Flush Deck vs. Engine Box

jcollins · Post by **jcollins** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 4:46 pm

Engine Box -

Pros -
* Engine box can provide a nice seat or lounging pad
* Easier access to the engine for service
* Larger quarter berth

Cons -
* V-drive
* Less room for people in the cockpit
* A little tighter for maneuvering between the helm and cockpit

Flush Deck -

Pros-
* Huge cockpit space for coolers, chairs, etc.
* Easy access to the helm from cockpit
* Straight drive
* Center fish box provides quite a bit of extra storage

Cons-
* Smaller quarter-berth
* Engine is difficult to service (unless you are 3'8")

The fuel economy and ease of handling make the 28TE a really nice boat regardless of model. Good luck with your search.

Jack
_________________
2003 28 TE Dogonit

Tuxedo · Post by **Tuxedo** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 8:39 am

Except -

It's not a "V-Drive", it's a reversing transmission. Albin used V-Drives on their early 32s. A jack shaft a couple of feet long came out of the transmission to the V-Drive. The propeller shaft came out of the bottom of the V-Drive. These were subject to alignment problems, and the V-Drive robbed power. All in all, not a good arrangement.

On the other hand, a reversing transmission has the same number of parts as a regular transmission, it just has one of the gears turned around. It uses no more power than a regular transmission and is just as reliable as a regular transmission.

Sorry for the dissertation, but this was a common misconception when I was selling Albins, and a bit of a sore subject with me.

jcollins · Post by **jcollins** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 10:12 am

Tom and Jack,
Thanks for this information. It's very clear and helpful to prospective owners.

Post by **chiefrcd** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:42 am

Been on both, love the engine box, great bait work station, best fishing seat in the house, does limit "floor" space. One of the biggest issues I've seen with the flush deck is the helm seat stand seems to be a bit rickety....big guys like me just eat them up....but without a engine box, you can literally dance on the flush deck.

Post by **Pitou** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 10:16 am

Whenever possible fishing is the name of my game, but I find plenty of time to cruise and just relax. Being an engine box guy I agree it makes a great tackle station. Tackle Boxes at the ready, a place to air dry the spreader bars or just a place to sit waiting for the rigs to go off while on the troll.
As stated earlier it also makes a great cocktail hour table for pitchers of whatever, shrimp plates, etc. or a place to lay out the buffet. When the sun is out the ladies love the cushion.
Are there times I wish I had the big dance floor? Absolutely, but it's hard to have it all on a 28.

Post by **Dave39** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 10:20 am

We went to the Providence Boat Show a couple years ago where I met a guy that works for Standish Boat Yard (a major Albin dealer). He had worked at the Albin plant for years, and told me they (Albin) felt the engine box model handled better than the flush deck due to engine placement.

Albinflorida · Post by **Albinflorida** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 10:08 am

A couple of other points;

Flush Deck;
has 30 gallons more fuel 162 vs 132
much larger helm console
engine access is a pain
8" less width in 1/4 berth

Engine Box
4" higher gunnels
slightly better ride
quieter. engine outside PH
much better engine access

Both are great boats, it just comes down to preferences.

fairtide · Post by **fairtide** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 2:45 pm

Albinflorida wrote that the flush deck has a greater fuel capacity than the engine box model. My 2006 flush deck has the 132 gallon tank.

After checking the manufacturers' plate on the tank, I found that it is the 162 gallon size. Sorry for the incorrect info above.

Post by **RicM** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 5:30 pm

There is another thread about problems with a slight list on some 28's. They all seem to be flush decks, due to battery placement. Another factor to consider.

Albinflorida · Post by **Albinflorida** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:41 pm

Fairtide,
If your 2006 28 boat has a 132 tank, it is because Albin had one laying around. They upgraded the tank to 162 in 2004 / 2005, the second year the flush deck was in production, primarily to counter the weight distribution forward that was caused when they turned the engine around and moved it forward. There were some problems with bow steer. They also had to cut down the rudder as the boat would not turn to port at cruise.

dougstinchcum · Post by **dougstinchcum** » Mon May 19, 2008 7:11 am

I don't have any statistical data on this, but it seems my '04 flush deck rides better with a full load of fuel, i.e., stern heavy. Also, I employ minimal, if any, trim.

billy the kid · Post by **billy the kid** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 11:28 am

Tuxedo wrote: On the other hand, a reversing transmission has the same number of parts as a regular transmission, it just has one of the gears turned around. It uses no more power than a regular transmission and is just as reliable as a regular transmission.

Where can I find more info on reversing transmissions? Does this mean that the transmission is switched from a regular rotation to an opposite rotation? As you can probably tell I am confused.

-Brad

Post by **DougSea** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 3:27 pm

billy the kid wrote:
Tuxedo wrote: On the other hand, a reversing transmission has the same number of parts as a regular transmission, it just has one of the gears turned around. It uses no more power than a regular transmission and is just as reliable as a regular transmission.
Where can I find more info on reversing transmissions? Does this mean that the transmission is switched from a regular rotation to an opposite rotation? As you can probably tell I am confused.

-Brad

A "reversing transmission" in this case refers to the direction the power output shaft leaves the trans. In an engine box 28TE the engine is mounted facing aft and the transmission is mounted to the rear of the engine and the front of the boat. The front face of the transmission is mounted to the engine and the propeller shaft also mounts to the front of the transmission (on an angle) and runs back under the engine. See the technical drawings of the 28TE in the documentation section of the forum. You can see an example of the transmission here:

http://www.simplicity-marine.com/ZF/ZF6 ... iption.htm

It does NOT refer to opposite rotation, in fact, if you had twin engines in this configuration you'd have TWO reversing transmissions, ONE of which would be used in Opposite rotation.

Hope that helps!

Post by **robonurse** » Sat Sep 25, 2010 6:40 am

Biggest difference is in the rudder. The flush deck has a MUCH smaller rudder which results in less close quarters maneuverability. I opted for the engine box model. Great boat!

Saltdog · Post by **Saltdog** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 6:17 pm

I love my box for all the reasons mentioned, but the real reason I love it is that with the exception of a few early flush decks (where they put in a 4" step) they raised the cockpit sole 4".

Where as the top of the deck on a box model hits me just above the knee (4-5") allowing for serious standing stability, the flush deck hits right at the knee, and in my opinion does away with that standing stability and makes it no longer a "sea boat"

Ts

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Flush Deck vs. Engine Box

Flush Deck vs. Engine Box

Flush deck vs. engine box

Boat differences

flush deck fuel capacity

Flush Deck

Fuel Tanks

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