2022 Albemarle 30 Express

Albemarle 30 Express: Compact Carolina-Style Offshore Fisherman

1. General Information

The Albemarle 30 Express, which the builder introduced in 2021, brings serious fishing amenities to a compact outboard-powered express. Built in Edenton, North Carolina, she is aimed at anglers who want offshore ability, confident handling in rough water and sensible fuel economy, yet still expect to overnight aboard. With a hull length of 9.40 m, an overall length of 10.21 m and a beam of 3.20 m, she remains manageable for a small crew.

2. Construction and Design

The solid fibreglass hull is bonded and mechanically fastened to the deck and liner, and a fibreglass-encapsulated stringer system provides the structure. A 24-degree deadrise at the transom lets the hull cut through head seas, land softly in the troughs and keep the enclosure dry. An Armstrong custom bracket carries twin or triple outboards, and draft is just 0.66 m for the hull and 0.86 m with the engines down. Below the waterline, the boat is fitted with flanged bronze seacocks, double stainless steel hose clamps and twin bilge pumps with float switches and high-water alarms, while the fuel is held in an epoxy-coated aluminium tank.

3. Key Features

Purpose-built cockpit: A 5.9 m² self-bailing cockpit has two macerated in-deck fish boxes of 212 L each, a 114 L transom live well, a tackle centre, four flush-mounted rod holders and a standard transom door.

Helm and visibility: The helm offers forward-facing seating for three, a dash prepared for flush-mounted electronics and a rigid acrylic enclosure that gives excellent all-round visibility.

Overnight cabin: Below deck are a galley with a solid-surface counter, sink, microwave and refrigerator, a separate electric head with a holding tank, and a V-berth lounge that sleeps two.

Power choices: Buyers can choose twin Yamaha 350 hp, twin Mercury V10 400 hp or triple Yamaha 300 hp outboards, the last of which gives the low-end torque for slow cruising in sloppy conditions and makes her the fastest Albemarle yet built.

Ready for more: An anchor windlass with a through-stem roller is standard, the boat is prepared for a Seakeeper 2 gyro stabiliser, and the options list includes a hardtop or marlin tower, outriggers, a diesel generator and air conditioning.

4. Summary

The Albemarle 30 Express combines a rugged offshore hull with a fully equipped fishing cockpit and a comfortable cabin in a package of just over 10 m. She suits anglers who fish serious offshore water and want the option of staying out overnight.