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Real World Outboard Cat Experience Please
Long time Offshore Only reader, first post. We just sold our 46' cruiser and we're looking for a fast day boat - cat, center console or traditional performance V. I like the look, speed & simplicity of the 30-36' 400 outboard cats. I've never been in one, but I'm sure I'll love the ride. My question is, how is it for passengers - specifically, how will the wife like it? Our boating area is Narragansett Bay, which is North of Newport, RI. Average waves are 1-3' and very rarely get 4's or larger. So, in a 30-36' outboard cat, at cruising speed in 2-3' waves, is the wife going to be holding on for her life or will it be a reasonably smooth ride? Can you hold a conversation at cruise speed? Thanks.
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What cruise speed are you looking for?
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Give me a shout at 860 729 7304 and I’d be happy to talk about which boats handle our conditions the best. Dan Kleitz Outerlimits Powerboats |
lake p.a.l. - I'm looking for reliability over speed. Stock engines only. If we end up with a center console or traditional performance v, I'd be looking for a cruise around 50 and top around 75. If we end up with a cat (which is what I'm leaning towards), I'd be looking for a cruise 60-70, top 100-110. Seems like all of the current 32-36 400 cats would exceed my speed goals.
Dan - I'm actually pretty close to you, about 15 miles by water from my house to Bristol. I'll give you a call tomorrow, thanks |
Most O/B Cats will not like that cruise speed as that is where they hop. Every boat is different but the rule of thumb is 50-70mph for the hop. As far performance goes they are hard to beat. However the ammenites like a head or cabin if needed is the only negative. |
My wife & I LOVE our 308 Skater with 300XS power. We boat in San Francisco Bay a lot. Obviously the bigger the boat you can afford the better it will do. The cockpit area is very small. The storage under the hatch is huge but basically wasted space. Like Double Rigged said, the amenities are almost non-existent. My boat porpoises from 50-70mph on flat water. If theres 1'+ of wind chop it won't hop.
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The plus is if the weather is nice you can cover a lot of ground at 80+mph for lunch runs. We are a family of 4 and love our boat as well. Regarding size keep in mind the real deal is wetted running surface and not so much overall length. Some are faster in flat water and some will ride better with more comfort in the rough water. Depending on what you want to spend will also play a huge factor. |
Rode in a Wright Performance 36 with 400’s, I can’t comment on cruising speeds as we were 60-120mph the entire time. But the front seats had little to no wind, at 118 there was an iPhone and a pair of goggles on the center counsel and they didn’t move. The back seat was windy, but not bad considering the speeds. |
I have a 308 Skater for sale with 400Rs. We are in our fifties and my wife rides in the front seat. She wears her big floppy hat with the wrap around windshield with no issues. The two middle rear seats are fine for older adults. I put the kids and twenty somethings in the outside seats of rear seat and they love the wind. As Ron said no ammenities but at an easy 80-100MPH cruise and 2.2-2.4 MPG you can cover a lot of territory and find lunch and a bathroom if needed. https://www.offshoreonly.com/classif...ds-o73160.html |
Thanks for the responses. Not too worried about the amenities, our typical cruise would only be about 20 miles, so a bathroom wouldn't be too far away. If we're anchoring out, our friends still have cruisers, so we can use the bathroom and get some shade on their boats. My only worry with a cat is if my wife (we're in our mid 40's) will be able to tolerate the ride in 2-3's. skate, double rigged, lake, apex, how rough is it where you boat? Thanks.
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Originally Posted by Southbrook
(Post 4653306)
Thanks for the responses. Not too worried about the amenities, our typical cruise would only be about 20 miles, so a bathroom wouldn't be too far away. If we're anchoring out, our friends still have cruisers, so we can use the bathroom and get some shade on their boats. My only worry with a cat is if my wife (we're in our mid 40's) will be able to tolerate the ride in 2-3's. skate, double rigged, lake, apex, how rough is it where you boat? Thanks.
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I agree with Skate 100%, I'm no expert but we run 2-4' wind chop a LOT. My wife LOVES airing the props and shes always telling me to go faster. We ran +/- 50mph thru legit 3-4 footers yesterday, launching off the bigger waves and 95% of the time our boat comes down softly. We are late 40s early 50s and cant imagine owning something else, unless it was a bigger true cat.
