Best Cat for your buck...
 

Guys-

I have a 22' Baja Hammer and it is just not fast enough. I think my problem is that I am cruising around in a V-bottom.

I want to invest in a performance Cat, however, not on a terribly large budget. Mid-80's will be fine for me performance-wize and am looking for a 24'-26' rig. I was looking at HTM as a possible vendor. Good performance but not at an Eliminator price. Used is ok as well...

Side note...anyone know a good place to get financing? What do the terms look like these days? I have Champagne taste on a beer wallet!

All suggestions welcome! Thanks in advance...

-Hammer

by far the best looking boat for your $$$

www.stupidfastboats.com

American Offshore 2600.

2600 American Offshore hell of a good ride, fast and a reasonable
price.

im kinda partial to PROFILE.

greats lines.

port arrowhead at loto has a used one that looks great. think they want 60k for it.its been for sale for monthes. might be a bargain by now.

Current Powerboat magazine has a nice comparo with some cats that are reasonably priced. Might be worth a look.

Hate to bust your bubble but have checked on insurance? ,I wanted a cat real bad until I found out how much insurance is on one, it varies, by your location{I live in a high risk area} and if you had any claims, and your past history, it might make you change your mind!
Mark

Mark, best I got quoted was $2,800 a year when I was looking a 28 Profile. Is this about what you were quoted?

That boat is not quite big enough for me so I hate to see what it is going to cost for the 31'(twins and faster)

A good cat is a dead cat!! Oh, your talking about boats....sorry:D

I dont like typing forever but when it comes to an OSO and cats, well here it goes. i would highly recommend looking into insurance (like H2xmark said) if you havent yet, but if your claim free and do not want to soar into the 100's (mph) it will be inexpensive or similar to a comparable V. Try to have it insured with the same company as home. Now the boat, if you havent driven a cat it is not fun to find out you dont like how it drives after the fact, especially at speeds under 45-50. Try to sea trial some because it seems all are quite different in one way or another ( true cat versus pod style especially ) east coast cats tend to have more compression aswell. not trying to scare you but do you homework because it pays off. Im sure theyre r plenty of OSO members in your area that would love to take you for a ride. make a decision if you want outboards or inboards you can get more boat with outboards and more room but less fuel economy, and normally faster for same or less horsepower. AS FOR THE BOAT, (28')Profiles are nice and they make a nice boat but heavy and like bigger motors. (26')American Offshore makes great boat but have a short deck and the ride is high. (25')Eliminator is a great choice if an inboard. (28')Boss has had great write up's over last few months(no personal exp).(24') Liberator has a splash of a Skater which looks nice. (26') Firehawk was a great all around boat i enjoyed the ride but not sure if still make them.(25')Warlock had real nice interior layout and dash layout. Im not sure what the budget is but you should be able to pick up on any of these cats for around 40k-50k some new and some used, Good luck, Craig

ps. Dont forget about a SKATER (nothing else needs to be said)

Here's a link to info on a 2000 25 Daytona with very low hrs that can be configured anyway that you want.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forum/sh...threadid=32059

The first cat I road in was a 25' Daytona with a 500 efi and it did 84. This was a boat with only a few hours on it. Like the other posts say, take a ride in the type of water you will be boating in and at all speeds. Some will bounce in flat water and ride smooth with a little chop.

Some of the insurance companies require a clean driving record and 1 yr experience driving a cat.

Good luck and keep us posted.

I am selling my HTM 97 with new 540 motor. Been in hotboat and powerboat mags. several times. email me if you are interested.

KCHOTBOAT - Thanks for the email. I tried to send a private message but your mailbox is full.

I am interested as it may be in my price range. Right now, I am fighting whether this is the right time or not as I have a baby on the way (same excuse everyone uses, right?). However, I would love to see pictures, hear details, etc...

Mark in So MD and I test drove a 28 Profile Cat. The boat had something like a 800hp motor and was pretty impressive. Seems like the best bang for the buck.


Mark in So MD do you remember and info about this boat?

My vote........Eliminator.

dropthehammer

You realy should go test drive some cat with about the same power and same water conditions as thay can drive and handel differently. A couple of things to look for bow deck flex and porpoise some cat's do more then others.

skaterize
Made a vairy good point insurance can be a problem
it deepens on how fast you want to go the faster you go the more your insurance is going to cost check around my insurance is not that bad.
500hp will get most cats in this size to the mid to upper 70s and insurance would'nt be that bad.

Keep an eye on the Boat Brokers,inc.http://www.theboatbroker.com/ Thay gat a lot of cats.

I love my Howard but you do have to drive it and know when to say when.

;) ;) ;) GOOD LUCK

FORCE makes a 26 and a 29 67K for a 26 w/ a 509 6k more and you get a 29 w/ 496HO Hot Boat tested both the 26 is in a cat shootout from a couple of month,s ago . If $$$$$ is the issue these are the most bang for the buck

I really don’t have a lot of experience except for the Eliminators, so take the following for what it’s worth.

Eliminator has been making the 25’ Daytona for some time and the hull has proven it self up to 144 mph. I personally know a half dozen guys with 25’s that do in the 110 mph range routinely – no problems! More importantly, no porpoising in the mid range.

