The Cape Horn legacy ­began 35 years ago in the garage of Chris Fabbro and his father, Bob Fabbro, ­after they recognized the need for a no-nonsense fishing boat meeting the de­mands of hardcore fishermen while remaining affordable and easy to maintain. 

The Cape Horn 16 Classic was the result, launching a still-growing line of premier offshore boats, including newly designed models already known for a dry ride and soft entry. The boats boast huge floor plans that provide an uncluttered “work” station when the bite is on—no fancy footwork needed if multiple hookups occur. Most of the offshore models are equipped with two enormous livewells and possibly the largest fully insulated fish box available—9 feet long! If you can catch it, it probably fits in here.

Cape Horn 39T

The Cape Horn 39T, biggest in its four-boat Tournament line and boasting a top speed of 69.2 mph and a 565-mile cruising-speed range, puts the big ones within reach, on schedule. “An unrivaled length-to-beam ratio,” the company says, “makes running 100 miles offshore routine.”

Tournament anglers will appreciate pressurized livewells of 60 and 56 gallons each, and a 9-foot, 1,600-quart insulated fish box. In all, the boat bears a stunning 49 rod holders. Forward and aft coaming bolsters are standard. 

A hardtop with rear legs is standard too, as are 18-foot outriggers with telescoping poles. A crow’s nest is optional. Two large electronics boxes are within the top. The boat features a deluxe bolster seat leaning post, and rear seating is standard. At the helm is a massive 48-by-18.5-inch electronics area. The walk-in console has 6 feet, 2 inches of headroom, a Sani-Potti and a holding tank.

Storage is generous, with multiple gunwale boxes, aft floor storage with removable boxes, and a large cooler on the console. 

Electronic steering is standard, as are spreader lights, and a three-step stainless-steel dive ladder and two transom gates.

Also standard is a quad trailer with disc brakes and mag wheels. Options include underwater and under­-gunwale lights, a windlass and a VacuFlush head. 

Editor’s Tip 

There’s nothing better than a meal of fresh fish. To get the most out of your catch, make sure you bleed it as soon as possible. Then, cover it with ice, being sure to fill the chest cavity on species like tuna. Cooling these down immediately will ensure the best taste later. -Joe Albanese, Executive Editor Salt Water Sportsman

Performance Data

• Test Power: Twin Mercury V-12 Verado 600 hp
• Test Props: Verado 12, stainless steel, pitch 31, 31
• Test Load: Total as tested, 18,000 lb.
• Test Speed: Cruise 35.1 mph at 3,500 rpm
• Max Range: 565 mi.

Specifications

Cape Horn Boats – Milton, Florida; capehornboats.com

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Three decades ago, when Chris Fabbro and his father, Bob, couldn’t find the hardcore but comfortable, no-nonsense fishing boat they desired, they built their own 16-foot center-console in the family garage.

From that first Cape Horn 16 Classic has grown a premier line of tournament-quality offshore center-console fishing boats from 22 to 36 feet. They’re all still designed by Chris Fabbro, with tall, flared bows, mammoth livewells, open decks and huge floor plans—and unsinkability. All Cape Horn hulls are filled with closed-cell foam that also adds stability and dampens noise.

Cape Horn 34XS

Getting there, fast and comfortably: That’s the expressed purpose of the new Cape Horn, the XS, promising extra space and storage in a hardcore fishing boat.

The 34XS was designed to embody both twin-engine swiftness and a smooth, dry ride the company credits to its length-to-beam ratio. Its roomy cockpit and low aft freeboard are handy for fighting big fish and boating or releasing them. 

Within an oversize hardtop (powder coating and even a crow’s-nest optional), a large box provides gear storage, surrounded by a half-dozen flush-mounted speakers. Telescoping 18-foot outriggers are ready to spread out the offerings. 

At the helm, electronic power steering allows the addition of joystick control, and a huge dash accommodates multiple large displays. A pair of slide-mounted Llebroc captain’s chairs blend control and comfort. The walk-in head features 6 feet of headroom. 

Forward of the console is a double flip-up seat with flip-up footrests. In the bow, U-shaped seating has removable backrests. Aft, a bench folds away neatly. Behind the helm seats, facing aft, is -mezzanine seating.

This boat never forgets its fishing focus, with 41 rod holders, a 7-foot-long insulated fish box, livewells of 50 (clear-topped, rear) and 60 gallons (leaning post), and full coaming bolsters.

