SUZUKI DF350A
the inboard has an easier
motion due to the low and
centered weight of the
engine, but the outboard
is not uncomfortable.
The outboard is
more trim-sensitive,
but prudent adjustment
of speed and the
Interceptors goes a long
way in keeping both the
hull and passengers happy.
As always, it’s valuable to
spend some time learning the
hull’s shape and then pay attention to
what part of it is meeting the seas
while running. To help with that
task, Judge now off ers to install the
Zipwake Interceptor System that
automatically optimizes the running
trim at all speeds. This worked
impressively on the 36 powered by
the Suzuki DF350As we ran.
The bottom line? Think how
you want to use a boat like the
36 Chesapeake. For a long-term
investment in fi shing, family day-
cruising, and weekend trips, the
outboards make a lot of sense,especially with that big
diff erence in price. If you’re
going cruising with a side of
fi shing, though, the diesel
inboard with a cabin
bulkhead and genset
like Justifi ed still makes
a lot of sense, especially
if you like to cruise at
trawler speeds. So, the
true winner depends on
how you like to boat.
Either way, we’d say Bill
Judge really is crazy — like a fox.JUDGE 36 CHESAPEAKE
WITH SUZUKI DF350AS
As press time approached,
we got in a quick sea trial of
the newest 36 Chesapeake,
an open fishing version
powered with Suzuki’s revo-
lutionary DF350A outboards
and featuring the auto-
trimming Zipwake system.
It’s a rocket, touching 50
mph at wide-open throttle,
but it cruises almost as
efficiently as the boat with
300s at speeds more realistic
for coastal conditions. The
contra-rotating propellers
lift the hull higher, increase
acceleration, track precisely
at all speeds, and offer better
maneuverability. With them,
the Judge’s price is still
$35,000 below the inboard
diesel version. Read our
complete test of Suzuki’s
DF350A at boatingmag.com/
suzuki-df350a. — J.P.W.PHOTO: COURTESY SUZUKI (INSET OF 350)SPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATION
naut. stat. n. mi. s. mi. sound
rpm knots mph gph mpg mpg range range angle level
1000 5.04 5.80 2.20 2.29 2.64 515 593 0 56
1500 6.95 8.00 3.80 1.83 2.11 412 474 1 60
2000 8.69 10.00 5.50 1.58 1.82 355 409 2 68
2500 11.04 12.70 8.40 1.31 1.51 296 340 3 69
3000 15.29 17.60 12.70 1.20 1.39 271 312 3 69
3500 21.03 24.20 16.70 1.26 1.45 283 326 3 70
4000 26.59 30.60 20.70 1.28 1.48 289 333 3 70
4500 30.59 35.20 26.20 1.17 1.34 263 302 3 73
5000 35.11 40.40 36.50 0.96 1.11 216 249 3 73
5500 38.58 44.40 42.80 0.90 1.04 203 233 3 73
6000 43.10 49.60 59.00 0.73 0.84 164 189 3 72
MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEEDSUZUKI DF350As
With a single 480 hp
Cummins inboard,
the 36 Chesapeake
recorded a top
speed of 33.6 mph
at 3,400 rpm.
Price: $305,000
(with test power)·LOA: 36'0"·BEAM: 12'0"·DRAFT:
2'5"·DEADRISE AFT: 4 degrees
·DISPLACEMENT: 12,500 lb.
·FUEL: 240 gal. WATER: 30 gal.
·MAX HORSEPOWER: 700
HOW WE TESTED
ENGINE: TWIN 350 HP SUZUKI OUT-
BOARDS ON AN ARMSTRONG TRAN-
SOM BRACKET PROP: DUAL 16" X 22"
3-BLADE STAINLESS STEEL GEAR
RATIO: 2.29:1 FUEL LOAD: 136 GAL.
WATER LOAD: 30 GAL. CREW
WEIGHT: 420 LB.BOATINGMAG.COM | JANUARY 2018| 61