Albin Ballad 30

[captsam54]

I am sure we all would like to see pictures, description, and location etc.. thx..

[Amelnick]

I have a 1978 Albin Ballad 30 that needs to be repowered (the original MD7A is shot). if you have expereinece repowering your boat please let me know what engine you went to and what the rework of the mounting entailed.

[Cran]

Beta 16 with about a 2" block riser, great deal and turn key,,,,almost. Fits good and is way better then the Volvo it replaced.

Cran.............. capncran@gmail.com
cran@arcorg.com

[sailpony]

A friend and I rebuilt a Ballad a few years ago, and I've been cruising and living aboard since then. I yanked the Volvo and stuck in a Yanmar 2GM, saving around 100 pounds. Runs like a clock. Solid boat.

[GTom]

I am considering the Ballad as a still transportable option above the Vega, but being concerned by this issue. I was wondering if a decent reinforcement is possible before venturing long offshore runs...

Originally Posted by sestina

I used to have a Ballad. Nice boat, stiff as a church, good turn of speed, quicker than a Contessa 32 and more room inside to boot.

There are a couple of structural issues to be aware of: Look carefully at the bulkheads. Albin had a dotty system for tying them into the hull. Rather than glass them in over a top hat section ring frame, they are bolted to a flange.

The bolts work loose and the bulkhead moves. Also, pull away the woodwork round the mast step. There's a steel plate down here, covered in glass, which over time spalls away. Leaving the mast to descend through the bottom of the boat. Well, it did on mine. Sold her as a repair project. Broke my heart, she sold for £4,000 and had £7,000 worth of new sails.

I was planning an Atlantic circuit with her till the failure. I feel she would have made a reasonable cruiser, for a couple, though you would have to watch that you didn't overload her. Those vast cockpit lockers could accommodate a mountain of junk! The original 10hp Volvo is a bit puny.

Other Euro boats of a similar style worth consideration are: Waquiez Centurion 32 and the Scampi.

[GTom]

Quickly checked the layout against the Vega: just 2 small berths on the sides. Is that all, what the Ballad offers compared to its little sister? LWL is even shorter(!)...

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by GTom

Quickly checked the layout against the Vega: just 2 small berths on the sides. Is that all, what the Ballad offers compared to its little sister? LWL is even shorter(!)...

"... She has six berths in two cabins, including two rather awkward pilot berths ..."
➥ Albin Ballad boat review

[GTom]

Originally Posted by GordMay

"... She has six berths in two cabins, including two rather awkward pilot berths ..."
➥ Albin Ballad boat review

Sry, I meant two additional little berths compared to the Vega. LWL is shorter than the Vega, therefore the only additional volume increase comes from the wider beam.