Pensacola Fishing Forum - View Single Post

neuby · 09-09-2010, 11:59 AM

I have fished a 19' a 21' and own a 24' Cape Horn. First while I agree with Magic236 that the 24' is a MUCH dryer boat than th 21 and 19, as well as substantially more stable with more fishing room, I'm always relunctant to characterize any center console as 'dry'.

I love my 24' CH- it is versatile enough to take considerable distances offshore and handles seas very well, but still manageable enough to tow easily (I launch by myself regularly) and it can get into essentially the same 'skinny' water the 21 and 19's can for Bay fishing or water sports. I think once you get much bigger than a 24' boat or a similar sized boat with a cabin, it starts becoming a lot more of a hassle to launch regularly, a drawback that has kept me from upgrading to date.

As far as comparing the pre-2005 to the newer ones, (i have ridden on a newer 24' as well as a 27') I do not think there is a lot of difference in the ride- the primary change to the hull design itself seemed to be the a more pointed V in the front compared to a more pronounced flare on the front in the older version, probably resulting in a dryer ride. I can tell you that the boat handles great in a leeway sea and loves a following sea. Since the Cape Horn is not a capped boat there is absolutely no give so a forward sea well beat you up unless you slow down or trim the bow down.

Anyway, my 1999 24' CH is for sale as well on craigslist- send me a PM and I can give you specifics.

09-09-2010, 11:59 AM	#6
neuby Senior Member Mingo Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 109	I have fished a 19' a 21' and own a 24' Cape Horn. First while I agree with Magic236 that the 24' is a MUCH dryer boat than th 21 and 19, as well as substantially more stable with more fishing room, I'm always relunctant to characterize any center console as 'dry'. I love my 24' CH- it is versatile enough to take considerable distances offshore and handles seas very well, but still manageable enough to tow easily (I launch by myself regularly) and it can get into essentially the same 'skinny' water the 21 and 19's can for Bay fishing or water sports. I think once you get much bigger than a 24' boat or a similar sized boat with a cabin, it starts becoming a lot more of a hassle to launch regularly, a drawback that has kept me from upgrading to date. As far as comparing the pre-2005 to the newer ones, (i have ridden on a newer 24' as well as a 27') I do not think there is a lot of difference in the ride- the primary change to the hull design itself seemed to be the a more pointed V in the front compared to a more pronounced flare on the front in the older version, probably resulting in a dryer ride. I can tell you that the boat handles great in a leeway sea and loves a following sea. Since the Cape Horn is not a capped boat there is absolutely no give so a forward sea well beat you up unless you slow down or trim the bow down. Anyway, my 1999 24' CH is for sale as well on craigslist- send me a PM and I can give you specifics.