Albin 28 in South Bristol, Maine

[kenyoung]

On December 2, 2021 we took delivery of a 1997 Albin 28 with a 250hp Cummins 6bta 5..9. We bought her in East Greenwich, RI and trucked her to South Bristol, Maine. We've sailed a 1980 S2 9.2A for 20 years out of Rockland, Maine (Penobscot Bay) and decided it was time to change to power, i.e. we aged out of sailing.

We have a longish list of mostly maintenance issues and two more substantial items - more sound proofing and easier steering.. I've enjoyed searching the forums for information and making notes for the spring.

The surveyor we used informed me that the boat was 28' long and 28'wide. You've got to keep and eye on these guys.

Hoping to meet some 28TE skippers this summer. Bon Voyage.

[Norseman]

easier steering.

I swapped out the steering wheel for a bigger one with a knob, that made for easier steering.
Will look for a picture and post right here.

[Norseman]

Here you go, bigger wheel.

E5767E30-3BC2-405C-AD9D-6BB3D1997863.jpeg

[Norseman]

Also ended up replacing the steering cylinder and the fluid.
(Different fluids can make the steering "stiffer")

[kenyoung]

Thank you Norseman. The steering wheel on my boat might be a bit smaller. It does have a knob. Trying to diagnose the problem, I disconnected the rudder control arm from the steering ram (cylinder). The rudder moved freely and easily. The steering wheel still was stiff.

This suggests a few additional areas for investigation. Is there a problem in the steering cylinder at the helm? Does the auto pilot pump affect the steering? Is the steering cylinder at the stern the problem?

The steering at the helm is the standard brand with which the boat was delivered. The PO used that same brand of hydraulic fluid.

I'd be interested in the brand of fluid you switched to and why you eventually swapped out the steering cylinder at the rudder and what you used as a replacement.

Thank you.

[kenyoung]

What size wheel? Tx.

[Norseman]

Thank you Norseman.

I'd be interested in the brand of fluid you switched to and why you eventually swapped out the steering cylinder at the rudder and what you used as a replacement.

Thank you.

First I had the cylinder overhauled, but it kept leaking. Got my money back and bought a new, but beefed up version of the cylinder, that did the trick.
The overhaul place recommended a pure hydraulic oil, forgot the specs, but it made the steering rather stiff. I purged the system and went back to the Sea star fluid, much lighter and therefore less pressure in the lines, less chance of leaking.

I have more details on the steering saga in this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10612

Try page 30 or 31 for the steering problem, or read the whole thing if you have a few hours.

[Nancy]

Ken, in addition to Norseman's link about the steering on his boat, there are a number of other threads about steering, steering cylinder, steering column leaks, etc. on the forum. Do a search and I'm sure you'll come up with lots of reading. Let us know if you have trouble with the search function.

[kenyoung]

Great information from Norseman's steer (pardon the pun) and Nancy's suggested search items. Thank you both.
Ken (Still working on new name).

[ron82056]

Ken Can you tell me who hauled your boat? I have a 28 TE in R I that a may need to move to Danvers MA.
Thanks
Ron
617 438 7767