Rampage Yachts

Affixed to the façade of the enormous factory is a huge version of the Cruisers Yachts logo. Appended just below it, like an afterthought, is a less permanent-looking and slightly smaller sign for Rampage Sport Fishing Yachts. But here, in the small northeastern Wisconsin town of Oconto, this new sign is anything but an afterthought. And while the sign may look tacked on, there’s nothing temporary about.

That’s because Rampage recently moved all of its operations here—and brought with it 100 new jobs.

Now, Rampage will share this 450,000-square-foot facility with Cruisers, its sister company under the KCS International umbrella. That means a boost to the local economy and to both of these yacht builders. The two companies are consolidating all of their operations, from manufacturing to marketing, and finding renewed stability at a time when the rest of the economy is shaky.

I traveled to Oconto for an open house event, to see the facility and the unveiling of the first Rampage yacht completed here. I’m given safety glasses, led past hulls being prepared and brought into a high-ceilinged room crowded with people. There are community members, local officials, yacht dealers, employees, a television crew, reporters, photographers, rows of chairs, a stage and, at the back, a huge yacht sheathed in a white plastic tarp. There are speeches, remarks and flash bulbs going off. Then, the boat—a gleaming 33 Express—is unveiled.

It’s more than an impressive yacht, though. It’s a symbol of Rampage’s commitment to this manufacturing town on the Great Lakes and of the company’s commitment to building great sport fishing yachts.

From top to bottom, the Rampage lineup is impressive. These rugged boats combine comfort and convenience with speed, durability and performance-focused engineering. The result is yachts that perform as well on the sea as they do just down the Oconto River on Green Bay.

45 Convertible

Since it came into the Rampage line in 2002, the 45 Convertible has sold well both here in the United States and elsewhere around the world. It’s easy to see why. Not only is this a big, classy boat with all the amenities a sportfisherman needs and the luxurious cabin you would expect on a yacht of this size, but it’s also priced extremely competitively.

Even from a distance, this boat is immediately impressive. It has a streamlined design, smooth lines and an aggressive posture. It’s a Carolina-style boat, so the modified-V design has a good amount of bow flare and sharp entry. The result is a soft, dry ride with predictable handling, excellent sea-keeping characteristics and a shallow, efficient driveline.

Something you won’t notice right away but will come to appreciate is the simple, solid construction. When they’re assembled, the fiberglass structural grid stringer system and composite bulkheads are integrated with the hull with methacrylate structural adhesive, and then the entire system is glassed to the hull bottom. That may sound complicated, but what it means is simple: the 45 Convertible is exceptionally strong and built to last.

All around, this is a very fine performing boat. With engine options that range from 715 to 1,015 horsepower, it can top out at 37 knots, in the right conditions. The 45 is also extremely well behaved at sea. It has 700-gallon fuel tank and can run easily 40, 50 or 60 miles offshore.

From an exterior standpoint, it is designed for hardcore fishing. There’s lockable rod storage below the portside seating that can hold three seven-foot rods, and there is even more rod storage in a locker forward of the helm. At 130 square feet, the cockpit is one of the largest in the class. With all that space, it has room for everything a serious offshore fisherman could demand. An insulated dry box with an overboard drain, a tackle center with a freshwater sink, two removable 66-inch insulated fishboxes with macerator pump outs and a 36-gallon insulated and lighted livewell are all there.

The interior is as comfortable as the deck is rugged. The forward private stateroom has a queen-size island berth, a cedar-lined hanging locker, a spacious head and an optional washer/dryer unit. The guest stateroom has two single berths that convert easily into a queen-size berth. There is also a second head with a second shower.

All in all, the 45 Convertible gives the most ambitious sportfishermen all the tools they need to tackle the big catch, as well as all the comfort they could want on an extended run out to find the fish.

41 Express

Sleek and powerful will only get you so far. Literally. That’s where range comes in—to give you the freedom to enjoy the performance and possibilities of your vessel out on the open water. The 41 Express is a perfect example of this.

