Cat or Not
 

I am planning to move up to a larger boat torn between 36ft cat looking at a spectre or possible 38 ft v .I do most of my boating @loto or rivers one time a year Lake Mich.I am worried about the cat in big water Any Suggestions?Money is part of the object because of the short season like to stay under175k Speed 85 plus i have a 30v that run low 80s now
no monster power

Insurance is a major issue with the cats. I had to jump threw hoops with Markel to get covered and its NOT cheap. Although its worth it IMO.

Ditto. I am going through the same thing, have looked at a few cats (for boating at LOTO) and it is a significant jump in insurance costs. Not rediculous, but a there is some sticker shock. I know you said you wanted over 85, and this is a shameless plug, but I have a 38' for sale at LOTO, handles the rough stuff there just fine but tops at 81 right now. Link below if interested...

Cat hands down!:D

I agree! If it has moderate power (496 ho or 525 merc) it wont cost that much, but everything is relative in this game.

If it has a couple of blower motors. Bend over.:D

Why Ride ?
I know power for speed is great 2x 500h=100mph in cat
takes 2x800 for v
do they get do I say boring after a while
will they take lake mich worried about the freeboard
No cabin

insurance $3000???

Its not like you do backflips in a V and you can't in a Cat...You drive it, you turn, you go fast, and its fun. :D How could one be more boring than the other?

1st cat yes.
Can not afford a skater what about spectre 36/

The insurance on my 06 Eliminator is very resonable (a third of what was mentioned)- due to the 496 HO's for power. But thats the kicker - my boat w/ that power will do over 100mph , And you can get a 5year extended warrenty, these are the reasons i bought this boat;
stock mild power
100mph
affordable insurance.
Excellent ride
I too would like a big powerful cat going 130+ but the cost to operate and own was prohibitable.
My.02

chicken blower motors rule I have a total of 5 you just have to talk to them & rub on them & show-em some love.

THIS 36 COUPE DEMO HALF PRICE , EMAIL="[email protected]"][email protected][/EMAIL]

I'll second or third the 06 Eliminator. They are very pop. in my area. Albeit smaller see these two on my local lakes alot, the Nordic Thors 08 are advertised here fairly reasonable within your budget. An Oregon dealer has an 08 with 525 asking $134,000, new and warranty I could live with a little smaller. :D

http://www.cougarboats.com/rev-22.html

http://www.powerboatmag.com/content/view/168/45/

SLIGHT budget stretch gets you this (easily made up with a good interest rate; I have GREAT finance contacts for you):
http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.c...o16896-en.html

You can afford insurance, AND run 85+ mph.

And it eats up Lake Michigan like this (and LOTO; been on both with my AT):

The 36 Spectre is an awesome boat!! Ours has never skipped a beat!

I am in the exact same situation as you are. I almost bought a 36' Spectre with talk of good insurance rates but when it came down to making the deal, ouch! A 525 boat @ 150K was going to cost me 5 - 8 grand in insurance. This was based on a 5 month layup (NJ) and taking Tres' course (another 3K). A 38 V of the same value w/ 575's (97 mph) will run me under 3K. To me the extra 10 mph isn't worth it.
I have 12 years high performance boat ownership, 5 years offshore racing experience and a perfect record. With limited cat experience and no previous ownership insurance is difficult to get now.

I think my insurance rates will be ok so if that is the case. EVERY0NE THAT ANSWERED WOULD BUY A CAT .Now what about the 36 Spectre? They look small compared to skater mti nortech?

There not. Very stable,fast, well built and awesome in rough water.

stick with a 36 eliminator cat. You'll never regret it. The 36 coupe that someone mentioned above is awesome. I looked it over and talked to the owner at a poker run. Said it runs 155 mph. I think it is out of your budget though.

Not trying to hijack the tread here but this is perfect for me, I am looking to do the same thing. All these being mentioned here, Spectre, Eliminator, etc. - do any have a cabin worth mentioning? Or are there any others not mentioned that do? Need to have some storage space, brief place to get out of sun, etc.....

The Eliminators have really nice cabins for a cat. I don't think the Spectre's have cabins...at least the 30 footers dont.

Agreed. For a cat in that size range it's very nice.



Darrell.

I was talking with a guy that said alot of people are buying up the small 22-26 cats to get some experience in the Insurance company's eyes. Then moving to the bigger boat , sucks that no matter how much experiance and record they will get you. Nothing like Legalized Gambling.

Actually, if the smaller cat has a motor over 500hp, they are about the hardest of all to insure. 28ft and over are easier.




Darrell.

Cats are different to drive and the expierence in a small cat is priceless. I will catch some heat from the Eliminator guys...The Eliminator will have small cabins and lots of creature comforts, but they are not that good in big water. The 36 Spectre or a 35 Motion will be the cat for Lake Michigan. Better yet how about looking for an older 36 Skater? I personally do not even like to ride in my friends V-hulls after owning cats.

Is it in his price range??? If it is 175k range that will be the deal of the century.

Great boat.


Sam

Very true. Markel told me the same thing.

I would think these would be hard to dock cant get up on deck

??

A 36 Eliminator coupe for 175k??? Sign me up for two, in fact make it three !!! (no way)

In fact i did buy a 21' Eliminator and owned it for a year for that reason- to show cat ownership in recent times.
Bought the boat one year and sold it the next for what i paid- well worth it.

" Beware Of Cat "

I'd look at a cat, if your looking for a good rough water boat then the Nor-Tech 3600's are some of the best and they have a decent sized cabin and head....LOL...but then again I'm a little partial to Nor-Tech's and mine works just fine in the washing machine down at LOTO... Insurance will run you around $5,500 with a six month lay-up and taking the Tres Martin course.... Unless your real good at embelishing your resume', but I wouldn't advise that in a minute...Insurance Companies always look for a way out if your not 100% truthful... I also liked the Spectre's and there was a real trick looking one in the classifieds here on OSO earlier this year for $175K....Good Luck

I like the 36 Spectre if you are set on a cat.
It is the best running cat in your price range.
Running surface length is the same as a NorTech or any other 36' cat but they do have low freeboards making them appear smaller.
Spectre offers the 36' in two layouts. A poker run/race model with the twin 1/4 canopies and no cabin or a pleasure model with the wrap around molded wind deflector. The pleasure model has a small cabin w/ a bearth over the tunnel.

a 36 spectre would fit inside a 36 nortech, the spectre is a much smaller cat than the nortech, check the dimensions

I agree