Direction on Cat Decision
 

hey guys, been lurking here for quite a while, joined about a month ago. I had originally posted about looking for a 35-40' V hull around the $40k range and I was going to build some big(ger) engines to put in it.

well, after some research here on OSO , i have decided that to meet my performance goal, with the right hull .... my original plan was not the best way. For safety, reliability, or financially.

also, the point of wanting a larger V, was for the cabin ... well after research, with my performance goals and price range ... the cabin ammenities really start to suffer ... lol

Sooo ... Im looking to Buying a turn key cat , it will meet my performance goals ( 100+ mph , safely ) , and save me the trouble of a whole bunch of work on an older V.

Ive been doing multiple searches, and have found some valueble info ... but i wanted to post this thread to get some oppinions.

Im trying to get 100mph+ , twin I/O 's, 28-35 foot ... something newer ( < 10yrs) , small cabin is a plus. Price range is 100k and under.

can you help me compare these manufacturers and help decide which boat is right for me:

Spectre
Eliminator
Motion
American Offshore

So far the american offshore looks up my alley, with the slightly larger design and has a cabin .... but I have heard some rumors about this manufacturer .. and dont want to get into issues, like moving the engines and re-rigging... opinions ?


any information on these, and suggestions of other manufacturers that may have a product that fits my bill is appreciated !!!!


also, anyone know about this boat: http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.c...o17045-en.html

skater 1st
spectre
motion
eliminator
american offshore
spend the extra money and by a skater
or a pantera if you still want a v

If you want a cabin in a cat, Mares or Ocean Express. When I was looking at cats, these were the two my wife liked. Ended up with a Black Thunder after I looked at insurance on the over 100mph cats though. The Mares is a 38 and the Ocean is a 39 but both have decent sized cabins for cats.

My choice in that price range with cabin would be eliminator, eliminator and eliminator.:D

whats the oppinion on this boat: http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.c...o15694-en.html

its a little older than i wanted to go ... the power and rigging looks a little dated .... but its a Skater w/ #6's ...

thoughts?

look at the chris craft cat for sale, runs @110fresh motors ( 840hp x2) arnison drives, check it out!

yeah that chris cat is a sweet boat, hauls asss ... a little too old for me though, its also a three seat set up ... which doesnt fit my needs .. awesome boat though.

im really interested in the skater i just posted ... any info on that boat or that model/year skater in general is appreciated.

Being a previous cat owner and went back to the "V" hull. Remember you insurance prices...look before buying and then also the cost of operation. To be in the triple digit club is $$$$$$ over and over

those are good points you bring up ... i have looked into both of your concerns and my decision is still to go with the cat.

again, still looking for input on that skater.

I had a 2000 Eliminator Daytona 33 ... really liked it. Had sleeping quarters (2) queen sized berths. But the wife wanted more options...like A/C, shower, toilet and etc
Now she has health problems...so it forces us to get rid of the boat (

Best bang for the buck and well with in your budget is the 28' Skater.

Can't beat that boat.

Will out accelerate the Eliminator inboard boats, will out handle them in the rough water and will flat out be a blast!

One word.........insurance
 

Cat, small cabin, 100 mph, twins, newer, turn key, 100k. I'd have to recommend you start looking for a 26' to 28' cat with wackers. A pair of 496's will get you there (barely) if you have to have I/O's. I like the room that wackers give you inside the boat. I also hate crawling around the bilge. Eliminator or DCB would be a good start. If you don't have prior cat experience expect 5-6k/year for insurance. Even with experience, expect 4k. It doesn't sound bad, at first, but $500/month in addition to $3.50/gallon gas, etc. really makes 100 mph cat boating expensive! Be careful with your insurance company. You may get your ins. company to write it at first. Then, once it gets to underwriting, they will kick it back. Been there.
Good luck with your search. There are plenty of boats out there that fit this criteria.

