nortech, skater, mti, spectre, eliminator
 

Looking for some info from guys who have owned or experience with some of these cats. All 5 of these guys make a 36' cat (MTI 39') which is what i am looking to buy. Obviously all have their + and - . Looking for experienced guys thoughts on levels of quality of workmanship, speed, handleing, safety, comfort, even freeboard (got young kids). I'd never buy a spectre or an eliminator, just don't like the way they look, but thought i'd throw them in their too. I was surprised to see a nortech 36 up close and see the very tips of the sponsons where the deck joins the hull, a gap that is filled in with a hard putty (whats up with that), those are the types of things i am asking about here, thanks guys

Buy a Skater wait 2-3 years and your done.

with kids I would have to say nortech or eliminator.

Ive had an eliminator and a skater two different types of boats eliminator definitely better for a family for speed hands down skater is the best:D :D

What's up with that is because we use a stainless rub rail.
We think it makes more practical sense that no rail. It's a little wider than the hull/ deck joint so we fill the overhang to make it smooth..

This is going to be a LONG thread. :D

I'm looking to make a quick deal. If your "seriously" in the market give me a call.

http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.c...o15058-en.html

I have been in both the Spectre and Nor-Tech cats multiple times. Both ride great and speed is excelent. The Nor-Tech def. rides bigger than the Spectre and the attention to detail seems to be better as well. The MTI and Skater are both top notch and quality is outstanding however I have not had a chance to ride in either. I have only seen a few Eliminators, boat shows (show boats always looked great) and poker runs (ones I saw were older), so I can't really give you an opinion.
With a family, you probably want a cabin so Nor-Tech (first choice $ no object) or Spectre (excelent bang for $) would be my recomendations.

ha ha, good! i need the opinions of guys who've got em!!

Are you sure you don't want to trade your Gladiator for a 29' Kryptonite!:p

I seen the sdame thing when I looked at Nor-techs. There awesome looking but the rub rail needs to fit around the pickle forks. How about an Outerlimits cat?

All are well built boats. The Nortech is a great boat and I am surprised about the putty comment. The Skater and MTI are built for one purpose only, all out speed. The Nortech is a great for speed along with creature comforts. The Eliminator is a beautiful boat but I would not attempt big power and high speed. The Spectre or Motion are lower in price and race proven. The quality is not the same but performance is high.

Shouldn't a Skater last longer than that??:evilb: :D

with kids I would think you would want a cabin?? some skater 36s came with them and spectre 36 did too, nortech 36, I have been in a spectre 30 with trips 2.5s and it ran nice out in the ocean we were running about a 100 4 to 5s got lots of air but landed nice and was in a skater also running over a 100 nice ride. are you sure you want a cat with kids and insurance:eek: ART

Keep in mind Spectre, is coming out with a new line of performance boats now that Scot Conrad owns that portion of the company, he should be debuting his new SuperCat 850 soon.

yikes!

The 36 Nortech is actually 39' as well

I think it depends a lot on where you are going to use it.

Open Ocean:
Skater/MTI
Nortech
Spectre
don't even bother with the Eliminator

Bays and Lakes
any of the 5 will do it just depends on if you need interior space or not and how fast you want to go.

I disagree that the Eliminator can't handle big HP and high speeds there a plenty of very fast Daytona's around they just suck in rough water.

I meant the wait to have one built. I can not imagine you would call and take delivery 3 months later.

They have a longer wait and take longer to build.

Eliminator isnt in the same leauge as the other brands mentioned. We are a Spectre and Skater dealer. The Skaters are a bit faster than the Spectre and are also more expensive, both are great boats.

My thoughts exactly. I don't think you can compare a spectra to that list unless you sell them.:eek:

have you looked at the Hustler 377 Talon....badazz lookin boat

www.hustlerpowerboats.com

Wow alot of Eliminator haters. We have had four always had good quality plus they offer a cuddy in almost every cat. As far as speeds there are alot of fast Eliminators. Last I knew our 30 daytona still holds a record at LOTO. No doubt Nortec is the elite of offshore cats but there is also a huge price difference.

not really a fan of this one. Also looking for tame power too, probably the merc 700sci's (maybe 850's), so don't think insurance going to be too crazy.

Its called OFFSHOREonly... lol :D

An MTI has minuses??????:confused: :confused: :evilb:

No

+ Carbon Fiber
+ suspension seats
+ Canopy
+ Rudder
+++++$$$$$$:D :evilb:

: :D 1994 46 Skater. Still going strong. I can't believe all the maintenance free years of boating I've had with this boat!!!:D :D Cost very little to operate.:drink: :D

I'd buy a 36 Nor-Tech hands down over the others... With children or not...

FULLY functional rigs, sick lines, very accomadating company.

BTW - I've never owned a cat... BUT if I were buying!

I've owned an Eliminator,Spectre, and now on my second Nor-Tech. All were nice boats for the purpose they are intended for. Overall there is no comparison, the Nor-Tech is the best all around package. ( Of the boats I have owned).

S K A T E R ! Period

1996 Skater. Runs Fast With 525's. Starts Everytime. Fun Boat
Must Sell. Got A New One

He is just bustin Jim.

Deep down inside he knows Skater sets the standards.:D

Take a look at what the people on oso think.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...st+quality+cat

Its all good:drink:

TRUE TRUE

i've checked out the rigging on various eliminators and they seemed rigged for general/family use; entirely appropriate but not quite skater/nortech/mti standards.

Have owned and sold Nortechs both, the 36 is a great all around cat, very solid hull, handles great, has unique styling, and is much faster than most people think, with merc 850's runs 137mph, It has a nice cabin with a queen berth, a head, sink, shower, and sofa, It can also be bought with air conditioning, resale is very strong, I would buy another 36 no problem, The MTI is also a super cat, top notch quality, and smoking fast, now have a six seater available, cleaned up in its race categories last year, high dollar, hold their value the best of all listed. Skater is a long time winner all around, takes quite a while to get one new, now have full windshields, alot better than the canopies, high dollar, Spectre, Motion, Eliminator , good cats for less money not as good in rough water as the others, smaller beams, freeboard, and can be ran with bravo's as the other 3 really need 6's and can handle bigger power, my experience and opinions, have driven all except the eliminator

I was KIDDING big daddy!! you know I wouldn't mess the company that INVENTED cats!!

What price range are you looking at?Could narrow the search.

Ive owned Warlock,ShadowCat,Skater and have never needed a cabin for my kids.If you need a cabin go V with some nice head room and A/C because without it you will never use it in the summer.

That would be George Linder right, Chris & Shadow Cat !!!
Whats up biooch??

Bad Mofo

I have AC in the cabin of my 28 daytona works great.