We have yet to get on board a Albin 40 but the diagrams and pics we've seen make it suitable for our needs- another couple (our children and spouse) with their children. Although the galley appears a bit limited (I do the BBQing outside), the smaller galley allows for more inside seating- not just a settee and perhaps a stool. I love the 36 but on foul days the fly bridge and the up and down hike for my dark-n-stormies or coffee could get tiresome. The 40 really pleases my wife needs for a centerline queen AND a comfortable saloon. Me...I sweat the stuff like leaking windows/ports, water intrusion into teak decks, engine condition, electronics, etc. Can you point out anything I MUST pay attention to beside stuffing box issues?
The 36's have inside steering too...just in case you haven't seen one.
Yes I didn't want my galley in my living room...but that's me and many liveaboard's mentality. If I wound up with a 36...I debated turning the whole vee berth area into a galley/laundry room and suffered with guests in the main saloon the few times they would be aboard...the other 95 percent of living aboard requires the true way you like things.
My boat sufferes from every ailment there is. Thee previous owner did very little except the best thing I can think of....a new engine in 2009. If the hull had been more sount I feel I would have done well in terms of deals.
Most trawlers in the 39-42 range had 2 categories. Disasters for $10,000 to $60,000 and fairly well kept ones for (asking) in the $90,000-$120,000 range. I got mine for $57,000 with 400 gallons of fresh fuel. Most of the older tired boats would have required engine work, pump out several year old fuel, add fresh.....that would have been at least $2000 so I look at my real price at $55,000. When all is said and done...my new bottom, all new decks, new aluminum framed windows, one new head and completely redone sanitation/shower sump system, new faucets, some new canvas and a few other nice projects....should all come in under $15,000.
So I see a boat that will be the way I want it, the model I wanted and most important thing less than 5 years old when I start serious cruisin' for say $20,000 less than any serious competitor at the time. Lot's of sweat equity...but I live aboard and my job is a few slips down.
So my advice is you just have to roll the dice and pick a boat you like.
You may not find a lot of issues on the survey...let's say you bought one of those "nicely kept" models...it may have severe hydrolysis like mine did...and if you can't do the work yourself...bingo...you now have a trawler that cost well over $100,000. So in that case...it's luck of the draw.
The bottom, decks, engine(s), generator, windows are all major projects whether you or anyone else does them. Electrical, plumbing, minor cosmetics are all something you, a friend or even a yard can straighten out without doubling the cost of the boat.
