 |
| The Rampage 34 Express lets the captain get in on the fishing action. |
|
Rampageous: the Rampage 34 Express
Why choose an express over a more spacious convertible model? Usually, it’s the right move for an angling captain who wants to be in on the action. From a flybridge it’s tough to dart back to the cockpit and handle a rod, or set a spread. But on an express those screaming drags are just a few footsteps away. And on Rampage’s 34 Express, your feet will be taking those steps quite often—this boat is made to fish, fish, and fish some more.
The cockpit of the Rampage I tested was ideal for fishing: the tower supports a half-dozen rocket launchers plus four going down the sides, and there are four gunwale-mounted rodholders. The integrated, lift-out, macerated fishbox in the deck is big enough to handle everything from cow stripers to 150 pound tunas. And the cockpit units are modular, so you can arrange them however you like; options include an aft-facing seat with a cooler; a tackle station with a sink, cutting board, five tackle boxes, and two tackle drawers; a livewell; an ice maker; or (if you’re a total wimp) a wet bar with sink and bottle stowage. Serious live-baiters can opt-up their abilities with a 45 gallon transom well, and guys who commonly haul a large crew can add a fold-down bench seat.
That crew will have peace of mind, too, even when the seas kick up. The Rampage 34 Express is built tough, with foam-cored glass stringers bonded to the cabin liner, a solid glass hull, and cored hullsides and decks. The boat’s rails and pipework are all thoroughly over-sized, and have pre-tapped aluminum backing plates. Go ahead and give ‘em a shake – or try to, anyway.
Hull design is focused on stability and comfort, with an 18 degree transom deadrise. That’s not the deepest V in the world and it may not run through rough conditions as smoothly as some, but what you get in trade is an exceptionally stable platform. Trolling through the troughs and drifting in a beam sea, the Rampage shines. And when that trolling or drifting produces a strike, the captain will be right there in the thick of it—from just a few steps away.
Get Rampage’s take on things at www.rampageyachts.com
LOA – 35’6”
Beam – 13’0”
Draft – 2’5”
Dry weight – 17,200
Fuel capacity -367
Max. HP - 920
Price – About $400,000 to $600,000, depending on options and power choices. Note: IPS pod drives are available.
Observed performance notes w/2 people and 1/2 load fuel, twin 425-bhp Cummins QSB 5.9 in-line-six diesel inboards, with 359 cid, swinging 21” x 24” four-bladed props.
|
Cruise RPM
|
Speed in MPH
|
Gallons per hour
|
Miles per gallon
|
|
Slow cruise/1800
|
15.9
|
15.4
|
1.0
|
|
Fast cruise/2400
|
26.9
|
26.0
|
1.0
|
|
Wide open throttle/2850
|
34.8
|
43.0
|
0.8
|
*Note: With the IPS power option, top-speeds in excess of 41-mph have been reported.
|