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No Nonsense Cruising
by Capt. Peter J. Walsh
Almar's 32 Sounder Flybridge is rugged -- and comfortable
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Almar, a Tacoma, Washington builder of aluminum boats, has long been known for making tough hulls. But its latest and largest vessel to date -- the 32 Sounder Flybridge -- sets new standards in cruising comfort for this type of boat.
As with all Almar Sounder models, the 32 is built for rugged Northwest boating, but it is equally at home cruising to Catalina or fishing off the Farallon Islands.
This is not a "go-fast," Euro-style boat. Instead, the 32 Sounder exhibits an imposing, sensible beauty. Push on its rails and the rails push back, exemplifying the type of sturdy construction that is predominant throughout.
Grabbing these immovable rails upon boarding inspires confidence, just before your feet land securely on the solid non-
skid surface of the cockpit sole. Nothing moves or rattles on this boat.
The biggest surprise, however, is in the 32's interior, where a full range of creature comforts are available.
Going for a Ride
Our test boat, at Seattle's Elliott Bay, was furnished by Almar Marine. When the boat was idling, the only noticeable noise was a muffled sound from the water-dampened exhaust.
We backed out of the boat's tight slip at Elliott Bay Marina smoothly and almost effortlessly, thanks to twin Volvo Penta Duoprop stern drives.
Motoring out of the marina, the 32 Sounder drew many admiring glances from fellow boaters. During our afternoon sea trial, we had a light breeze, ruffled water and swells caused by ferries, harbor tour boats, tugs and other ship traffic off Elliott Bay.
After clearing the breakwater and checking for approaching traffic, we punched up the throttles, tweaked the trim tabs and reached a top speed of just over 40 mph.
After jumping a few wakes at wide open throttle position, the skipper throttled back to 3,500 mph, the boat's optimum rpm range. That gave us a cruising speed of 29 mph, good fuel economy
of nine gallons per hour and a comfortable, smooth ride.
Under way, the engine noise level was incredibly low in the cabin, even with the sliding door open to the cockpit. The familiar tympani-like sound you expect from an aluminum hull at speed was not at all present on this boat, due to the unique stringer and rib construction technique employed by Almar.
The cockpit is thoughtfully arranged, with a live bait well built into the transom coaming on the starboard side and dry storage to port. An air-cooled, 3.5 kw Honda auxiliary generator is centerline-mounted on the deck next to the cabin bulkhead. It is encased in a sound-insulated, air-baffled shroud with ports allowing access to controls.
Two water-tight, hydraulically assisted hatches allow complete access to the boat's twin 245 hp, 350 c.i.d. Volvo Penta engines. The installation is clean, tidy and sound deadened.
The ladder to the flying bridge has skid-resistant steps and doesn't flex under pressure. Standard features on the flying bridge include full helm controls and electronics, an offset bench helm seat, non-skid deck surface, a Venturi windshield with grabrail and a radar arch. Ample room is provided to stow a 10 foot inflatable on deck.
In a seaway, it is apparent that no matter what you grab or fall against, it is going to support you, not bend or loosen. This boat inspires confidence and is solid and well-behaved. It handles like a sportboat at speed, but can throttle back to be comfortable in nasty conditions.
Comfortable Accommodations
The 32 Sounder offers a traditional interior layout with an ample V-berth forward. A galley is located below, on the port side, with an enclosed head opposite.
The main cabin features a large, raised table and L-shaped settee across from a well-instrumented inside helm station.
A full complement of marine electronics is available at the helm, and dashboard gauges are placed where they can be read at a glance. All electronics are within easy reach, and nothing obstructs the skipper's view of the water.
A spacious amidships cabin is created by the raised table-
settee arrangement, and it can be entered between the settee and aft cabin bulkhead. At the foot of the stairs leading to this area is a vanity with sink.
Forward is a large crawl-in double berth, which is under the settee. A small television and a VCR are secured in the corner by the stairs.
The galley, on our test boat, included such amenities as an under-counter refrigerator, two burner stove, sink, microwave oven, built-in coffee maker and utensil stowage area.
Across the companionway in the compact and complete head, standard features include a separate shower stall, a vanity, a marine toilet and cabinet stowage space.
The interior finish includes abundant easy-to-care-for laminated surfaces, trimmed with teak. The installation of every piece of equipment is well thought out, and each object is carefully secured.
The cabin is heated by a forced air system, available while the boat is running.
A Rugged Legacy
Almar began building a respected line of jet boats 16 years ago, for rough water use. In 1980, Almar introduced the more luxurious, cruiser-oriented Sounder series of saltwater boats, and by 1986, Sounders were outselling every other model in the company's inventory. The 26 foot Sounder soon became Almar's best seller.
Almar uses jigs to construct its hulls, which relieves the tension caused by welding as the hulls come together. The factory can customize boats for many different purposes, without sacrificing strength, seaworthiness and durability.
Almar sells the boat factory-direct to customers, instead of through dealers, cutting out the middleman and keeping its prices as low as possible.
Whether you're looking for a boat that's rugged enough to tame rough Northwest passages, or one comfortable enough for weekend cruises, the 32 Sounder can handle each task admirably. After one cruise aboard this well-appointed vessel, you may look at aluminum boats in a whole new light.
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This article first appeared in the February 1993 issue of Sea Magazine. All or parts of the information contained in this article might be outdated. |
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