Albemarle 268?

[74Formula233]

Any opinions or experience with this (or the 265 older model?)

The 268 and 280 were at the Prov. Boat Show again this year.......

Wife and I love the 268.....the one at the show had the Volvo 8.1L 375HP with jackshaft...single screw. Supposedly cruises at 32MPH burning 15GPH, which actually isn't bad IMO for that type of hull and gas.

The beam is 8'6" and is trailerable so I could buy a trailer and store it at home winters easily....(probably would think about slipping her vs. having to move to a bigger truck only to tow the boat....that alone is a big expense....but for winter storage I can borrow a friend's truck.)

Even at 8'6" the room in the cockpit is incredible for this size boat.....looks way more than 8'6" LOL.....

What a gorgeous piece of work.

The 280 (a decent amount more $$$) can be ordered with a single diesel and is a straight inboard. I'm not really interested in twins in either size boat.

I'm certainly not ready to buy another boat yet by any means, nor will I be buying brand new either when the time comes. But just starting the thinking

[tri-n-again]

what were they asking for the 268 ?

[Deep C]

As you know i'm an Albefreak... The 268 is not enjoying the same revies as the 24 or 28... I've heard a few negatives from their owners... The 28 is bar far the bees Knees for greatness but it is a lot of boat...

[74Formula233]

Well, the one at the show was around $109k before "negotiation" equipped..

They also had a 1-year old used one with ~60 hours for around $90k at the marina.

Paul, was waiting to hear you opinion...took ya long enough!!!! LOL

I already have a 24 "Albie" so I do know the great performance of that hull

The 28 IS a lot of boat, for sure.

What "complaints" have you heard about the 268, Paul?

[Persistence]

The 26 Express boats with the 24 degree hull were EXTREMELY tender. That big block motor and high gunwales made it tipsy...even compared to my 24 express. Also, the one I was on had saddle tanks that did not burn evenly so the weight distribution was poor and I HATED the way it acted with the seas off the stern. Heavy tendency for bow-steering. AND I drove one home from offshore in heavy seas...blowing 30kt SE gusting to 35kts...we had these conditions for about 20 miles and we thought we'd had it a few times. Biggest stuff I've ever been out in. We had it on the stern quarter and we were dealing with heavy bow steer and it was not very predictable. I've seen the boat act this way in lesser seas as well. It's a BEAST in head seas though and YES, it is heavy and tough as nails but that one trip cured me of ever wanting to own one. I've yet to experience bow steer on my 24 and I've had it out in some serious $hit...not 30kts plus but 20-25 easy off Hatteras which was, hmmm, bumpy to say the least.

The 28 would be a pig with a single...it needs twins. I have a friend who owns a 28 twin gasser and he runs a 28 twin diesel from time to time and he says there is no comparison, the deisel is the bomb. His gasser is sweet and a fine machine but the extra weight down in that deep v is where it's at...

As for the newer 26's with the lesser deadrise, I'd have to drive one in some serious seas to prove to myself that those characteristics I mentioned were gone...but I'm a bit skeptical.

[Deep C]

I talked to a couple of 24 guys that moved up and they said it just didn't feel like an Albie... Fit and finish were fine but a bit harder ride and a bit wetter....

[74Formula233]

Originally Posted by Deep C

I talked to a couple of 24 guys that moved up and they said it just didn't feel like an Albie... Fit and finish were fine but a bit harder ride and a bit wetter....

OK....how about the 27 then? LOLOL

[Sublime]

There is a Virginia guy who has a 28 with twin yanmars inboards 2003, no tower, mint condition in the local Hampton Roads Pilot online/news paper and BT online....he had it at one time listed for $115. Fast and very economical. He has been trying to selll it since fall, had it with a broker who jacked the price up to 130's and didn't sell it......it's a great price on the boat.....I'd buy it if my wife would let me but she doesn't love me enough....lol....

[Deep C]

27 and 28 is one and the same... They are true albies... Cut through the stuff roll on the drift... Raise fish and if you screw up and hit a rock with it ... it will break the rock...

[74Formula233]

Originally Posted by Deep C

27 and 28 is one and the same... They are true albies... Cut through the stuff roll on the drift... Raise fish and if you screw up and hit a rock with it ... it will break the rock...

This is what I was wondering....if it was the same boat basically as the "old" 27.