Thanks to a best-in-the-class 700-gallon fuel capacity, it can take you out on the water and keep you there. For sportfishing, that makes all the difference. The enhanced fuel tank isn’t just a convenience; it’s a necessity when you’re heading far offshore and then tracking your catch once you get there.

Powered by a set of 575 hp CAT C9 or 715 hp C12 diesel engines and a Kohler generator, the 41 is as charged as a yacht comes. Featuring a Frigid-Rigid ice-management system and enough room to comfortably sleep six, it has the amenities needed for extended runs.

Rampage built this boat tough with double stringer bulkhead construction, a solid fiberglass hull bottom and vinylester resin barrier coat. And the company backs up its longevity with a five-year transferable structural warranty.

This isn’t just a yacht with a few livewells tacked on. No, it’s designed specifically for sportfishing. The helm deck sports a centerline configuration, a premium helm chair, standard port and starboard L-shaped seating, easy access to the engine room and plenty of storage. The console provides ample room for today’s high-tech marine electronics and features a power steering system and tilt-out helm pod for easy access to wiring and electronics.

The main cabin, which comes equipped with a home theater stereo system and LCD television, offers a space for hard driving anglers to relax. The galley features premium solid-surface countertops, stainless steel appliances and cherry cabinets. A forward stateroom boasts a queen-size berth with storage, custom linens, a cedar-lined hanging locker and cable TV wiring. The head has a glass-enclosed shower, a solid surface counter with inset sink, more cherry cabinetry and brushed nickel hardware.

To ensure the 41’s offshore ruggedness, designers gave her a Carolina flared bow with strong curves and a muscular raised sheer that adds cabin headroom without bulking up exterior lines. In addition, there are three layout options available for her generous 100-square-foot cockpit, which includes an aft-facing seat, a bait prep unit with freezer box and a bait prep unit with a sink and tackle storage.

38 Express

The 38 Express is something of a classic in the Rampage line. It’s been around since 2000, and since then has built a strong following. Primarily, but by no means exclusively, it appeals to couples, as it has ample room for two and is very easy for two people to operate and run. Really, though, this yacht appeals to anyone looking to spend a lot of time on the water without giving up the comforts of home.

And below deck, that’s exactly what you’ll find: the amenities of home. In the main cabin, there’s a full seven feet of headroom, a solid cherry table with hi/lo pedestals, a U-shaped lounge that converts to a double berth, a skylight above the dinette and a Clarion stereo with six speakers. The galley features a two-burner ceramic cook top, a convection/microwave oven and a refrigerator with a freezer. In the forward stateroom, you’ll find lots of storage overhead and under the berth. The head has an opening port-light, a shower stall with a circular door and
a cherry vanity.

Like all of the Rampage Sportfishing Yachts, the deck is decked out for angling. The cockpit is more than 100-square-feet big, so there’s room for multiple anglers. Two-insulated iceboxes with overboard drains have plenty of room for beverages of various kinds. The freshwater sink, cutting board and heavy-duty drawers of the tackle center offer convenience and storage for all your gear. There are also two 66-inch fishboxes and a 55-gallon insulated and lighted livewell with toe space below.

While this yacht doesn’t have the Carolina flare of some other Rampage models, it still has a smart hull design that translates into impressive performance. On the 38, the marine-grade, pressure-treated wood stringers are completely encapsulated in fiberglass, glassed in place with bi-axial fabric and fiber-enriched resins, then coated with high-solids bilge compound. The result is a water-resistant and rigid hull with a long life.

When the state-of-the-art Teleflex hydraulic steering system is combined with the cast bronze rudders, PSS rudder seals and cast rudder ports with premium Orkot bearings, you get a durable yacht that has precise handling. Add twin Caterpillar C9 engines with 575 horsepower, and you get a vessel that can get above 30 knots. Put a 512-gallon fuel tank onboard, and you get great range for a yacht of this length. The end result is the versatile, durable 38 Express.

