The Swiss Army Knife
1996 Albin 28 Tournament Express - $59,900
If you ask ten boaters what the “perfect” boat is, you will get ten different answers. But if you ask them what the most versatile boat is, they will likely point to this one.
The Albin 28 Tournament Express (TE) is the Swiss Army Knife of the sea. It’s a fishing boat that you can sleep on. It’s a cruiser that can handle offshore swells. It’s a single-diesel trawler that can hit 20+ knots.
Most boats force you to choose a tribe: “I am a fisherman,” or “I am a cruiser.” The Albin 28 lets you be both. You can run 40 miles offshore to chase tuna in the morning, and then host a cocktail party in the cockpit at sunset.
The “Cult” Status
Albin built nearly 1,000 of these hulls. That is an insane number for a 28-foot inboard boat. Why? Because they solved the equation. They built a boat with a full keel (protecting the prop), a massive cockpit, and a surprisingly livable interior with a “quarter berth” tucked under the helm deck.
But here is the secret: Not all Albin 28s are created equal. Many were built with the “Peninsular” diesel engine—a motor that is now notorious for being hard to find parts for. The “Holy Grail” Albin 28s are the ones powered by the Cummins 6BTA. It is the legendary, bulletproof diesel that every mechanic knows and loves.
This boat has the Cummins.
The Specs
Model: 1996 Albin 28 Tournament Express
Power: Single Cummins 6BTA (300 hp) - Repowered in 2007
Engine Hours: 1,527 (Barely broken in for a Cummins)
Cruise Speed: 16-18 Knots (Sipping fuel at 3 MPG)
Location: Southport, NC
Price: $59,900
Why We Love It (The “Green Flags”)
The “Checkbook” Owner: Read the listing carefully. This owner didn’t just wash the boat; they maintained the machinery.
New Turbo (2021)
New Aftercooler (2022)
New Transmission Cooler (2022)
New Cutlass Bearing (2025)
This is huge. These are the expensive “invisible” items that most sellers ignore. This owner did them for you.
The “Mid-Cabin” Layout: The Albin 28 pulls off a magic trick. It has a V-berth forward and a double berth tucked aft under the helm deck. It effectively sleeps 4 people in a 28-foot boat. It’s tight, but it works for a young family.
The Fuel Economy: At cruise, this boat burns roughly 6 gallons per hour. In a world of gas-guzzling outboards burning 30 GPH, this is virtually free transportation.
The Reality Check (The “Red Flags”)
The Engine Box: The engine is located in a box in the center of the cockpit. It makes for great access (you can sit on it to work), but it does take up deck space. Some people love it as a seat/table; others hate navigating around it.
The “Cave” Bed: The aft berth is great for kids or storage, but for an adult, it can feel a bit like sleeping in a torpedo tube.
The Age: It is a 1996 hull. Even with the mechanical updates, you will be chasing 30-year-old pumps, hoses, and wiring eventually.
The Verdict
At $59,900, this is the “Gateway Drug” to Downeast cruising. It is safe, economical, and holds its value like gold bullion. If you want to dip your toe into the diesel inboard lifestyle without risking your retirement savings, this is the boat.
