Shipman 28 vs Albin Ballad

[Fbrogaard]

Hey guys, I've been researching both of these boats extensively over the past months and found them both quite intriguing (shipman 28 and Albin Ballad). However, I simply can't make up my mind and hoped for some personal experience here/pros and cons

I plan on using the boat as a liveaboard (don't mind the cramped space), but also plan on using the boat for ocean passages at some time. With the ultimate goal of transatlantic passing. So bluewater cruising to some degree is a must.
Thanks!

 

[Bajansailor]

Welcome to the Forum FB.
I think that one can safely say that they are both inherently good designs - in which case it will come down to the condition of the boats that you go to look at.
Ideally you want to buy a boat which has had all the expensive things like engine and sails (maybe even electronics as well) replaced relatively recently. As otherwise you could buy a boat, and then quickly find that you have to spend more than the purchase price to re-fit it.

 

[Munz]

I'd second what Bajansailor said, for the boats (of a similar style) on the market at any one time, you'd be better focusing on the condition (recent engine/sails/standing rigging) and fit-out of the boat (upgraded solar/batteries/windvane/cockpit canopy etc.) rather than the exact design. If your planning on living aboard an offshore rule style boat maybe the Scampi is worth considering, they are surprisingly spacious down below and the later ones were build by Shipman or Albin

 

[Fbrogaard]

Thanks for the fast replies guys! I met up with an albin Ballad owner to see and feel it with my own eyes, but was actually a bit too small for my liking. I'm currently searching around for the Mamba 31 and while it looks great inside and so on, I'm a bit unsure of its blue water capabilities... Do you happen to know anything about that?

 

[Bajansailor]

I must admit that I had not heard of the Mamba 31 before, so I asked Sailboat Data -
https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/mamba-31

Here is one for sale - but not much info unless you log in -
Mamba 31, 1979 DKK 109,500 | Denmark | Sailing boat for sale

And one here -
Buy Mamba 311 | Mamba 311 for sale

Re bluewater capabilities, you would probably find that this boat, also the Ballad and the Shipman, would be able to cope with much worser weather than you can.
Again with a Mamba, it all comes down to equipment condition versus asking price.

Some info on the Shipman 28 on Sailboat Data -
https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/shipman-28

And the Albin Ballad -
https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/ballad-30-albin

 

[Fbrogaard]

Thank you very much. I apologize for the many questions! Do you happen to know anything about the "harmony 31"? English built

 

[Bajansailor]

All else being equal, I think I would prefer a Harmony 31 for blue water cruising rather than any of the other boats mentioned above, simply because she should generally have a more comfortable motion at sea with her long keel, and she should be more amenable to working with a wind vane.
https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/harmony-31
She should also be 'cheaper' than the others above - but again condition of boat and equipment is everything here.
They mention her sister ship the Trintella IIa -
https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/trintella-iia

The Contest 29 is similar to the Harmony and Trintella -
https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/contest-29

While the Contest 30 is similar to the other boats mentioned previously -
https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/contest-30