26 Strike, 24 Topaz, 24 Rampage

Mahi · 02-15-2009, 11:50 AM

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.

wrap-check · 02-15-2009, 12:47 PM

We had a 26 strike for about 7 years.

Extremely economical, and a good seaboat. Also a pretty fishy hull, she seemed to raise fish nicely on the troll. Went all over hell in that boat.

Looking back, we should have taken the tower off her. Sold her to a friend, and when he removed the tower, performance drastically improved.

Fairly small rudder, so you have to use the throttle when docking.

Wear your fould weather gear, you'll get wet.

Mahi · 02-15-2009, 01:37 PM

This is exactly the type of info I am looking for!

ttmako280 · 02-16-2009, 09:37 AM

Had a topaz bimini with a 200hp volvo diesel.
Great boat, not very fast (20-21kts) but very economical 5.5-6gph.
alot of room for a 24ft boat

jawz12 · 02-16-2009, 09:51 AM

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...

Questsportfishing · 02-16-2009, 10:59 AM

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..

Mahi · 02-16-2009, 09:35 PM

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.

Appreciate all the info. Keep it coming.

Holy Smoke · 02-17-2009, 12:51 AM

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.

DORADOsteve · 03-04-2009, 09:00 AM

All three boats are great choices.

Topaz slow??? It all depends on what you have "under the hood"

My cruise is between 28 - 30 with the 375 Crusader.

Fortunate One · 03-04-2009, 09:14 AM

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.

02-15-2009, 01:37 PM	#3
Mahi I caught a fish once :) Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Boston Posts: 54 Credits: 1,665.3 Best Catch: 200lb. BFT	Thanks Wrap-Check... This is exactly the type of info I am looking for!

02-16-2009, 09:51 AM	#5
jawz12 I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: cape may nj Posts: 1,568 Credits: 4,106.1 Boat: 31 bertram Home Port: cape may nj Best Catch: my dog jawz... Occupation: marine repair shop owner	cold hard facts... 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...

02-16-2009, 10:59 AM	#6
Questsportfishing Crab mustard is good Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Posts: 982 Credits: 3,302.6 Boat: 28' Custom Bertram Home Port: Port Everglades Best Catch: the one that makes people smile! Occupation: Sport Fishing Captian	I like the Topaz..(sea slammer..).. 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..

02-16-2009, 09:35 PM	#7
Mahi I caught a fish once :) Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Boston Posts: 54 Credits: 1,665.3 Best Catch: 200lb. BFT	TTMako, Jaws and Quest... 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. Appreciate all the info. Keep it coming.

02-17-2009, 12:51 AM	#8
Holy Smoke Stop staring at my Avatar. Join Date: May 2005 Location: Apex, NC Posts: 406 Credits: 1,617.1 Occupation: Peddler	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.

02-15-2009, 12:47 PM	#2
wrap-check Stop staring at my Avatar. Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 371 Credits: 7,157.9 Boat: 31' Duffy Home Port: Sandwich, Ma Occupation: LAURA-JAY CHARTERS	We had a 26 strike for about 7 years. Extremely economical, and a good seaboat. Also a pretty fishy hull, she seemed to raise fish nicely on the troll. Went all over hell in that boat. Looking back, we should have taken the tower off her. Sold her to a friend, and when he removed the tower, performance drastically improved. Fairly small rudder, so you have to use the throttle when docking. Wear your fould weather gear, you'll get wet.

02-16-2009, 09:37 AM	#4
ttmako280 #1 Lurker Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2 Credits: 1,419.3	Had a topaz bimini with a 200hp volvo diesel. Great boat, not very fast (20-21kts) but very economical 5.5-6gph. alot of room for a 24ft boat

03-04-2009, 09:00 AM	#9
DORADOsteve #1 Lurker Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 4 Credits: 990.7	All three boats are great choices. Topaz slow??? It all depends on what you have "under the hood" My cruise is between 28 - 30 with the 375 Crusader.

03-04-2009, 09:14 AM	#10
Fortunate One Stop staring at my Avatar. Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 435 Credits: 3,242.8	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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