CC

Insurance on cats with less than 100k financed does not have to be expensive at all.....

some mentioned are not options if you want to trailer the boat often due to the sizeable beam. Eliminator if you want basic cabin type features (DCB's are too pricey) and skater/spectre if you don't:drink:

Call Skater and ask how much to upgrade front dash/cockpit area to look like current models. If you have a set-up console between the seats will look much better. Be prepared for big expenses on high HP>. and Ins.

i dont see how your going to get a 30-35 cat that will be turn key and run a 100 for $40k,if you break it down the hulls worth 50k the trailer 10k the powerplants 30k the drives 15k,even outboards are worth 10-12k ea.. especially the brands mentioned here,they are all the top priced boats available..been there -done that..
i shopped for the same type criteria as you mentioned that are important to you and bought an ocean express 33 super sport that is a blast to drive and plenty of room,yes they do have 3 seats up front but not soory for that and it gives you center steering which is nice to be in the middle when it gets rough

American Offshore is a great boat. It's in your price range and has a cabin. "I" think ride is much better than spectre. I haven't ridden in or driven the others. With 500hp's it will run
95-100mph all day.

I got confused too.... 40 k was for a v project boat, he's thinking 100k, can do it there, especially if you go outboards:drink:

check the classifieds. Looks like a nice 2002 OE in there.

Just remember, you get what you pay for.

Have a survey done on this!

http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.c...o15694-en.html

This is a lot of hardware for the money!

Its a buyers market.


Go for It!:drink:

That would be a great boat to look at considering who it is being sold by. If I were looking for a Cat I would not look at anything other than Skater in that size range. Those #6's would be bullet proof with that HP.

I second this opinion. A LOT of boat for the money. And like was said, Jeffery is REPUTABLE.

Sam

Thanks for all the input guys ... im going to call on the skater today ... seems to be what im looking for. Its good to hear the guy is reputable. Any other info on those year skaters that would be helpful to me ?

as far as insurance goes ... i have spoken with my insurance agent ... we insure quite a few vehicles, sportscars, multiple boats, our business('s), home, tractor trailer, ect ... and the boat will not be financed, he seems to think they can do it for me and it not be too rediculous. we will see.

as far as upkeep ... We are avid drag racers, so im no stranger to maintenance and upkeep costs. Im just trying to keep the initial purchase price of the boat down as to not upset the old lady too much ... she thinks ive got too many toys already ... im sure some of you can relate. haha


copiercat - you may have missed my first post, where I increased my budget to the 100k range for turn key set up ... I definetly know its not possible to build a 30+ ft cat with twin I/Os to runn 100+ for 40k ... lol

thanks again guys for all the advice, this site has proven to be quite the source for great information. I was happy to donate a couple clams. :drink:

stay v bottom...

Be very careful what your insurance agent tells you about insuring the Cat if it is one of the normal companies (State Farm, Farm Bureau, Nationwide, etc.) I can not count how many times people have been issued policies for cats and write the check and then it goes through to the underwriters and the policy is cancelled. This has happened to numerous board members who have many items insured with them but they won't touch the Cats. Once you get to the 28 ft + range there are only a few companies left that will underwrite those policies. The last Skater I was considering was a 32 and nobody would touch it but a few companies and they wanted $$$$.

Good luck. A 32 Skater is a SWEET boat:evilb:

I made another phone call today .... we have found a better way to insure the boat, so Im pretty sure ive got that covered.

custom ryder ... your post is a little short, care to give reasoning?

-A.

He has gone both ways! LOL

hey ! lets keep it PG in here .. im pretty sure no one want to hear about a dude goin both ways .... :p

I never heard a 31 Warlock mentioned. Best cabin of all of these. Mine has been great. I think there is one for sale that is over 100mph and under 100k in the classifieds. If you are going to trailer keep that in mind with the wider beamed boats like the Mares.

That Skater looks pretty good my old chris cat is heavy good ride in the ruff cat cabin is only good for stabin and to hold bumpers ect. Look around lots of boats that should be turn key for 100k.

My Buddie Has A Aerotech Cat With 3 V8 Johnsons On The Back. Boat Is Like New. Only Want 50,000 For It Ready To Go. All White. Lots O Room

I Love The Chris Cat Too