Older cat/cabin question
 

I will soon be in the market for a replacement for the fountain and would like a cat. Problem is a cabin is needed. What boats, 35g and under, are there? I/O or O/B doesn't matter. Would prefer under 32ft and under. Thanks in advance.
George

Hi Prostock85, Have you looked at 31' American Offshore boats? I don't know if you can find one for under $35k but they have the best cabin of any cat in that size. Most cats 32' and under don't have any type of cabin.

That's what I was thinking also. I've never seen the inside of an AO. I've only seen some 30 shadows and chris cats. I found a 1989 30' Spectre that I like in Cali for 30g. Dont think it has any cabin though. I have at least a month before any decisions so I figured I would use the off season to research.

Thanks again

Here is a good example of a current basic 31 cat. Be it CC, AO or Awesome, all of these hulls share a common design. I use this one as an example because:
1) No paint
2) Bravo drives
3) NA 500 HP power
4) Trailer included
http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...37525-en.htmlt
To be honest (and not a boat basher), this boat with that power and the way it is equipped/rigged is not a 90mph boat.

Good luck on your search.

the express cat 31 ft has a pretty big(high) cabin..your stuck looking in the AO, express, awesome,chris cat classified's.. unfortunately they are all basically the same boat design..and will be tough getting something decent for 35k

This link may work a bit better:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o37525-en.html

I guess when I see things like this 85 CC (SOLD) http://www.powerboatlistings.com/view/5923 and the 85 I was buying with hp500's and bravos for $26,500 two years ago I figured there were more deals out there...

you have to watch alot of the chris cat's..some had delamination issues, some gained ALOT of water weight..and sea trial any that were converted to bravos to make sure the X is correct..

An acquaintance of mine owns that boat - I've never been on it, but have passed it at the ramp on occasion. I can go check it out for you if you are interested?

Didn't Warlock make some about that size with Cabins?

If it's the one in the ad, the last contact I had with him said he had it sold. If you happen to know the new owner or if the old still had it then any current information would be greatfully accepted. My email is [email protected]

You need to seriously look at Warlock 31sxt's. Nice cabin and they run well. Mine has 525sc's (490hp at prop) and as you can see runs 100mph. Not currently for sale!

Wow.... tough question cuz its difficult to find a cat in that price range....35K and under your probably looking at a single engine 25/27 Cat.w/o power.. good luck finding that.... as far as 30/32 foot range...ive nvr seen anything in that price range with twin engine power.....just be careful, bcuz most importantly is to find something not abused and thats well maintained,, which is probably gonna get you in the 55 to 85K range...

good luck... keep looking!!!

Love the cabin. Never thought of Warlocks. Are they a center pod boat? Was hoping to stay with a true tunnel but will expand my options now.

I would stick with a 31 awesome/american offshore, I had 1 for 3 years & loved it, great in the rough, ran real stable over 100, & had a useable cabin that we overnighted on quite a few times. my .02

:drink:

Ahhhhhh. Forgot that you nearly had a Cat when the deal with LDD went bad. (not at all connected to the LDD deal)Best advice that I can pass along is to get a survey by a true professional. No matter what price the boat is listed for.

Was (actually still is) a great Cat. Forgot, who ended up with your Awesome? PS. Love that race fairing 42.

Active Thunder made a nice 31' Cat...not sure if you'll find one in the 30K price range though. They had a spacious cabin also...

I believe the warlocks are center pods

They are.
I have been on an American Offshore and found the cabin of those boats (Chris cat, Awesome,AO) to be funky compared to the cabin of the Warlock or Eliminator which have a traditional down the center cabin. If you didn't know, the Eliminator Daytona's have a similar cabin to the Warlock but there is a little less headroom and depth even in the 33 and 36. Good luck with your search.

this sounds like it would work....

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/boa/2145205388.html

boat is owned by my best friend. Professionally maintained. Very Clean. Nice cabin. Nice trailer. I really think it's worth calling on.

Those cabins may appear to be funky to you, but both MTI and Nortech have similar cabin designs. :grinser010:

I would say they have similar door placement more than I would say similar cabin design. The aforementioned mti's with a cabin aren't exactly hot sellers either. I dont even know if they have built one since they came out with the 39 RP. I will say the side door feels better as the boat gets bigger. I have been on the big cabin MTI and also a 38 Marres cat as well as the 36 Nortech (actually 38 ft plus) They seem to not seem so funky. The 38 Awesome might fall in the same category but our price range and discussion here seemed to be around 30ft.