Albemarle Unveils the 45 Carolinian Fish Around Express: New Mid-40-Foot Sportfisher

As Albemarle Boats marks its 45th anniversary, the North Carolina builder is expanding its lineup with a new sportfisher: the 45 Carolinian Fish Around Express. Measuring 45 feet overall with a 13-foot, 6-inch beam and a shallow 2-foot, 2-inch draft, the model rides on a traditional Carolina-style hull and is scheduled for launch in 2025.

“The fisharound layout on the new 45 is like nothing Albemarle has built before,” says Burch Perry, the company’s general manager. The design prioritizes anglers’ needs with full 360-degree deck access while preserving strong weather protection and comfortable belowdecks accommodations. Albemarle also notes this will be the largest outboard-powered model it has produced to date.

Hull engineering was led by designer Steve Matthews. The hull will be vacuum-infused using vinylester resin with a foam core, a build approach that enhances structural integrity and reduces weight. The hull features classic Carolina flare, tumblehome and a soft, broken sheer. At the transom it carries 22 degrees of deadrise, a configuration intended to cut through head seas, land gently in troughs and help keep the cabin and enclosure drier underway.

Perry positions the 45 as a gap-filler in Albemarle’s range, bridging the company’s 41- and 53-foot models. He explains that recent customer demand has included requests for a mid-40-foot boat and for a larger outboard platform to address draft concerns in shallow-water areas. The 45 aims to deliver serious sportfishing capability while offering a surprisingly roomy and well-finished interior for its size.

Below deck, the main cabin is designed for both comfort and versatility. An aft lounge converts to a queen berth, while the forward dinette also turns into an additional sleeping berth. The partial galley includes a cooktop, and the head features a separate stall shower—practical arrangements for day trips or overnight excursions without compromising cockpit functionality for fishing.

The cockpit remains dedicated to angling, with a long list of standard fishing amenities. Those include a 130-gallon fish box, a 70-gallon transom livewell, freshwater and raw-water washdowns, plentiful rod holders and dedicated tackle storage. Owners who prefer elevated sightlines and casting capability can option a tower for the flybridge.

Power comes standard from triple 600-hp Mercury outboards, tied into a joystick piloting system for simplified close-quarters handling and docking. Performance estimates from Albemarle indicate a cruise speed between 30 and 34 knots and a top speed approaching 48 knots, with an approximate range of 400 nautical miles. Electric trim tabs and a bow thruster are standard equipment, enhancing sea-keeping, trim control and maneuverability.

Beyond the headline numbers, the 45 aims to blend the ruggedness and seakeeping traits of a Carolina hull with the lower draft and ease of maintenance associated with outboard propulsion. That combination should appeal to anglers who fish coastal waters, inlets and nearshore reefs where draft and trailering flexibility can matter as much as offshore performance.

Albemarle says pricing and additional specifications will be announced later. For buyers seeking a mid-40-foot sportfisher with a true Carolina hull, substantial cockpit fishability and a comfortable two-stateroom-style interior layout, the 45 Carolinian Fish Around Express promises a compelling new option in the builder’s lineup.

This article was originally published in the June 2024 issue.