reduced draft AJ28

[22novicc]

does anyone know anything about or have any experience with the reduced draft option on the AJ28? AJBoats.com Also is this the only hull with this option or are there other builders who would be able to offer this?

 

[rarel01]

aj reduced draft

22, I had seriuosly considered an aj prior to buying our levy. Alan Johnson had put me in touch with a fellow in the Maryland area for whom he had built a reduced draft boat . We took a ride to visit with the owner whom had given us a ride. I believe his name was Bill but unfortunately only last week I cleaned out my phone contact list and off went the contact info. Alan is a great guy and a quality builder however I dont know if he is still building boats. During my visit to his shop he had a boat almost complete and could have been ready to go in a short time, it sure was a beauty! The price tag on the boat I felt at that time in the sinking economy was a bit high for me for a 28 . The quality was top shelf inarguably but we managed to find a great 32 at half the price.As always feel fre to call or pm to discuss further..... Bob

 

[Eslang]

Alan is back building boats full time

 

[Downeaster]

Here's the reduced-draft AJ 28:

 

[John Riddle]

22novicc:

You asked if there were other builders offering a reduced draft option. Yes. Although you didn't indicate in your post what type of boat you're looking for or how you plan to use it, I can say without reservation that I will build a shallow draft boat that meets your needs. Please contact me through my profile.

John

 

[Ajent]

22novicc

Hi, I just signed up. A friend of mine had seen your post and told me about it. I build the AJ-28 and I can put you in touch with the owner of the boat you mentioned. I talked with him Weds and he told me that it is for sale. He has moved from of Maryland to Maine so he doesn't need the reduced draft anymore. I also have many detailed photos of the alterations that were made to accomplish the reduced draft. Check my wesite aj28boats.com for contact info and I will answer all your question, at least on my boat.. ESLang is right, I am back full time!

 

[eyschulman]

I own a tunnel reduced draft boat. MY boat does not kick to port as well as I would expect for a 26 in prop. I think it is the tunnel. Hard to handle in tight places. My two cents try one for reverse kick before you buy and see what it does.

 

[22novicc]

we will be keeping the boat in Charlestown RI which does have some very shallow spots so a reduced draft or a new build with outboards seems like our only options. if i could get the contact info for the guy leaving maryland that would be great it would be good to talk to him about his boat.

does anyone know anything about putting outboards on a downeaster? i feel like all the weight being shifted to the back of the boat would completely change the ride quality of the boat

 

[MouseTrap]

does anyone know anything about putting outboards on a downeaster? i feel like all the weight being shifted to the back of the boat would completely change the ride quality of the boat

Steve Law (Mudhake on these boards) builds a 25' SeaWorthy (BHM) with an outboard option.

 

[22novicc]

25' is a little bit smaller then were looking for i think 28' is about the smallest were thinking about going

 

[MouseTrap]

What is the maximum draft you want?

I usually feel like a novice on these forums, however a downeast with an outboard is an area of interest for me. One of the things I appreciate is a shallow draft for the type of boating my family does.

So there is rumor that Steve Law built a larger SeaWorthy with an outboard. See this thread.

Another alternative for a larger DE with an outboard is the Flowers South Shore 30'. Although I believe they only made one, and the the buyer has had health issues and never finished it. See this thread. I asked Ken about the draft, and he thought it would draw 28" if I recall correctly.

I know you said 28' was the minimum size you were looking for, but a used DE with an outboard was a 26' Sisu completely rebuilt by JoFishes a couple of years ago. He is looking to sell for what I believe was $35K if I understood him properly in this thread. This looks to be one of the biggest 26'ers I've seen. Looks to be a solid rebuild documented in this thread.

I hate to point this out on the DE boat forum, but you may need to consider a Chesapeake Dead Rise if you want a good sized cockpit with an outbaord, that draws little water. I wish I could find a DE that compares to the Judge 27'. I just wish I could buy one and install a flowers pilot house, as I think that the house on the judge is fugly compared to a DE. However, it can get into very skinny water, and can be fast and economical with a single outboard.

Again, smaller than you wanted to go, but a BIG-LITTLE outboard DE style hull that draws a little water would be the Rosborough 246 Custom wheelhouse, which is a favorite of mine.

Well that is all that I know of such a beast after looking at these boats for years. Anyone with any other opinions I'd love to hear from.

Good luck in your search!

 

[Riggin-dude]

Seaway boats is designing a new 27 that will be set up for either a single or dual outboards on a bracket. Should be in the February Boston boat show. Dwarfs Judges 27.

 

[MouseTrap]

Seaway boats is designing a new 27 that will be set up for either a single or dual outboards on a bracket. Should be in the February Boston boat show. Dwarfs Judges 27.

That may just get me into a new Downeaster. I will definitely be looking for more information! Thanks.

 

[Ajent]

AJ 28 Reduced draft

I have some great pictures of the 2007 AJ-28 Reduced draft, it draws 25 inches, a low hours 260hp Volvo D-4 Diesel engine, swings an 18X19 Prop, has a top speed of 27kts and it comes with a trailer for $70k. [email protected]

 

[WoundUpMarine]

can you post the pictures up here, thats something id like to see. How many hours are they usually getting on a 4-banger putting out that much horsepower?

 

[Ajent]

I am computer impaired so I don't know how to post pictures on this website. I am hoping to get a lesson tomorrow. If you could shoot me an e-mail I am well versed at sending pictures that way. That engine comes in a 300hp version so the 260 isn't maxed out. At a cruise of 20kts the engine turns 2600rpm (3500 wot). They rate these motors 90% wot for a cruise speed, so at that cruise speed (74% wot), 6-8,000hrs should be a very conservative number for the life of the engine.

 

[MouseTrap]

Attaching pictures:

1. Click "Post Reply"
2. Click "Manage Attachments" below the text box of your reply.
3. Click "Choose File" from the pop-up window.
4. Go to where you store pictures on your computer.
5. Select your picture.
6. Click "Upload".
7. Click "Submit Reply"

Unless the picture is too large of a file. It should display when you click "Submit Reply".

Hope that helps.

 

[neyachts]

28 SeaWorthy Outboard

Hi All, Steve and I have talked extensively about fitting an outboard or pair of motors on a bracket, to the Spencer Lincoln 28' hull. It would be great to eliminate the engine box to create a flush deck from the steering bulkhead to the transom. The usable cockpit space would be incredible. However, there are potential problems. Let's start with the full keel. Sisu tried a few outboards on their Royal Lowell-designed full keel 26's in the late 70's, transom mounted on a cut-down design, and I owned one for a few years. The keel had been cut back at a 47-degree angle in an effort to eliminate drag and passive rudder effect. It worked, somewhat. The main problem with the Sisu was keel walk, creating a [FONT=&quot]squirely[/FONT] bow at speed. They only built 3 or 4, I believe. Steve has been asked to build an outboard-powered 28' SeaWorthy by several prospective buyers. He's refused each time. He doesn't believe the combination of the boat's weight, full keel, built-down design and a transom that carries the beam nearly all the way aft, will result in a safely maneuverable boat. The other big issue is propeller size. It would require considerable torque to move it from a DIW posture, to cruising speed, and when you need to take the way off, those small props will have to spin pretty fast in reverse to slow you down. So, that's the rationale. What other downeast designs with these specifications are outboard powered? --Larry 603 433-3222

 

[MouseTrap]

Does anyone know the story behind this boat? Image is from NorEast.com...

 

[MouseTrap]

Okay, found the original thread on Noreast.com, and see a lot of people that I recognize from here.

Looks like the builder has posted a handfull of times on Downeast.com.

Could a tamed down version of this be built for a recreational user?