Cape Horn Boats for Sale

A father and son's garage boat

Chris Fabbro and his father Bob built the first Cape Horn, the 16 Classic, in their garage. Sport Fishing magazine dates that about 39 years back from 2025. The company is still family owned, and its site names the builder as Fabbro Marine Group.

The pitch is a plain, fishable boat for the money. That's what you'll see in a used one: large fishing decks, two big livewells on most offshore models, and fish boxes that hold a lot of ice.

Model lines

• OS (Offshore): 22OS and 24OS.
• XS (Extra Seating/Storage): 24XS through 39XS, with more seating for family use.
• T (Tournament): 31T, 32T, 34T and 39T.
• Cape Bay: the 23 Cape Bay, a bay boat.

The 39T

The 39T is one of the largest Cape Horns. It is 39'6" long with an 11'3" beam, carries 560 gallons of fuel and weighs about 15,500 lb with power. It is rated for up to 1,600 hp. Sport Fishing tested it with twin Mercury 600 V-12s: 35.1 mph at 3,500 rpm, a 565-mile range and a top speed approaching 70 mph. It has 116 gallons of livewell and 49 rod holders, and comes on a quad-axle trailer.

Spec sheet: the 24XS

The 24XS is one of the most common Cape Horns on the used market. Cape Horn's model page lists it at 25'1" long with a 9'1" beam, a 20-inch draft and a 23-degree deadrise. It's rated for up to 400 hp, carries 136 gallons of fuel and has a 3,000 lb maximum load. Hull weight rigged without engines is 5,500 lbs.

Cape Horn's 2021 brochure gives slightly different numbers for the same boat: 137 gallons and a lower dry weight. Specs change between model years, so go by the boat's capacity plate and window sticker rather than a brochure.

A 9'1" beam is wider than many trailer setups. Check your state's oversize-load rules and your tow vehicle's rating before you buy one inland.

What to check on a used Cape Horn

Warranty. On the 39T, Cape Horn gives a 10-year hull warranty and a lifetime transom warranty. Ask whether either transfers, and get the original paperwork from the seller.

Livewells and fish boxes. These boats get fished hard. Run every livewell pump, check the plumbing for leaks under the deck, and look at the fish box drains and macerators.

Hardtop and outriggers. Shake the hardtop and look for cracks around the mounts. Extend the outriggers and check the bases.

Engines. Big Cape Horns run twin or triple outboards, often large Mercurys. Get hours and service records on each, and a compression test.

Recalls. I found no Coast Guard recall for Cape Horn. Run the HIN through the USCG recall search to be sure.