Manufacturer’s Remark

A towable package that makes an impression. The “XS” stands for extra seating and extra storage.

Performance Data

• Test Power: Twin Yamaha 425 XTO
• Test Props: Yamaha 23″ Pitch XTO  
• Test Load: Two people, 275 gal. fuel    
• Test Speed: 65.5 mph @ 5,800 rpm (81 gph/0.8 mpg)  
• Max Range: 495 miles (@ 6.9 mph) 220 miles (@ 65.5 mph)

Specs

Editor Says

Cape Horn offers two versions of its new 34-footer: the XS with extra seating and storage, and the T, a tournament version with more fishing features to meet the demands of hardcore offshore and nearshore anglers. Both include comforts and conveniences to help the entire family make the most of their time on the water. – Alex Suescun, Executive Editor, Salt Water Sportsman

More Info

capehornboats.com

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The last thing a Cape Horn boat sees as it leaves the factory in Milton, Florida, is the steely eye of company president Chris Fabbro.

Fabbro, who with his father, Bob, built the first Cape Horn (the 16 Classic) in their garage more than 30 years ago, inspects every boat before turning it over to its new owner. The lineup now stretches from 22 to 36 feet, in bay and offshore models.

How’d it start? Father and son wanted a fishing boat that was both hardcore and comfortable, with big fishing platforms and massive livewells. Unable to find one that suited them, they built it.

Hull voids in a Cape Horn are pressure-filled with closed-cell foam, quieting the ride, adding stiffness, and making it unsinkable—a consideration CC survey respondents always rank highly.

Cape Horn 36XS

The “XS” in the model name stands for extra seating, or extra storage—well, actually, both. It might as well stand for extra fishability and comfort too, in a hand-tailored big-flare boat boasting yacht-quality hardware and appointments.

The helm station has compartments for tackle and other gear; 60 percent of survey respondents prefer permanent storage space. The dash accommodates multiple large-screen displays. EPS steering allows easy upgrade to joystick control.

Within a rear-facing seat is a 60-gallon livewell; a second 20-gallon livewell within the transom can also serve as storage; 69 percent of center-console respondents said one livewell was enough, 27 percent wanted two, and just 4 percent held out for three.

Standard are a forward lounge and a large, rear foldaway bench (76 percent of those surveyed wanted seating for four or more).

An optional VacuFlush head can be installed in the large walk-in console, which has a pullout steel sink. A flip-up seat at the console front transforms into a lounge seat with a flip-up footrest.

The 36XS’s oversize hardtop contains a pair of electronics boxes and flush-mounted speakers, with several lighting options. Revolution outriggers are standard. A laddered skylight hatch in the top gives access to adjust antennas and adds the consideration of an upper station.

More big thinking? Triple outboards produce speeds of 60 mph. A 9-foot-long insulated fish box measures 1,400 quarts volume. And then there’s the rod holders—25 of them, various types and locations, standard.

Survey Says: On Target

• Abundant rod holders in various locations and types
• Standard hardtop and outriggers
• Dash accommodates three large displays

Owners Say

• 360-degree fish-fighting ability
• Feels like a Cadillac in even the roughest seas
• Built like a tank

Brand Says

• A sleek and modern design
• Go farther, faster with incredible efficiency

Reader Response

• “A great seaworthy boat”

Specs

LOA: 36′11″

Beam: 10′6″

Fuel Capacity: 385 gal.

Dry Weight: 7,900 lb. plus power

Max HP: 1,400

More Info

capehornboats.com

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Cape Horn’s new 22 Offshore might be the smallest in the brand’s lineup of center-console fish boats, but it comes packed with important features. To start with, a 40-gallon livewell behind the leaning post, on centerline, creates ample space for live bait; 27 rod holders, including rocket launchers along the transom bulkhead and attached to the leaning post, give anglers room to stow plenty of tackle for contingencies.

At the helm, the 22 Offshore features 14-by-30 inches of electronics space. A canvas T-top with an overhead box is standard as are trim tabs with indicators.

The forward casting deck features a step up and hides a 55-gallon insulated fish box. The front console seat lifts for access to a standard manual-flush toilet and storage space with 5 feet, 4 inches of headroom.

