Are cats really that dangerous?
05-13-2008 | 07:36 PM
#242
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From: EASTON MA.
05-13-2008 | 08:00 PM
#243
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From: EASTON MA.
I could not agree with you more. There will always be this debate, however, because (i) many "v-guys" will never get an opportunity to ride in a cat that is being driven by someone who knows what they are doing; and (ii) even if they do, they will be too proud to admit that a cat hull is better. I switched from v to cat 3 years ago and have not looked back. For performance and ride, at high speeds, the cat is without equal.
As for a v turning harder than a cat, I too used to believe that (even after I had bought my cat) until I had the pleasure of running a 28 Skater stock class outboard with Kirk Dunteman - he taught me how to make that boat do things I didn't believe it would do... and safely at that.
As for a v turning harder than a cat, I too used to believe that (even after I had bought my cat) until I had the pleasure of running a 28 Skater stock class outboard with Kirk Dunteman - he taught me how to make that boat do things I didn't believe it would do... and safely at that.
, tHEY WERE UNBEATABLE TEAM. Cats rule I have been blessed to be in a few cats all race boats and some race Vs for test runs, The best cat so far was a 46 skater and the first ol 37footer for best riding v. the new vs from OL and Reggie will kill a apache from 20yrs ago NEW JERSY has some real rough water just off the coast, hell cape cod they won't even holed a race here anymore its to rough after 02,04,05 boats getting busted up spinning out sinking on after they called the 04 race a 36 ft skate put on a show at over a 100 mph to show the cc made a mistake calling the race. skaters rule and sutphens are next in my book cause I was out in the new boxer sutphen 31 doing 65 to 75 with no troubles at all. So being a v guy a OL GUY a sutphen guy if it was free I would take a 30skater with twin i/o or bigger over any V HULLI have been on and yes I have been some big cigs OLs , sutphens lovem, but a 46 skater is king in my book. art
05-13-2008 | 08:11 PM
#244
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I'll have what he is drinking
Last edited by Comanche3Six; 05-13-2008 at 08:14 PM.
05-13-2008 | 09:13 PM
#246
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From: Maryland
So we have concluded that cats are not inherently more dangerous than vees. In addition they are faster and handle better length for length. So what, then, is the problem?
Simply put, because cats can run faster than vees, comfortably, in most conditions, people who own them tend to spend more time at higher speeds. ( My 28 Skater probably averages 90-100 mph while cruising. No comparable length vee hull can make that claim).
In addition the owners of the most exotic cats don't necessarily have the seat time or experience to handle these speeds on the water and, in truth cats feel like they are going slower than a vee due to the added surface/wave contact and occilations inherent in a mono hull.
More time at higher speeds in a craft which feels slower to an inexperienced driver is not a good recipe for safety and this, IMHO, is the reason that cats have received a bum rap.
The truth is that insurance companies need to concentrate on average speeds of a specific craft...... as well as driver experience at speed........and set rates accordingly. I see no reason why a mega powered, 150 mph, Outer Limits or Fountain Vee should have any lower rate than a 150 mph Skater Cat of similar length. In fact the rates should probably be higher for the vee. On the other hand a 28 foot Pantera with similar power to my 28 Skater should have a lower rate......it simply can't go as fast nor would you want to.
T2x
Simply put, because cats can run faster than vees, comfortably, in most conditions, people who own them tend to spend more time at higher speeds. ( My 28 Skater probably averages 90-100 mph while cruising. No comparable length vee hull can make that claim).
In addition the owners of the most exotic cats don't necessarily have the seat time or experience to handle these speeds on the water and, in truth cats feel like they are going slower than a vee due to the added surface/wave contact and occilations inherent in a mono hull.
More time at higher speeds in a craft which feels slower to an inexperienced driver is not a good recipe for safety and this, IMHO, is the reason that cats have received a bum rap.
The truth is that insurance companies need to concentrate on average speeds of a specific craft...... as well as driver experience at speed........and set rates accordingly. I see no reason why a mega powered, 150 mph, Outer Limits or Fountain Vee should have any lower rate than a 150 mph Skater Cat of similar length. In fact the rates should probably be higher for the vee. On the other hand a 28 foot Pantera with similar power to my 28 Skater should have a lower rate......it simply can't go as fast nor would you want to.
T2x
05-13-2008 | 10:49 PM
#248
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From: McHenry, Illinois
Center pod cats will have a softer ride at sub 100 mph speeds. I have owned three. The true cats will have a slight bow steer and have a rough ride (like a v) untill you pack air and then it is great. Center pod cats just will not run with a true cat in rough water.
) untill you pack air and then it is great. Center pod cats just will not run with a true cat in rough water.
05-14-2008 | 09:24 AM
#250
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From: Rhode Island summer, Florida winter
Center pod cats will have a softer ride at sub 100 mph speeds. I have owned three. The true cats will have a slight bow steer and have a rough ride (like a v) untill you pack air and then it is great. Center pod cats just will not run with a true cat in rough water.
) untill you pack air and then it is great. Center pod cats just will not run with a true cat in rough water.You will have an opportunity to quiz some of the pioneers in the sport on cat development.
This is a photo of Mel Riggs, ( A Legend who will be at the Don Aronow Memorial Race )
changing a broken prop on a Ron Jones tunnel hull offshore boat, in 1970 at the California Hennessy Cup.
They had thrown a prop blade, changed it, made up a lot of time and then ....ran out of gas 15 miles from the finish.
