Is this a bad idea???????????
 

Allright...... its the middle of summer and I'm boatless and shopping for a boat. Being boatless sucks......I sold my 24 python to buy a local boat and the mechanical inspection DID NOT check out. I found a BAD AZZ 30ft CHRIS CAT for next to nothing. Its in great shape - 502 crates with 300 hours. TRS drives with speedmaster lowers. Everything in good shape with a relatively new paint job, nice trailer, good owner, etc. Looks good and she will be checked out thoroughly.

I've never been in a cat and prefer the V. I do all of my boating on Texoma. I enjoy the occasional flight time you can get with a V, but the cat's seem more comfortable at speeds. I also like the idea of all the room I will have in this beast - I could take the whole family on a poker run. It seems like a really safe and solid wave crusher. I really would like a 28 pantera, but this deal is too good to pass up. Reliability is extremely important and I don't know how much trouble the 502 crates or TRS drives will give me, but from what I've heard - not much. Should I pick up this steal and trade up down the road, or wait for a newer 28 pantera and spend about $20,000 more.

I'd post a link, but it really is a steal:D :D

It depends on weather you want to be a cat guy for the rest of your boating days. Once you buy a cat you wont be a "V guy" ever again.
:drink: :drink:

Buy This Its Brand New Only 4.5 Hrs Test Time

TRS with speedmaster lowers???? Are you sure they're not #2 speedmaster drives?? If so you won't be able to get parts for them.

I'd look at lightspeeds boat it is a 29. and a good rough and fast flat water boat. its fast than that cat with stock 502 crates. and new against a 25 to 27yr old boat drives are so so. thats why its a good deal. if someone buys it change out to xrs b1s thats 20gs 502s would need a up grade to get good speed 550hp to 650hp thats 5gs per motor. so for extra 25 to 30gs the cat would be reliable. art

might want to check insurance price and availability before making your decision

Those Chris cats are old school technolgy as far as cats go. They will ride rough and wet. They will take a lot power to run 100 mph. Try it first before you buy. I would look for an older Eliminator or Skater first. There are some deals on those older cats. They have been making cats for years that ride much better.

Thanks for the good feedback.

I think I may pass on this one..... Its a kick azz boat, but the TRS outdrives and other old hardware is a little too much for me to replace.
Brad Zastow - you made an excellent point - I forgot how important it is to get a boat with excellant history. The chris cat has good history but they only made it for 2 or 3 years, which doesn't exactly make me feel all warm and fuzzy.

Here she is.....it will be an awesome deal for someone
http://www.boatcrazy.com/search/deta...t=&link=&text=


That kryptonite is kick azz, but right now my budget is limited to under $45K.

go for the chris- cat, that's a whole lot of boat for under 30K, that is the same hull used by AO, Awesome ect..

if you could get it for alittle less. 24 to 25 gs. I know where you can get to drive packages 07 b1 x drives with hp gimbals 6400 each thats 12800 and freshen up those 502s to 550hp for 4000 each thats 50,000 you would have a good boat.

I will make you a great deal on this boat. All it really needs is a little TLC on the interior because of siting in the sun without a cover. The drivetrain is race quality with less than 10 hours. It is a perfect lake boat that handles rough water very well. I need to move it and I am thinking of parting it out if it doesn't sell this week. I took it as payment for a debt but do not need it.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...ct=2709&cat=24

Thats another kick azz boat and at a good price, but I really had my sites on something bigger. Although........that cockpit looks pretty big. Its crazy how the whole bench seat comes up like that.

what kind of trannies, i would go for a 30'and under with a single ,v hull if i were you, lightspeeds boat is a great deal if your patient another good deal will come and youll get what you really want

what he said...once you go cat you NEVER go back :cool: :drink:
Is that old Chris-cat a SKATER or MTI? Of course not...will you have a great time driving it anyway?? F YES :D

Wow....that chris cat is the CLEANEST one ive EVER seen. Almost fits in w/ todays looks.

For the money go with the chris cat. You won't be the fastest cat on the water but when it gets real rough you will give those fast boats some competion

If the survey checked out, i'd go for it!!

What about this for the money

http://detroit.craigslist.org/boa/331049133.html

If I could get it for $25K

So true :D

buy the chris, that boat is similar to mine and its a blast to drive and as far as roomy and comfort its got it,great price as well, these type boats with their weight and size are like riddin the caddy in the rough stuff and the cabins are roomy and comfortable as well,well behaved boats

The express is a nice boat. Well built and tough- a good rough water boat. Replacing the tank isn't going to be a walk in the park but if it's like the bigger one's, it shouldn't be too bad. $25K would be a good deal.

Brad's correct, but IMHO the Chris Cats are a fantastic blast for the buck. The #2 Speedy's bother me tho, very difficult to find parts and their ability to handle 502s is marginal.
Greencard (Andy) has my old CC and it's running about 120 with about 770 hp per side (on #3s). It ran 125 when I had it with a bit more power
Due

"once you go cat you never go back to V " I have had V's for years until I did a cat run this year I didnt realize how smooth life can be on the water. Just my .2 cents

forgive the hijack- one element usually left out of this debate is the speeds you will operate at most of the time. If the traffic /slop or waves dictates 30-50 mph I'd rather be in a v any time, cats are awkwrad and rough at that speed, north of 50 I'd rather be in a cat unless we are talking bigger ocean stuff

end of hijack:drink:

Good point.........this is why I'm not a cat guy. The seller already told me there is not enough power in her to get her on air. That boat is real heavy. I usually drive around 50-60mph. I don't drive in the rough all the time, but my family has a house on the water and I often find myself putting the boat up in the middle of a storm with 20-30mph wind and 5-6ft swells. I know this cat can handle it, but a smaller one would not.

Andy ---

Let me throw in my .02


The CC is one cool ride and we all know how I love classics. You can`t hardly lose for that kind of money, but here are 2 things you need to consider :

INSURANCE will be a total beotch to get and will cost you $$$. Not only the CAT factor, but the AGE will be tough, coupled with the horsepower.

Not sure if you are paying cash or getting financing, but if you plan to get a loan, it will also be very hard with the age of the boat. Interest rates will also be killer.