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I am in the market for a new boat but would like the advice from the pro's. I am quickly falling in love with the Albemarle 320 Express Fisherman. Was looking at the Grady White 330 but think the inboard diesel engines will be much better than 2 outboards on a boat that large. Also, the Albermarle seems to have a better layout.
Does anybody have any advice or comments about this boat? Does anybody own an Albemarle and want to share their expreiance with the boat? Please give me some advice on this boat....... Thanks [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
The albe 32 is a much more fishing oriented boat than the Grady. I don't feel that you can compare the two. Personally, I would not buy a boat of that size with outboards.
own 32'albe.conv. the boat is awesome have just under 900 hrs in last 12 months ,boat is fished commercially,I love it it will run in almost any conditions that you should be out in,no pounding,great in following seas and very dry,only drawback is it will roll pretty good in a beamsea,forget the grady and outboards,go with diesels,the albie is top shelf and built like a tank.
Being a Grady owner I am slightly biased toward Grady's but I concur with the other posting that there is no comparison between the two vessels. The Albie is a winner hands down!
I have posted my thoughts and experiences with my Alby quite a bit on this board and other boards...
Anyway, I own a 247 Express. 1999...750 hours. Run her nearshore in Chesapeake Bay and offshore from Hatteras to VA Beach (Norfolk Canyon) 11 months out of the year. Cannot say enough good things about the ride, layout and construction of the boat. Are there things that have gone wrong, yup. No boat is perfect but I fish my boat hard and demand a lot from her. I fish when it's rough as my crew will tell you [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] . We ran in this Saturday from 50 miles out in solid 3-4 fter's with some larger waves here and there and made 23-24 knots (beam sea). Head sea ride is tops, tracks straight in following sea, is very predictable. They will rock and roll a bit but frankly the Alby roll is overrrated.
I like Grady's and fish from one quite often...fit and finish is tops, construction is as well...but in the 32 foot range I don't think they will compare to the 32 Alby with twin diesels...that is just a damn MACHINE...period. I'm just not sure twin 250's will cut it for that Big Grady (which looks sweet)...
I have a 32 express. This boat will ride pretty good. It is only 32 feet long so it does not ride like a big carolina boat. If your in 5 foot seas you will have to slow down to 20 knots or so. It will roll! I do like the layout of these boats they are functional and pretty easy to clean up. We have had some problems with electrical connections. The fish boxes will not keep ice unless you re-insulate it's easy to do. With 300 hp 3116's you burn about 25 gph at a 24 knot cruise which is not that bad. I will tell you that albemarles customer service leaves much to be desired.
I concur that the Albemarle, regardless of length is a great boat, with the possible exception of the 26 Express. For a contrary opinion see David Pascoes review os the Albie 30.5 at www.yachtsurvey.com. I agree with your thoughts concerning outboard power for a boat this size and weight. Don't think you could go wrong. Good Luck!
I don't give David Pascoe's reviews much credibility. He about trashed the Grady Offshore 24 mainly for it's notched transom and he was inaccurate in regards to some of it's equipment. I have an Offshore 24 with notched transom and have been out regularly in heavy seas without problems. I have also seen many of these vessels 40-50 miles out beyond the 20 fathom line. Sure you have to pick your days but Pascoe's reviews are a bunch of Hooey. Now in a boat like that Albie you can catch some serious tuna!
Dub, thank you for some frank comments. I am not quite in the market for a new boat just yet but I will move up from a 27' gas express to a 30+ diesel express. Like the Albemarle 32, Blackfin 32 Combi, 32 Topaz and Rampage 33. Good points and bad points to all.
What has been your experience with the 3116's? Thanks again.
If your not in a rush, I spoke to a Carolina Classic dealer at the A.C. boat show and CC is coming out with a 32 express for next year. It is supposed to be a smaller version of their 35. The 28 CC I feel is a better all around boat than the 28 Albe. Maybe the same will hold true with their 32
Like I mentioned, I had some things break/go wrong with my boat...many of which I viewed as design issues. Originally, I worked with Customer Service and was reimbursed for 1/2 of repairs (tilt/trim pump and relays got trashed) and was not ecstatic about it...later that year I had some additional issues and wrote Scotty (President) of Albemarle. He called me personally to let me know that he would take care of any and all issues...I thought that was classy. It turned out that the problems I was having were fixed without much pain so I did not take him up on his offer...
Anyway, some times you have to go up the ladder to get things done but all in all, I think they do an OK job of customer service...not up there with someone like Bennett but...
The 3116's have not given me much problems. I have had no mechanical problems. there has been some wiring problems with the ground wire for the temperature sending unit. It took 3 different cat techs over 3 months to find it. They replaced everything they could at my expense and then send in the best tech they have and he finds out that it is a bad ground wire. The only other problem has been to replace alternators on both engines. If you keep up the maintenance they seem to do ok. These engines only have about 1800 hours so that is not much to judge by. If I were going to buy a new boat I would look at the Yanmar's around 370-400 HP. They should give you an easy 28-29 knot cruise.
If anyone is interested there is a 305 albe for sale at montauk marine. The boat is clean & powered with 3116 cats ( 750 Hrs ) The boat is a 1996 and I bet the owner would take 145k for it.
Advice on Albemarle Boats 
