2013 - ALL ABOUT BLUE MAX

 

 

 

 

SPECIFICATIONS

MODEL Custom Albin 45

DESIGNER C. S. Chung

BUILDER Kha-Shing Shipyard, Kaoshung, Taiwan

YEAR BUILT 1981/1982

HULL NUMBER 194

MATERIAL Hull & superstructure: molded fiberglass.  LENGTH overall: 50ft, deck: 45ft, water line: 44ft
BEAM 14 ft, 2 in

DRAFT 4 ft, 11 in

BRIDGE CLEARANCE 27 ft, 8 in

DISPLACEMENT 40,000 lb. (cruise ready)

ENGINE: Ford Lehman 140 hp, 6 cyl. Diesel

SPEED 7 – 7.5 kt @ 1750 rpm -- 8. kt @ 2100 rpm 

FUEL TANKS 400 gal - aluminum

RANGE 1000 mi. @ 7 kt

WATER MAKING CAPACITY 600 gpd 
WATER TANK 220 gal - stainless steel.
WASTE TANK - black water - Polyethylene - 60 gal
WASTE TANK - gray water - fiberglass - 25 gal
HOT WATER TANK 12 gal stainless steel
GENERATOR 8 kw, 120V, 1 phase
AIR CONDITIONING 32,000 btu

 "BLUE MAX” is a customized Albin 43 classic trawler yacht. She was built as an economical coastal passagemaker. The substantial mast, rigging, and shear lines have a “no-nonsense’ look. She is set up for extended cruising -- independent of marinas. She has been professionally maintained and continuously upgraded.
In the late 70's, H.L. Crawford, from Boston, 
conceived the concept of modifying a production boat-after reading Robert Bebe's book Voyaging Under Power. Fred Peters, president of Albin yachts, agreed to work with Mr. Crawford to customize one of their Albin 43', trunk cabin cruisers. The changes were to have the galley mid-ships, modify the stucture to accomodate installation of paravane stabilizers, center helm station on the fly bridge without the built-in fly bridge seats and a single engine (several other Albin 43's were also built with single engines).
They also added a layer of Kevlar to the lay-up below the water line - this was very unusual - cutting edge technology in the early 80's.  The forward cabin was also greatly changed to not have a V-berth but to have a head in the bow and bunks port-side.
The designer was C.L. Chung and she was built in the Kha-Shing Yard in Kaoshung, Taiwan; ordered in 1980 and launched in the spring of 1982. She was named SYN TAX.
In the fall of 1982, Crawford had the paravane stabilizers designed by Frank MacLear of MacLear & Harris, Inc. of NY. The installation was performed in Gloucester, MA.
In 2005, Wayne Shosie, in order to reduce pitching in head seas, modified the hull with a bulb on the bow & a 32" aft extention & teak swim platform. The installation was performed in Key West, FL over the course of a year.

INTERIOR/ACCOMMODATIONS

 

Sleeps six in two staterooms and salon.
The forward stateroom is laid out with bunk beds —the upper bunk slides out of the way.

 

 
Two hanging lockers (one is cedar lined) and six drawers and a large head with separate shower provide comfortable accommodations.
This stateroom serves double duty as the ship’s office — it has a computer desk also.
The main salon has a dinette forward to port.  
The lower helm is starboard with an overhead electronics cabinet and a door to the starboard deck.

There is a “hide-a-way” LCD TV and DVD player & chart drawers opposite the dinette.
The U-shaped galley is midship and the door to the port deck is opposite the galley.
The dinette makes into a double bed if necessary. Suitable handholds are  everywhere
The owners’ stateroom is aft with a queen-size

 

centerline bed, a cedar-lined hanging locker as well as multiple drawers and cabinets and a built in TV with remote control.
The aft head includes granite vanity top & molded fiberglass tub with shower.
 She is completely air-conditioned and heated (reverse cycle). 
Interior wood is varnished teak; cabin soles are teak/holly.

