With a mix of performance, outdoor living and comfortable accommodations, Albin launches its trawler for the millennium.

by John Wooldridge photos by Skip Gandy

It was a quiet night on the Manatee River. Palmetto, Fla., was several miles upriver, and the teeming twin-cities of Tampa and St.Petersburg were less than an hour away by car. The Albin Express Trawler swung gently at anchor, responding to the last vestiges of the wind that frothed the Gulf of Mexico waters earlier in the day. But, the Albin had been equal to that open water challenge, clipping alon at 19-knot cruising speeds, taming the three and four foot whitecapped waves in a manner befitting a yacht from the company that won its stripes building seaworthy vessels designed to handle rough waters.

There had been quite a crowd aboard for a sun-drenched day of exploring, fishing, and swimming, but we were never crowded or short of space. In fact, we were on deck most of the day. And it was only at dusk, as the light faded and we retreated into the salon, that the livability and comfort of the interior accommodations became evident. To my way of thinking, the Express Trawler fulfilled its mission very well. In the 16 yers spanning 1978 to 1993, Albin Marine was a force to be reckoned with in the traditional displacement trawler market. The lessons they learned about livable salon and stateroom layouts, workable deck layouts, and economical operation serve them well in their newest design, the Express Trawler. Realizing that the marketplace wanted performance plus comfortable accommodations afloat, Albin began planning their new 36-footer several years ago, and put an emphasis on topsides features. "We wanted to re-emphasize outdoor living," said Fred Peters, president of Albin Marine. "It is our belief that owners want to spend as much of their time as possible outdoors when they are boating. But we also want them to enjoy themselves when the weather is less than perfect."

Working with Terry Compton, his long-time associate and in-house naval architect, Peters settled on a multi-level design that measures 33 feet on deck plus and additional three fee of oversized boarding/watersports platform molded onto the stern. The platform adds pitch and roll stabilizing water-line aft that contributes to the comfortable motion displayed by the Express Trawler in a heavy chop. It is also a convenient boarding platform, with opening safety rail gates on the sides and on the centerline aft, which also gives access to the swim ladder.

Large Cockpit

The portside transom door gives access to a cockpit large enough to accommodate several folding deck chairs - and that's in addition to the built-in bench seating across the back of the cockpit. Fenders, hose, shore power cord and docklines store easily beneath the comfortable bench seats, which are equipped with cylindrical backrests attached to the aft section of the waist-high safety rail surrounding the cockpit. Look closely at the picture and you'll see that Albin has included safety rails from stem to stern on this boat, a sure sign that the designer and builders have been to sea and know what families want in the way of safety on deck.

Perhaps the most interesting feature topside is the shelter provided by the aft flying bridge deck extension aft. Because it completely covers the aft cockpit, there's always a bit of shade to hide in during the heat of the day, or a dry spot to sit beneath on a rainy day when you're not ready to be inside. On a night with a dying breeze, you can stretch out on the bench cushions and listen to the sounds of fish jumping in, or other boats passing, your quiet anchorage.

To make the cockpit even roomier, Albin uses a stowable stair access to the flying bridge. This welded stainless unit locks firmly in place when you are using the flying bridge, but slides upward and inward to store flush.

But, when you want them up top with you, the flying bridge is well equipped to seat and entertain a crowd of seven or eight adults. The captain's chair is flanked by crew seating for two guests. Additionally, the removable backrest on the starboard crew seat turns it into a comfortable sunpad for one. To port, there's a built-in icebox which is sized to accept an optional icemaker, plus an aft-facing seat. The aft bench and the stairway are well-protected with safety rails.

The aft cockpit and salon are raised up, creating an engine compartment aft for twin V-drive diesels that is truly voluminous. Working around the engines in this space should be easy. "That makes it easier to swap engines in the future should you ever want or need to," said Terry Compton. "It also creates a large, separate machinery space beneath the cabin for the tanks, and the non-propulsion systems and equipment."

Room with a view

Cherry wood cabinetry and low-maintenance countertops grace a salon that is notable for its views in every direction. That serves the helmsman well when the weather forces a retreat to the lower helm station. And with seating for four at the dinette, even rainy day passages can be a shared experience. The galley has a three-burner stove with broiler and oven, plus a microwave. The forward V-berth serves individuals well, or can be equipped with a filler for couples. The center cabin tucks up under the helm, with a queensize berth that is cozy and private.

With twin 270-hp Cummins diesels, the Albin Express Trawler cruises at 19 knots and tops out at about 23 knots. Frugal owners might opt for a single 270-hp Cummins with bow thruster, while power-seekers can select twin 420 Cats or Cummins with bow thruster. You might not expect those kinds of speeds from a trawler built by a company well known for its successful traditional designs. But, any performance comparison between those early trawlers and the new Express Trawler is lost in the clean-flowing wake. After that, Albin's emphasis is on livability and comfort, above all else.