Albemarle says that its ­customers explain their ­loyalty in four components: superior ride thanks to the Carolina-style hull; fishability, especially in harsh conditions; unmatched quality in design, construction and components; and solid customer relationships.

Albemarle’s classic, dry-­riding hull with a wide Carolina flare busts through head seas, landing softly in the troughs. Helms provide unsurpassed visibility from within a huge, clear wraparound windshield and enclosure, using superior ­Strataglass and EZ2CY materials.

Albemarle hulls are hand-laid with premium components and processes, including hull-to-deck joints that are fiberglass-bonded and mechanically fastened; bronze and stainless-steel underwater gear and through-hulls; color-coded, tinned stranded copper wiring; heat-shrink terminal connections; and detailed recordkeeping throughout construction. 

Albemarle 30 Express

The outboard-powered 30 Express combines the offshore performance of center-consoles, with a well-appointed cabin (including galley with solid surface countertop, and a sink, microwave, and refrigerator) and protection from foul weather. That full galley, stand-up head and V-berth offer superb comfort. Optional side bunks make for great overnighting.

The helm area has face-­forward seating for three with a captain’s chair and a double companion seat within a standard, rigid acrylic enclosure. A hardtop is optional, as is a marlin tower. Mezzanine-style seating faces aft, where a folding transom bench seat in turn faces forward, framing the wide-open 64-square-foot cockpit, which features a rigging station—unless a cockpit galley is optioned in its place.

The deck contains two macerated 56-gallon fish boxes. Cockpit features include a 30-gallon transom livewell, a tackle center, tackle/storage cabinets with drawers, and a transom door for access to the Armstrong outboard-engine bracket.

Fishing options include ­additional rod holders, electric-­reel outlets, outriggers with telescoping poles, and coaming pads. General options include a Seakeeper 2 gyrostabilizer, a diesel generator, and Flexiteek decking for the outboard bracket, helm, and cockpit. A teak and cherry sole is available, as are underwater lights.

Base power is twin Yamaha 350s with options of triple Yamaha 300s or twin Mercury V-10 400s available.  With Yamaha power, Helm Master EX electronic steering is standard, and the full-maneuverability upgrade is available.

Editor’s Note

The hull of the 30 Express features solid, hand-laid fiberglass, with the stringer grid built from closed-cell foam and encapsulated in fiberglass, tabbed into the hull, and fully glassed in. The transom is Coosa Composite-­cored—no wood to rot. -Jim Hendricks

Performance Data

• Test Power: Triple Yamaha F300 outboards
• Test Props: Yamaha 15″ x 20″ SWS II 3-blade stainless steel
• Test Load: 200 gal. fuel, 3 people, and safety and test gear
• Test Speed: 31.9 mph at 3,500 rpm
• Max Range: 331 miles (with 10% reserve)

Specifications

Albemarle Boats – Edenton, North Carolina; albemarleboats.com

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Albemarle says its customers give four main reasons for brand loyalty: the superior ride, fishability, customer relationships, and unmatched quality in design, construction and components, verified through testing and sea trials. 

Albemarle hulls are hand-laid with premium components; hull-to-deck joints, both fiberglass-bonded and mechanically fastened; bronze/stainless-steel underwater gear and through-hulls; color-coded, stranded tinned-copper wiring; and detailed record-keeping throughout the building process. They bear a 10-year, transferrable limited warranty.

Albemarle 30 Express

Albemarle says its 30 Express—which debuted in 2021—offers “the ultimate in hardcore fishing amenities in a compact express package.” It combines the speed and offshore performance associated with center-consoles with a well-appointed cabin and protection from foul weather ahead of its wide-open 64-square-foot cockpit.

The 30 Express features a modern helm area with forward-facing seating for three in a helm chair and double companion seat, mezzanine-style seating aft, and a folding transom bench seat. There are two in-deck macerated 56-gallon fish boxes, a 30-gallon transom livewell, a tackle center, and a standard transom door. Overnighting or just taking a break midday? Enjoy the full galley, stand-up head and A-bunk. 

