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I looked at this boat last year at the boat show, and it changed my perception of what I wanted. Too big to trailer for me, and a bit too much $. But the concept was great--clean simple boat, I/O Volvo diesel, good fuel burn, lots of tourque,etc.
So I bought 24' version--basically the exact boat downsized, and it is just great--low fuel burn, pretty quick, goes thru chop thanks to 24 deg deadrise and good C of G due to engine location.
The Jersey Cape seems like a real well built boat, and the concept really works.
I am looking on twin OBs myself. I have heard the hull came out of the Rybo Runner. It lost the steps and got a delta pad.
Any input on its performance would be appreciatted.
I have looked at the boat at the show but no more, so I can't add to what you can see and have heard so far. It is a very nice-looking boat.
You also could check out the Bass Barn (thebassbarn.com) as it is very NJ-oriented. The boat is mentioned in some existing posts and of course you could start a new one in the Offshore forum. A representative of a dealership that sells them (Cardinal Yacht Sales) frequents the board, so you should get a biased but at least knowledgeable response there.
Thanks for the comeback. I have checked the Basssbarn as well as the Sportfishermen; not a whole lot on the JC 31. Cardinal is no longer a dealer for this line.
I have talked to the builder; he seems to be a down to earth person and a straight shooter. I dont know for sure but it appears that there are more IOs out than OBs.
I was hoping to chat with a current or past owner for the good and the bad of this rig.
Perhaps Cardinal will give you some unbiased feedback, including the good and bad of the boat in this market. Presumably, they are no longer a dealer because they couldn't sell enough, and they must have some thoughts on why that was the case. They also may have customers who would be willing to speak with you.
Has the builder told you how many have been delivered? That may give some indication as to whether there are enough owners out there to provide feedback.
I would still put a post up on the Bassbarn. There are a number of people in the business who may chime in.
At the Annapolis Boat Show last year, the boat impressed me as one that could become a classic (attractive layout, very fishable, etc.) so there should be people around with information to share.
US42449 - what boat did you buy? I thought the 31 Little Devil was their smallest model? I ask, because I agree with you - great layout, well built, but too big.
I bought an Albemarle 242 with a 260 HP Volvo D-4 and the duo-prop outdrive. The guy from Cardinal who reped the Jersey 31 at the boat show whas really high on the engine and outdrive. It does perform well--has awesome tourque, really good fuel burn, but a few issues that Volvo has been GREAT about warantee support. So, time will tell, I guess. But the boat really scoots! And the mid-ship engine provides nice balance for a good ride in chop.
This was the closest boat I could find in my size and $ range. The J-D 31 is a lot to trailer for me, and---while it seemed like a good value---more than my budget.
It may be that the 31 has gotten cheaper, given the market.
Jersey Cape 31 CC 
