So...what do you do?

[rangoons]

My wife and I own a company that manufactures appetizers. We sell them to Supermarket chains and club stores around the country. www.originalrangoon.com We operate 2 plants in the Boston area with @ 200 people. Before that I was in the seafood business for about 15 years working for several companies . I've worked in processing plants in Boston, New Bedford and set up a processing and shipping facility in Tacoma WA. My area of strength was purchasing and sales. You haven't lived until you've bought fish at the wholesale auction as the fishermen are watching
I've always wanted a boat and bought my first one 5 years ago. It was a 16' Lund with a 15HP. 2 years later I bought a 20' Seaway center console. Last August I purchased the 1998 28' Albin soft top. The sweet thing on this boat aside from being an Albin was a brand new 315 Yanmar that went with it. Fishing has always been a passion, but it was always from shore. I feel like I am living a dream every time I go out.

[Elizabeth Ann]

Hey Rangoon.

The funny thing was after first seeing your screen name I was gonna ask if anyone called you crab meat I see you guys make bacon wrapped scallops too! MMMMM

Anyway, about myself. After graduating High School I was forced to go to college so off I went. 2 years later I left school b/c my parents finally realized I wasn't serious about it, it was a great party though. I did some odds and ends type things, drove a truck around the Northeast for a while and then I joined the Coast Guard. I did a one year on an Ice Breaker that frequently crossed the Bering and Chukchi. I've been as far North as ~83N. So for a while I was sitting on top of the world....Literally.

For a few months we had some scientists on the ship studying various types of atmospheric processes. One of the scientists asked me for help one day setting up equipment, after receiving permission to do so, I eagerly helped. The next day, I found that I was to be permanantly assigned to the researchers for technical work. It ends up they liked me and I picked up on their stuff pretty well.

After the CG, I decided to enroll back in school studying biology and chemistry (a dual major, not biochem). Started to do a lot of lab work for various professors, one an atmospheric chemist working at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) on Eastern LI. After graduating I worked at BNL for about a year before heading off to grad school where I am now in Miami. It's not like school, it's more like work, but the academic setting is pretty laid back as far as time and schedule is concerned. I go to school for free and I get a fairly nice living stipend on top of it. In another year I should (I hope) have my Ph.D. My work investigates certain VOCs in the atmosphere and based on their isotopic composition I can identify where they came from. I explain to lay peopel that stable isotopes are much like DNA, they are specific to someone or something and can be traced back through l time. It's very much an atmospheric paternity test.

I have done lots of field work. Studying the polluted atmospheres of Mexico City, and Bombay, India. Unfortuately, after the holiday it looks like I'll be heading to Lagos, Nigeria - I'm not too happy about this trip and I am actively seeking an out. We will have armed escorts while there although I'm not sure if that makes me feel more safe or less safe.

Anyway, time on the CG boats and my own boats allowed me to qualify for a 100 ton tag, even though I never even actually controlled anything that large.

My family always lived on the water and I destroyed the first boat given to me by my father I was 13. The boat was a 1982 13' sea squirt and it lasted me till I was 19. All the wake jumping I did with that thing completely destroyed the transom.

Well I think I said enough, sorry for blabbering.

[Mariner]

Rangoons,

Where in Tacoma did you set up the processing facility? I live and work in Tacoma.

[rangoons]

I don't remember the number but the building was on South Tacoma Way. It had the facade of a castle. I believe it was an ice cream plant originally. I was there in 1988. I think it was the Dairy Joy building.
My wife and I used to go to visit Gig Harbor on my time off. It reminded us of Cape Cod back home. It was beautiful. The exit to the plant was right around the Tacoma Dome.

[powerboater56]

Interesting to hear about what everyone does. I am ever curious about new ways to make living, so I keep trying new careers. I started out as an Associate Editor for Boating magazine back in the early 70's. Moved on after an MBA to financial analysis for a big publishing company. Swerved into investment banking for a small boutique firm for almost 8 years. Moved to RI in the late 80's, built some houses. For the last 11 years I've been a partner in a small busines making lampshades and selling high-end lighting products.

