Torn between two boats

[Gabe n Em]

We are looking at two very different boats as our first liveaboard. One is a mainship 40 (1981) and the other is an albin 36 (1978). Both in great condition and similarly priced. The Albin lends itself to leaving the dock more and going on more adventures but the Mainship seems like a more comfortable home.

Can we just get both?!

Either way, we are looking forward to some time on the water this year.

Thanks to the mods/creators for such a great resource

[Moonstruck]

Welcome, Gabe and Em. I don't mean to be flippant, but if you keep waiting the choice will be down to one. If they are both in the condition you represented someone will snatch them up. Whatever you do, please keep us in the loop. It will be interesting to see your final choice and why.

[Wxx3]

Originally Posted by Moonstruck

Welcome, Gabe and Em. I don't mean to be flippant, but if you keep waiting the choice will be down to one. If they are both in the condition you represented someone will snatch them up. Whatever you do, please keep us in the loop. It will be interesting to see your final choice and why.

Exactly. Sometimes no decision is a decision.

I also think it's possible that the answer is neither.

Usually when I have trouble pulling the trigger, it's only later I understand why and am almost always very grateful.

[siestakey]

Welcome

It also may be that the answer is in your question

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Welcome aboard.

[O C Diver]

Not saying either isn't right for you, but hopefully the right boat is like finding your spouse. It's shouldn't be a choice between 2, but more "this is the one!"............for now.

Ted

[Baker]

If your goal is to be on the water...then get the one that will facilitate that the best!! And it sounds like you already know which one. Also be careful about curbside appeal. I realize you have to like the appearance of your boat. But if you are buying it based on appearance, then you might be in for a bad time.....kinda like choosing a spouse...

[bayview]

Get the one the wife likes. There can't be much difference in leaving the dock unless access forward is poor.

[Gabe n Em]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, theres a lot of good ideas here.

Moonstruck, the only hitch is I(Gabe) haven't seen the Mainship yet and cant get back (due to work) for another 10 days! We are going to stop in on both of them (praying they're both still there) the day I get back. We are primed to pull the trigger within 24 hours after.

O C Diver: The problem is we've each had our "Aha!" moments, they were just on two different boats. As in all of life, it will be a compromise but finally, I dont believe either will be a bad option, just different strengths

[seasalt007]

I owned a 1979 Albin 33', which is just a tab smaller than the 36. One of my buddies had a 1980 Mainship 40 that I spent a lot of time on. The Albin was single engine and the Mainship had twins.

If you want to live aboard, you will never have a comfortable place to sit and relax on the Albin. Dinettes are not suitable for anything but dining, IMHO. The Taiwanese built Albins are notorious leakers through the teak decks. Other than the stained interior and the lack of a place to prop one's feet up and relax, they are tough boats.

My friend on the Mainship had room for a small recliner and no exterior teak to worry about refinishing or leaking. He lived aboard for several years with no complaints.

In the coin flip for a live aboard boat I would go with the Mainship.

My current boat is a US built Albin which is a totally different boat the the one you guys are considering.

[Drake]

Originally Posted by bayview

Get the one the wife likes.

Very very wise answer.

That will get you on the water more and make your time onboard in the slip much more pleasant.

[HiDHo]

Welcome, the saying is that "the boat picks you" if that's not happening maybe you should continue the search.

[CPseudonym]

Originally Posted by HiDHo

Welcome, the saying is that "the boat picks you" if that's not happening maybe you should continue the search.

Gotta admit when folks told me this before buying our boat I thought it was a load of BS. Having been through the process I'm 100% convinced that it is true. If neither of these boats chose you, and you'd know it, keep looking as soon enough one will.

[BruceK]

Put the plus and minus points for each boat on paper (for oldies) or on a screen. Seeing it that way often helps clarify the choice between 2 courses of action. See if it helps.
If not, could be both are equally suitable, and it doesn`t matter which you choose.

[tego]

Seasalt and Bayview are both wise men. I lived on a 44 MT for several years and always regretted the lousy sitting accommodations. Dinettes are NOT a place to relax. The most comfortable boats to live on in this size range are the sedan trawlers IMHO. Ben

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Buy them both then sell the one you don't like...
?

[Pura Vida]

Welcome
All boats are a compromise, take your time.

[Gabe n Em]

Well, I'm sure you've all been on the edge of your seat as we have been for the last two weeks but we finally decided (and had our offer accepted yesterday!) for the Mainship!

We saw both boats in the same day and the amount of living space was one decider - the other was the value. The Mainship was less expensive, in better condition, and younger by a few years.

I(Gabe) still think the Albins are a little more pleasing on the eyes and definitely more fuel efficient but ALL uses of the boat had to be considered. Not just looks

Stay tuned for survey results but we are looking to liveaboard and need to keep the ball rolling. Any suggestions for marinas on kent island? We liked Mears and Castle harbor but thought piney narrows was too loud with the bridge right there.

[Marlinmike]

Congrat's, all the best!

[steelydon]

I've never seen a boat I didn't like. My wife says a broker could make a living on just selling me boats.


Enjoy!


Steelydon