I had asked a similar question to t2x very early in this thread and he said something about dihedral angles being different, or something to that effect that would effect the results of using outboards versus i/o's. I didn't get the drift and let it drop. Perhaps he could give a better explanation now for the benefit of all of us.

Fast Frank, It may have been my boat, I dontknow of too many 98/99 set up with the Merc 600 . When I first got it 2 yrs ago ,it would barely break 100. we upgraded to Xr final of 1.26 ,with Imco 2" shorties and it came alive. Then put on 900 sc pulleys and boost went to 15 psi @5000 rpm and we hit the teens. As for the AO I was refering to , Craig had similar power and speeds. We did alot of boating together and he has since moved to Michigan.You may know the boat. We should all be up for 1000 Islands .trying to break more stuff!

p.s
 

As for the boost, it was only for short durations , and on race fuel. Currently back to the stock pulley set up @ 5-51/2 psi for now. I would love to put on ext. boxes and chillers and see what else we can get out of it.:D :D

The Shadow Cat It was Safe, Fast, Dry, and Predictable ! It sure Got my attention ! Like the Love it Boat ! The Shadow a Milestone in its own right. Wonder if Rich and George really Realize what they accomplished ? In those Days ?

:)

T2x,
Are you still out there?

straycat,
That is definitely the same boat, amazing what a change in the x-dimension does huh?
I talked to a guy in your area that said he knew you, was selling a 32 skater with 500's, ring a bell?
Where is your friend Craig located in Michigan? Lake St. Clair area? We have a boy's night out on the boats on Thursday's if you talk to him or is he on this site?
Hopefully we'll be at 1000 islands, don't know for sure yet? gotta fix the broke stuff-speaking of any problems with the XR's since your swap? How many hours? Boxes and chillers- :D

If I remember correctly, T2x had stated the Shadow hulls were designed to run outboards, and the Chris Cat effort was slated more to the Inboard crowd. When Chris got involved, they were interested in offering boats with the I/O power. They felt the Pleasure boaters were easier to court, using (2) inboard engines, vs (3) outboards. The Shadow Cat used a different cross section through the sponson area, more attuned to outboards, and the Chris Cat sponson was designed more towards the extra weight of the inboards. I will try to find the post from T2x that refers to this topic.

Philip

T2X - BAJA didn't exist in 1965... so they couldn't have been involved as you initially posted with any "political agenda" to halt the production of CATS.... ;)

fast Frank
 

Yep that would be us! and the other 32 Skater is still for sale! Craig will be out here this w/e from mich. so I will get more info on his loc. for possible hookup when we get up there for a visit.

Also still trying to find out which one is which?
Now I 'm confused!

Shadow=AO
Chris cat+ Awesome
or vice versa?

I hope Rich or George jumps in and sets us all straight!

Whew!...........

Okay, here goes in no particular order.........

1. The Shadow Cat was designed and built at least three years before the Chris Cat was taken from it.

The Shadow Cat was initially designed for the old Mercury 300's...outboards....... and small blocks. Those 300's weighed close to 600 lbs each and were tearing the transoms off of the "test" Scarabs, and Velocitys. None of the vees had exceeded 65 mph before becoming downright dangerous.....and broken. The Shadow came out of the box at 84 mph....on rails.

The Shadow has narrower sponsons then the Chris, and more deadrise outside of the aft step strakes (multi-dyhedral) this reduces wetted surface at speed....... if the load is light enough, while reducing some aft "tripping" tendency.
(State of the art tunnel boat technology....at that time).

Bottom line the Shadow is faster with outboards than the Chris Cat....... Very similar in speed with small blocks....... and not as good or fast with Big Blocks.

2. I have no idea what molds, who has....don't much care actually. I'm skeptical, however, that two sets would have arrived at the same auction in California...... I believe, American Offshore purchased their set directly from Chris Craft, but George would know better. I know that George and Tim Ciasulli had a second set until a few years ago.....and sold them to ???..... George?...Oh George?......... Perhaps, someone is using them....or maybe (heaven forbid)...someone else popped a Chris...or a Shadow....(My, Oh My, what will they think of next?)

The Shadow Cat molds are rumored to be in "storage" in NJ...but, they were warped and basically useless by 1985.....so anything made later.......is not very desireable........ However, if the idiot who "redid" the Shadow 21 dash board got his hands on them...... then they are not only warped they are badly mutilated as well.

3. Baja did, indeed, exist in the 60's. The company was started in Bucyrus, Ohio by ex Checkmate employees as I recall....and made metalflake vee bottoms (what a coincidence)......At one time Checkmate was marketing a "pop" of a Glastron-Molinari......(Checkmate hulls all shared...er "borrowed".....Glastron bottoms at the time)....so , of course Baja...popped...a pop....... Hence the Baja tunnels seen on the race course.

T2x

Straycat,

Did you race an Apache cat of the same name with Smitty on the sticks once upon a time?

Sean