28-32 express

[lax24]

What are the best 28-32 foot express boats out there on the market. Looking for enough range to get to the canyons, good in head and following seas, and lots of room to fish. budget of 140k
thanks

[waggles02673]

Take a look at the 28 Carolina Classic, 28 Henriques, 32 Topaz or a 30-32 Albemarle all in that price range. All would have canyon range as well.

[rirockhound]

Blackfin 29.

Only drawback is fish storage. she's a tank in the chop/slop.

[mvfish]

33 L&H. In my opinion, the best little/dayboat you can fish for the size. We fished it in the NE canyons and to the East during the summer and Fla in the winter. 33kts, plenty of fuel and alot of room. Unfortunately, you wont be able to find one for under 280k if your lucky.

[Sorry Charlie]

The best 28 foot express going is the 28 Carolina Classic. I fished a couple extensively and they are the little boats that could. They have canyon range depending on where you hail from and how far you want to stay out. Depending in where you are looking to go you might need a bladder tank. I heard they put a big fuel option in some of the newer boats. The old gassers held 300 gallons, but the diesels hold around 220 standard.

I hear the Henriques is a great boat too, but no personal experience.

If you go that Blackfin route, I would get the 32. The 29 is a great boat, but the ride and room of the 32 is much better. If you can find a 32 with new power and has been updated it would be something to take a close look at. I am re-powering a 32 Blackfin combi right now and can give you a ton of info on that model is you would like.

[backman]

I have the 28 and have 75 canyon trips on mine. I doubt many people have fished that boat as hard as I have. It is the little boat that can and it will out run and out fish much larger boats as well as be able to out tough them when the weather turns.

It has 3 limitations which have me looking at a variety of 32's.

1. Fuel capacity. It burns 20 GPH at 25 knots and has a 210 gallon tank of which 200 is usable; 190 should be usable. That gives you 9.5 hr's cruise time which is not enough for the far canyons. I carry a 50 gallon bladder which gives me 12 hr's cruise time. The bladder adds complexity and some risk to the game.
2. Storage and accommodations - The V berth will sleep 2 in a pinch but its tight. The boat is great for a 3 person overnight, not so comfortable for 4 people. Likewise since its only a 28' boat there are only so many places you can stow equipment.
3. 24 degree constant deadrise makes for an unbelievable head sea boat a not so good drifting boat if the seas are choppy or rough. The boat snap rolls like crazy in a seaway; its perfectly safe and has high stability due to the engine and fuel in its belly but it makes for a tough night.

Day trips the boat is fantastic - 25 knots/20 GPH with 260HP engines; the newer ones with 315 or 330 HP engines will cruise at 27-28 and burn 22 GPH. A day trip to the canyons on a FAC day will burn me 180 gallons and take 4 hours out, 3.75 back.

FWIW - I have been looking for a while at 32-33' boats and don't see anything much better range wise or drift wise....

[diablo]

I agree about the 28 Carolina. I have owned one for 5 years. There is no substitute. Tough as nails for a 28' boat. The fuel capacity is an issue. I also bring extra fuel on extended runs. If I fish West Atlantis, Atlantis or Fishtails I do not need extra fuel, even on overnights. Any other canyon than that I bring (2) 20 gallon drums.
Backman is right about the drift, it is very snappy.
The only other issue I have had is with the tower cracking. I have had to have it welded many times.

[dwar9739]

Got a 28 Henriques way less then your budget and exceeds your requirements.