ALBIN 79
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 25.92 ft |
| LWL | 20 ft |
| Beam | 8.75 ft |
| Draft | 4.58 ft |
| Displacement | 4,200 lb |
| Ballast | 1,543.2 lb |
| Material | 9.0 |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.0 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 30.78 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 10.17 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 26.63 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 7.83 ft |
| FLforestay | 10.2 ft |
| Mainsail | 269.1 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 156.5 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 266.1 sq ft |
Accommodation
| Cabins | 1 |
| Berths | 4 |
| Heads | 1 |
| CE category | 18.0 |
About the ALBIN 79
Thanks to ALBIN 79 owner Cam Ellison for making a correction.
Designed by Rolf Magnusson and built by Albin Marine (SWE) from 1974–1977, the Albin 79 is a compact, performance-oriented sloop with 250 hulls produced. Its lightweight displacement of 4200.0 lb and high sail area-to-displacement ratio of 16.09 indicate a boat built for speed and agility rather than heavy-weather stability.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and day-sailers who prioritize easy handling and quick acceleration, particularly those interested in single-handed sailing due to its manageable size and masthead sloop rig. It is less ideal for heavy offshore passages given its light displacement and low capsize ratio of 2.17.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 4200.0 lb and a comfort ratio of 16.58, the Albin 79 is best suited for protected coastal waters rather than extended offshore passages, as its light weight and fin keel offer less motion comfort in heavy seas.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the O'Day 25 and Pearson 24, which share similar beam dimensions around 8.75 ft and lightweight displacement profiles from the mid-1970s. These boats are comparable because they all prioritize ease of trailering and coastal performance over bluewater endurance.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(2 certificates)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 3.0 | 4.1 | 4.9 | 5.3 | 5.6 | 5.8 | 5.8 | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| 60° | 3.2 | 4.3 | 5.1 | 5.5 | 5.8 | 5.9 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 75° | 3.3 | 4.4 | 5.2 | 5.7 | 5.9 | 6.1 | 6.2 | 6.3 | 6.4 |
| 90° | 3.2 | 4.4 | 5.3 | 5.8 | 6.0 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 6.5 | 6.7 |
| 110° | 3.3 | 4.5 | 5.4 | 5.9 | 6.2 | 6.4 | 6.6 | 6.9 | 7.0 |
| 120° | 3.1 | 4.3 | 5.3 | 5.8 | 6.2 | 6.5 | 6.7 | 7.2 | 7.5 |
| 135° | 2.8 | 3.9 | 4.9 | 5.6 | 6.0 | 6.3 | 6.6 | 7.2 | 7.8 |
| 150° | 2.4 | 3.4 | 4.3 | 5.2 | 5.7 | 6.0 | 6.3 | 6.9 | 7.5 |
| Beat VMG | 2.0 | 2.7 | 3.3 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 3.9 |
| Run VMG | 2.1 | 3.0 | 3.8 | 4.5 | 5.1 | 5.6 | 5.9 | 6.4 | 6.9 |
Market Price
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 25.92ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Articles & Reviews
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
13 reported issues across 7 systems for the ALBIN 79, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a ALBIN 79? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 13 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
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Used sails that fit the ALBIN 79
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