The Skater cabin is barely enough to even sleep. Id rather sleep on the Talon. It does have a cabin.

I went to the Hustlers site and did not see the dimensions of the cabin for the Talon. In the pics it looks small and looks like the head is between the 2 cushions. I have 3 girls to deal with and so far the only 1 they want is the Awesome. I test drove 1 at the factory when it was open and my wife loved it.

You wont find enough room to sleep that many people in a cat that can actually run well for 100k. You can maybe get away with 2 people in the Talon or the Skater but its small.

There was a 36 Skater years ago that raced under the Yahoo name...with 500 HPs and supposedly ran around 112 mph. Was that a Bravo or # 6 boat?

+1

#6. I looked at the boat about a year and a half ago.

Got it. I know Pete was / is not a Bravo fan to begin with on his boats. Plus, they usually have big power.

Yeah, On this one it is a bit tight.... :drink:

http://sharkeyimages.zenfolio.com/im...71446274-4.jpg

http://sharkeyimages.zenfolio.com/im...34033628-4.jpg

That's the cockpit, not the cabin!:party-smiley-004:

Actually, with the partial lid, that particular boat it probably serves as both....:evilb:

I'm pretty sure that there are aft cabins on some talons, so kinda correct maybe.:eek:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...7-talon-2.html

Yes all the Talons built by Hustler have an aft cabin. I looked real hard at buying a Talon.

Cabin you say-----in a cat? Now here is a cabin. Only thing missing is the head room. Oh well, 1 outa 2 ain't bad. Not a big fan of the 38, but that is one big area to have on a cat. Pic on the left is the enclosed head.

I would remove the criteria of sleeping accommodations in any choice of a cat and put more emphasis on the safe operation with the choice of drives.

In 2 of my 3 cats , namely the 37 Talon and 43 Nortech I cant imagine having to sleep in either. The head room was zero and ended up being the storage area for damp lifejackets etc.

I've had drive failure at speed in both and would trade a hotel room for the best drives possible when that happens, and both those boats were #6 boats.

The Skater I owned was a triple 300 and a ton of fun for the money.

As far as searching for the best I would make the choice based on affordability.
Some of the choices put forward here have been something less than the best but will offer great safe boating.

I would say that once you have experienced Cat its hard to imagine more excitement.
I know I have to go back!

Enjoy your search, thats a good part of the whole experience.
Right after you buy something all you seem to read is invoices.:lolhit:

I am going to look at the 38 Awesome ( family boat)tomorrow but I was at the races this weekend and heard some talk about the bottoms/transoms coming apart on these boats. I run my boats hard and this is not an issues I want to have on my mind while driving every time out. I like the Spectre and the Motion but no room for anything, so with that now I am leaning towards the #6 Talon again.

I was just curious as to what you thought of the 38 Awesome? I was considering that boat as well, now that I have 2 kids

I looked at the Awesome and its a nice boat but after talking with a few people about them I will have to pass. At this point I am going to drop the engines back in the Baja and run whats left of the season. During the off season I will have more time to shop and have something ready for next year.

About the cabin, when I bought my first cat I was told there's enough room to F**k you girlfriend but not your wife. LOL

http://smiliesftw.com/x/bowrofl.gif



The criteria being asked for, with the budget in mind, is really asking for too much for too little. You're not going to find a Cat that's worth anything quality-wise, for under $100k, AND have a king sized bed, enclosed head, shower, kitchen, & grotto.

The only boat that comes to mind with all of those features, plus great quality, AND will handle any Lake Erie water you'd want to be out in, is the 42 or 44 MTI w/ the large cockpit & cabin, like Rare Breed. That boat & the ones like it, are priced REALLY aggressively but not under, or close to $100k.

I'd be shopping for a 36 Classic deck Skater without power, if I were going to do the power package afterward. You're going to have to buy one that at LEAST has drives already on it, unless you buy a race boat, so try to find one with Bravo's if you're dead set on doing the IMCO package. You won't have to re-cut your transom at least if you go that route.

Buying a boat with 6's, wet OR dry sump, would be the hands down better option over the IMCO's or any other drive option, especially since you're planning to boat in rougher conditions like Lake Erie.

Which 38 Awesome did you look at?? and can you give your opinion about it the pros and cons with what you wanted to do in mind as well.

I'm kinda in the same boat. shopping for the best thing either cat or Vee 30' - 40' ,90K-120K, 80-100+ MPH minimum Bravo boat to at least do an Imco upgrade to handle HP upgrade etc etc

I'm also on Lake Erie..

Closed the deal on this today. Going to be a busy winter making it my own. I know it will not be as fast as the other boats mentioned but it should do well in lake Erie. Also had a great day hanging out with my new found step-step brother (there is a story) Dave Wesseldyk.

Congratulations! It will be good to have another OE in LEOPA.
Did you buy it with or without power?

The deal included a LEOPA poker run next summer. :drink

After reading the treads above, I think this is the perfect boat.

1. rough water - hell ya
2. cabin space - perfect for the comment mentioned above about wife and girlfriend and audience.
3. cockpit - can fit 15 people
4. speed - 125mph can be achieved. Very stable ride in the rough.
5. value - use it for 4 years and sell for same price.
6. drives - Arneson 8 drives. Brand new everything and converted to 3/4" chains.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2jez...eature=related



After talking with Brian, he has some little ideas that would finish the dream I had with the boat.

Good morning Mark. I am just getting going today.... yesterday kicked my butt and I didn't even work! Must of been the 3 hours sleep the night before (like christmas when we were kids).

bws, Thanks and yes even though it was not my intention to buy with power how could I say no.

brand new:
Dart big m block
Dart aluminum heads
Jessel rockers
Jessel timing
JE custom pistons
BDS 8-71 blower
Stelling big tube headers
.....

Hell, sell for parts and make money. Idles like a hp500efi motor.

Congrats Brian!! Great choice. You will love the boat. Dave builds some nice power as well. Can't wait to see it out.

When I think of Ocean Express I think of three boats; Chasin The Deal, Tizbad and Chi-Town Hustler. Congrats Brian!

Way to go Brian Chi-Town always impressed me how flat/fast she runs. Very nice