Albin Ballad 30 for bluewater cruising

[scareygary]

I cannot answer all your questions, as I do not know the Ballad personally. What I do know is that I am the proud owner of a 1976 Albin 7.9 Meter, so she's only 26'. She has a deck stepped mast. I've owned a Yankee 30, a Tartan 30 and a Catalina 25 for years, and I bought the Albin because of the features that I liked most in the Yankee and the Tartan: namely, the diesel forward in the cabin where it's accessible and the skeg hung rudder. The Albin also has an encapsulated keel, which I prefer. She races to her rating, but she's not a screamer by any means, however, my boat is DRY as a bone and sails very, very well. She stands up in a blow. I really, really think my Albin is VERY well designed and very well built. I am getting long in the tooth, and don't do much open ocean sailing anymore, but I think this boat would be as safe and comfortable as most any sailboat her size. I hope you enjoy your Ballad as much as I like my smaller Albin....

[dokondr]

Originally Posted by scareygary

I cannot answer all your questions, as I do not know the Ballad personally. What I do know is that I am the proud owner of a 1976 Albin 7.9 Meter, so she's only 26'. She has a deck stepped mast. I've owned a Yankee 30, a Tartan 30 and a Catalina 25 for years, and I bought the Albin because of the features that I liked most in the Yankee and the Tartan: namely, the diesel forward in the cabin where it's accessible and the skeg hung rudder. The Albin also has an encapsulated keel, which I prefer. She races to her rating, but she's not a screamer by any means, however, my boat is DRY as a bone and sails very, very well. She stands up in a blow. I really, really think my Albin is VERY well designed and very well built. I am getting long in the tooth, and don't do much open ocean sailing anymore, but I think this boat would be as safe and comfortable as most any sailboat her size. I hope you enjoy your Ballad as much as I like my smaller Albin....

Is it Albin Vega? How much headroom do you have down below? How do you deploy your anchor from the bow? No chain locker no roller on the bow, correct?
What are your Albin limitations in terms of heavy weather?
Is she good for a crew of two?
Thanks!

[dokondr]

Albin Vega 27 rudder is firmly fixed to the rear of the keel and uncommonly, the propeller exits under the counter stern above the rudder. Because of this you can not use prop wash on your rudder doing such maneuvers as spring off /on and tight turns.

I wonder if there exists other Albin or other Swedish 30'-32' boats with:

- deck-stepped mast
- fin rudder on skeg
- prop normally before the rudder
- anchor locker on the bow
- headroom at least 1.9m ?

[scareygary]

Originally Posted by dokondr

Albin Vega 27 rudder is firmly fixed to the rear of the keel and uncommonly, the propeller exits under the counter stern above the rudder. Because of this you can not use prop wash on your rudder doing such maneuvers as spring off /on and tight turns.

I wonder if there exists other Albin or other Swedish 30'-32' boats with:

- deck-stepped mast
- fin rudder on skeg
- prop normally before the rudder
- anchor locker on the bow
- headroom at least 1.9m ?

My boat is definitely NOT the Albin Vega. It's a very different boat. It was an attempt at a quarter tonner race boat, I believe. It checks all the boxes above except headroom. I'm in the US and my meter knowledge is somewhat limited. I am about 5'10", and cannot stand up completely down below....which is a bummer! My design is known as a 7.9 Meter. If you want to know more, you can see it on Sailboatdata.com

[Matwill]

Originally Posted by dokondr

A lot of valuable info, thanks! What about Ballad mast truss problem? Is it inevitable? As I understand, it is really hard to check mast truss without taking the mast and step off completely.

The truss can be inspected by looking under the mast step from the forward bilge. You can put your phone's camera in there to get a good view. You will only have issues on boats that are neglected and left to fill with water. On mine from 76 the exposed truss looks brand new.

If you do leave the boat on the hard unattended over winter there is a bung in the bilge that will prevent water reaching the level of the truss.

[Matwill]

you can fit a torch and camera in there to have a good look - only neglected boats will have an issue.