Anybody know what is the fastest outboard cat ever recorded?.....I wonder if the 450 cats of today are even close

The fastest new cat that I have heard of is the MTI 390x which I think has run 132-134mph.

The 36 Victory hit 141 in Havasu.

I think that victory was on flashed chips?

But i guess that is besides the point because you said the fastest outboard cat

141 is really moving. There is a video of it on victory west's fb page

Today's 450R cats are as fast as any outboard cats have ever run that I know of. Paul Whittier ran high 130s with his quad 2.5 Skater 32A back in the late '90s - basically the same speed as today's fastest 450R cats. My buddy still owns the boat (formerly named Quattro), but it is now repowered with twin 300XSs.

The 32 DW with 450s might run close to 140. I believe the 360 has been 135. The M37 is at like 132-134 as well

It would be interesting to see how the 32A would compare if given the benefit of 2021 technology in terms of construction methods / materials and the Xtra wide tunnels....not a huge beam to mount quad 2.5s - must have been something to see and hear

Those numbers are inflated for both manufacturers.
Neither has quit reached those speeds yet. Both of those manufacturers do work on them trying new things consistently. as of now depending on the hull and weight, the weight distribution and setup, the DW is a 130-132 boat, the DCB us a 130-131 boat, the mti 390x is a 127-130 boat, the 34/36 Victory is went 136 right out the box from Randy Sweeers and I think 137 with Shaun Torrente. The Vicory west boat It seems was a abnormality with computers tuned up. (That being said those numbers are probably attainable with the next set of motors that comes from Merc whenever that is)
But remember guys these boats are very very weight sensitive. Everything has to be just right to reach these numbers and you will be running loose.
The real world experience with you and 4 of your friends and 100 gal fuel is knock off 5-6 mph off those numbers,
All the boats mentioned are good boats, what you choose will be probably your price range, your brand loyalty and what conditions you drive the boat it. I think you'll find some differences in the handling and cornering in general but especially in how the boats handle in the rough (and everyone's rough is different west coast, LOTO, Ocean, great lakes) between the manufacturers.