GALLEY
 

The galley is up, midship to starboard & includes a top loading, holding-plate refrigerator and freezer, a deep double sink, a microwave, a trash bin, a toaster oven, a food processor, a coffee maker
 

 

& a three-burner gas stove with oven. There is a 24” hatch over the galley which can be used as a

convenient pass way for food & beverages to the fly bridge. There is abundant storage space. A washer/dryer is built in opposite the galley.
 

EXTERIOR

The stainless steel bow pulpit is set up for two anchors with a power winch, double Sampson posts,

and both sea water and fresh water wash down.
The windshield is equipped with a clear-view screen for inclement weather.

In addition to the powered vent/ hatch over the forward head, two cowl vents with dorade boxes are located on the forward trunk cabin - providing ventilation to the forward stateroom & to the bilge. The hull is arista blue with pearl-gray boot stripe and superstructure.
All decks are teak overlay.
Wide side decks & high bulwarks provide for a safe & secure feeling.
The dinghy is carried on the aft trunk cabin (boat deck) where there is also a cowl vent with dorade box, stern anchor, propane tank for the barbecue grill. Special brackets are incorporated into the fly bridge steps to hold scuba tanks.
A self-draining dunnage box located on the aft deck is used as a propane locker for three 10 lb tanks providing cooking gas for the galley.
Two lazerette lockers hold dock lines, fender boards, spare anchor lines, etc..

She has awnings that can completely shade the side decks.
There is a fiberglass hardtop over the center-helm fly bridge.

 

The hull was modified with a 32” extension at the stern & a bulb at the bow, resulting in improved efficiency & reduced pitching in a head sea and a large (4.5’ x 10.5’) swim deck. 

PROPULSION
 

 

139 hp Ford diesel engine & Borg-Warner 2:1 transmission.
Oversize dual Racor filters, equipped with remote water detection, supplying both the main & generator.
The propeller, a four-blade 24 x 15, is well above the bottom of the keel with steel shoe and skeg-mounted rudder - reducing problems from groundings.

 
A Vetus electric bow-thruster aids maneuvering near docks and in tight places.
Paravane stabilizers (flopper-stoppers) are used to reduce roll in beam seas.
This system can use the Magma “rock n roll stopper” when at anchor.
 

 

ELECTRIC SYSTEMS

Circuit breaker panel and meters for 12 volt DC & 120 volt AC at lower helm
12 volt DC:
Solar panels are located on the hardtop with on/off switch under the hard top and solar controller located behind the main electric panel.
Wind generator on the hardtop with on/off switch under the hard top.
Twelve agm GC 6 V house batteries – 1320 Amp Hrs.
Four agm GC 6 V start, bow thruster & windlass batteries – 440 Amp Hrs
One 24V group 24 start battery for the genset.
8 amp alternator for the genset
125 amp Delco alternator and battery minder for the start, bow-thruster & windlass batteries.
350-amp Balmar alternator for the house-bank batteries.
Two 2.8 Kw Outback inverters each with 120-amp charger for the house bank. The inverter control panel is located in the engine room.
Battery-selector-switch located on the control panel in the forward cabin.
LED lighting through out.
120 volt AC:
Frequency, voltage & amp meters located on the lower helm station.

Reverse polarity alarm.

Northern Lights 8 kW genset with inverter controlled auto-start & instrument panel & controls.
Two 30 amp shore power circuits each with galvanic isolators.
Four 50 ft shore power cords
One “Y” splitter, 50 amp to two 30 amp plugs.
One 4 lead adaptor for 50 amp plug.
One adaptor 15 amp to 30 amp plug.

