28TE, following seas, or quarter following seas...?

[Norseman]

New owner of a 28TE.
Had the boat 2 weeks if that, only done inland work, ICW and New River, Fort Lauderdale.
Going to the Bahamas Tuesday. Excellent forecast, light wind and seas 2 feet, not often we see that...
Coming back Friday the 20th however the winds are forecast ENE 20 and waves 6-7 with occasional 10’.
Question: How does the Albin 28TE handled in quartering aft seas, or straight aft...?
Not looking for help in making go or no-go decisions, I am good at turning back and staying alive: Earned my bread as a “bush pilot”in Alaska summer and winter and survived it.
Rather looking for knowledge and experience on how the 28TE handle rough weather and following seas...?

[Carl]

Tabs all the way up and it will be fine.

[Norseman]

Tabs all the way up and it will be fine.

Uh, ok. Good news I guess.
Tabs up means stern down and bow up...?

[RobS]

Following sea = tabs up / bow up
Head sea = tabs down / bow down

Why the "Uh,ok" and the "?"
I thought this was pretty much gospel going back to boating 101? What have you been doing?

[catalina_mike]

Just like backing with tabs down. Not good and control is lost. Part of my drill after getting into the harbor. Tabs up...

[Norseman]

Following sea = tabs up / bow up
Head sea = tabs down / bow down

Why the "Uh,ok" and the "?"
I thought this was pretty much gospel going back to boating 101? What have you been doing?

Never had a boat with trim tabs before.
Had sailboats, outboard boats, and worked on ships and yachts, no trim tabs on any of those.

No problem handling 6-8’ waves then?
Good news, thx.

[RobS]

I was in some snotty seas and never felt unsafe, just uncomfortable at times. When I did start to feel unsafe was when visibility was lost due to spray
(especially in areas of an abundance of lobster pots) or when trying to run a nasty inlet with white breakers and strong currents when the boat felt under-powered.

[Jack]

I suggest delaying your return. The boat can probably take it but not the captain and crew. At least on the ocean you should have a long trough between waves. Up here in Long Island Sound, the waves hit seconds apart. I have gone airborne in just 5 foot following seas.
Good luck.

[Norseman]

I suggest delaying your return. The boat can probably take it but not the captain and crew. At least on the ocean you should have a long trough between waves. Up here in Long Island Sound, the waves hit seconds apart. I have gone airborne in just 5 foot following seas.
Good luck.

Unfortunately we don’t have a choice of delaying the return.
2 crew with meetings and appointments in Europe Monday.
They are flying back there 10 PM Friday.
We will probably stay in Florida and cruise Biscayne Bay, visit Key Largo and avoid the Gulf stream crossings all toghether.
In a previous live I sailed 27 times to the Bahamas, but on a 33’ CSY sailboat, it could take a lot of abuse, but again, I have no idea how the Albin 28 is when it gets rough, no need to find out on the first trip, will learn the boat gradually.
Thx for advise, much appreciated, and much to learn about this boat.
So far I like it a lot, comfortable and easy to run.

[Pitou]

I suggest delaying your return. The boat can probably take it but not the captain and crew. At least on the ocean you should have a long trough between waves. Up here in Long Island Sound, the waves hit seconds apart. I have gone airborne in just 5 foot following seas.
Good luck.

Unfortunately we don’t have a choice of delaying the return.
2 crew with meetings and appointments in Europe Monday.
They are flying back there 10 PM Friday.
We will probably stay in Florida and cruise Biscayne Bay, visit Key Largo and avoid the Gulf stream crossings all toghether.
In a previous live I sailed 27 times to the Bahamas, but on a 33’ CSY sailboat, it could take a lot of abuse, but again, I have no idea how the Albin 28 is when it gets rough, no need to find out on the first trip, will learn the boat gradually.
Thx for advise, much appreciated, and much to learn about this boat.
So far I like it a lot, comfortable and easy to run.

Smart move to stay local .. I never travel by boat without some wiggle room in the schedule as one never knows what mother nature and Poseidon may have up their sleeves.

PS - your Albin is a green water boat, but it's never fun for the crew. Welcome aboard!

[Norseman]

Thx.
Now in Key Largo, easy trip but now raining. 6 hours run, 41 gallons fuel.
Noticed a strong holding tank smell.
Must be from vent or valve under deck. The head does not smell at all.
Common Albin 28 problem?
Also, we broke an aft shower handle. Looks like original 2001 plastic.
Need whole new system back there next to the transom door. Any ideas?

[Pitou]

Noticed a strong holding tank smell.
Must be from vent or valve under deck. The head does not smell at all.
Common Albin 28 problem?

Quite likely it is coming from the hull vent. Is it stronger when the head is flushed? If so, it's time to add or replace with a an inline charcoal filter in the vent line. I had added one to my 28 and have one as part of the VacuFlush system strapped to the tank of my 31. It's an annual maintenance replacement item.

Holding Tank Filter.jpg

Also, we broke an aft shower handle. Looks like original 2001 plastic.
Need whole new system back there next to the transom door. Any ideas?

Albin did use different cockpit shower systems throughout their builds and often time within the same model year. Put up a picture and I'm sure that someone can identify it.

[drbob]

The hose to the hull vent should be pushed up into the space above the vent so that the water cannot flow down into the filter. I had to add a short piece of hose to make this happen on our 28. The filter should be horizontal. The new filters (green) are way better than the old ones.

[Carl]

Does your shower box look like this?
https://www.amazon.com/Fontana-hot-cold ... B00FZHAQN4

[Norseman]

Thx for the comments.
Yes, smell from vent when Head is pumped, will install the filter, good idea..

Stern shower almost the same as link, but not quite.
Took a picture, now trying to post it..

33134662-9C29-4864-B263-19CE7C5495B4.jpeg

Took the shower box out. Looks like a Whale Shower, but not 100% sure, no brand markings or model number.
Twice as expensive as the shower linked above but other brands seems to have smaller dimensions and will not fit the cut out.
Will check with my local WM tomorrow, if they have one in stock I will try it out. The plastic hoses inside the boat may also be old and brittle, will try to replace them as well: Where is the connection to the rest of the boat’s fresh water system and is it accessible?

Now I have highjacket my own thread, should have kept on topic and looked for a plumbing thread. Sorry.