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Albin 79
Designer: Rolf Magnusson  ·  Builder: Albin Marine (Swe)  ·  First built: 1974
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About the Albin 79

Swedish boatbuilder Albin Marine produced the Albin 79 as part of their diverse sailboat lineup during the late 1970s and early 1980s. This model represents the company's commitment to practical, seaworthy designs that appealed to both European and North American sailors seeking reliable coastal cruising vessels. Built with Albin's characteristic attention to solid construction, the 79 features the kind of robust fiberglass layup and sensible deck layout that made the Swedish manufacturer well-regarded among cruising sailors. Like other boats in Albin's range, this model prioritizes seaworthiness and comfort over pure performance, making it well-suited for extended coastal passages and weekend cruising. The design reflects typical Scandinavian sailing philosophy, emphasizing safety and durability in challenging conditions. Albin boats from this era were known for their honest sailing characteristics and ability to handle rough weather with confidence, traits that made them popular choices for sailors planning longer passages or cruising in exposed waters. While detailed specifications remain limited, the Albin 79 carries the reputation of its builder's commitment to creating dependable cruising sailboats that prioritize crew comfort and vessel longevity over racing credentials.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 25.92 ft / 7.90 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
Beam 8.75 ft / 2.67 m
Max Draft 4.58 ft / 1.40 m
Displacement 4,200.00 lb / 1,905 kg
Ballast 1,653.00 lb / 750 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Rolf Magnusson
Builder Albin Marine (SWE)
First Built 1974
Last Built 1977
Number Built 250
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Performance Ratios
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
39.36
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
234.37
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 3.75 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 16.09
J (Foretriangle Base) 10.17 ft / 3.10 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 261.00 ft² / 24.25 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Volvo Penta
Engine & Accommodations
Horsepower 10
How It Compares

vs. Cape Dory 26, S2 80 B, Yankee 26

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Albin 79 ★
25.9 ft
Cape Dory 26
25.9 ft
S2 80 B
26.0 ft
Yankee 26
26.0 ft
LWL
Albin 79 ★
20.0 ft
Cape Dory 26
19.3 ft
S2 80 B
21.4 ft
Yankee 26
20.7 ft
Beam
Albin 79 ★
8.8 ft
Cape Dory 26
8.0 ft
S2 80 B
8.0 ft
Yankee 26
8.7 ft
Displacement
Albin 79 ★
4 lbs
Cape Dory 26
5 lbs
S2 80 B
4 lbs
Yankee 26
5 lbs
Ballast
Albin 79 ★
1 lbs
Cape Dory 26
2 lbs
S2 80 B
1 lbs
Yankee 26
2 lbs
Sail Area
Albin 79 ★
Cape Dory 26
304 sq ft
S2 80 B
282 sq ft
Yankee 26
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Albin 79 ★
Cape Dory 26
237 s/nm
S2 80 B
Yankee 26
228 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Albin 79 ★
Cape Dory 26
16.1
S2 80 B
16.4
Yankee 26
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Albin 79 ★
39.4 %
Cape Dory 26
S2 80 B
Yankee 26
40.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Albin 79 ★
Cape Dory 26
24.2
S2 80 B
19.5
Yankee 26
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Albin 79 ★
Cape Dory 26
1.84
S2 80 B
1.93
Yankee 26
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Albin 79 ★
234
Cape Dory 26
S2 80 B
Yankee 26
269
Hull Speed
Albin 79 ★
Cape Dory 26
5.9 kts
S2 80 B
6.2 kts
Yankee 26
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Albin 79 ★
Cape Dory 26
1.5
S2 80 B
2.6
Yankee 26
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