She's pretty Denise. I've got that same oil lantern on my Seaweed. I like your spice racks and the storage area for your plates. Very spiffy. I always like seeing what others have done. That gives me ideas. Ideas turn in to projects.
The Albins are interesting. I went on a 27 with a fellow who wanted a spare pair of eyes to look over the boat. She had Issues so he passed. Problems spotted:
#1) All stanchions on the bow were wobbly
#2) Soft spots on deck indicated rot
#3) Wiring would need replacement (old wires, caps versus butt connectors, etc.)
#4) A thick layer of black oil in the bilge
Now the aft cabin was not terrible! I expected a cavern and with the doorway open it was spacious/airy. Sitting on the centerline I could well envision a desk back there. The bunks in the aft cabin reminded me of MRI tubes.
They would be great for storage.
For me, getting in and out of those aft cabin bunks would not be something I'd do more than once. For overnight guests though, perfection. Except they would have to get up and come forward to use the head. Children could have a great time back there.
Galley dinette and bunk forward are all in that forward area. I do not want a fellow looking at my bed while we are chatting. It's me, it's a quirk but there you have it.
Steps down to the forward cabin were steep. It's definitely a turn around and go down the steps backwards if there are any balance issues whatsoever. Perhaps with practice that would get change. I err on the side of caution.
You might also consider a small houseboat. There's a lot of living in one of those. The biggest plus though is no steps.
Daddy built the boat I grew up aboard. His intention was to build a houseboat when he turned fifty to use as his Last Boat. He never got around to that. By the time it was time to take that step he didn't have the physical stamina to build another. Plus we liked our 40'er.
She served us well... This is the boat Daddy built:
I like the Albin for a single person. I could well imagine life in the forward section with aft primarily for storage. Locker space is spartan however with good planning it would suffice.
The Albin we toured did have the remnants of an ice box. It was virtually inaccessible. I'd have wanted to cut out the front of the locker and make a real storage spot. A single burner would have been fine.
The head and shower were good.
It's been a while since I saw the boat. I did take a lot of pictures. Try this page:
Index of /BoatInfo/Albin27
This link is just a folder with the pictures I took... There is no preview.
This page
Janice aboard Seaweed, trawler cruising on a nickel budget... is a compilation of my working files from when I was boat shopping. Originally I wanted a NorSea27 or something similar, dreaming of sailing off across horizons. A couple bouts with cancer, taking care of Mother (Alzheimer's) and life, well, I'm not getting any younger.
When I thought about my favorite times growing up it was not passages. I liked hanging out on the hook in some remote place, swimming with dolphins, gathering scallops (in Biscayne Bay) and conchs wherever I could find 'em. Plus reading.
Goodness gracious, wouldn't life have been wonderful with a Kindle back then...
Good luck in your search.
J.