Marinette Boat Forum

59 does have the narrowest beam @ 8 feet. We recently posted a few links to a few that may be available.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glfu92mZqX4 - This boat has recently been restored completely by her new owner and I need to see if I can get some pictures.

I currently am working on a 63 31 footer that is the next narrowest beam at 9'-2" (ish) at its widest point. From behind it "looks" narrow but is technically illegal without a permit if someone gets out the stick. They also have a 10 footer in 63. I need to put a tape on mine again because I have 8'-6" in my head for some reason....hmmm. Anyway the widest point is at the forward end of the cabin at the front widows.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlgWdKUTpjw - 9'-2" beam Express

I think 63 was the crossover year where they went to the wider 10+ foot beams and quit with the narrower platforms.

The 59 are called Family Cruisers, then in 60 they were called just Marinette and in 61 is when they started using Sedan and Express designations. All that based on the reading I have done of course.

The forward helm station on the family cruiser seems like it wouldnt work as well for wakeboarding or tubing. I saw a video of a wakeboarder behind a 34 houseboat so it could be done... just doesnt seem ideal for viewing 360 degrees around. The early 60s express models are my favorites. Is that one in the video a 31? Interesting that it has twins with the narrower beam... I'd sure love to have something like that. It's a sharp looking boat!

I found a 26 for sale on marinetteforsale.com and it's advertised as an 8'6" beam. I was wondering if those are as practical as the 28 footers. Again, headroom and v-berth size would need to be ok for my 6'2" height. Also, I'd like to know how the 26 handles a windy day compared to the 28 or 31. Would it really pound much more in a 2 or 3 foot chop (very common afternoon conditions for my area).

That is a nice looking 26, but you may have noticed the list was last updated in October 2014--John A was running it and undoubtedly stopped when he had his stroke.

BTW--anyone hear how he is doing?

I actually noticed that after I posted... feel like a bit of a moron

I think I may be wrong about the family cruiser style being the wrong one to satisfy my wish-list. I found a picture of one that's been converted to twin outboards and has an add-on upper helm station:

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/attach ... eted-1.jpg

I wouldn't necessarily want outboards, but they would free up space in the hull for tanks & storage. All-in-all I think that's a pretty neat and unique boat.

Way cool. Wonder how she handles.

So not know how many 28 Express owners are now out there, but I just bought my first boat - 2013 28 Express. Boat will remain at dealers until spring, so I have a few months in order to anticipate its use. Glad to hear any tips and stories about these boats.

I know there's one for sale (probably cheap) at Highway Marine near Quakertown, PA.

Jeff

2013 28 express?

Did Aluminum get cheap enough to build these again

Also, with a 28 express, single 318, there is no way you are pushing 27mph. Not unless you have a rocket attached to it, which sounds like a reasonable idea.

aaronrody wrote:
I just bought my first boat - 2013 28 Express.


And it is not even April 1 st
Well Welcome to the Marinette web site.

When you get a chance please add a SIGNATURE.

Tranquilo wrote:2013 28 express?

Did Aluminum get cheap enough to build these again

Also, with a 28 express, single 318, there is no way you are pushing 27mph. Not unless you have a rocket attached to it, which sounds like a reasonable idea.

I don't want to argue, and I don't know if anything has possibly been done to my engine along the way but if you look here: http://marinette.com/perf.htm

You can see a 28 express with a single 318 is stated to achieve 21 mph at 3000 rpm. My boat is also not equipped with the stock prop, I don't remember for sure what pitch it is but is a pitch or 2 steeper than stock. The lowest I have spun mine up to was 3200 rpm full of fuel, water, a full fridge, gear for 3 for a long weekend, coolers and 7 adults on board. Under those conditions my speedo read about 23 mph. The best I have seen was 3600 rpm under light load when just out for a day trip, ie nothing in fridge, minimal water and just me, the wife and the dog, this is when I was seeing 27 on the speedo. Mind you this is a mechanical "paddle wheel" speedometer, which I believe are pretty accurate but obviously not gps accurate... That being said, if you o the math and you will see that the 27mph at 3600 rpm figure is pretty attainable under light load conditions. I will report back this summer when I have my new depth finder/GPS installed. And yes, I have checked my tachometer and it is accurate. Also keep in mind that I am a speed boat guy and it took me many times out experimenting to find the right spot to keep the trim tabs for best speed. As someone, I believe Fastjeff stated you would be surprised to find that a fare amount of tab/bow down on the trim tabs will get you the best speed.