how are they made???

[SalishAire]

As we begin our search for an 25/27 I was wondering where the hull is laminated with wood and if hulls were solid fiberglass below the gunnels. Also are Albins subject to blistering or has it not been a problem. We are expecting to have to do some work but we want to have a good idea going in where to look for issues (we do our own inspections).

Thanks
Norman

[dkirsop]

The A25 was manufactured in Sweden and is solid fibreglass below the deck, 3/8" minimum thickness. The deck is cored with a material similar to Divinycell foam and resistant to delamination or rot. It is rare to come across an A25 with blistering or delamination issues.

There is marine plywood inserted in locations of the deck where attachments are made through the deck core. Typically this includes the forepeak cleat and the grab rail mountings. I have not encountered any problems with rot on my boat where these attachments occur.

It is a solid boat that packs a lot of versatility and accommodation into a 25 foot hull.

[Dieselram94]

The 25 is no wood cores anywhere, and not a big issue with blistering. This is the main reason I picked a 25. I have heard the 27 is cored in places, but I really have no definitive idea if they really are. Nothing structural on the 25 is made from wood.

[nebulatech]

As I understand it, the A27 has a wood cored deck. Also, the windows are prone to leaks. Not a huge deal, but worth inspecting closely.

The A27 is much roomier than the A25, though some appreciate the layout of the A25 better. The A25 can be towed by a typical V8, while something more robust is recommended for the A27. Finding either boat with a trailer is much preferred, and the presence or lack of a trailer is a negotiating point. The engine compartment of theA27 is larger and will better accommodate things like a water heater or other systems.

The A25 was made in Sweden, while the A27 was made in the USA, which may be important if you plan to both coast guard document and use as a charter vessel.

Both are wonderful boats with a strong following. If trailering long distance is not a significant concern, I might suggest that whichever model you can find in the best condition and best value might be the boat to go with.

Good luck with your hunt!

[tribologist]

Here are some lamination drawings. Even A25's that had been terribly neglected are restorable. Even if you have some water entering divinycell it tends to dry up once you fix the outside. You might have some places with a oily drop for a few years.. As was pointed out, there were wood around grabrails etc but that can easily be addressed if need be. You will never end up with a soft deck etc. THere is no wood in the hull. Its 3/8 on the bottom and a bit thinner as you go up. Almost all bulkheads are screwed in place.

[tribologist]

Another little interesting detail Gelcoat Norpol GI 532 Norpol GI is a current product! I wonder if 532 is the color

[SalishAire]

Thanks to everyone who has answered - very very helpful information!!

[DesertAlbin736]

Thanks tribologist, lamination drawings duly added to my collection.

SalishAire,

Can only speak for the A25. But ours is an early model like dkirsop & tribologist (Sea Quill and Driftless respectively), and is now 50 years old this year. The decks & doghouse had to be repainted in 2018, mainly because they had been painted once before with not the best of workmanship. So I can't vouch for how well the original topside gelcoat holds up. But the original hull gelcoat on the sides still takes a mirror shine with light polishing & waxing. In 2016 I sanded down through several layers of old bottom paint to gelcoat (carefully trying not to damage or sand though the gelcoat), and saw no evidence of osmotic blisters. Through the years our boat has changed hands several times, been in salt water & fresh, variously in Illinois, which I assume to be Lake Michigan or other inland lakes, south Florida including at least one run out to the Bahamas, the Ontario side of Lake Erie with a Canadian owner, the Salish Sea and Lake Powell from 2001-'12 with our immediate PO from Idaho, plus all our travels since 2014 including local lakes here in AZ, a run out to Catalina Island, Salish Sea four times from the San Juans all the way to Desolation Sound, part of Erie Canal, Block Island Sound in RI & CT, and Chesapeake Bay & Nanticoke River in MD & DE. It's just a shame this type of boat didn't catch on in the US like they did in Europe & Canada. Of course if they still made & sold new ones in this country I probably wouldn't be able to afford one.