The 30 Express’s classic, dry-riding, Carolina-style-bow hull busts through head seas, landing softly in the troughs. The helm provides unsurpassed visibility from within an acrylic enclosure. 

An anchor windlass with a through-stem roller and polished stainless-steel anchor is standard, as are stringer beds ready for the addition of a Seakeeper 2 gyrostabilizer. 

Power choices include twin or triple Yamaha F300s; Albemarle says triples provide the low-end torque ideal for maintaining slower cruise speeds on sloppy days—plus the power to make the 30 Express the fastest Albemarle ever built. 

Manufacturer’s Remark

The Albemarle 30 Express offers the ultimate in hardcore fishing amenities in a compact express package.

Performance Data

• Test Power: Triple Yamaha F300s
• Test Props: Yamaha Saltwater Series II 15” x 20” polished stainless steel  
• Test Load: 15,188 lb. (incl. boat, motors, 200 gal. fuel, 4 batteries, safety and test equipment)   
• Test Speed: 60.2 mph @ 5,900 rpm  
• Max Range: 368 mi. @ 31.9 mph, 3,500 rpm

Specs

Editor Says

Packing all the best aspects of an express-style boat into one 33-foot package can be a tall order, but Albemarle thoroughly thought out this design. From its ample livewell and dual fish boxes to its well-appointed cabin and ­spacious helm area, the 30 will fish and overnight like a like an offshore ­battlewagon. – Chris Woodward, Executive Editor, Fishing Group

More Info

albemarleboats.com

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Two legendary North Carolina boat brands—Albemarle Boats and Spencer Yachts—have announced a partnership that will result in a new semi-custom 53-foot Carolina-style sport fisher, the Albermarle 53 Spencer Edition. At this writing, design work has been completed, molds finished and construction has gotten underway at Albemarle’s Edenton facility. The 53 Spencer Edition will be the largest boat model in the Albemarle line.

The first 53 will feature a flybridge configuration with classic Spencer styling and a hull engineered for high cruise speeds—with the seakeeping ability that characterizes both Albemarle and Spencer. The interior will boast an open salon layout, three staterooms, and two heads.

Topside, an island helm arrangement, forward facing lounge, and bench seating will offer abundant accommodation and excellent visibility from the bridge. For fishing, the 160-square-foot cockpit is complemented by a transom fishbox, transom door, and a mezzanine design with engine room access and molded boxes that can be customized to accommodate a variety of storage and refrigeration.

“Our team is truly excited as many months of planning are now coming to life,” says Keith Privott, director of sales and product development for Albemarle, who notes that the hull will be vacuum-infused with vinylester resin and foam core. “This will make it our strongest, yet lightest design to date. The entire boat is loaded with innovative details and features that will set new standards in the world of sportfishing and allow our customers to go further and do more.”

Read Next: Albemarle 27DC First Glance

Says Paul Spencer, president of Wanchese, North Carolina-based Spencer Yachts: “While our custom boats have gotten increasingly larger in recent years, I have always appreciated boats in the 50-foot class and recognized their true competitive tournament ability. This project is a return to our boatbuilding roots, and we are really looking forward to having this 53-footer to offer.”

For power, the first 53 will feature twin MTU 1,600 hp turbo-diesel inboards, but this sport fisher can also be ordered with twin Caterpiller 1,000 hp D12.9 turbo-diesels or twin Caterpillar C18 1,150 hp twin turbo-diesel inboards.

The first Albemarle 53 Spencer Edition is scheduled to debut at the Bahia Mar in-water venue during the 2021 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, October 27-31. To learn more, visit Albemarle Boats.

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Albemarle customers tell the company there are four main reasons for their brand loyalty: superior ride on the legendary Carolina-style hull, family-style customer service, unmatched quality and inherent fishability.