ELECTRONICS

(2) VHF radios: ICOM M-127 w/DSC, Uniden UM525 w/DSC

(1) ICOM BC-162 Hand held VHF radio with charger.
Furuno SSB radio.
(1) Digital 16’, 8 dB gain VHF antenna.
(1) Digital 16’ SSB antenna.
(1) 3 ft amplified antenna for am, fm and A.I.S. radios.
(1) Airmar weather station for wind speed & direction with storm-watch display in aft cabin.
(3) Depth sounders: Data Marine, DMI and Furuno
Speed log: Data Marine CS 100.
Autopilot: AUTO-NAV 1500 (3 stations)
(2) GPS: FURUNO GP32 & FURUNO RD-30
Radar: FURUNO 1832 (2 stations)
Stereo: Sony am/fm cassette with speakers in salon &(with controls) on fly bridge.
Computer: two displays with RF mouse and Maptech Offshore Navigator or The Capt’n software with charts for the East coast from Maine to the Panama Canal.

SAFETY

 

Halon® automatic fire extinguishers in engine room and electrical panel.
Four portable ‘ABC’ dry-chemical fire extinguishers.
One 5 lb CO2 extinguisher in galley
Category II, class 2, “406” EPIRB.
Clear View screen on lower helm windshield
(2) computerized 1100 gph bilge pumps. - one in the aft battery compartment - one forward.
(2) 3700 gph bilge pumps with float switches.

(1) 4000 gph bilge pump with float switch.
(2) “High bilge water” alarms in the cabin & on the fly bridge.
Motion detector security alarm.
8” sealed beam Jabsco search light.
Dual trumpet air horns.
Automatic foghorn.
Dingy theft alarm in aft cabin.
Radar reflector permanently mounted on the mast.
Paravane stabilizers with extra birds.
LED spreader lights with four portable remote controls.
Flares and life vests on fly bridge (exceeds Coast Guard requirements).
Automatic anchor light.

Lightning:  The mast is grounded (through the compression post & external ground planes) - equipped with a static charge dissipater. #002 tinned copper wire runs external down the port spreader & can be dropped in the water for lightning strike dissipation.

GROUND TACKLE

bow:

70 lb stainless claw with 230 ft of 3/8” BBB chain.

FX55 FORTRESS with 20’ of 1/2” chain & 300’ of 3/4” 8 strand nylon.
stern:

50 lb Yachtsman with 15’ of 3/8” chain & 200’ of 3/4“ nylon rope .

FX35 FORTRESS with 10’ of 3/8” chain & 200 ft ½” nylon rope.

DINGHY
 

11 ½ ft NOVURANIA center console inflatable with integral fuel tank.

30 HP Honda 4 stroke outboard with electric start and power tilt.

Racor gas filter/water separator.

Built-in running lights & bow step.

Computerized bilge pump.

Boarding ladder.

Chocks for dinghy stowage on aft trunk cabin.

Life jackets.

Fire extinguisher.

Theft alarm.

Note: The dinghy is lifted aboard with a 1000 lb capacity cargo boom with separate 12-volt electric winches for boom and hook.

MISCELLANEOUS

Depth sounder, weather monitor, autopilot control and compass in aft stateroom.

Electric heads (Vacu FlushÒ aft, & Raritan Elegance forward).

Tank level indicator panel for both holding and fresh water tanks.

Sight tubes on fuel tanks.

Two WHALE GULPERâ shower sump pumps.

SEALANDâ black water discharge pump with JABSCOâ Y valve with lock..

Teak swim platform with stainless steel ladder.

Freshwater shower (hot & cold) on swim deck.

Clock and barometer in salon and aft cabin.

Weather station (wind speed & direction) with magnetic hurricane tracking chart.

Many spare parts including: starter, propeller, main shaft, heat exchangers and pumps.

Automatic LCD anchor light.

Remote controlled searchlight on fly bridge.

LED foredeck & spreader lights.

DRIP-LESSâ seal on propeller shaft.

Stainless steel drip pan under the main engine.

Sunbrellaâ covers for side decks.

Electric oil change pump with selector valve for main engine, transmission and genset.

