out of the three,i would take the 26 strike...be careful with it...the tower/t-top set ups they use will cause the screws that hold down the deck to back out and wear out the holes...also be careful with the fuel systems,you want to see new tanks in these...most of these had a 4 fuel tank set up with a balance tube,there were no shut offs on those balance tubes,anywhere,this could lead to a serious problem if a leak develops...electrical systems are a little hokey too...gotta get big trim tabs,it's a modified v hull...
24 rampage...it will beat you to death in any kind of sea..it's a balsa cored hull and deck,which means,it will probably be suffering from serious water intrusion,due to improper sealing of installed equipment...again,these ride terrible...
24 topaz,not bad...bimini uses this mold still,again,not bad...it's a modified v hull,which means it's not gonna be a great head sea boat,but,learn how to trim it down and back off the throttle,you'll be fine...
Like Jaws said ... just back it off some if it's rough... the boats are wide and ride great.. most have the batteries in the back floor so just make sure you have tops on the boxes..! Did you know that the coast gaurd test for battery boxes require that the batteries should withstand up to 90lbs of pressure without moving...??? some requirments are a good thing! Hi Jimmy by the way... great answer on the boats..
Thanks for all the great info. Haven't had a chance to run or fish any of the three hulls yet. Despite lack in speed...the economy and range on that small diesel is pretty slick. The
Rampage and Topaz seem to have plenty of space for fighting fish.
Jimmy, (Jawz) knows his stuff and I would defer to him on most topics, however. The 24 Rampage is a solid boat with a good ride. Its a 18-20 knot cruise boat @3200 rpms with a small block in it so how bad can you get beat up going that slow. In a beam sea it trolls like a 35 footer and for sharking or drift fishing you would be very happy. If your goal is to run with the Contenders/Regulators you will be very un-happy but for a
small solid very well finished boat it should be on your list.
Problem areas: Balsa core, you need to cut the deck and I think the stringers to replace the fuel tanks. The livewell fish box's have been know to let water into the core and I also know one that sunk because they drain into the bilge.
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.
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. In a beam sea it trolls like a 35 footer and for sharking or drift fishing you would be very happy. If your goal is to run with the Contenders/Regulators you will be very un-happy but for a 
