real shame as those models were fantastic.
Doug Jenkins
Massey Yacht Sales
Former Albin dealer

[Mariner]

It's really too bad to hear that. However, I don't think it's a surprise to anyone here. Do you, or does anyone else, have any insight into why they failed?

Obviously we all know some of the problems they've had with regard to customer service, and we know that the boating industry as a whole has been experiencing a lot of pressure lately, and I don't want to start any rumors here or anything, but I'm rather curious to know some more details.

[Albinflorida]

Well, in a nutshell several things contributed;
1. Business climate, lack of updated models and gross mis-mangement at the top. The boats just had too many man hours in them, driving the cost way up. The boats were getting close to the price of the newer, higher end competitors, ie. Back Cove, Legacy, etc.
3. The China boats, I had heard the 40 cost Fred over 60k on each to get up to a reasonable condition to sell.

There are other reasons, but Albin is now gone. Hopefully someone will resurect the molds and come out with an updated version under another name.

[Denis]

I am very sad to see the Albin name and the class of boats they produced now gone. They filled a nitch that most if not all of us sought out and enjoy today. I will never forget the looks that I would get my first season pulling into a harbor, or seeing people in their inflatables riding around looking at my boat. It is a boat that is different than the bubble boats with canvas everywhere, with plastic molded in steps and a boat that can drive past the fuel dock on most weekends. Im very sad to hear this news.
I am concerned about the proprietary things that go into a boat like ours. Now that the factory is gone where do we get those types of things? How about starting an on line guide about where we can buy materials or items or where to have certain parts made. I find myself going back through past posts to see where I can buy a certain hinge or a bearing or whatever. Is there a way we can store information that would be useful for our members so that we can find parts, repair shops or mechanics and where to get them? Denis

[RicM]

There's really no part of the TE's that I know of, other than the hull, that will not be available through the original manufacturers. Albin hasn't made any 25 or 27's for what? 25 years, and there are plenty of them still running around. I still think Doug is being a bit pessimistic on this whole issue, but time will tell.

[DougSea]

I am very sad to see the Albin name and the class of boats they produced now gone. They filled a nitch that most if not all of us sought out and enjoy today. I will never forget the looks that I would get my first season pulling into a harbor, or seeing people in their inflatables riding around looking at my boat. It is a boat that is different than the bubble boats with canvas everywhere, with plastic molded in steps and a boat that can drive past the fuel dock on most weekends. Im very sad to hear this news.
I am concerned about the proprietary things that go into a boat like ours. Now that the factory is gone where do we get those types of things? How about starting an on line guide about where we can buy materials or items or where to have certain parts made. I find myself going back through past posts to see where I can buy a certain hinge or a bearing or whatever. Is there a way we can store information that would be useful for our members so that we can find parts, repair shops or mechanics and where to get them? Denis

John's been capturing links to several of the manufacturers of Albin Parts. Check the links section. As for true proprietary parts, cabinets, hatches, etc. - we'll have to see who picks up the pieces of the company or find new sources.

[Russell]

John, this might be a good time to start a separate forum of original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and other vendors separate from the other links. We should list as many as possible because most items are still available from the OEM but with Albin gone their former dealers will cease to be helpful too.

[Mariner]

I think we can accumulate and keep that information in the "links" section.

[jcollins]

This may be a good time to remind everyone that you can use Google to search our site.
Start Google. In the search box type:
site:albinowners.net <search term>

site:albinowners.net yanmar

Try it.

Thanks,

[Mariner]

And, of course, you can always use the site's built-in search engine by clicking on "search" at the top of the page. I've found it works pretty well.

[Legacy]

As an advertising and marketing guy, I really hate to see a "heritage brand" go away. Hopefully it'll be resurrected as many boat brands do, e.g. Bertram.

Forums like this will prove the brand's true worth to a new owner one day - - let's keep it alive!


Rick

[d-jmeyer]

A google news search brought up this item. However, I cannot read the entire article without subscribing. Anyone know "the rest of the story?"

Newport Daily News, RI - Jan 22, 2008
In the year after the state repealed the boat tax, Albin Yachts announced it was moving its boat manufacturing facility from Connecticut to Portsmouth. ...

Judith