Reviews Neptune 24


No. 1.......... Author: Ed Kelly - 1978 Shoal Draft
Capitol Yachts was the manufacturer of the Neptune 24, as well as its bigger Newport and Gulf series boats until they went out of business. The Neptune 24 was designed as a fiberglass pocket cruiser. My '78 has a shoal draft of only 18 inches and a bilge board design that permits it to get into any navigable waters and to be easy to trailer. The boat does not skimp on finnish. Its wood interior and upholstered settees are first class. Designed with a maximum sleeping capacity of 7 -- yes not a typo. (2 in the V-Berth, 1 in starboard settee, 2 in port expandable berth, and 1 1/2 berth under port quarter -beneath the cockpit seats) Although it would be too uncomfortable with that many it would work for a family with kids. She sails to weather with some difficulty and a weather helm takes some effort in heavy winds. The interior has a four person fold down table. The galley features a 2 burner alcohol pressure stove with a galley sink and pressure cold water. The head (portable on my boat) features a second stainless steel sink with its own full size medicine cabinet. Boat holds 15 gallons of fresh water. The cockpit is approximately 7 feet long. The boat is easy to trailer, with mine carrying a mast of approximately 28 feet which uses a tabernacle and pin attachment making it easy to raise and lower even singlehanded. The boat has been a nice one for me and my family and its abililty to be trailered has seen it sailed in the Apostle Islands of Lake Superior, as well as on Lakes Huron and Lake Michigan (which I had enough confidence in the boat to cross with during Sept of 1998). She is strong and solid with a pop-top and although short on headroom with the top down, the boat is still comfortable and has much in its finnish and distinctive side stripe to make it distinctive and appreciated by me and by many who have owned the model over time. She still gets admiring calls from fellow boaters whereever we take it. (11/9/98) (515) 274-1998

No. 2.......... Author: John Salmon
Built by Capital Yachts, Inc., Harbor City, CA. Now out of business. Also designed and built Gulf and Newport sailboats. In 1985 Neptune had a fixed keel or a shoal draft keel with a dagger board available, standard rig or tall rig. Tall rig had a sail area of 301 sq. ft. available on the fixed keel only. Draft is 4'8" fixed and 2' to 3'6" on shoal keel, Beam 8', weight dry 3,200 lbs. Fiberglass hull, pop top, 3 double berths and 1 single, 2 s/s sinks, a head with porta potty, double walled and teak interior with 2 burner stove. Design stayed pritty much the same as the older models (why change a good thing.) Not to many weaknesses I can think of. I wish the stove wasn't built so close to the wall and curtins and I would of liked to close a door for the head.
This boat was designed as a family pocket cruiser. Plenty of room down under and topside. Great for my family of 5 and would be wonderfull for a smaller family or singles. The fiberglass hull is almost bullet proof compared to the newer boats of today. I'd take this cruiser anywhere. I sail in San Francisco and the Delta waterways. The boat handles great in average weather conditions. Above 30 mph winds and she starts to fight a little sailing to weather but no more so than any small sailboat. I would'nt be out in the bay with my family without a good sturdy boat Im confident in. I have the shoal draft model and is very easy to trailer and rig. It launches like a ski boat, using any ordinary launch ramp and retrieves just as easy. Two thumbs up on this trailerable boat. I'd recommend it to anyone looking

No. 3.......... Author - Cary Stotland - 1980 Shoal Draft
The Newport Neptune 24 is a shoal draft weekend cruiser. It has a voluminous interior for a 24' craft, berths for seven, albeit two must be small children, and is a fully furnished smaller version of the venerable Newport line. If you've been aboard any of her larger cousins (Newport 30' or 33'), you'll feel right at home.
I've had my Neptune for 4 yrs. It's a 1980 model w/shoal keel and standard rig. There is also a fin keeled and tall rig version. Mine came with only a working jib and main.
Sailing characteristics; I find it very predictable, although hard to "find a groove". It seems to need constant rudder trim to hold a course. It also doesn't seem to point as high as other boats of its "class". I'm sure it's due to the shoal keel. I'm hoping with the addition of a 130%
Genoa I might get a little help. The newer boats came with a 130 standard.
As far as being tender, the shoal keel is probably again to blame, but I find her action hitting a puff very predictable. Sailing in general, I'd give her a "B-" . I've been in out in some serious wind (30-35+) and she holds up well. I'm not sure how old my wire is, but it all seems in good shape. I added a backstay adjuster to tighten 'er up a little, but the real test will be when I hoist the 130 in a blow. Sailing in general, I'd give her a "B-"
I'm most satisfied with her layout and general construction. I did have severe blistering of the hull (thousands of pimple-sized blisters) that I handled two years ago by stripping off most of the gel coat and doing an Interlux Interprotect system of about eight coats. So far, it's held up well. I've looked at her bigger sister ships (Newport 30 and 33) and she's a shortened version with much the same layout. I'm most impressed with the forward hatch that is huge and "molded in" without gelcoat to allow for natural light to filter through and illuminate the V berth. It was a major selling point for me since I displace 6'4" and 290 lbs. and I can get through it just fine. Interestingly enough, on the larger models the head area ends up as a fully enclosed space that intrudes into the hatchway. While this layout allows for more light to the head, it makes it too small for me to fit through. Guess I'll have to stick with my little pocket cruiser! ;-)
I made several small "livability" modifications, but the one most apparent was reducing the size of the forward bulkhead that separates the head area from the "walkway" thru to the forward vee berth. I basically cut most of it away, alowing access to the porta-potti from the side instead of the front. This opened up the V-berth area tremendously. The extra room that it afforded was well worth the effort. I suppose it would be harder but not impossible if you had a fixed head to remount it turned 90 degrees. I was able to remount enough of the teak end caps to completely finish off my cuts to the plywood bulkhead. All in all a satisfactory job.
The windows (real tempered glass instead of plexiglas) don't leak, the pop-top is a delight, and most appreciated is the generous headroom. I leave the bilge boards out, and the additional depth of the shoal keel gives me 6'+ with the pop-top down, and full stand-up headroom with it up. That was the second major draw for me.
All in all I'm quite satisfied, and sorry that Capital Yachts couldn't endure.
Y2K UPDATE:
Well, seems like yesterday I posted this, but time does fly!
It's now 8 years since she's joined the family. Got the 130 a couple of years back. Perfect fit. Satisfaction now oozes from my pores! Beefed up the electrical with twin batteries and solar panel, and now makes the best weekender for the growing family. read John Quinn's review. He didn't seem to think much of the starboard berth, but that's been my favorite! With a lee cloth it keeps you well kept in a seaway. Blister repair has held up well except for a few spots where one of my filler coats didn't kick well, but these are few. in the FWIW department, I'll probably be putting her on the market late spring. It's time to move up, some I'm going to be moving out.
Look for; Knot Ready II on sale sometime in Y2K

