Albemarle 27: A Dual-Console Designed for Family Life and Serious Offshore Use

Keith Privott, vice president of sales at Albemarle Boats, says the company has evolved with changing lifestyles over the past 40 years. “Back then, we built fishing boats for hard-core guys who went out every weekend with friends,” he explains. “But they’re a dying breed. Today, owners are more involved with their families. It’s why we built this boat.”

The Albemarle 27 is the builder’s first dual-console model. Best known for its express boats, the North Carolina manufacturer has turned its craftsmanship toward a more versatile layout without abandoning the offshore capability that defines the brand. As a dual console, the 27 intentionally blends family-friendly features with true bluewater DNA: it will tow the kids on tubes one moment and perform well trolling in salt water the next. It offers a head for mixed company and a small cabin that doubles as a cozy nap space for younger passengers.

On first impression the 27 shows a soft side—upholstered bow lounges and an optional cockpit grilling station signal easygoing days on the water. But the boat’s underlying structure is unmistakably robust. Albemarle built the 27 on the same construction principles used for its larger models: a solid-glass, deep-V hull that conveys substance and seafaring confidence. The hull features 24 degrees of transom deadrise, a relatively aggressive angle for a dual-console boat in this size range. That deadrise helps the 27 slice through chop and handle tougher conditions than many competitors designed for calmer, average use.

To improve stability in coastal conditions, the designers incorporated wide, flat chines. Those hull features calm the ride when drift fishing in a beam sea and make the boat more settled on the hook in rolling anchorages—important for family outings where comfort matters as much as capability. The result is a boat that feels substantial and secure both underway and at rest.

Performance is tuned to practical use. Standard propulsion is a twin Yamaha package with two 200-horsepower outboards. With that power the 27 can reach a top speed around 40 knots and cruises comfortably near 26 knots, allowing for quick returns to the dock if weather closes in or when time is limited. For owners who routinely carry heavier loads—gear, ice, extra fuel and passengers—Albemarle offers twin 250-hp Yamahas as an option; the upgrade adds $10,000 to the base price and provides stronger acceleration and additional reserve when fully loaded.

Another significant option is the hard top with enclosure, priced at $17,900. That upgrade transforms the 27 into an all-weather platform, extending the cruising season and providing shelter for longer outings. Beyond functionality, the hard top and enclosure enhance the boat’s clean lines: Privott says Albemarle’s design language is influenced by the region where the company builds—near the Outer Banks—where custom charter boats often feature uncluttered profiles, smooth radiuses and thoughtful detailing. That aesthetic shows through in the 27, marrying good looks with purposeful design.

For buyers seeking a single boat that can serve as both a family cruiser and a capable offshore runner, the Albemarle 27 is positioned to bridge those needs. It retains the builder’s reputation for solid construction and offshore performance while introducing layout flexibility that fits modern owner priorities: comfortable seating and amenities for social outings, practical under-deck accommodations for short overnight needs or napping kids, and tangible seaworthiness when conditions demand it.

The 27 demonstrates how a legacy builder can adapt to changing market expectations without losing the core traits that made it successful: a strong, reliable hull form, sensible options for different missions, and finishes that reflect a regional appreciation for clean, purposeful design. For families who want a boat capable of both weekend watersports and saltwater fishing, the Albemarle 27 aims to be a practical, confident choice.

This article originally appeared in the February 2019 issue.