Vhull to under 30' cat
 

Bored at work tonight so who's went from a Vhull to a Cat under 30' and why? What type of water do you run in?

Along with automotive ADD and buying a different vehicle every 6-12 months it runs with boats too. Sold my Donzi classic last fall and picked up a 270 Checkmate this spring. Great boat, love everything about it (except the cruise speed purposing), but starting to look at others. Insurance aside (because I probably won't be able to get insured) why not go to a cat next?

75% of my boating is in a river and the other 25% is in the Saginaw Bay, it can turn on you if you're not careful but usually 2' or under waves. Yesterday we were out in maybe 2-3's and earlier this year caught in 4-6's but that's not the norm for me, the Checkmate handled them but it wasn't exactly a good time. Looking to stay under 30' no matter what direction I go. I could see a budget for up to $75k on a cat (if I could find insurance that wasn't 5k a year) or up to $50k on a Vhull. Throw out suggestions for either as long as it's under 30'. Would prefer a single engine black motor.

Was looking at 28' eliminator canopies with twin 496's or a 27' with a single 496. Both will be fast enough and easy(ier) on the pocket as far as maintenance. I don't have an attention span long enough to own anything for more than a couple years so this would be a two year thing max.

So anyone went from a smaller Vhull to a smaller cat? Likes? Dislikes? Regrets? Other suggestions?

I went from a 24 v to a 25 cat and never looked back

Miss anything about the V? Did you have any issues getting insurance on it?

Cabin space in a cat is lacking and big water capability suffers with a center pod cat. Otherwise a cat will out run any V of similar size with same power. A V will never have the stability of cat. If you are looking for efficiency/economy the twin engine is not where you should look, you might be surprised how well the single perform compared to the twin. The twin 28s typically run a little wet and are ass heavy.

You should really price insurance before even thinking about a cat.

well....kept my 32 vull but have had 28 skater and now a 30' skater...both outboards. no cabin in these cats but the ride and speed are great. the 30 is a much better all around cat for me.

Id give my left nut for a 26' Redline cat.

From a go fast standpoint, I traded my 292 Fastec for a cruiser 2 years ago for some reason and then last year bought a 1993 Warlock 25' SXT with twin outboards as a project boat because even momma was missing the speed.

The formula was a wave crusher for sure and handled nasty water a lot better but the cat is just a blast to drive and definatley hauls the mail.
We are on lake Lanier and it gets rough so we need to be a little more picky about when to take the cat out and there has been a couple times we should have just left it on the trailer but wanted to see what it would do, etc.
I honestly don't know if I would go back to a bigger Vhull after owning the Warlock now.

As for insurance, talk to Stacy at Wakezone. She insures all our boats now and was really helpful with helping us decide what to get from the ins standpoint. She said to keep it under 90MPH for the first cat and first year and the warlock is just under that speed wise for now. Once you get the first year of cat experience under your belt, it supposedly helps the cause and you shouldn't get hit as hard if/when you move up to something with more power, etc.

I had never had a cat before and trust me when I tell you this, its a whole new driving experience! if you hop in and drive it like you do your V hull, they will bite back or scare the **** out of you!. They have a strange feeling when you start letting them really fly compared to a V which takes some getting used to and you definatley need to be paying attention.

This is all just my .02 and hopefully it helps you a little.

I went from a 22 Scarab to a 30 Spectre. Cats have the cool factor and haul ass. I like the speeds of cats and think I am done with V's

first your\'ll need this.....[ATTACH=CONFIG]542271[/ATTACH]

then call this guy http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...er-o61894.html and see if he will swap said nut for it :party-smiley-004:

Why is it always the left one :grinser010:

I have always wanted a cat and I have similar percentages. I'd say 70% of the time I am in confused chop less than 2', and the cats eat that stuff up. However, I boat on lake Michigan too and it can get nasty real quick. Not sure I'd want to be stuck 30 miles from the launch getting air in a cat when in 4+ footers.

I went from a twin outboard 25' velocity V to a 25' Talon twin outboard cat. I don't forsee owning another v hull unless it's a small runabout. As others have stated they are two diffrent beasts.