Oil pressure & temperature alarm systems for main engine and transmission – both stations.
Racorâ fuel vacuum gage at lower helm.
Fuel polishing system.
Magma folding rock & roll stopper stored in propane locker.

Norcold 60 qt., AC/DC fridg/freezer on flybridge.
(2) 4” engine-room exhaust blowers, 12 volt DC starboard, 120 volt AC port.
Separate bridles for anchoring & dinghy towing.
Two 12 volt Hellaâ fans in forward cabin.
Variable speed ceiling fan in aft cabin.
Custom lighting in aft cabin.
Automatic locker lights.
Stowage lockers under floor in forward cabin.
Watermaker flow & quality monitors in forward cabin.
Automatic watermaker back flush system.
Splendide 2000 washer/dryer (vented) in galley.
Complete illustrated instruction and operation manual.
(3) Stainless rod holders and bait prep table.
Fishing rod storage in salon.

BLUE MAX HISTORY

DATE: 8/19/81 

OWNER:

H. L. Crawford.

P.O. Box 365

Far Hills, NJ 07931

VESSEL NAME: SYN TAX

COMMENTS:
He read Voyaging Under Power and specified special layout accordingly.
Added Paravane stabilizers.
Painted hull blue.
Installed SSB radio with insulated forestay antennae.

DATE:   8/22/88

OWNER:

Harold Manning

1763 Rush Scotts Rd

Rush, NY 14543

VESSEL NAME:  DRESS BLUES

COMMENTS:

Added stern davits for dinghy.

Added air-conditioning.

Repaired blisters & applied epoxy barrier coat below waterline   

DATE:  3/30/92
OWNER:
Rodney Erxleben
Coconut Drive
Key West, FL
VESSEL NAME: BLUE MAX

COMMENTS:

Added bow thruster
Added water maker.
Replaced fuel tanks.
Repainted hull blue.
Replaced 4 Kw genset with 8 Kw
Replaced water heater.
Removed weather fax and SSB.
Removed forced air heating system.

DATE:  4/7/95
OWNER:
Wayne A. Shosie
25112 Northside Drive
Summerland Key, FL

VESSEL NAME:  BLUE MAX

 

COMMENTS:

Installed galvanic isolators.  

Added on-deck barbeque grill

Installed lightning protection.

Painted superstructure with Pearle Gray Algrip.

Replaced aft toilet with Vacu Flush unit.

Added computer navigation system with remote display on fly bridge

Installed washer/dryer in salon.

Replaced freezer insulation & counter top.
Replaced air conditioners.
Removed stern davits and replaced boom with cargo boom for on-deck dinghy stowage.
Replaced Vigil radar with 4 Kw Furuno unit.   
Installed 60 gal black water holding tank.
Replaced dinghy with 10.5 Ft “hard body”.
Replaced thru hull valves.
Added bulbous bow.
Extended transom & swim platform.  

Installed 316 SS, 20 ft long, sand shoe on keel.
Replaced thru-hull fittings and valves.
Replaced the compressor/condenser for the freezer/refrigerator.
Replaced and relocated water heater with stainless steel unit.
Replaced 3 Kw bow thruster with 6 Kw unit
Replaced anchor chain & anchor
Replaced genset (Northern lights 8Kw)
Replaced 2.5 inverter with 5.6 Kw
Added separate 300 amp alternator for house bank (two belt drive).
Added hardtop over fly bridge.
Added solar panels.

 

Added Sea King TV satellite tracker.
Replaced anchor light with Aqua-Signal led.
Replaced & relocated fresh water pump & added filters.
Replaced gas stove & oven
Replaced anchor windlass
Replaced refrigeration compressor
Replaced water pump
Replaced water tank fill hoses
Replaced water heater
Replaced main engine with 140 American Diesel Ford

Rebuilt Transmission and replaced coupling
Replaced dingy with 11 ½ ft inflatable .
Replaced hand rail stanchions with 316 stainless.
Raised hand rail 3”.