Boat opinions wanted

[ncjawbreaker]

Must to my wife's dismay, I am considering getting rid of my center console and upgrading. I have my eye on a 35 Carolina Classic Express. Sea trialed it this weekend and I was impressed with the ride although it does tend to ride a bit bow high.

So, should I pull the trigger or just keep the center console? I am nor unhappy with my boat, but I guess we all look at supposed bigger and better things on occasion.

[SeaMarie]

I, and probably a lot of us on here, have been through this exact scenario. I looked at and sea trialed 10 or so different models under 40ft and came to the conclusion that the Albemarle 32 express was the best all around choice for me. I went from a 32ft CC to a 32 Albe and it might was well have been from a 18ft to a 40ft. For me, it was a great move...if you want to check out one PM me.

[duckman]

I just bought a 36 albe & love this boat. It handles rough water VERY well. PM me if you want to look at boat

[TheBigI]

take a look at a Henriques 38 or 42.

[Nauti Natured]

I think you would be much happier in a 2002 31' Contender and I just so happen to have one for sale

Seriously, I fish a Carolina Classic 28 diesel when I giant fish up north and it is a BEAST. It feels like a 40 foot boat. I can only imagine that the 35 is a tank.

Not trying to add to the complexity of your decision but have you considered a Custom built Carolina boat? There is really no comparison to a true custom carolina express if you ask me. If you are interested in visiting the Winter Yacht yard in Apex, let me know. (www.wintercustomyachts.com)

[hotshot1]

being part of the move up crew 3 years ago, things to really consider,
how much of your fishing is offshore trolling versus inshore bottom ,social trips with friends and family, the ocasional offshore trip say less then 10 a year. If the answr is mostly inshore and fun trips I say stay with the center, if 75 % of your trips are trolling go with the Alby

[Custom Canvas]

being part of the move up crew 3 years ago, things to really consider,
how much of your fishing is offshore trolling versus inshore bottom ,social trips with friends and family, the ocasional offshore trip say less then 10 a year. If the answr is mostly inshore and fun trips I say stay with the center, if 75 % of your trips are trolling go with the Alby

Anthony,

For what it's worth that 35' Carolina Classic is flat out a BEAST.
It can fish the same days as the big boys....I really like what hotshot said. Take a hard look at how you want to proceed with your fishing as having a bigger express style boat makes going to the bottom or beach at shack or the cape much more difficult. Also engine and onboard systems increase by a factor of 3 i.e. increasing your potential failures.
Last year I went round and round with my wife she wanted a bigger boat with a down below we looked at some 32' Albermarles, 30' cabo's 33' gradys, after it was all said and done we stuck with our little rig and my wife and I have both been happy with our decision.

there are some CC out there that can fish with the big boys as well.
Or you could have a boat built right now is a AWESOME time to get a bargain on a true Custom Carolina. But with that choice there is no instant gratification as the process takes some time.

I hope this helps..

Bigger is not always better......

[ncjawbreaker]

Thanks for the input guys. I have a 19 ft. Bay boat that serves the family well, so the cc and the express boat are/would be for offshore fishing. I am not big into cruising around entertaining so that is a non-issue as well, nor do I bottom fish or fish inshore much.

I guess my hesitation stems from the fact that I get to fish, if I am lucky, about 10-12 times per year. I know with a bigger boat, the window may open as weather becomes less of an issue. The other point is crew. I can be ready to go and find myself without a crew or maybe one other. Hard to fish a 31 with 2 and with a 35 it becomes nearly impossible

[Ed k]

I think you would be much happier in a 2002 31' Contender and I just so happen to have one for sale

Seriously, I fish a Carolina Classic 28 diesel when I giant fish up north and it is a BEAST. It feels like a 40 foot boat. I can only imagine that the 35 is a tank.

Having fished a 28 also I will agree 110% the 28 fishes like a 40 if the 35 is anything like it will fish like a 45' or better. I can't speak for the Albie's as I've only been on a 24 but it was a nice ride for it's size.

[seapower]

I constantly fight this urge myself, I'm still looking for a deal (if there is such a thing). I've got a 25ft c/c that has alot of beam and fishes pretty well trolling and bottom fishing. The boat's got a couple of Honda's which are very economical to run. Do I get wet, yes, when the weather kick's up abit. But I can fish just about any day the big boy's can, so can you! For every reason I can come up with to get bigger, I can come up with to stay where I'm at. A wise old man once told me, "son the best place you can be most of the time, is right where you're at". I have found that to be very true over the year's. After having 4 bigger boat's commercial fishing, I can tell you that the cost across the board will go significantly up with a bigger rig. Hope it work's out. Frank