Boating

Tests

Heavy

Duty Ratchets

Outer Armor By Commercial S ewing has

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Ribcraft

Express 32

WE SAY The Express 32 is the first

pilothouse model from Ribcraft. The

Express 32’s seven-chamber Hypalon

tube is fit for rugged service and

provides a cushioning effect as the boat

comes down on a sea. Meanwhile, the

tube offers excellent stability at rest.

During our sea trial, the boat’s

proud bow and super-sharp 60-degree

entry cut head seas down to ripples

while the tube and the hull’s strakes

damped spray. Twin 300 hp Mercury

Verado outboards provided plenty of

performance, complemented in the

harbor by Mercury’s Joystick Piloting

system for outboards.

The Express 32’s cockpit and

pilothouse offer a range of options for

fishing, cruising and other duties, like

race-committee work, with multiple

seating options. Ribcraft is accustomed

to custom modifications. Likewise,

the standard cabin offers cushioned

benches port and starboard with

stowage underneath, but Ribcraft can

configure them as bunks and provide a

galley option. Heat and air conditioning

are available options. At the forward

end of the cabin is an enclosed head.

The open foredeck includes a Sampson

post and a plow anchor set in the

forepeak. — Capt. John Page Williams

WHO’D WANT ONE Boaters seeking an

all-weather commuter. PHOTO: COURTESY RIBCRAFT USA

( #2944 )

ANOTHER CHOICE Boston Whaler’s 315

Conquest ($283,900 with twin 300 hp

Mercury Verado outboards and Joystick

Piloting) is a fiberglass alternative.

BOTTOM LINE $275,000 (without

power); $343,500 (with test power and

Joystick Piloting); ribcraftusa.com

TBOATINGCertified Test Results

HOW WE TESTED

ENGINES: Twin 300 hp Mercury Verado supercharged four-

stroke outboards PROPS: 145 / 8 " x 19" Mercury Revolution 4

4-blade stainless steel GEAR RATIO: 1.75:1 FUEL LOAD:

100 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 470 lb.

XLOA: 32'3" XBeam: 10'3" XDraft: 2'4"/1'11" (engines down/

up) XDisplacement: 7,000 lb. XFuel Capacity: 182 gal.

SPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATION

rpm knots mph gph mpg mpg range range angle levelnaut. stat. n. mi. s. mi. sound

1000 4.52 5.20 2.10 2.15 2.48 352 406 0 67

1500 6.95 8.00 3.90 1.78 2.05 292 336 1 72

2000 8.08 9.30 6.20 1.30 1.50 214 246 3 73

2500 12.69 14.60 9.30 1.36 1.57 223 257 3 75

3000 18.94 21.80 12.20 1.55 1.79 254 293 3 77

3500 24.85 28.60 17.80 1.40 1.61 229 263 2 78

4000 29.55 34.00 22.30 1.32 1.52 217 250 1 79

4500 34.24 39.40 30.90 1.11 1.28 181 209 0 81

5000 37.63 43.30 43.80 0.86 0.99 141 162 0 81

5500 35.10 48.10 55.00 0.56 0.87 92 143 0 83

5600 44.67 51.40 59.80 0.75 0.86 122 141 0 84

MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEED