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I know a guy w/ an older 28 or 30 rampage express. Great stable fishing platform but he says it slams bad and it slows him dowm sometimes making for a twice as long ride to the canyons and back then should be.
Just as everyone else mentioned, that NEW Rampage is nothing like the old '80's models by Dick Lema.
KCS, Inc. now is the parent company of Rampage, Shamrock, and Cruiser Yachts. They are moving the Shamrock facility in Cape Coral, FL to the Rampage facility in NC.
The 30' Express Rampage is built on the same hull as the 29' WA and (now available for 2003) a 29' Express model by Shamrock. It is my understanding that the Shamrock 29' WA is considerably less expen$ive then the 30' Express Rampage. I can not speak to the new 29' Express Shamrock. The lack of flair on the Rampage/Shamrock adds cabin interior space at the sacrifice of a wetter ride from what I understand. She has a 19 degree deadrise and I have not ridden one yet, so I can not speak to the ride in a head chop, but I imagine it would be O.K.
For what its worth, I believe all Rampages have a fully cored hull. Both above and below the water line. That being said, I've never heard of anyone having a problem with one. Just something to keep in mind.
Wiley
Take a look at the Albin 31TE. This boat can be ordered with twin Cummins. I don't care what people say about 4 stoke out boards. This Boat will cruise at 20-24 knots and burn 12 gallons. Nevermind the engines will last almost forever. I have been on this boat. It is like the 28TE down below with a bigger kitchen and 2nd bed that is much larger. THis boat will sleep 4 without a problem. It is wide and heavy. The helm pilot house has a curved seat and a wet bar. You can fish and cruise almost anywhere.
I agree with wasten time. Tiara Express/Opens would be a good choice for cruising. That's what I ended up with.
I've been on the Rampage and another Albin model (i.e. not the one you showed). I had the exactly opposite reaction to you. The Rampage appeared to have fit and finish that was similar to the Pursuits (At the time I was trying to decide between the two). I felt the Albin was not as "polished" in the details so it was not even up for consideration.
But if speed is your thing, Tiara is not going to get your juices flowing.
Wiley, you mentioned expresses and you mentioned Blackfin, why not look at one of the Blackfin Combis in the 31-33' range (there were 31,32, and 33' models during different years). While I like the 29' flybridge, I always felt the engine boxes were essentially wasted space. With the express versions that area has a sink, tackle drawers, cooler/freezer and a livewell, plus storage and seating. From my observations (at least comparing my 32 to the 29 flybridge), the Combi seems to roll a lot less also. They are excellent sea boats, and do very well on overnight cruises also, I do a mix of inshore and offshore fishing plus cruising on mine. I'm partial to the 32 which I own, but if you're looking for something newer the 31 and 33 were built in later years.
I have a Shamrock 290 Walkaround that is built on the same hull as the Rampage. The hull is not cored below the waterline. The deck, transom and rest of the boat is cored with balsa just like the Rampage. The boat has a 19 degree deadrise that it carries through to the transom, does not slam and is a great ride. I'm running twin Yanmar 230s that give an honest 22-24 knot cruise at 14 gph. With the full tower you see on most Rampage, Shamrock or Pursuit opens, I think you will need 300 hp to cruise in the mid twenties.
I looked at the Albins that cruise in the high teens (and which are cored below the waterline with balsa pre 2000) and the Pursuits (expensive w/ Volvos), Tiaras (old and expensive w/ Gas) and Rampages (expensive and brand new). I did settle on the Shamrock to get a five year newer boat for less money. That's enough to keep me boat poor. The boat is a great fishing / dive boat and a good couples' cruiser. I've been very satisfied with the Yanmars. I think it was a good compromise.
Now if you got money to burn, get a Grady 33 for 225K with twin 4 stroke 250s and repower every five years. Of course you could have a Cabo for that much money.
Have you considered one? If you are willing to go jackshaft to stern drive, the speed will be there. Quality is difinitely very high, and there is good resale.
Once I get out of my Optimisery I will be looking at used 30 ft expresses, and the CC and Blackfin are at the top of my list. Sqeezing the nickels to pull it off will take some work, and patience (time=money). I would be interested in your view on these two makes in the 30-ish foot range.
I have a 1986 24' Rampage Tournemant Fisherman with a 240 HP yanmar. It runs at about 25 knots WOT. I have been very pleased with the ride, even in choppy seas. It runs very dry, due to the chines intersecting the waterline slightly behind the console when on a plane. If spray gets kicked up, it lands primarily behind the boat. It does tend to bow steer when trolling in any kind of seas. If you have every experienced "bow steering" you know what I mean. Not a real big deal, it just doesn't track as well as it could, but worth the trade off for a dry ride.
It is balsa cored. I have had the hull thumped and checked with a moisture meter and everything checked out OK. I am sure I have some wet spots, but the glass is very thick, so I don't think it makes too much of a difference from strength standpoint.
Bottom line for me is I love the boat. I would recommend an older Rampage to anyone. They are a great candidate for a repower if you can find one that has been well cared for at a good price.
30' Rampage Express - Albin 32 2 
