V-bottom...or Cat ?
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V-bottom...or Cat ?
Which boat handles...lets say...3-4 footers better ? Pick equal (or close to) length boats. Lets say 35'. I dont care who the manufacturer is...just in general...does the V-bottom or the Cat handle the rougher stuff better ?
#3
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I assume you mean 4' on 15 to 30 ft crests? like lake waves.
A "V" bottom is better in 3-4 footers. A cat doesn't work well until the tunnel packs air, usually over 75 mph. Under this speed the cat's tunnel is closed and you get humped to death, as waves hit the flat bottom. Also, under 40 mph, you get a bellows effect in the tunnel, which blows air and water out the front, and you drive through the mist. This is really annoying in salt water.
With a "V", you can hold the bow up with some trim, changing where you hit the wave Cats always run flat or bow down, meaning, "you can stuff it", under 35 mph.
If the water is smoother, like two feet or less, and over 75 mph, the cat is fantastic, much more efficient and extremely stable. Absolutely no contest here.
I have owned both types, 38 Cigarette TG, 382 Formula, and three Skaters 28' thru 36'.
A "V" bottom is better in 3-4 footers. A cat doesn't work well until the tunnel packs air, usually over 75 mph. Under this speed the cat's tunnel is closed and you get humped to death, as waves hit the flat bottom. Also, under 40 mph, you get a bellows effect in the tunnel, which blows air and water out the front, and you drive through the mist. This is really annoying in salt water.
With a "V", you can hold the bow up with some trim, changing where you hit the wave Cats always run flat or bow down, meaning, "you can stuff it", under 35 mph.
If the water is smoother, like two feet or less, and over 75 mph, the cat is fantastic, much more efficient and extremely stable. Absolutely no contest here.
I have owned both types, 38 Cigarette TG, 382 Formula, and three Skaters 28' thru 36'.
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I have owned both and IMHO when its rough and the waves are stacked like in a lake the V bottom is a way better ride. If your in a swell the cat can ride just as good but the key is to get the cat to land straight. Two sponsons landing at different times is an eary feeling.