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Outboards are by far more popular due to cost and the econony, speed and reliability of today's 4 stroke outboards. However, you can get the boat with straight inboard, i/o, or Jackshaft i/o in both gas or diesel...
An unrigged boat can be done. However the quote would need to be done based on what you want and dont want... (ie. Windows in? Bow Rail? Nav lights? bracket? Dash plates? tabs? etc,) Give me a call or the shop and we can get you a quote based on your needs and wants...
Very nice looking boats and it seems like the company does well. Hard to believe that 27' was going for under 60k for semi custom. Out of curiousity, are you employed for the company or just a very satisfied customer? Also, does Judge ever make it to any boat shows in FL? I'd love to check them out.
bstnsportsfan, I am both. I am a satisfied customer who asked and offered to help market the brand. I approached Bill Judge in Feb about helping him as I saw it as an opportunity to help us both out. Bill Judge took me up on my offer. Obviously from my posts here, I believe in what they are building as I have been a fan as far back as when I bought my previous boat to my Judge when I noted that Judge 27 was the boat I wanted (It was just out of my reach financially at the time). Plus, my father owns an older Judge 27 that he has been more than pleased with. Being that I am an owner and one who followed the build of my boat from start to finish, I understand the product as well as anyone and can speak educated about it. I also run my boat a lot recreationally. I have over 200 hours on the motor since I took delivery of the boat last Oct and that doesnt count the time on anchor or much of Jan and Feb when I didnt use my boat. I know how the boat fishes and performs with regular use.
Unfortunately, You probably shouldnt expect to see a Judge at a show in FLA anytime soon. Despite really wanting to establish a dealer network to offer their line throughout the country, dealer financing is very tight and not many dealers are self financed or willing to take on a new line rightnow. Until money starts to flow some and dealers are established in particular regions, Judge will continue to be factory direct. Hopefully down the road the hopes of dealer networking will allow the boats to be more visable throughout the country. The factory direct pricing rightnow hopefully will be appealing to a prospective buyer. The costs currently on the boats are tough to beat buy a builder of the same caliber.
Conch&Balls, The hull did derive from the Eastern 27. Bill started by building on that hull with a topside layout similar to the many charter boats found here on the Chesapeake with the forward helm and exteneded top for weather protection. Bill said he built probably over 100 boats on the Eastern mold. However, the Judge 27 is no longer the Eastern hull as Bill has made many changes to mold. Some of which where done after Judge had a plant fire a number of years ago and had many of the molds redone. The newer mold has more beam to it and Bill has pulled the chines further aft amoung other things to get the boat to perform its best - especially as he went to all wood-free composite materials. My father owns a Judge built on the Eastern mold and there are quite a few differences in the boats and their performance.
The constructed boat has been sold and another that was in the mold. However, Bill has given me permission to continue the $59,700 special price until he is hit with the pending resin and material increases. (should be enough for two more boats). Please call to get your custom made Judge before material increases force us to increase pricing as these prices are close to cost. This is a factory direct deal and the quality for dollar cannot be matched anywhere.
Again, boats are moving at these special prices and these numbers cannot be held much longer due to resin and other material price increases.
__________________ 2009 Judge Yachts 27 Chesapeake powered by Honda Marine
The boat can be done with a "short top too" for those that want to maximize the already large cockpit. The wheel house can also be enclosed with a door too.
The boat still maintains the desired level deck to helm and pleanty of headroom even for the tall boys!
__________________ 2009 Judge Yachts 27 Chesapeake powered by Honda Marine
I will have to get the performance numbers off of Bill Judge on the diesel i/o and inboard. I have only been on outboard models. The vast majority of boats sold are outboard due to the speed, economy, and reliability of the new technology outboards.
They boat with twin 135 Hondas is similar to a single 225 Honda. Top Speed is around 40mph. With twin 150 Hondas you are looking at around 44-45mph.
__________________ 2009 Judge Yachts 27 Chesapeake powered by Honda Marine
I will get the newer 135 reports but the older slightly less fuel efficient 130s would burn about 11gph combined at 27-28mph. (it is what my father has). I will need to confirm the 150 fuel burn too.
__________________ 2009 Judge Yachts 27 Chesapeake powered by Honda Marine
Matt, I did check in at solomons on Sat. Unfortunately we had a tough tournament. We only had 7 fish Sat and 5 Fish Sunday with the largest only going a little over 26lbs.
__________________ 2009 Judge Yachts 27 Chesapeake powered by Honda Marine