During that time, stayed married to the same tolerant lady, raised four kids. Sent them to good colleges (ouch!) Financial and time constraints limited me to small boats: Romany 21, Wellcraft 21, and Mako 25.

Now I am near semi-retirement, and I am looking hard at used Albin 32+2 and successor 35 command bridge with an eye toward ICW jaunts and Bahamas cruising over the next several years.

[Richard]

I am a semi-retired mechanical engineer who has spent most of my career (42 years) working in the motor vehicle safety arena. For 25 years I worked for the US DOT as a researcher testing cars and trucks and developing safety standards for vehicle manufacturers. In 2003 I started my own company that provides independent testing services for heavy truck and bus manufacturers and their component parts suppliers. We located across the street from the Honda test track in central Ohio and we rented the track to do our testing. We tested and certified the brakes on hundreds of vehicles ranging from trucks and buses to motorhomes, mobile cranes and military vehicles. We also developed special equipment for testing brakes and ABS at the end of the assembly line that is used by every truck manufacturer in the US, Mexico and Canada.

In 2003 I sold the company staying on on for 2 years helping the new owner. In 2005 I realized my dream, moving back to Maryland (where I grew up) and bought a house on the water on the Eastern Shore. Now besides crabbing every day in the summer, I consult, act as an expert witness in truck accident cases and tech seminars on regulations and testing.

We bought a new Albin 28 in August and have put over 800NM on it taking day trips and a few overnighters. Next year we plan to explore as much of the Chesapeake and its tributaries as possible. I love the water and have always owned boats, although this is my largest.

I hope to meet other Albin owners in the upcoming year.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

[Tuxedo]

I had a computer software company that provided systems to cities and counties. Some of you live in places where we provided software. You name the small to mid-size town, and I’ve probably been there.

I sold the company in 1993, and got this bright idea to go in the boat business. I sold Albins from 93 to 96 in the mid-Chesapeake. Friends, let me tell you, never make your hobby your business. I found myself working on everyone’s boat but mine. In 95, I was Albin’s number one dealer in terms of product ordered, and the bottom line on my tax return showed I made literally $28.00 that year.

I basically gave the business away in 96, and moved to Charleston. Spent the first couple of years here managing the reconstruction of our 225-year-old house. Then, I got sucked into writing some software for some local non-profits. I now sort of dabble in proving fund raising software on a semi pro bono basis to some charities I support.

I also do a lot of boating and fishing. Done every mile of the waterway from Cape May to New Orleans, and the Maryland – Florida run enough to almost have it memorized. I’ve been crewing on a friends Tartan 37, and another friend just bought a 49’ catamaran that I’ll meet up with somewhere in the Caribbean next month.

Meanwhile, I’m planning a trip to the Bahamas from mid-March to mid-April next spring in Tuxedo.

I look for boats I sold on this board, but haven’t seen one yet. The closest is Doug in Bermuda. I sold the two 32s built before and after his.

[RicM]

I haven't posted about my "profession" until now because I have not been an official Albin owner until about 20 minutes ago when I dropped my deposit check and P&S agreement into the mail box. I grew up in Somerset MA and my dad was big into fishing, then boating from Mt Hope Bay to Narragansett Bay. Occaisional trips to the islands, but this was before GPS and cheap radar. I had a set of keys to his 24' Browning (yes made by the gun people) which was cuddy cabin I/O.

Went to RI School of Design to be an architect, came out a photographer in 1974. My parents were distraught, how would I ever make a living? I opened my own studio doing advertising photography in Providence RI. Twenty -eight years later I've never had a formal job and have managed to live a pretty good life! Moved to Wickford RI 10 years ago and bought my first boat (Proline 251 Walkaround) 3 years ago (it's for sale if anyone's interested). My SE (spousal equivilent) got so into fishing that we have decided to buy this Albin 28TE together. Starting to think about retiring, at least part time although we do get plenty of fishing in. We did over 150 hours all three years we've had the Proline.