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I own a 32’ Fountain cat. We boat at lake of the Ozarks. I went from a 36’ Spectre cat and have no regrets as far as ride is concerned. Our lake varies in conditions from mild chop to very rough. Rough is always a personal perspective thou. My wife says she enjoys the 32 outboard just as much as the 36 I/O boat. We have ran the boat for some time now and carrying on a conversation at 80-100mph is no problem. The back seat passengers can discuss as well but they do have to speak up to be heard. Everyone that has ridden with us comments on how the boat rides like a much larger boat. Less wind noise does allow you to hear the water slapping the hull a little more and enjoy the views more while running around. The typical true tunnel porpoise of most cats isnt a Issue on ours. It seems trim makes it disappear. Something my other boats had issues with 60-80mph. This boat you can pretty much pick any speed to cruise at. If you get the chance ride in as many as you can. Not sure if you are wanting to go new or go used. The new options definitely have lots to choose from and on many different budget points. If you are gonna go new , take a trip to Lake of the Ozarks. You could set up demo rides in at least 3 different brands here. MTI, WrightPerformance, and the fountain. |
SOW has a review of 6-7 outboard cats done at super cat fest at lake of the Ozarks. Bob Teague and several other experienced drivers drove the boats. It will be in the next issue.
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Thanks again, it's good to hear honest opinions. A little more info on us, we have 2 kids, 15 & 22. I think our cruiser was boring for them, I'm looking for a boat that will hopefully keep them interested & want to hang out with the parents a little bit longer.
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Justfishing - I can't wait for the SOW comparison to come out
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My kids love my boat. They will ride with me on any day. They are 25 and 16. My boat is set up with a ladder in the rear for swimming also. Some will use a swim platform as well. One thing I will say is that when people say 2-3' s ( No offense here) there is a wide range of what 2-3' really are. Living in S. FL and boating in the ocean 80 percent of the time for us 2-3's is about the most my wife is comfortable with. Like Sam said you can slow down too if needed.
One thing to consider if ride comfort is what you are looking for and not overall top speed I would like at the depth of the sponsons and angle of attack. Shallower/wider tunnels will pound a bit more at slower speeds in rough water than a deep tunnel with a steeper V. There are many opinions on this as we all own different models. I would encourage you to ride in a few if possible and see for yourself. Overall for what you are looking to do I think an O/B cat would be a great option and provide a lot fun factor for the money with minimal expense compared to an inboard powered boat. |
Originally Posted by Double Rigged
(Post 4653353)
My kids love my boat. They will ride with me on any day. They are 25 and 16. My boat is set up with a ladder in the rear for swimming also. Some will use a swim platform as well. One thing I will say is that when people say 2-3' s ( No offense here) there is a wide range of what 2-3' really are. Living in S. FL and boating in the ocean 80 percent of the time for us 2-3's is about the most my wife is comfortable with. Like Sam said you can slow down too if needed.
One thing to consider if ride comfort is what you are looking for and not overall top speed I would like at the depth of the sponsons and angle of attack. Shallower/wider tunnels will pound a bit more at slower speeds in rough water than a deep tunnel with a steeper V. There are many opinions on this as we all own different models. I would encourage you to ride in a few if possible and see for yourself. Overall for what you are looking to do I think an O/B cat would be a great option and provide a lot fun factor for the money with minimal expense compared to an inboard powered boat. |
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2434d2846a.jpg
C3800 #1 I have owned cats on and off since 1993, and the new O/B cats are really cool, I presently have a 25 Talon, and 30 Spectre, both I/O's, but I suggest you check out the new Mystic C3800! :) They also traditional rear seat configuration also.... C3800 Catamaran: Mystic Powerboats |
Originally Posted by Southbrook
(Post 4653277)
lake p.a.l. - I'm looking for reliability over speed. Stock engines only. If we end up with a center console or traditional performance v, I'd be looking for a cruise around 50 and top around 75. If we end up with a cat (which is what I'm leaning towards), I'd be looking for a cruise 60-70, top 100-110. Seems like all of the current 32-36 400 cats would exceed my speed goals.
Dan - I'm actually pretty close to you, about 15 miles by water from my house to Bristol. I'll give you a call tomorrow, thanks |
Originally Posted by Southbrook
(Post 4653339)
Thanks again, it's good to hear honest opinions. A little more info on us, we have 2 kids, 15 & 22. I think our cruiser was boring for them, I'm looking for a boat that will hopefully keep them interested & want to hang out with the parents a little bit longer.
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Originally Posted by edelectra
(Post 4653385)
My 32 doug wright don't hop at all. My 28 skater used to hop in mid range .
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Well, based on everyone's responses, it sounds like in the average conditions where I boat (2's - 3's), my wife won't hate it. I guess my next step is to go try out some boats.... I'm looking to spend mid 2's to 3, so either a used skater, etc. or a new spectre. I'm sure I'd have more choices on the used market in a few years, but I'm not willing to wait that long & give up that time with my kids. Wrap around windshield & 4 seats across the back are a must. Anything else I should be looking for? Thanks.
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Good aluminum trailer so you can tow it to other locations, poker runs, vacations, etc. You are welcome to fly out here and drive mine in SF Bay but its NOT for sale!!:ernaehrung004:
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I would encourage you to take a look at Sam’s boat and then ride some others. I do not think you can beat what he has for the money versus what the newer models will cost. I know the MTI and DW are both close to the 400k mark.
