Thinking about an Albin 36 Talk to me.

[NolaSafari]

Thinking seriously about purchasing an 84 Albin 36. Anyone willing to speak with me on the phone to discuss known issues with this model and what I should take a close look at before purchase. Not new to boats just smart enough, read old enough to know I don’t know it all.
Thanks Jim

[Panhdjoe]

Hello, first off let me say I do not own a 36 and have only been on 2 of them, I have however been watching the market and reading every thing about them I can find for the last 3 years, Our plan is to sell our family cruiser and own a 36 by spring next year. Overall they have a reputation as being solidly built, as with most Taiwan built trawlers the quality of the build varied from boat to boat, Some great info is available on the web, Google "Taiwan's Venerable Trawlers" Passage Maker magazine 1998. Also Bob Horner's review of the Albin 36 on the Boat US web site.
The main problems seems to be, Fuel tanks, Window leaks, and the Teak decks. Some say the fuel tanks are cast iron some steel. Either way, most of these boats are in salt water they rust. The problem is also compounded by the decks above them leaking. Both of the boats I have looked at have had the aft cabin and salon windows calked with heavy bead of RTV from the outside to stop the leaks. This of course left the windows inoperable. The teak decks are often removed and a layer of fiberglass put down with a coat of non skid over that. If not removed they must be recaulked ever few years.
There are excellent threads on repairs of these items on this site, one example is a post about how the fuel tanks can be cut up in place and removed in pieces and replaced without puling the engine.
Hope all that does not scare you off. I am willing to deal with this stuff. I think for the prices they sell for they represent a great value. Personally I intend to look for a boat that is in top shape to start with even though we will pay more. Some well equipped and nice boats with most of the issues already taken care of have sold in the 60k range. I hope some owners will chime in with their experiences.

[jleonard]

I have a 1983 40 albin. Which is very similarly built just a different layout. I am travelling now (in the hudson river). You can try me some day around 8 to 9 am I,ll be running the boat. Spotty internet so don,t try pm ing me
Jay. 860 830 2530 until july 2 then i,ll be be in canada and it will cost you big.

[NolaSafari]

J and Joe thanks for taking the time to reply. I did look at the boat, the biggest concern is the genset would not start and neither AC would function. The engine room was a mess so I elected to pass. I am going to look at a 40 after work today. The boat looks rough on the outside, interior maybe ok and according to the broker the AC units work. It has a Volvo Diesel very low hours, I have to research to see if that is good.

J if I get serious on the 40 I will give you a call, thanks.

Thanks Jim

[marshotel]

After wanting one of these boats since I was a kid, I finally took the plunge this past fall. I bought a 1885 Albin 36. It has the Lehman 135 hp, 6 cyl diesel. Due to the economy of the boat is why I bought this over another sailboat (of course ease of operation over sailing didn't hurt). At cruising speed she only consumes 1.5 - 2 gals an hour. I have a two + kids (9,6, one on the way) so the spacious layout was a no-brainer. Everyone who comes aboard (especially sailors) marvel at the space we have. I have yet to spend many hours cruising, only about 10 this season. I have had some maintenance issues but that is to be expected. Overall, I love the boat and plan on keeping it for a very long time. Yes, the windows leaked and the teak plywood is in rough shape around the windows, yes, the teak decks leak and need some attention (about half done recaulking) but Hey, its a boat, I expected these issues. For the size of the boat, the systems seem relatively uncomplicated. I am willing to learn about them, the diesel and feel fairly confident that with effort and knowledge of others I will be able to maintain this boat the way it should be. There is much to do! But if your a boater, you know this and must be willing to do the work or spend big dollars having it done for you. Good luck!