26 Strike, 24 Topaz, 24 Rampage

[Fortunate One]

Steve, that was her. She had side curtains that we'd roll down in the morning to keep the cool air off of us as we buzz out.

I'd sit on that custom aluminum leaning post, rest my back against that pipe connected to the tower and point that baby south or south east past the dumping grounds.

She had a tuna door for the big ones.

I recall a few times hanging out and finding the draggers. We'd bet out there well past sundown. Those guys would invite us into their bycatch slicks and we'd just nail the medium bluefins.

I had a trolling valve installed so I could pull wire on the southwest ledge by Block island and we'd nail the stripers.

Two of us would troll 8 lines, talk about a fire drill.

For her size she was a nice riding boat that use to sip fuel.

[chumslicker27]

Good stuff fellas... Not trying to hijack the thread, but what do you guys know about the 29' Topaz Express/sportfisher.. I really like these, is there a better option for the money than the 29' Topaz.. I have also looked at a few 29'Blackfin Capri, they cost a bit more though.... I would like to find something like this with a hinged tower.. Is it possible to convert to hinges.... I have to go under some low bridges.... thanks................. Heck while your at it let me know about the 28 topaz as well.. I was looking at a 29 or 28.. any big adv or disadv?

[chumslicker27]

How long of a haul was it to the canyon for ya..... Trying to get a feel for range mile wise... thanks[


QUOTE=Fortunate One;504568]I've owned a 1978 Cuddy cabin center console Topaz that I had repowered with a 230 HP Yanmar.

For the size that boat was the balls. It was like riding in a 4 wheel drive truck.

I'd head down to Block Canyon in that thing on good weather days leaving very early in the morning and returning late at night.

I'd run it at 22knts all day long and still have fuel to spare on a run like that.

I miss that boat. Should have never sold it. The only drawback was a lack of fish boxes. But then again you can cart some good size fish in insulated fish bags that could be lashed down to the cuddy.[/QUOTE]

[Fortunate One]

chumslicker27,

I don't know much about the 29 Topaz except that they had cockpit drainage issues which lead to other issues.

As far as distance we'd run 115 miles from port to Block Canyon. We'd run over 140 miles to the West Atlantis area.

That boat would carry 100 gallons and for West Atlantis we'd bring 5 extra 6 gallon containers of fuel, install them in the tank as soon as they'd fit and lash them to the bow rails.

Yep, crazy stuff but with a brand new engine, gear, prop, shaft good calm weather, we figured why not.

We had to slug it out a couple of times going home but it was all worth it.

[team bill me]

I love my Bimini
2005 model with Yanmar power
25 knot cruise
31 knots WOT

[SureshotJerry]

Shopping around and looking for some information on these three hulls...The good and the bad.

1986 24 Rampage (CC)

1980s 26 strike (CC with bow cuddy)

1980 24 Topaz Bimini

Any feedback is much appreciated.

I owned a 24 rampage , I thought it was a good boat for a 24. It was a 20 kt boat with the origional 260 hp , I would imagine most would be repowered by now.It did most everything well except a head sea. Bunch of room to fish and a well put together boat, no cronic problems with harware or worksmanship , but its a 24 'er , great for rockfishing and sea bassing , and tuna fishing on your good days.

[Ultralite]

Have ridden and released marlin on a friend's Topaz 28 express. Recently repowered from Volvo 40Bs (165 hp) to freshly rebuilt Volvo 41Bs (200 hp) and the result was great. He averages about 1.8 mpg with a cruise speed of 22 knots, though he mostly loafs it at 18 to 20 knots.

I like the ride. Dislikes are mostly rigging configuration (additional rod holders, etc) that he needs to address as most of his focus has been on the mechanical.