Cape Horn 21 vs. Cape Horn 24

peace of mind · 09-08-2010, 10:56 PM

I currently have a 2002 Cape Horn 21 with a Yamaha 225 Saltwater series (240 hours) and I am looking at moving up to the Cape Horn 24 most likely with twin engines (years 2000-2005 before the body style change). Does anyone have first hand experience with both of these boats and can give some comparisons in the water, advantages/disadvantages of both, and if this a good move or not. I am looking at probable $10,000-13,000 to make the upgrade and want to make sure that this move is worth the money. I fish primarily out of Carrabelle, Fl

Appreciate anyone's help with this decision.

Magic236 · 09-08-2010, 11:11 PM

My feedback is based on dated experience. CH builds great boats. In the early '90's a good friend bought a 19' then a 21', both were wet as hell, then he moved to the 24' that would have been a '97 or '98, she was awesome! Also, she was dry. It is my understanding that CH modified all its hulls after the 24's success.

Freespool · 09-09-2010, 12:34 AM

We had one for a few years and it was a great boat! We fished it hard and had it in some big weather and it did great.

FishEyez · 09-09-2010, 09:30 AM

2006 Cape Horn 23T 200 Yamaha hpdi's

countryjwh · 09-09-2010, 11:38 AM

yes it is worth the upgrade. we fished them both and the 24 is just a cadillac compared to the 21. we make 80 miles runs on a regular basis. good luck and post some reports when you get it.

neuby · 09-09-2010, 12:59 PM

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.

baitboy · 09-09-2010, 10:09 PM

look on craiglist you can prob find one some body got a little oil on for sale

peace of mind · 09-09-2010, 10:16 PM

Thanks guys for the real world experiences with both of these boats. I have had other people tell me that it's not worth the extra money to go the 24 especially since most have twin engines and that if you are are going to make a change then a 26-28 foot boat is much better.

I really like the 24 and think it is a versatile size. I am glad to here that there actually is that big of a difference between the 21 and 24 because I have been out in my 21 and sometimes it feels a little small for the ocean especially more than 15-20 miles out.

Strictly Bizness · 09-09-2010, 10:18 PM

Go for it. I have fished on every cape from a 17 thru the 31. They only get better as they get bigger. The twin engines is a huge plus!! And they are built like tanks. They don't break easily.

younghooker · 09-11-2010, 09:51 AM

love my 2000 model CH 24 1400 hours with 135 Opti's then repowered with twin 175 hp. Zukes.. (great combo) 450 + hrs. .. I sure don't need a bigger boat.. if it's 3 to 4 's or worse... we just don't go very far offshore or not at all..

09-08-2010, 10:56 PM	#1
peace of mind Junior Member Cigar Minnow Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 4	Cape Horn 21 vs. Cape Horn 24 I currently have a 2002 Cape Horn 21 with a Yamaha 225 Saltwater series (240 hours) and I am looking at moving up to the Cape Horn 24 most likely with twin engines (years 2000-2005 before the body style change). Does anyone have first hand experience with both of these boats and can give some comparisons in the water, advantages/disadvantages of both, and if this a good move or not. I am looking at probable $10,000-13,000 to make the upgrade and want to make sure that this move is worth the money. I fish primarily out of Carrabelle, Fl Appreciate anyone's help with this decision.

09-08-2010, 11:11 PM	#2
Magic236 Senior Member Grouper Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Birmingham/Destin Posts: 693	Cape Horn My feedback is based on dated experience. CH builds great boats. In the early '90's a good friend bought a 19' then a 21', both were wet as hell, then he moved to the 24' that would have been a '97 or '98, she was awesome! Also, she was dry. It is my understanding that CH modified all its hulls after the 24's success.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

09-09-2010, 12:34 AM	#3
Freespool Senior Member Sailfish Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: just a trollin along Posts: 1,399	We had one for a few years and it was a great boat! We fished it hard and had it in some big weather and it did great.

09-09-2010, 09:30 AM	#4
FishEyez Junior Member Cigar Minnow Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 13	2006 Cape Horn 23T 200 Yamaha hpdi's

09-09-2010, 11:38 AM	#5
countryjwh Senior Member Sailfish Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: mobile, al Posts: 1,912	yes it is worth the upgrade. we fished them both and the 24 is just a cadillac compared to the 21. we make 80 miles runs on a regular basis. good luck and post some reports when you get it.

09-09-2010, 12:59 PM	#6
neuby Senior Member Mingo Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 108	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, 10:09 PM	#7
baitboy Senior Member Trigger Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Pensacola fl Posts: 238	look on craiglist you can prob find one some body got a little oil on for sale

09-09-2010, 10:16 PM	#8
peace of mind Junior Member Cigar Minnow Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 4	Thanks guys for the real world experiences with both of these boats. I have had other people tell me that it's not worth the extra money to go the 24 especially since most have twin engines and that if you are are going to make a change then a 26-28 foot boat is much better. I really like the 24 and think it is a versatile size. I am glad to here that there actually is that big of a difference between the 21 and 24 because I have been out in my 21 and sometimes it feels a little small for the ocean especially more than 15-20 miles out.

09-09-2010, 10:18 PM	#9
Strictly Bizness Senior Member Grouper Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: hopefully bump trolling hardtails in the GOM Posts: 988	Go for it. I have fished on every cape from a 17 thru the 31. They only get better as they get bigger. The twin engines is a huge plus!! And they are built like tanks. They don't break easily.

09-11-2010, 09:51 AM	#10
younghooker Senior Member Trigger Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 352	love my 2000 model CH 24 1400 hours with 135 Opti's then repowered with twin 175 hp. Zukes.. (great combo) 450 + hrs. .. I sure don't need a bigger boat.. if it's 3 to 4 's or worse... we just don't go very far offshore or not at all..

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)