[Veebyes2]

For better or worse I have spent the last 18 years trying to extract a living off the water. Good thing the boat is not my only source of income. Before the boat, I worked for a couple wholesale food & restaurant supply companys.

I started my little business in 1988 using my 1986 Albin 27AC. The boat was too small for the business so I had a custom Chesapeake deadrise built which goes just about everywhere the Albin could go. The business is sort of a seagoing limo service with a Hummer. I go places nobody else can & the sightseeing/snorkeling is much more personal rather than a cattleboat trip.

The workboat is currently for sale as I head for semi retirement but my Albin 32 is licensed for private charter to carry 8. Future boat working will be restricted to June, July & August. A bit of real estate income pays the bills. Have 2 grown children. Education bills are nearly ended & we just bought a 5th wheel RV & truck to do some spring/early summer & late summer/fall traveling in.

[TD]

I posted as a post and not a reply so didn't get it in the right place--don't know how to do it yet I guess. <<JC- All Fixed>>>

Was born and raised on a dry land SD farm on the Missouri river and decided I didn't like that to much. Decided I would try to be an engineer so got my BSME and left for the west to work for Boeing. Worked on missiles of all kinds and International Space Station some then retired about 10 years ago.
I have had 6 boats since I came to Seattle in 1961 and had a 39' twin Cat SSeaRay before the 2000 Albin 35 TE pilothouse I got from LI, NY. I sold the Bayray a few years back to help one of my sons start a marine shop back in SD then bought my Albin this year. I like to do my own work when I can so enjoy the maintenance section of the group. We spent about six weeks fishing at Neah Bay [most NW part of Washington] and caught salmon and all kinds of bottom fish. Like to smoke the salmon. My youngest son just got his engineering degree and is a fishing nut so I will have company for a while. My oldest son is also an engineer and went fishing with us this last summer.

[Mariner]

TD,

It looks like we finally have someone local that we can organize a rendezvous with. We'll have to get in touch come spring.

[TD]

Sounds good. I know there is another 35' Albin like mine in Bellingham owned by an attorney but don't know anything else about him.
I just finished putting new solenoids on both Cummins engine preheat circuits so might post my experience with that if it is interesting to anyone. TD

[Dave39]

My wife and I bought our 2002 28TE last April and only managed two overnights and a week at Block due to her family responsibilities. Typically we boat heavily in Long Island , Shelter Island,Narragansett Bay, Block, Cuttyhunk, and the Vineyard. We expect this year to be similar. Being originally from Chicago, I was unused to saltwater until I joined the Navy in '58 and signed up for the Sub Service. Many dives later (like Elizabeth Ann) I've been in the artic circle, and many other areas of operation. I retired 6 years ago after selling my business, and now cruise, fish, and golf. We started in sailboats, and I've crewed offshore on a round-trip to Bermuda, as well as two trips to Fl. Our boats have included a 34' older Mainship trawler, a 33' Egg Harbor sportfisher, and most recently a 43' Mainship trawler. We belonged to the Egg Harbor Owners Assoc, and the Northeast Mainship Assoc. Both have been enjoyable as well as informative. From what I've seen so far of the AOG, this spirit continues. Good moderators make the difference, and I see that here.

[Veebyes2]

Welcome to the group. Most seem to be a devoted crowd who get good use out of their Albins. A good number are in the NE & I'm sure they will quickly chime in.

[Denis]

Welcome to the board Capt Dave39. Thank you for your service to this great country.
I see you are not too far from where we keep our boat, we're in Mystic and boat in a lot of the same areas that you do. Mayby when the season rolls around we can meet up somewhere.
Denis