Boat test for the 2005 Albin 40 North Sea Cutter with boat pictures, boat specifications, and boat test results. Includes pricing, videos, engine test reviews, and ratings for the 2005 Albin 40 North Sea Cutter.

I examined the interior of the 40 after docking her one more time, an exercise that went sloppily until I remembered to look at the indicators and center the large, obviously effective rudders (duh!). The layout was expansive for a 40-footer. Not only did the forward master have a large (60"x76") island berth, but it also had a split, en suite head with a tub/shower space to port and toilet compartment with ITT Jabsco electric MSD to starboard. I noted one glitch worth mentioning. The underside of the foredeck hovered a mere 17 inches above the forward end of the berth--a setup that could prove to be a real noggin-knocker should some sleepy somebody decide to sit bolt upright in bed without scooching aft first.

I found the rest of the interior quite inviting. Varnish work in the saloon/galley/dinette/pilothouse area amidships and in the guest stateroom aft (with convertible settee to port) gave off a warm, cheery glow. There was plenty of drawer and cabinet space, the joinery was serviceable, and opening ports, doors, and companionways guaranteed cross ventilation galore. A couple more glitches surfaced, though. For starters, the fold-down helm seat at the lower steering station was too close to the wheel. A comparatively svelte soul, I had to wrap my knees around the wheel in order to drive. And then, the back of the settee on the port side of the saloon was near vertical making it uncomfortable to sit on.

The engine room, accessed through hatches in the saloon sole, had some issues as well. Because the Groco sea strainers could be easily accessed only via small inspection plates in the fiberglass decking, they were impossible to keep tabs on from the side, an issue that had manifested itself earlier when we thought we had engine-overheating problems. Also, while the clear, flexible tubing made the sight gauges on the two saddle-type fuel tanks easy to read at a glance, it wasn't ensconced in metal protectors. And finally, some of the batteries, while solidly boxed, were nevertheless difficult to access because they were under deck panels that were screwed down.

The lazarette was more impressive. Located beneath a cockpit hatch, it contained some of the stoutest steering gear I've seen on a midranger. Moreover, the optional genset was a whopper (a 9-kW Onan), and the lid to the genset sea strainer was proud of the decking and thus easier to access than the strainer lids farther forward.

A glitch or two? Yup, but some serious performance-related virtues and a lot of space will have many midrange buyers rarin' to go—especially after they see the 40's price.

Albin Marine
(203) 661-4341

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