Considering they have been around a while, you should be able to get a good used boat. Also, read up on the Eliminator forum. There are a bunch of 25 Daytona owners there.

As far as insurance, be prepared. Your going to get hammered!

44-Foot Cat
 

Check out this CAT...

44-Foot CAT

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!!!!!!!!!

Drop I have to comment on this. I just came from V's myself and bought a smaller cat. I bought a 2600 American Offshore. I've ridden in alot of cats esp the smaller ones and this one seemed to have the best ride and bang for the dollar. Mine has a 509 cid with a bm 420 and runs righ around 100mph. Rides great at slow speeds as well as high speeds. It has no porpusing at any speeds and doesn't feel sloppy at slow speeds and is very friendly around the dock. My insurance is $347.00 per year throught state farm (the same place my house and truck are). Unfortunately I am selling mine as i need a bigger boat again that has more cabin and immeneties if you are interested i could send you pics and info on boat. And also it is very close to your buget

LOL @ 29scarab...

How did you like the wide-screen TV in the cabin?

I wonder what the beam is?

Clay!

Imagine the party you could have on that! Big screen would be great for the sunday footall games while boating!!

Our Chicago dealer will have a 2003 Awesome 26 F/X at the McCormick Boat show.Full tunnel with Full cabin. Price is in your reach.

*See www.awesomepowerboats.net

Best of luck in your search !


Marie

Best Cat for your buck!!!!
 

Xtreme Dream Machines has this 26' Cat in stock ready for delivery!!

BoatManufacturer: American Offshore
Boat: 2600 NSX
Motor Manufacturer: American Offshore SC 700
Trailer: Roadrunner Trailer

Optional Equipment and Accessories:
Teague Drive 136 Platinum Performance Controls
Max Machine foot w/ nose cone Bluewater trim Indicator
Stainless Marine Exhaust Simerek Drive Shower
SuperChiller intercooler
Cockpit Cover
Cockpit Carpet
Red Annodized Package
TeagueBilletPulleys
Teague Oil cooler & Billet Filter
Full Dual Ram Hyd. Steering (Imco)
Eddie Marine Battery Boxes
Tach with Eng. Hour Meter
(2) 45 gal fuel tanks
540 CUI engine

Priced to Sell $86,988.00

www.xtremedreammachines.com

Airpacker

What I ment by saying you have to drive it is I have to cut across the waks at a sharper angel and watch for big rollers cruising at about 70-75 if I don't cut in to rollers and watch the spacing I have dipped a sponson but if I'm on the gas packing more air I can usually fly over them but that makes the wife nerves.
I do a lot of river cruising and I see a lot of big roller.

My center pod is about half as deep as the sponsons I don't have the boat here so I can't give you a exact measurement basically it's the same hull as a American Offshore I do let friends drive but I don't let them open it up.

I have a Teague 800 and with four people and a cooler it will run about 105mph.

Cats
 

keep in mind your power options, Inboard/outboard? As far as Insurance..You will have to lie about the number of boats you have owned because this is a factor, time owning boats ...lie etc. etc.
Inboard I would go with an HTM 24
Outboard For the$ Lighting Power Boats or Liberator
Unless you have mega bucks I wouldnt recommend an Inboard if you want to go fast. Think off all the service you get to do !
Changing oil,
Breaking drives,
Replacing manifolds.

250 Daytona Eliminator!!!
 

:cool: You can't go wrong. I have let chicks drive over 100mph. :D

I have the 30 AMT Demo boat for sale. New in July brand new Steel Powder Coated trailer twin 2.5 Mercs. 100 MPH for 95,000.

Now I have a 2001 30' Motion W/ 300 X's
Monster guages,M&M steering, Aluminum double axle trailer
103-105 mph.

Will install new interior per customer colors.

Rob
Xtreme Dream Machines

hey dropthehammer ,
came across this today while browsing and dreaming and thought ide pass it on.

might be a good buy !!!


http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/1/2/36314912.htm

I have a Cougar 23 MTR with a 525SC and trailer also a American Offshore 2600 NSX with a 509 Blower Motor with trailer. Both are very nice and reasonably priced. These are personal boats owned since brand new, well maintained and always stored inside.

Send me a PM if interested or call me at work 1-800-201-1331

ask for Sonny.

I saw the AMT that Ryan Beckley is talking about. AMT raced at the worlds and the boat look wonderful. I "thought" the price I saw was $90,000.00 but, I could be mistaken. Is that your boat Ryan?

The AMT is the company Demo boat. The 95,000 is with the BRAND NEW powdercoated trailer. The boat also has ALL Latham controls, gaffrig guages, snap in carpet, pop up cleats, lights, etc. This is the boat used for the 2003 Poerboat performance trails. It is available for sea trail in Sarasota, Florida. New hulls start at 45,000. Check out www.amtpowerboats.com

the perfect cat for your budget
 

Check out my 98 Eliminator on the classifieds!!!! There is a link with a complete photo gallery and all the performance details. Don't worry about the price!!! My new Spectre is on the way and I need to cash this boat before spring. It is the 25 daytona listed for 65000.00

As far as I know this boat is still for sale.
Seems like alot of boat for the money.

http://www.lg3d.com/boat/