It all depends on what you want out of boating, like others have both cruiser and cat. Best of both!
I went from a 19' jet boat that ran 70 on flat---glass---waters to my current 28' SportCat.
HUGE difference, but sadly I have driven a couple single v's and there is no want in hell I could ever do that again :(
I boat inland lakes and rivers, Advantage has a center pod and that allows it to run with the crowd---meaning slower.
Mine is all stock, Twin 502's. I have driven a 22 Sportcat and numerous Party Cats ranging from 22-28' with a single and honestly for handling I prefer the twins.
Makes driving easier, handling easier and so much more can be done turning and docking with a twin setup.
Mine is for sale, and I already know that when it does go we will be getting into a V only due to family style.
But it will be at least a 30-32 preferably a Formula!

Good luck with the search!

I am with ya here. Big Big fan and I am not really a cat lover.

Once you go cat you'll NEVER go back . My Warlock is fast , efficient (very little drag) , rides super in confused chop , is a blast to drive and one of the ladies referred to it as a " Come fack me boat " :cool-smiley-011: . Back still hurts from that slamming v-hull .

I'm left handed, it's most in shape. :D

If i could swing it, that SOB would be mine by tomorrow.

Those are bad, that thing is sweet.

I was thinking of something more along the lines of these:

https://loz.craigslist.org/boa/5053940640.html
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/boa/5073715766.html

I've seen some of the 28's closer to 75 that were in good shape still.

How bad are we talking in 4 footers? Worse than my 25' V?

Hangs lower. More drag.

friend down here has one...goes by redline here I think...he just had an awesome paint job done right befor the tickfaw 200... speed on the water did a write up on it for that and I think speedboat did too a few years ago at desert storm from on of their boat test deals. he could fill you in on them. I know he loves it. I have never been out on it but have seen it in person. the rigging is top notch very clean and neat! love the bildge on them. nothing but motor!!! his is fast that I know!

now that's funny !!! LOL...

here is the article on his new ;paint! COLE2534

http://speedonthewater.com/boat-rest...rpm-26-redline

LA thanks for posting. Looks great. I'm sure there's a method to the madness, but why doesn't Skater or other cats have a small cabin/berth even ones down the side like Nortech? Is it aesthetics or performance related? I kick myself in the ass for not getting a cat, but didn't know if the kids were going to love boating.

God that thing is bad, I'd love one of those. I'm going to post up soon and see if anyone will have a smaller cat up at Boyne in a few weeks that would let me check it out. The insurance will probably ruin it for me but I have fun reading about them when I'm bored at work all night.

cats are more about speed. I also think that a cabin probably throws off the cg. there's a lot of weight in the sh!t they put down there.
I have really come to enjoy the cats. I still like the V hull too but for just being out on the water and hauling aZZ the cat wins hands down!!!

What are some under 30' under $75k cats that have a cuddy?

Eliminator 28 and 27 seem to be the favorites in that size that still have some sort of cuddy. The Nordic Thor is probably my favorite small cat but doesn't look like it has anything but storage.

this 25 obsession/eliminator has a cabin and runs 100 .. went on a fun run with it , about 90 miles, in sarasota .. my 1st time in an eliminator type cat .. it handled awesome and there where some pretty rough areas.. and it is fast both acceleration and top end... I always wondered why everyone praised them so much, there awesome boats..... new engine and xr drive and rerig.. wants like 19-20 for it .. IMO it's a give away price.

I went from a 34 SCARAB to a Daytona 26 ( 27 ft long ) We bought the SCARAB as a floating camper and used the boat every weekend weather permitting. We stopped using it for that about 14 years ago and started using it as a day boat on inland lakes and rivers.
I finally put my foot down and bought the Daytona. I absolutely love it. I got real lucky on the insurance. The company that I have been with for 40 years pushed it through.

What engine and what do you pay if you don't mind my asking? Speed? First cat?

How's the ride compared to the 25 check you had?

It is my first cat but I have had performance boats for 37 years. HP at this time is 650 with stated speed of 90 MPH and cost was $650 per year. The insurance is insuring my 2004 work van, 2006 Chevy diesel pick up, 2008 BMW, 26 Daytona and the house.
They like me.

You going to be up at Boyne with it?

Put some 300's or 400's on this and let it rip.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...er-o61257.html

Right now it is tore apart. It will be at least a month before it hits the water.
See my post - and the project begins.

Ha I saw it right after I posted that, read the thread. Nice work so far.

No cuddy in the skaters right? Need something with a cuddy.