No. 4.......... Author: John Quinn - 1980 Fin Keel, Tall Rig
Have had boat since May 1994. Primarily used for cruising the Channel Islands of California but have raced in Wet Wednesday Races this summer.
This configuration has done well with great pointing ability keeping us consistently in contention with a Santa Cruz 24, same PHRF rating. They are generally better at pointing but not always and we tend to catch them (Santa Cruz) when running. Have been able to beat several Catalina 30's on elaspsed time.
Interior supposedly can sleep 6. Good luck. Port side settee back comes down to make suitable area for two while small person can sleep starboard settee with back removed. Have had small children sleep in vee berth. Adult in vee berth would have to use the filler cushion which then eliminates use of the porta-potti. With filler cushion removed, entry to Porta-Potti is from forward which gives privacy to area. I generally sail overnights with total of 2 aboard which is very comfortable.
Understand that an inboard engine was an option. I use Honda 4-stroke, 7.5 outboard which drives through water @ 6 knots.
Several modifications were made by original owner who raced out of King Harbor and supposedly did very well. Installed an intermediate shroud on mast to eliminate ppumping when sailing into chop. Replaced the #16 jib winches with #32's and moved the #16's aft to position outside of cockpit coaming. All lines lead back to cockpit.
I just installed single line reefing with line back to cockpit on starboard side next to mainsail halyard. Simple now to reef or unreef by self.
Boat is kept on make-shift trailer so no problem with blistering. Sorry bottom was painted by prior owner.
Very pleased with boat (GENESIS) especially after having had a small wooden boat before

No. 5.......... Author: Irwin Krieger - 1997 Shoal draft
This is a unique functional boat! My model is the shoal draft keel with daggerboard. I have three headsails a 110, 130, 170 and also a nice drifter reacher. I replaced the vhf and bilge pump. I was supprised to find out the ancient echolarm depth sounder still works! I really like the simplicity of it.
I usually go out for evening sails of about 4 hours or so. The cockpit is large and fits 4 adults comfortably, but that weight plus my 9.8 Nissan O.B. seems to push the stern past the waterline and up to my bilgepump outlet (this is a little scary.) You have to watch the placement of crew and supplies to balance the boat, but with the weight strategicaly placed I think it actually improves the sailing characteristics.
Overall, I rate the boat's performance a 6. I think with a new mainsail and modern hardwear improvements the boat might sail better. The boat sails best when on a close to broad reach. It's a little tippy in a breeze, but added crew solves this and alows for more sail area.
I am satisfied with the seaworthyness. The boat seems solid. I'm comfortable taking her out in 4-5 foot waves. I have yet to test it in worse weather. It pounds a bit in rough seas. This is due to the wide beam, hull design and light displacement of 3,600 lbs.
What the boat lacks in performance it makes up in accomodations. The layout of the cabin is modeled after larger boats and is roomy thanks to the wide beam. I have added new interior cusions that make it look nice. I use the quarter birth for storage. There's also a lot of other storage behind and under the cabin seats. I need to fix up the water system, some rotted wood and re-bed all the deck hardwear and windows to stop leaks. But even with these problems it is comfortable and functions well. I think it is suits a family of 3, or 3-4 adults on a cruise.
Overall I think the Neptune 24 is a good boat and is worth fixing up. Right now I just enjoying sailing it. I plan on weekend cruising soon and look forward to sailing it all the time. I would like any tips or advice other N24 owners can give me. Specificaly with the restoration or improvements. If you have the chance to buy a Neptune 24 I would highly consider it.

No. 6.......... Author: Duane Harper - 1981 Shoal draft
The the Neptune24 is a good choice for a trailerable cruiser. I regularly overnight in it and find the cabin space roomy and comfortable for my wife and I. The boat is extremely well built and strong. It is not a fast boat and does not point very high, but with it`s shoal keel drawing only 2ft. ( with the 18in. dagger board up) it is a gunkholer`s dream.I sail in Clearlake Ca., S.F. bay, and Lake Tahoe.The Neptune sails well in most inland water conditions with winds up to 25-30 knots where she has trouble going to windward. The boat trailers well on its tandem trailer behind my Yukon. Allow about 45min. to step and rig the mast . It takes two people to raise and lower the mast(a third person makes the job easier). We love our boat and recomend the model to anyone interested in a safe strong easy to sail small cruiser.