to buy the next boat. I told my wife and son I'd begin looking for the next boat when the price of gas went below $2.00/gal or when I was ready. This was this past spring. My 16yr/old son called me at work earlier this week to inform me gas was $1.98/gal in Middle River. It's time....
So here's the question..
Where to turn. I'm looking at 30-35' express sport fishing boats. I'm looking at the express mainly so we can more easily fish from 1 level. Frequently it's just my son and I fishing regardless of where and for what.
I'm looking for everyone's opinion on: New vs Used; Carolina Classic, Cabo, Albemarle, Pursuit, Rampage, others?
Our fishing areas are the Chesapeake, Deleware Bay and offshore from Deleware to Hatteras NC. I'm hoping to move the boat through the year to follow the fish.
I'd like some expert opinions and suggestions (even though I know I'll get both expert and "not-so-expert" ). We're headed to the Annapolis show tomorrow.
In my world of freelancing I have run just about all the ones on your list. Cabo is a work of art but just too pricey for what it is. The Carolina is a nice boat as is the pursuit. Me? When it came time to drop my hard earned pennies, I bought an albemarle. The best ride of the bunch. Runs and trolls in just about anything. If drifting is on your plate though it falls short... The ***** rolls pretty bad. The pursuit has a much softer drift but a touch more pound ... Its all give an take...
On I didn't see on there is one that took me by surprise as being much more boat than I ever gave them credit for. Luhrs makes a 36' express that has earned my respect. Enough so that it has become my prefered tourney boat when given a choice... Roomy pit. Thoughtful lay out. Hydraulic deck. Easy access to everything. Really very nice interior... Quick good ride, even what I'd call relatively dry amongst express designs...A whole lot of boat for the bucks...
The Albie is probably the best rider of the lot but wont drift. So its all give and take... Decide what it is that you plan to do with the boat and I can help you from there...
Thanks Deep,
I've heard great things about the Albemarle. I've also heard about it's preference to roll on the drift. We mainly troll in the spring on the bay for rock. The rest of the year we usually fishing offshore. Trolling is the main fare but we will do some chunking and bottom fishing at times. I'm planning on doing some overnighters as well - which has me shying away from the Albemarle. I almost put the Luhrs on this list but didn't think they were in the same class as the others. I guess I should take a closer look.
As far as numbers of trip, we do about a dozen rockfish trips/year and we go offshore 15-20 times per year. I am hoping to increase the number of offshore trips with a dryer boat. I love the Grady, it rides real nice but with wind it can be very wet as most center consoles can be.
check out the thread on boats and motors forum- "help me spend $100k" this one has lots of suggestions and comments on boats in your size range. I have been on lots of boats over the years but I believe the 32 albemarle is the best boat in that class.
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I told my wife and son I'd begin looking for the next boat when the price of gas went below $2.00/gal or when I was ready. This was this past spring. My 16yr/old son called me at work earlier this week to inform me gas was $1.98/gal in Middle River. It's time....
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