31' - 32' Express: Topaz, Albemalre, C. Classic

Tower Todd · 09-20-2007, 10:08 PM

I'm getting 2-4'itis again am have been starting to get serious about moving up from my 28' Albemarle. The boats I've been checking out have been the:

Looking for late model - 2005 and up:
31' Albemarle
32' Topaz
32' Carolina Classic

There are non of these boats in the Puget Sound area to look at except for the Albie. Can anyone give me your thoughts on these boats, ride, fuel burn, etc?

Thanks,
Todd

Topaz · 09-21-2007, 07:28 AM

I've got a 2004 32' Topaz. Great ride, fast and smooth with twin 460hp Cats, really one tank (20900lbs hull weight).

CB&T · 09-21-2007, 12:04 PM

All these boats are heavy boats with twin motors. If you are fuel conscious these boats all burn around 25 to 31 gallons per hour at cruise. All these boats run well in all seas. Also are a pretty penny to buy. Look to get a 32 custom carolina built for about the same cost as these boats or even less. And opt. for a single engine either cat or cummins. Only burn around 8 to 12 gallons per hour. Just a thought.
But if you have the money spend it.

Topaz · 09-21-2007, 12:40 PM

I usually cruise at 2250rpm doing 27 knots and making 1.16-1.2mpg
Not bad, I think, for a hull with 75° V entry and 18.5° transom deadrise

Tower Todd · 09-21-2007, 12:56 PM

Topaz,

Thanks for your reply. How is the ride on the Topaz? Is it a dry ride? That's the same power I am looking at if I go with the Topaz. How is working in the engine room? How is Topaz to work with for parts / support?

As for a custom: I love some of the customs. These style boats are non - exisitant out here. I don't think I'll be looking at any single engine rides. Tuna fishing here is in it's begining and many times we are solo. The single just makes me nervous. I already had to come in on one engine this summer due to an oil leak.

Any Carolina Classic 32 or Albie 31 opinons?

Thank You,
Todd

Shore Thing · 09-21-2007, 04:12 PM

Check out the Judge 34' on Judge Yachts.com. Very economical and great riding.

costaricasportfishing · 09-21-2007, 06:01 PM

32 Carolina Classic is a great boat!! With a muy muy grande price tag!!

rich · 09-21-2007, 09:22 PM

I can say this for the support at carolina classic. They are first class. I have a used 28 and they treat me like I got it brand new last week. To me that means a lot. You already know you have picked great boats and very similar boats. All are going to be relatively close to the same fuel burn same size same weight. I have had no dealings with either albie or topaz as far as their customer support go. But I honestly do not think they couldn't beat Mac at Carolina. He is the owner and he is usually there to talk to you if you have a problem and if he isn't Keith is and Keith is his number 2 guy.
I just wish I had the money to worry about this dilemma right now. Call em up at the shop i am sure they are willing to set you up with a test ride with someone in your area.

Graceland · 09-22-2007, 12:42 AM

I'll second the supposrt at Carolina Classic. It is outstanding.

I've fished a 32 Carolina and it was IMPRESSIVE. Never been on a 32 Albemarle.

Just looking at the numbers, I don't see how you could pick anything other than the Carolina. 13 ft beam against an 11 ft beam. 20 degree deadrise against 18 degree deadrise. 25,000 lb displacement against 17,500 lbs. 355 gallons of fuel against 300 gallons. 80 square ft cockpit against a 66 square ft cockpit.

I was out in Everett Wa last week, and I know I saw a 32 and 35 Carolina in the marina just up from the base. I'm not sure if there is a dealer out there or not.

justhecs · 09-22-2007, 01:11 PM

i own a 1988 32 ft topaz, great boat it was repowered in 2003 with 370 hp cummins and she does 24 knots on the cruise and tops out at 28 to 29 knots burning about 22 gallons an hour. She is a little wet on the quarter. The engine room is accessible when to take the entry ladder out and all filters are right there on the wall facing the bow. The one raw water filter on the port side will be a little problem to change because it is on the far port side pretty far down. U would have to lift the hole deck , but not that bad because the hole deck is on pistons. The other great thing about the boat is that everything on the boat comes off fast and easy. Seating, cockpit deck, helm deck, everything is fairly accessible for a boat in its size.

Good luck, hope this helps

09-20-2007, 10:08 PM	#1
Tower Todd I use a green machine Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Snohomish, WA Posts: 203 Credits: 3,739.7 Boat: Albemarle 28, ISO KALA Home Port: Westport, WA Occupation: Heavy Equipment Sales	31' - 32' Express: Topaz, Albemalre, C. Classic I'm getting 2-4'itis again am have been starting to get serious about moving up from my 28' Albemarle. The boats I've been checking out have been the: Looking for late model - 2005 and up: 31' Albemarle 32' Topaz 32' Carolina Classic There are non of these boats in the Puget Sound area to look at except for the Albie. Can anyone give me your thoughts on these boats, ride, fuel burn, etc? Thanks, Todd

09-21-2007, 12:04 PM	#3
CB&T Hide- My Wifes Logged On Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Corolla, NC Posts: 138 Credits: 1,504.9 Boat: 42' Custom, 30' Custom, 25' Shamrock, 25' Pontoon Home Port: Corolla, NC, & Wanchese, NC Best Catch: My Red-headed Girlfriend, 600 lb Bluefin Occupation: Owner of Corolla bait and tackle, and outer Banks Charter fishing	31' 32' All these boats are heavy boats with twin motors. If you are fuel conscious these boats all burn around 25 to 31 gallons per hour at cruise. All these boats run well in all seas. Also are a pretty penny to buy. Look to get a 32 custom carolina built for about the same cost as these boats or even less. And opt. for a single engine either cat or cummins. Only burn around 8 to 12 gallons per hour. Just a thought. But if you have the money spend it.

