The Albin Marine Ballad 1971 vs Albin Marine Scampi 30 1979 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Albin Marine Ballad 1971 at 29,9 ft versus Albin Marine Scampi 30 1979 at 29,8 ft. At 7 276 lbs and 7 275 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 10 hp for the Albin Marine Ballad 1971 and 12 hp for the Albin Marine Scampi 30 1979. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.
Both boats are rated for 9 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
Both boats sit in a similar displacement bracket — 7 276 lbs for the Albin Marine Ballad 1971 and 7 275 lbs for the Albin Marine Scampi 30 1979. Comparable displacement means broadly similar seakeeping behaviour and load capacity, though hull form and ballast ratio will still produce noticeably different sailing characteristics.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 5,1 ft and 5,4 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Albin Marine Ballad 1971 uses Sloop rigging.
Hull speed is rated at 6,4 knots for the Albin Marine Scampi 30 1979 and 6,4 knots for the Albin Marine Ballad 1971.
Bottom line: The Albin Marine Ballad 1971 and Albin Marine Scampi 30 1979 are closely matched on paper. A sea trial on both in representative conditions is the only reliable way to find which one suits your sailing style, home port, and intended cruising ground.