Albemarle Sportfishing Boats and Carolina Classic—each launched in Edenton, North Carolina—today comprise Albemarle, the Carolina Classic, makers of express sport-fishing boats of 25 to 41 feet.

Albemarle 31 DC

The new Albemarle 31 DC’s 24-degree deadrise, hand-laid solid fiberglass hull and one-piece construction promise a smooth, comfortable and safe ride, even when the weather sours. It’s fun too.

The dual-console format has long been a family favorite and, whether fishing or cruising, this big DC has bow, cockpit and helm seating that welcomes a family reunion, plus angler-pleasing fishing features.

The 31 DC is powered by twin Yamaha 300s on a custom Armstrong engine bracket, and Yamaha Helm Master EX electric steering is standard.

The helm’s dash is designed for large, flush-mounted electronics. Bolstered helm and portside double bench seats are made by Llebroc. Forward of the helm is a tempered-glass windshield with a molded fiberglass frame and walk-through door.

A bow anchor locker is equipped with windlass and through stem roller, amid cushioned bench seating, storable bolster cushions and table, and an insulated, in-seat dry box.

The starboard console houses a berth for two, as well as rod space and storage. Within the port console is an electric head, countertop and sink; it also provides access to air-conditioning units and other mechanical equipment.

Fishing doesn’t get short shrift on this boat. In addition to six gunwale-mounted rod holders, enough for 59 percent of dual-console survey respondents, the 31 DC has two 56-gallon cockpit fish boxes, and a 30-gallon transom baitwell/livewell that satisfies 92 percent of dual-console anglers.

The 31 DC’s 62-square-foot cockpit is overseen by an aft-facing double seat; foldout aft and portside benches help set the stage for plenty of fishing and fun.

The combination of a hardtop windshield and side curtains protects the cockpit in inclement weather, and features molded-in outrigger pads, LED overhead and spreader lights, a pair of rod holders port and starboard, and a ski tow point.

Survey Says: On Target

• Hot/cold cockpit shower, plus freshwater and raw-water washdowns
• Molded cabinet with sink and storage for fishing, entertaining or both

Owners Say

• The Carolina flair looks and rides nice
• Great for saltwater fishing
• Very versatile (family and fishing) boat

Brand Says

• Everything you need for a day offshore
• Cockpit is uncluttered and well-laid-out for multiple purposes

Reader Response

• “Very roomy, dry ride and comfortable”

Specs

LOA: 33′8″

Beam: 10′8″

Fuel Capacity: 275 gal.

Dry Weight: 12,500 lb. with power

Max HP: 600

More Info

albemarleboats.com

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Albemarle says its 27DC does not represent a departure from its offshore roots, but rather an evolution in its product offering to align with customer demand. “We are hearing our boat owners demanding a more family friendly and versatile platform,” says Burch Perry, general manager. “They truly want to be able to do all things boating, from anchoring up at the sand bar to chasing fish offshore.”

The 27DC features a 24-degree deep-V, hand-laid fiberglass hull with an Armstrong custom twin-engine bracket for Yamaha F200s or F250s. The 58-square-foot cockpit comes equipped with a 60-gallon in-deck fish box, an 18-gallon livewell, a transom door, and undergunwale rod storage. Albemarle included lockable rod storage in the starboard console, which also offers a berth with cushions. Inside the port console, families will find an electric head and holding tank, a countertop and sink.

Notable options include a hardtop, Optimus 360 joystick system, anchor windlass, Gemlux outriggers and a cockpit galley package. The 27DC carries 190 gallons of fuel and draws 20 inches of water with the engines up.

Specifications
LOA: 30 ft.
Beam: 8 ft. 8 in.
Dry Weight: 8,000 lb. (w /engines)
Draft: 1 ft. 8 in.
Transom Deadrise: 24 deg.
MSRP: $168,900 (w/ twin Yamaha F200s)

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