33 Express

How do you get six-feet, six-inches of cabin headroom and sleeping accommodations for six on a boat of this size? With excellent design. That may be easier said than done, but Rampage has done it on their 33 Express.

Its exceptional bow flare, sharp entry, Rampage keel, full 13-foot beam and innovative hull give it a soft, dry, head sea ride without sacrificing valuable space below. The result is a well-mannered but incredibly tough sport fishing yacht.

Down below, the 33 shows her softer side. The galley comes complete with solid-surface countertops, stainless steel sink, refrigerator, electric stove, microwave, storage drawers and cabinets. The starboard seating area features a roomy queen-size foldout sofa, while the forward V-dinette seats five and converts to either four bunks or two bunks above and a full-size V-berth below. Also available is a spacious queen-size island berth that adds to sleeping arrangement options.

Above, flexibility in deck layout options lets you pick the aft cockpit layout that best suits your needs. The transom can be configured with a livewell or stow-away bench seating. To complete the aft cockpit configuration, the owner can select two of the following options: a bait prep unit with a sink and tackle storage, a bait livewell unit with tackle storage and an aft-facing seat with a Frigid-Rigid cooler. The helm deck has many unique features, such as the tilt-out center helm design, which provides excellent visibility and provides easy wiring access. Port lounge seating features a forward swivel seat.

And the careful design extends down to the smallest details. The lighted baitwell acts as a fish box and also features a lid within a lid for live bait access. A cool/warm helm option with its own air-conditioning system can be added for year-round comfort. A full eight-inch toe rail provides added safety and comfort.

The 33, however, is much more than comfortable. Featuring Rampage’s Propeller Pockets, the 33 provides greater driver-line efficiency with a shallow draft of only 29 inches. And, powerful options such as the Twin CAT C7 common rail diesel with 460 hp lend to exceptional speed and range. Across the board, Rampage offers different options, including both gasoline and diesel.

Put all of this together, and you get a sporty yacht that packs power and comfort in a solid frame.

30 Express

It may be the smallest of Rampage’s models, but the 30 Express is built as tough as any of them. Considered one of the most powerful inboard diesels in her class, it has an offshore ruggedness you wouldn’t expect from a vessel less than 30 feet in length.

The surprisingly spacious cockpit is equipped with features that anglers will appreciate. There’s a swing-out transom door with a top lid; a lockable tackle center with large slide-out storage drawers with dividers; a molded fiberglass sink with a spray nozzle and cutting board; a 38-gallon custom lighted baitwell and removable, macerated, insulated fish box; both fresh and raw water washdowns; and coaming bolsters on both the starboard and port sides that give added comfort.

At the helm, the dash pod tilts aft for easy access to wiring and electronics. It also features a 16-by-24-foot electronics area with digital engine monitoring displays and a lighted compass. The helm wheel is stainless steel and has cushion-comfort finger grips and a control knob.
With all of this plus a powerful inboard diesel, the 30 Express is instantly ready for a run offshore. The four-person sleeping capacity means you can bring your friends along, even if that trip extends overnight.

Accommodations below deck are more than you’d expect on an express yacht of this size. There’s a comfortable double forward berth with a queen-sized foam mattress, as well as a forward berth that has plenty of storage, a cedar-lined closet and an optional TV/DVD. Available with optional teak flooring, the versatile dinette provides storage space for extra rods and easily converts to upper and lower bunks.

The thoughtfully designed galley area features a solid surface countertop, a stainless steel sink, a refrigerator, a ceramic cooktop, a microwave, storage drawers and cabinets. With all of that, you can prep and eat your fresh catch.

It may be smaller than the other yachts in the Rampage lineup, but the 30 Express holds its own—and then some.

From top to bottom, this Wisconsin company offers yachts of various shapes and sizes, but Rampage never wavers on one thing: quality.

But it’s not just me who’s saying that—it’s the people who use these boats. The proof is in the NMMA Customer Satisfaction Index Recognition award Rampage received last year in the sport fishing express boat category. It’s there, and in these excellent yachts.