Is anybody familiar with the 28' Rampage? If so how do you like the boat? The particular boat I am interested in is a 1989 and is powered with twin 275HP Crusaders. Do you think this boat is capable of running to the canyons from Moriches Inlet? Thanks for any feedback
28' Rampage
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Rampages do frequent the Canyons, especially the 31 footers. Generally speaking they're great boats. Their hulls are very strong in that the stringers and bulkheads are tremendously overbuilt. Fit and finish is good, and layout is exceptional. In a 28 foot boat, you won't find a better layout and use of space then in the Rampage.
However, Rampages have a notoriously low deadddrise at transom. Although the entry is relatively sharp, it does not carry back through the hull in cinsequence making for a relatively rough ride. In comparison the 28 Carolina Classic or Albemarle would eat it alive in a 4-6 headsea. Nut they are lots more money.
Another detriment to Ramapges is that they used a balsa cored hull. That is balsa wood was sandwiched in between layers of fiberglass of which the hull consists of. This, although not always causes rot problems which hamper the vessels otherwise exceptional structual integrity.
I know all this abouth Ramapages, because I almost bought one. Lots of research.
However, Rampages have a notoriously low deadddrise at transom. Although the entry is relatively sharp, it does not carry back through the hull in cinsequence making for a relatively rough ride. In comparison the 28 Carolina Classic or Albemarle would eat it alive in a 4-6 headsea. Nut they are lots more money.
Another detriment to Ramapges is that they used a balsa cored hull. That is balsa wood was sandwiched in between layers of fiberglass of which the hull consists of. This, although not always causes rot problems which hamper the vessels otherwise exceptional structual integrity.
I know all this abouth Ramapages, because I almost bought one. Lots of research.
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10,097 Posts
Survey needed
Before you get serious enough about this boat to make an offer, you need to get a professional marine surveyor involved.
A close to 14-yr old boat that has a balsa cored hull needs to be hauled and checked with Hull Moisture Meter. Unless you have some experience with such a tool, best to spend a few hundred and have the thing inspected by someone that has the training and expertise to render a proper opinion.
Particular attention must be paid to (But not exclusive to) any thru-hull fittings such as depth sounder transducers, pump discharge outlets, portholes and thru-bolted cleats up top.
DO NOT take this stuff for granted as fixing water-intrusion problems in a cored older hull is a VERY expensive procedure.
WAY more than an upfront survey, for sure.
If the owner refuses to submit the boat to such an inspection, walk on by, he's got something to hide.
rgds, Leprechaun
Before you get serious enough about this boat to make an offer, you need to get a professional marine surveyor involved.
A close to 14-yr old boat that has a balsa cored hull needs to be hauled and checked with Hull Moisture Meter. Unless you have some experience with such a tool, best to spend a few hundred and have the thing inspected by someone that has the training and expertise to render a proper opinion.
Particular attention must be paid to (But not exclusive to) any thru-hull fittings such as depth sounder transducers, pump discharge outlets, portholes and thru-bolted cleats up top.
DO NOT take this stuff for granted as fixing water-intrusion problems in a cored older hull is a VERY expensive procedure.
WAY more than an upfront survey, for sure.
If the owner refuses to submit the boat to such an inspection, walk on by, he's got something to hide.
rgds, Leprechaun
we've been running our 28' Rampage for about 7 seasons now. Excellent layout for fishing. Can easily fit a full size fighting chair in the back with room to spare. It does ride nicely, though in a 4-6 chop we would slow down (I contend that every 28 footer would).
As for canyon capabilities, not sure of the distance from your inlet, but if they are original (1989) gas engines, with the twin 130 gallon tanks, you might be close on safety margin. With newer (more fuel efficient) or even diesel engines I would not hesitate to make the trip. We just repowered this season with twin 325hp mercruisers and the performance has been great. Hull is solid, great lines, love the boat.
PM me if you have any further questions.
Rich
As for canyon capabilities, not sure of the distance from your inlet, but if they are original (1989) gas engines, with the twin 130 gallon tanks, you might be close on safety margin. With newer (more fuel efficient) or even diesel engines I would not hesitate to make the trip. We just repowered this season with twin 325hp mercruisers and the performance has been great. Hull is solid, great lines, love the boat.
PM me if you have any further questions.
Rich
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Another plus of the Rampage is good looks. A few people I know told me they think Rampages are ugly, but I think they have great lines.
I've been in a steep 5 foot head sea off Georgia, in a 28 Carolina Classic.
I was taken back by that boats ride. I was shocked for I have been in 32 footers that didn't ride as well as she did. My next boat will be either a 28 Carolina or Albemarle.
Nonethless the Rampages are good boats, so don't get the idea that I'm knocking them. A survey is a very wise investment. It's like getting a CarFax report before buying a used car.
I've been in a steep 5 foot head sea off Georgia, in a 28 Carolina Classic.
I was taken back by that boats ride. I was shocked for I have been in 32 footers that didn't ride as well as she did. My next boat will be either a 28 Carolina or Albemarle.
Nonethless the Rampages are good boats, so don't get the idea that I'm knocking them. A survey is a very wise investment. It's like getting a CarFax report before buying a used car.