09-22-2007, 12:42 AM	#9
Graceland Crab mustard is good Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Newport News, Va Posts: 701 Credits: 1,388.3 Occupation: US Navy	I'll second the supposrt at Carolina Classic. It is outstanding. I've fished a 32 Carolina and it was IMPRESSIVE. Never been on a 32 Albemarle. Just looking at the numbers, I don't see how you could pick anything other than the Carolina. 13 ft beam against an 11 ft beam. 20 degree deadrise against 18 degree deadrise. 25,000 lb displacement against 17,500 lbs. 355 gallons of fuel against 300 gallons. 80 square ft cockpit against a 66 square ft cockpit. I was out in Everett Wa last week, and I know I saw a 32 and 35 Carolina in the marina just up from the base. I'm not sure if there is a dealer out there or not. __________________

09-22-2007, 01:11 PM	#10
justhecs I love my rigging bucket Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: bayonne NJ Posts: 107 Credits: 1,301.7 Occupation: electrician	1988 topaz 32 i own a 1988 32 ft topaz, great boat it was repowered in 2003 with 370 hp cummins and she does 24 knots on the cruise and tops out at 28 to 29 knots burning about 22 gallons an hour. She is a little wet on the quarter. The engine room is accessible when to take the entry ladder out and all filters are right there on the wall facing the bow. The one raw water filter on the port side will be a little problem to change because it is on the far port side pretty far down. U would have to lift the hole deck , but not that bad because the hole deck is on pistons. The other great thing about the boat is that everything on the boat comes off fast and easy. Seating, cockpit deck, helm deck, everything is fairly accessible for a boat in its size. Good luck, hope this helps

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09-21-2007, 07:28 AM	#2
Topaz Pit Monkey First Class Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 21 Credits: 1,241.9	I've got a 2004 32' Topaz. Great ride, fast and smooth with twin 460hp Cats, really one tank (20900lbs hull weight).

09-21-2007, 12:40 PM	#4
Topaz Pit Monkey First Class Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 21 Credits: 1,241.9	I usually cruise at 2250rpm doing 27 knots and making 1.16-1.2mpg Not bad, I think, for a hull with 75° V entry and 18.5° transom deadrise

09-21-2007, 12:56 PM	#5
Tower Todd I use a green machine Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Snohomish, WA Posts: 203 Credits: 3,739.7 Boat: Albemarle 28, ISO KALA Home Port: Westport, WA Occupation: Heavy Equipment Sales	Topaz, Thanks for your reply. How is the ride on the Topaz? Is it a dry ride? That's the same power I am looking at if I go with the Topaz. How is working in the engine room? How is Topaz to work with for parts / support? As for a custom: I love some of the customs. These style boats are non - exisitant out here. I don't think I'll be looking at any single engine rides. Tuna fishing here is in it's begining and many times we are solo. The single just makes me nervous. I already had to come in on one engine this summer due to an oil leak. Any Carolina Classic 32 or Albie 31 opinons? Thank You, Todd

09-21-2007, 04:12 PM	#6
Shore Thing backlash king Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Easton MD Posts: 15 Credits: 1,288.5	Check out the Judge 34' on Judge Yachts.com. Very economical and great riding.

09-21-2007, 06:01 PM	#7
costaricasportfishing Sit down Shut up And fish Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Jaco, Costa Rica,by way of Rodanthe NC Posts: 599 Credits: 1,806.6 Boat: Miss Behav'in Home Port: Los Suenos, Costa Rica Best Catch: Grand Slam, Blue(400+),Black(500+),4 Sails Occupation: Sportfishing Capt	32 Carolina Classic is a great boat!! With a muy muy grande price tag!!

09-21-2007, 09:22 PM	#8
rich Crab mustard is good Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Eastern, NC Posts: 830 Credits: 4,595.8 Boat: Sea Time Occupation: Personal Banker	I can say this for the support at carolina classic. They are first class. I have a used 28 and they treat me like I got it brand new last week. To me that means a lot. You already know you have picked great boats and very similar boats. All are going to be relatively close to the same fuel burn same size same weight. I have had no dealings with either albie or topaz as far as their customer support go. But I honestly do not think they couldn't beat Mac at Carolina. He is the owner and he is usually there to talk to you if you have a problem and if he isn't Keith is and Keith is his number 2 guy. I just wish I had the money to worry about this dilemma right now. Call em up at the shop i am sure they are willing to set you up with a test ride with someone in your area.