Read Next: Cape Horn 32: 2020 Boat Buyers Guide

Cape Horn surrounds the cockpit with coaming pads and provides freshwater and raw-water washdowns, as well as a transom gate. A removable, optional 85-quart cooler tucks partially beneath the transom cap. Its top cushion adds extra seating.

The 22 Offshore carries 127 gallons of fuel and can handle a 350 hp outboard.

Specifications

LOA: 22 ft. 9 in.

Beam: 9 ft. 1 in.

Dry Weight: 2,775 lb. (w/o engine)

Draft: 1 ft. 4 in.

Transom Deadrise: 20 deg.

MSRP: $81,889 (w/ Suzuki DF350)

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A family tradition of fishing and fun continues at Cape Horn, where the Fabbro family —owners and operators since the beginning—oversee every step building premium offshore boats, from laying fiberglass to rigging engines. Company president Chris Fabbro still personally inspects each Cape Horn boat before it leaves the factory.

Chris and his father, Bob, built their first Cape Horn 16 Classic in their garage 30 years ago. They wanted a hardcore but comfortable fishing boat, with larger fishing platforms and bigger livewells. Unable to find one, they built it, making sure it was also affordable and easy to maintain.

All hull voids in a Cape Horn is pressure-filled with closed-cell foam, quieting the ride, adding stiffness, and making it unsinkable. The boats range from 22 to 36 feet, in bay and offshore models.

Cape Horn 32

The new Cape Horn 32—in Tournament (T) and Extra Seating/Space (XS) configurations—boasts a re-designed floor plan.

Many features are out of the way until needed. (Survey respondents rank fishing space above all other CC attributes.) The rear bench folds away, the shower’s concealed until wanted, and standard electric trim tabs are tucked in pockets under the transom, away from battling fish.

The leaning post contains tackle drawers and compartments; 58 percent of survey respondents want permanent tackle drawers and/or utility box slots.

A rear-facing seat conceals a huge 60-gallon livewell, and there’s an additional 20-gallon transom livewell (33 percent of survey respondents prefer a second one).

A large dash accommodates multiple large-screen displays, which most survey respondents say they have or plan to add to their boats.

A 7-foot-long insulated fish box provides 700 quarts of frozen storage. The boat has 29 rod holders, standard; add more on optional rear legs for the top (25 percent of offshore CC respondents carry 11 or more rods).

Standard are T-top with electronics box, bolster seats/captain chairs, electronic power steering (upgradable to joystick control), portable head (VacuFlush toilet optional), and raw- and fresh-water washdown.

The sibling Cape Horn 32XS shares the 32T’s hull and floor plan, but it adds forward seating (which 36 percent of CC survey respondents want) and additional storage.

Survey Says: On Target

⋅Unsinkable construction

⋅Large dash expands electronics options

⋅Abundance of rod storage

Owners Say

⋅She had a wide front end that made for a dry ride

⋅The ability to go 100 miles offshore in most weather conditions and feel confident that my equipment/boat will get me back safely

⋅Love the smooth ride

⋅Dry ride for its size, and unsinkable

Brand Says

⋅More comfort, more storage

⋅One of the driest designs on the water

More Info: capehornboats.com

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Florida Panhandle boatbuilder Cape Horn has introduced its new 32, featuring a redesigned floor plan that includes a more spacious cockpit and additional storage. The 31-foot-10-inch hull features a transom gate, coaming pads throughout, aft flip-down seating and a deluxe bolster-seat leaning post. Inside console headroom measures 6 feet 3 inches.

Equipped with 20- and 60-gallon livewells standard, this Cape Horn offers 29 rod holders, a 7-foot, 185-gallon insulated fish box and a 20-gallon freshwater system. Keep the standard T-top, or option up to a hardtop with powder-coated aluminum frame or a T-top crow’s nest. Other options include power-assist steering, a windlass and underwater lights.

Commonly powered with twin Yamaha F300s, the 32 can handle up to 700 hp. It carries 273 gallons of fuel. Cape Horn quiets and stiffens the hull by pressure-filling all empty spaces with closed-cell foam, which also renders the boat unsinkable, the company says.

Specifications

LOA: 31 ft. 10 in. Beam: 9 ft. 1 in. Dry Weight: 5,400 lb. (w/o engines) Draft: 1 ft. 10 in. Transom Deadrise: 23 deg. MSRP: $185,228 (XS version w/ twin Yamaha F300s, trailer)

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