After much looking around I found a very gently used 2006 28te (flush deck) near Baltimore that I made an offer on. I went up that weekend to drop off a deposit & lined up a survey. With two small issues being reported from teh surveyor (gelcoat crazing around bow thruster & the helm unresponsive on a starboard turn at >3000rpm, we decided to move forward with the purchase.
The vessel (soon to be renamed Grace Full) will be kept in Melbourne where I expect she will be regularly used gunkholeing the Indian River Lagoon spoil islands with the family on the weekends, running out to the far side of the gulf stream for yellowfin tuna fishing (she has the 4' open array for bird spotting) with buddies, or bottom fishing outside of Sebastian inlet. The family is reallly looking forward to starting this new adventure too. They are looking forward to understanding the mysterious rules of the road, small boat seamanship & navigation so they can experience FL from an on-the-water viewpoint.
I grew up sailing in Coconut Grove during the 70's & early 80's befor joing teh Navy & sailing destroyers in Asia & the Pacific. Although neither a sailboat or a 'tin-can' the layout of this boat reminded me of our 28' Soverel, but the mechanical systems were much better.
I hope to get her down to Biscayne Bay w/ my family sometime in the future to relive Elliot Key & S.Biscayne Bay & offshore.
I've read many posts on this forum & there seems to be many fine people owning Albin yachts. I look forward to seeing many of you on the water.
I can't wait! --Dave
