Having owned more boats over the years then I can remember it was time to build a boat with what I liked and didn’t like on the boats I owned over the years. I came up with what I felt is the perfect boat FOR ME. Let say after years of chasing Marlin and Tuna offshore and Stripped Bass and Bottom fish inshore I wanted a boat that could do everything reasonably well. But here’s the thing, I wanted low maintenance, economy and the creature comforts for family, grand kid and yes me. I call it the SUB (sport utility boat) crossover. Center console boats are great for the under 30 and tournament guys. A fly bridge sport fisherman is comfort and fishing convenience, but it is also expensive and needs a captain or at least a crew when ever it leaves the dock not to mention maintenance and up keep. Burning 40 to 60 gallons an hour cuts down on the trips.
The boat I choose is a 36 Judge Chesapeake built by Bill Judge in Denton Maryland. Bill came highly recommended. I can honestly say it was a pleasure through out the build. I can not say enough about Bill, Elaine his office manager and the talented mechanic’s, all best of the best. Not only dose Bill build a great boat he dose it with superior quality and workmanship. If you have a request and it makes sense he will get it done right.
The 480hp Cummins cruise’s at 29 knots (3000 rpm) burning 17gph bring it back a little and the GPH get even better. I added HVAC with an additional passive heater run off the engine cooling system. The enclosed helm has two upholstered helm chairs by Todd and Arrigoni. With the saloon door closed it is extremely quiet, you have to experience it to believe just how quiet it is. I added a drink cooler by the saloon door and a kick ass stereo with lots of speakers, 3.5kw generator and swim platform for diving and safety. Did you ever try to get back in a boat without a tuna door? It is nearly impossible for one person to lift an adult over the gunnels.
It comes standard with a forward v berth, galley with microwave, electric burner refrigerator and full head with shower, not for the XXL but big enough to freshen up.
For electronic I went with a single MFD 12 Furuno, 48 inch open array 6kw radar with a FCV 295 fathometer, 1kw transducer, auto pilot is by Raymarine and the bow thruster makes it easy keeping the right drift and docking. Lewmar Pro-Fish 1000FF windless with remote makes bottom fishing enjoyable for the crew.
One of the things I like best is the rear helm. A custom build tackle cabinet by Nautical Design serves as the base for the helm, full engine controls, (including start/stop) bow thruster and a A70 Raymarine GPS/Plotter/Fathometer. I can run the boat all day with out leaving the cockpit.
The cockpit is huge. Bill build in a transom 60 gallon live well with duel 1500gph. Rule live well pumps. There is also a 50 gallon live well in the port side deck and a 100 gallon fish box with a bellows drain pump (it held 4 bigeye,s up to 200 with plenty of room for ice). As for rod holders there are plenty 29 in total. Ten on the hard top rocket launcher, three on each side of the ladder up rights, five on port and starboard gunnels and three across the stern. Taco 18’ outriggers give it the undeniable look of a sport fisherman.
This is not the boat for everyone but when you reach that point where speed, sex appeal and luxury give way to low maintenance, economy, function and practicality you might want to take a second look at a Judge SUB. See you offshore inshore or where ever the fish are. Keep a tight line.
all anyone wants is a simple boat! with everything! just remember some people need sexy looks, ride, speed, and economy... they all rule out each other.. (I have a wife also...lol) great boats are built well.
Mackey; Thanks for your input when I was looking last year. You were right on it was a pleasure working with BILL and Elaine and the crew. Bill made a lot of changes to get it the way i wanted it. Everytime I use the boat i like it that much more. I just picked up a 75 gal bladder tank. On my last overnight trip i cut it real close (17 gals left). I burned 163 gal and went 265 nm. I didn't count on the 4/6 head sea on the way back. Over all 1.7 nm gal is pretty good. Hopping to go offshore Mon/Tue if things clam down
I look forward to a report if you make it offshore. I am tried up at the dock with a bad GPS Plotter/VHF combo. Love the way you have your boat setup. Wish I had the money, but if I did I'm not sure if I would build another 34 Express with the single screw or go with the 36 Chesapeake. I know my wife would enjoy the 36 Chesapeake. With the door closed to the pilot house, its like riding in a car it is so quite.
Great shots! really shows the beauty of the boat Bill. I always say that the 36 Chesapeake is like a Hinkley but designed to fish. Great blend of class, style and functionality! I am also amazed at the fuel economy and performance numbers of that boat too. If I had the money, it would be my boat of choice!
First trip to the hudson was 3 for 4 on big eye to 200lb. all 3 fit in the fish box iced with room for more.
Planning a trip for am sunday to the AP. It the weather holds out we will be going off shore mon/tue. thier is a warm eddie at tom's that looks great. I set up my fuel bladder and it works great. It fits perfect on the bow and it will siphon drain when I use up 75 in the main tank. The extra 75 gals gives me 255. More then enough for Block to Baltimore.
The extra 400 lb dose not effect the bow at all. I ran with full fuel, fish box and two 128 cooler full of ice along with 4 slabs of sardines and 60 to 70 finger mullet in the live well and a full crew. At 2900 it runs at 26 knots and burns 17 gal hour.
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Judge 36 Chesapeake
