2008 Southport Express Experiences - The Hull Truth

Halfswede · 10-24-2008, 09:08 AM

Looked at a 28 Southport Express with twin Yammie 250's. A few great deals out there. Really liking this thing and so does wife. Anyone with experience on this boat? Either they didn't make too many or for some reason they didn't catch on with many fishermen as opposed to other boats in this class. Fishing room seems tight, transom is huge to get fish around with 7' rods? Otherwise a beauty in my opinion. Your thoughts appreciated.

2005 Mckee Craft Freedom24
Twin 200 Etecs

Long_Board · 10-24-2008, 09:30 AM

You might try here: http://southportclub.comif you haven't already. You have to register to view the forums, but there are a few 28EX owners there sharing experiences and talking options. It is a relatively new model, and they are certainly not a high volume builder so I expect that is why you have not seen too much feedback. They do make some nice boats.

Good luck.

cobraarvey · 10-24-2008, 09:38 AM

The 28 Express has only been available for a little more than a year, so that is why you aren't finding many out there. I don't have direct experience with the EX, as I have only seen them at the dealer lot, and at boat shows. But as the owner of a Southport 28CC I can give you a ringing endorsement for the company, and the boat they produce. Great people. Great product. Fit and finish, quality, and attention to detail are top notch. Even one of the principals responds personally whenever I contact them via e-mail or phone. After three years of ownership, I am just as pleased today as I was when I took delivery. Feel free to PM me for any other insight on Southport.

ALB · 10-24-2008, 02:35 PM

I would pm Red Tag on here. He has a 26 center and just purchased a 28 EX. He could probably help you out a lot. The owners website is a great place for info as well. He also lives in Australia so he has to have some faith in the boats and company.

ALB

petrel · 10-24-2008, 04:15 PM

No express experience, but I did seatrial a 28CC. They are nice boats with a soft dry ride, very little tendency to roll, and a no nonsense approach to fishability. I would guess that the express would be no different.

Wolakrab · 10-24-2008, 05:17 PM

The only experience I have had with one was to step aboard one at a dealership. Here are my observations:
Gorgeous lines....I love the bow flair, the entry,and the tumblehome.
Good fit and finish....I didn't see any areas under hatches or access panels where hooks lay to strip skin should you reach inside. The wiring and rigging was done well. No rat's nests under the helm or deck.
The cabin was small, but it's only a 28' boat. Again, good workmanship showed there.
Plenty of comfortable seating for 6 in the helm area.
Everyone I know who has ridden on this hull loves it. I am told it rides like it looks....
With that said, the one thing that completely turned me off was the small cockpit. The euro-transom with the livewell and sink ate almost half of the cockpit up. My Scout Abaco 280(which was actually 26' at the waterline)had a bigger cockpit. With that style of transom, the boat needs another 2' of LOA to give it an adequately sized cockpit. If it were a boat used for booze cruising and the occasional weekend getaway, the cockpit is large enough. IMO, it's just not big enough for serious fishing though.
I can't wait until they release a 30-ish express..

last rebel · 10-24-2008, 09:37 PM

Nice boat,looks a lot like my 28 scout abaco.

Halfswede · 10-27-2008, 01:41 PM

Thanks gentleman for the comments. Southport Club is a good site for info also. These size transoms to accomodate the outboards are ginormous for other boats as well. Not too bad on mine though? I don't think I would like to go up tp a 30. I need to get out just by myself as well and don't want too much boat to handle on those days.

2005 MCkee Craft freedom24
Twin 200 Etecs

CTBob · 10-27-2008, 06:43 PM

Having owned several other first rate boats before my 2006 28CC Southport, I must say I am as pleased with mine now as I was the day I commissioned it. Great company and great principals to deal with. Can't wait to get her back in the water next spring.

Offshore Nut · 11-09-2008, 05:00 PM

I have carefully examined the 28 Southport Express and have been impressed with the construction and features of the boat. But, I have heard rumors the company is in dire financial distress. Perhaps with many others given these economic times. It does, however, give me pause and wonder if I should consider a more mature (older) company, Grady-White for example, or Regulator. I would like to think I could look for company support down the road if necessary. Anyone hearing these rumors or is all well?

Schmaltz~Herring · 11-09-2008, 05:29 PM

Considering a companies financial well being and staying power in these times is a prudent thing to consider. Would have hated to have purchased a XXXXXXXX [You Fill In manufacturer] with warranty issues.

ALB · 11-09-2008, 06:25 PM

From what I have heard in and around town, they are hanging in there moving one here and one there, just like everyone else right now. I have a couple of friends that work at SP and some buddies that work at a couple of the local dealerships in the Wrightsville Beach area. Everyone is hurting right now in the marine industry.

I would just call the Southport plant and talk to them directly and see what they have to say. It cuts through the BS.

ALB

CTBob · 11-09-2008, 06:54 PM

I spoke to one of the principals at Southport last week who conveyed to that they were holding their own during these tough economic times. He went into detail as to some of the things they were doing to allow them to remain viable. It sounds like they will be ok.

Myott · 11-11-2008, 02:15 PM

I used to sell Southport its still one of the best rides and the dryest boat I have ever ran,The only objection on the EX was the fishability in the cockpit then it was pointed out to me that its the same room as the 26CC. one fine boat never had a real complaint some small chicken S***t ,thats a boat always something or go on a Luhrs and puke Aric.i bo