Shadow cat - epoxy
 

Looking for anyone thats knows the shadow cat,
I am rebuilding a 30ft Shadow cat and want to put 3 300 promax. The motors were 2.5, but will be replaced with 300.

My question is: does anyone know what fiber & epoxy was used to build these boats?
I was going to rebuild with West Systems, but I dont think it will work?

Any help would be great.
This was Pennzoil old 1984? offshore race boat.

Thanks,
Jeff

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

T2x will know best on what was used.

I don't believe they were built with epoxy, but you can't go wrong with restoring it with epoxy. It will certainly get a better secondary bond than any other resin out there.

If you don't want to use that, then at the very least use Vinyl-Ester. It is an epoxy based resin.

Also, visit my website and look on the BOAT BUILDING page. There should be several helpful LINKS for you there.

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

i don't know much about them but i would be surprised if a boat that age is epoxy. you can do any repairs to it with west systems regardless of what the composite is though. you might want to consider this system from fiberglast. better stuff better pricing. epoxy2000

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

Thanks again Tim,

I have used West Systems many time and I dont care which is cheaper or more expensive. Since I am doing a complete rebuild, I do not intend to do it again.
I am looking for the BEST and strongest product.

I like West systems and easy for me to play with.
Would it be better to put carbon fiber or kevlar.

I also have some honeycone aluminum that I thinking of using for the deck repairs (super strong and lite)?

Keep me posted on any ideas.
Jeff

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

T2x is the only guy I have not talked to. But I think he is the man of the hour for me?

T2x send me your e-mail would love to pick your brain.

Thanks
Jeff
514-631-8748
[email protected]

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

It really depends on your needs. Each has its own purpose.
Carbon is a great stiffener.
Kevlar is better strength.

You can actually get a weave with the combination of both.

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

The two mixed, become yellow & black?

I was told that you could not mix west system with VinylEster?

I am going to start sanding in the next few days.
Should I completely sand the boat down to Fiber or not required.
(Stress cracks will be completely sanded and repaired), but should I sand the hole thing off?
The bottom looks very good and a dont know if I have to touch the bottom?
Thanks

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

That is true.

But I have also seen this too:

Once you use epoxy you have to continue with epoxy.

Vinyl-ester will go over Vinyl or Polyester but not Epoxy.
Epoxy will go over anything, but nothing but itself should go over it. I hope that makes some sense to you... :drink:

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

Some orange or red:

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

Just Carbon or Kevlar Gold

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

If you are referring to the gelcoat, no need to take completely down except where you do have cracks. You want to check to make sure you do not have glass damage or otherwise the cracks will only come back. :(

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

Sharkey...Who is it, that makes an epoxy based vinylester resin? Ed

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

If you are looking at resins it would be like this:

Polyester - Fair

Vinylester- Great

Epoxy - Best

Ashland Chemical

Epoxy Vinyl Ester Resins Click here.

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

Ok, Sharkey cant open your attach, but will work on it. I think I even get a t-shirt,yah.

I plan on cutting the top back (only two seats & want to make it for five)
It has a hatch behind the two seats, so you can get inside the back of the boat.
I want to cut it out, move it back more and refiber it closer to the transom and then make a back seat behind the two in the front.
Do you think I can put West Systems, to fiber it back on?
Good question?
Also want to re-enforce the deck from the under side, would the West Systems bond with whats there?

Using West Systems for all the repairs would be great, instead of playing with Vinyl Ester.

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

With proper prep work, the epoxy should stick to anything.

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

Should I worry about the bottom?
It look clean with no stress cracks.
Its on a performance trailer and I dont think it has been in the water for a number of year. Last date of inspection was 1996.(apba race inspection)
I think the bottom of the shadow cat was built strong and shouldnt need work?

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

You may want a professional surveyor take a look at that.

Perhaps even a get a moisture sensor test done.

If you don't want to do that, get under it with say the back of a plastic handle scew driver and knock on the hull perhaps every 6 inches to listen for any hollow sounds. Signs of air pockets or delamination.

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

I agree, I am looking for someone that can take a good look at it. I am having trouble finding someone local(Montreal Qc.)

Would even pay someone to fly up and look at her?
Anybody comes to mind?

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

Not at the moment, but you may get some suggestions from the OSO Community.

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

This kills me.
I have no good pictures of this boat.
Tring to find some?
Front of this page, holy cow!, thats my boat.
How do I find this picture, SWEET! :eek:

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

Best to PM him and ask very, very, very NICELY for his help. Still, probably won't get a fast response. Might want to check with the kinder, gentler side of the Shadow equation - George Linder. PM him here (I can't remember his username) or keep getting great advice from Sharkey - who is one of the BEST around.