Some of the new 308’s wide body version also sold for over 300k. Not sure on the pricing of the spectre, fountain, predator or sonic. |
I've never seen Sam's boat in person but sure looks nice in pics. Sounds like its dialed in and ready to go. Seems like a very fair price.
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Originally Posted by QWKRN U
(Post 4653319)
I own a 32’ Fountain cat. We boat at lake of the Ozarks. I went from a 36’ Spectre cat and have no regrets as far as ride is concerned. Our lake varies in conditions from mild chop to very rough. Rough is always a personal perspective thou. My wife says she enjoys the 32 outboard just as much as the 36 I/O boat. We have ran the boat for some time now and carrying on a conversation at 80-100mph is no problem. The back seat passengers can discuss as well but they do have to speak up to be heard. Everyone that has ridden with us comments on how the boat rides like a much larger boat. Less wind noise does allow you to hear the water slapping the hull a little more and enjoy the views more while running around. The typical true tunnel porpoise of most cats isnt a Issue on ours. It seems trim makes it disappear. Something my other boats had issues with 60-80mph. This boat you can pretty much pick any speed to cruise at. If you get the chance ride in as many as you can. Not sure if you are wanting to go new or go used. The new options definitely have lots to choose from and on many different budget points. If you are gonna go new , take a trip to Lake of the Ozarks. You could set up demo rides in at least 3 different brands here. MTI, WrightPerformance, and the fountain. Agree with wayne’s Comment as I got to spend the day in his fountain cat a few weeks back. I was most impressed with the boats manners in bumpy water. At 75-95mph the boat feels really solid and never gives you that flighty feeling. At one point in some bumpy water we walked past a sonic that was getting tossed about while we were going 20mph faster and having a conversation. One other nice thing about the fountain is the fact that you can walk around the windshield when docking. It sucks climbing over a windshield each time you park. I normally boat in my 36’ Apache which is a tank and I was shocked at the how stable and safe the fountain cat felt even north of 100mph. Lastly, the fuel burn was silly low. On an all day fun run the cat burned 1/4th-1/5th the fuel I would of burned in my apache and we cruised 20-30mph faster than I would have ran my boat. I would definitely try and test all of them if I was you but to me the fountain seems like the most bang for the buck. http://www.fountainpowerboats.com/mo...series/32-cat/ |
Originally Posted by Double Rigged
(Post 4653465)
I lI know the MTI and DW are both close to the 400k mark.
Some of the new 308’s wide body version also sold for over 300k. Not sure on the pricing of the spectre, fountain, predator or sonic. Wright performance is $430-450k MTI is $425k Fountain is $319k Spectre is $280k Sonic not sure no one had any info predator same as above |
I've talked to Spectre & MTI. I am going to call Wright, Mystic, Fountain, Skater.... I have no problem with a year or two old, but I know most of these are pretty new models & there aren't many (if any) used ones around. I need to schedule test rides soon - I do not want to be without a boat for next summer, so if it's a build, the time crunch is on. On the Fountain, it looks like the cockpit is narrower, which allows you to walk on the sides to get to the bow, but does it limit it to a 3 seat bench? That would be a deal killer for me...
Thanks again, all of the responses have been great. |
Originally Posted by Double Rigged
(Post 4653465)
I would encourage you to take a look at Sam’s boat and then ride some others. I do not think you can beat what he has for the money versus what the newer models will cost. I know the MTI and DW are both close to the 400k mark.
Some of the new 308’s wide body version also sold for over 300k. Not sure on the pricing of the spectre, fountain, predator or sonic. |
Originally Posted by Southbrook
(Post 4653632)
I've talked to Spectre & MTI. I am going to call Wright, Mystic, Fountain, Skater.... I have no problem with a year or two old, but I know most of these are pretty new models & there aren't many (if any) used ones around. I need to schedule test rides soon - I do not want to be without a boat for next summer, so if it's a build, the time crunch is on. On the Fountain, it looks like the cockpit is narrower, which allows you to walk on the sides to get to the bow, but does it limit it to a 3 seat bench? That would be a deal killer for me...
Thanks again, all of the responses have been great. |
Sams' Skater would be my first choice. Easy to tow, fast and efficient and you will have to throw your kids out once they go for a fast ride. It's addictive! I have towed a 36 Skater at 10' 2" wide and it can be unnerving at times. It is a pain in the ass to get into and out of a filling station if you plan on towing much.
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Originally Posted by Southbrook
(Post 4653455)
Well, based on everyone's responses, it sounds like in the average conditions where I boat (2's - 3's), my wife won't hate it. I guess my next step is to go try out some boats.... I'm looking to spend mid 2's to 3, so either a used skater, etc. or a new spectre. I'm sure I'd have more choices on the used market in a few years, but I'm not willing to wait that long & give up that time with my kids. Wrap around windshield & 4 seats across the back are a must. Anything else I should be looking for? Thanks.
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