Thanks for all of the information everybody. I loved the layout of this boat, especially the 11' beam. You don't find many 28' vessels with a beam this large except for the 28' bertram. We are currently running a 24' Topaz with a single turbo diesel and we are looking to step up to a larger boat to make the overnight trips to the canyon. We would definetely invest in the survey before we made an offer. Thanks again
cored hulls BELOW the water line
GUARANTEED VERY EXPENSIVE PROBLEM ONE DAY.
the hull might be ok now, but you are almost guaranteed a huge repair bill one day in the future, if it will be worth repairing at all.
cored hulls below the WATERLINE are a huge NO-NO. yes there are many people who own boats like this, there are also less of them every year, as they discover their hull has rotted away from the inside. happens every year to people with cored hulls.
why buy a boat with such a HUGE potential problem ?????
GUARANTEED VERY EXPENSIVE PROBLEM ONE DAY.
the hull might be ok now, but you are almost guaranteed a huge repair bill one day in the future, if it will be worth repairing at all.
cored hulls below the WATERLINE are a huge NO-NO. yes there are many people who own boats like this, there are also less of them every year, as they discover their hull has rotted away from the inside. happens every year to people with cored hulls.
why buy a boat with such a HUGE potential problem ?????
Thanks for all of your input. We have decided against buying this boat due to the fact that it has a bolsa cored hull. We are still in the market for a capable canyon runner. We are looking for an open express style boat. We would like to find a 31' Bertram Bahia Mar or Moppie but they are rare. I don't have to ask anybody about the craftsmanship are sea tracking capabilities of this hull. Everybodys input was appreciated and welcomed. Happy holidays to all.
Rampage
I would reconsider the Rampage. Those hulls were built by an excellent glass shop, Tillotson-Pearson that specialized in lamination. If balsa core is used correctly and maintained accordingly, it makes an excellent core. Viking Yachts is using it in the bottoms of its new sportfishing boats, and they are in industry leader. Also, I think the Rampage has a few advantages over a Bert31, dryer, more stable, better fuel economy.
I would reconsider the Rampage. Those hulls were built by an excellent glass shop, Tillotson-Pearson that specialized in lamination. If balsa core is used correctly and maintained accordingly, it makes an excellent core. Viking Yachts is using it in the bottoms of its new sportfishing boats, and they are in industry leader. Also, I think the Rampage has a few advantages over a Bert31, dryer, more stable, better fuel economy.
CORED HULL
Cored hulls- take a look at web site <yachtsurvey.com>, go to Structural Issue and see "CORED HULL BOTTOMS-THE FINAL WORD" This guy can really tell it like it is. And it is! Boy, there are nightmares out there, make sure your dream boat is not a wet dream.
Cored hulls- take a look at web site <yachtsurvey.com>, go to Structural Issue and see "CORED HULL BOTTOMS-THE FINAL WORD" This guy can really tell it like it is. And it is! Boy, there are nightmares out there, make sure your dream boat is not a wet dream.
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Bert,
There's no question that cored hulls can have problems, so can non-cored hulls. But, IMHO that's not a reason to avoid them entirely, just a reason to be little more careful. They also have sevral big advantages over solid glass hulls and if they are made with the newer Baltek material, major damage is unlikely.
There's no question that cored hulls can have problems, so can non-cored hulls. But, IMHO that's not a reason to avoid them entirely, just a reason to be little more careful. They also have sevral big advantages over solid glass hulls and if they are made with the newer Baltek material, major damage is unlikely.
What are the advantages of having a cored hull? I heard they are quieter. Is this true? I personally do not like the idea of having anything cored below the waterline. Interesting, how the discussion changed topics. Any 31' Bertram owners following this discussion?
quote:
Particular attention must be paid to (But not exclusive to) any thru-hull fittings such as depth sounder transducers, pump discharge outlets, portholes and thru-bolted cleats up top.
The survey is the key when buying anything expensive and used (whether it be a 28' Rampage or a house). Leave it up to an expert to determine the problems and potential problems. The advice above applies to ALL boats with wood within their hulls. Even the best glass jobs in the world won't protect wood stringers that have been drilled into incorrectly.
Particular attention must be paid to (But not exclusive to) any thru-hull fittings such as depth sounder transducers, pump discharge outlets, portholes and thru-bolted cleats up top.
The survey is the key when buying anything expensive and used (whether it be a 28' Rampage or a house). Leave it up to an expert to determine the problems and potential problems. The advice above applies to ALL boats with wood within their hulls. Even the best glass jobs in the world won't protect wood stringers that have been drilled into incorrectly.
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Cored hulls are quieter but their most important advantage over solid hulls is that they are much lighter with the same stregnth. The Bertram 31 and the Blackwatch 30 are a prime example. They are virtually the same hull but the Blackwatch is cored. The Blackwatch will do 30 knots with 250 cummins while the Bertram is doing good to go 20 knots. If speed isn't your thing, the same type of results, if you run the two boats at the same speed, occur with fuel economy.
Bert1 - Pascoe is fairly knowledgable but is not the "final word" by any means. He is pretty opinionated if anything. Another advantage of a cored hull is that it can be substantially stiffer than a similar boat without coring due to the I-beam effect/concept. Usually they are not all that much lighter unless you scimp on the glass.
MakoMike,
The 31 bertrams move a lot faster than 20knts with a pair of 250 cummins. I know someone who repowered with 230 yanmars and cruises 24knts.A 31' bertram bahia mar or moppie is not that much heavier than a blackwatch either. The 30' blackwatch is a beautiful boat though.
The 31 bertrams move a lot faster than 20knts with a pair of 250 cummins. I know someone who repowered with 230 yanmars and cruises 24knts.A 31' bertram bahia mar or moppie is not that much heavier than a blackwatch either. The 30' blackwatch is a beautiful boat though.
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