Also, check with Shane, he destroyed one of these hulls (perhaps it is the one you are rebuilding but I can't remember right now) so he might have some insight into WHAT NOT TO DO... :D :evilb:

Good luck.

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

Thanks for the comps Miller :drink:

Shane ran the Shadow right?

Then yes, it is the same boat. Pennzoil/Boardwalk 30 Shadow with Triple Merc 2.5s

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

Already talked with Shane. Great guy, I sent him pictures and yes this is the one they stuffed in Key West & broke the deck. All the rigging is still the same!

The deck was fixed, but a half fast job. Looks good only.
Just got to beef up the deck frame.
Dont know if any damage to the bottom, but dont think so.
Bottom looks nice?

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

Anybody has any idea how much a new 28-32ft. cat would cost?
Just the boat, no rigging?

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

Just go with the epoxy. This ain't rocket science.

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

50,000.00 plus more for epoxy.

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

50,000.00 plus more for epoxy?
You lost me on this one?

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

a New 30'-32' OPEN COCKPIT cat HULL Skater/Spectre/Motion/AMT/AeroSpeed would start around $50,000 for Vinylester and go up from there an EPOXY boat would be probably $10,000 more.

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

Always remember, The boat itself is the cheapest component in the equation. Add up all the rigging and man hours to put it together! :eek: :eek: :eek: :drink:

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

Shareky, you forgot to double it! These are BOATS afterall so the price is ALWAYS DOUBLE! :evilb:

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

That was after doubling it.......The bare hull itself is still the cheapest part. But when you go to dress it!!! :eek: :eek: :drink:

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

I figure it will cost me 100,00.00 to get it back ?
3 - 300 how much ?

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

Whatever the market will bare! :eek: :eek: :eek:

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

?huh? I'm a bit confused. If you're asking how much it would cost to have someone else repair the Shadow properly and rerig it, I'd say - send it to Sharkey and ask him to look at the hull/deck repairs. You can send it to Performance Marine in NJ or to Joey Imprescia in NY to rerig it. You'll know it gets done correctly and the price you're quoted will (most likely) be what you pay (barring any additional issues or changes you make). But, I question whether it is worth it to pour so much money into a Shadow.

To quote T2x who made them - Buy a Skater...or a USED SKATER.

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

I got the boat&trailer, fully rigged + 3 2.5 mids&2 lowers for 8000.00 (trailer is 3 axles with mags+ 2 spares,made by Performance trailer,looks nice)
The trailer & parts are worth that alone.

If I fix the boat, I will do the work myself. The biggest cost facture will be 3-300 efi promax.
And ya, a new paint job.

or, just buy another cat?
I like the idea of 3 outboard motors.

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

Stv92 You may not like the idea of 3 outboards after you owned one. I have had both. The 3 motor boat would be faster in the flat water but the middle motor takes an A** kicking in any rough water. In my experience the 2 motor boat is a better boat all around and faster in rough water. you could get a newer style hull and be faster in both smooth and rough with only 2 motors.

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

The boat is more than 20 years old. It was the Black Duck one of the winningest boats in history BUT it is tired. At 8,000 that is cheap, I would consider it a show piece not rebuild it. It's been rebuilt many time including a major fire. 3 300's new would be around 50,000 grand.

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

Ryan, I agree, she is old.
I think she has been sitting on a trailer since 1996.
I saw the repairs from the fire, they did a good job on that part.
Shane broke the top in 1996, but he stated that she was solid the day before?
I am getting it stripped as we speak. I should have it home by the week-end.
Once I get it home, I will take a better look at the boat, then decide what to do.

I have the trailer & rigging, if its not worth it, I will cut it up and buy another 30ft.
I plan on running in the river, not offshore. Manybe a couple of poker runns, but she will not race again.
The only reason I wanted three motors is because it is rigged for three.
SHARKEY, does it interest you to look at it & fix it, if it worth it. Ill pay your time if we dont fix it?
Just a thought?

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

STV92 I see no real reason this boat could not be a good pleasure boat. You will make it a little heavier but that may not be a bad thing. Fishead on the board recently bought a 30' shadow with twin 300 promax motors. I think he is running mid 90s. Probably over 100mph with 3 motors. Add up the $ and decide what to do

Re: Shadow cat - epoxy
 

Sorry,

I got out of that business some time ago while I still had my health! :drink:

I can recommend Hydra Powerboats though.
They are listed on my website.