Is there such thing as an entry level cat anymore ?
10-21-2023 | 06:49 AM
#21
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From: Sunrise Beach, MO
I'm not sure if the Texas owner of Dale Rayzor's ex. 2004 Skater 30 Prototype is still loving the boat. After three seasons he might want to get another Skater having come from a Skater 36 that he traded with Dale. That 36 is an I/O so he might have realized outboards are not for him. That 30 might be $250k plus, but I find it worth every penny, it's simply stunning. Maybe reach out and see about its status?
10-22-2023 | 02:27 PM
#23
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I understand the economics of builders tailoring to specific markets (higher dollar) and power. Just puts the smaller guys looking to get into performance boating at an extreme disadvantage
10-22-2023 | 11:45 PM
#24
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From: Newport Coast, California.
10-23-2023 | 10:14 AM
#25
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From: New Smyrna Beach FL/ LOTO MM 21
There is no "entry level" cat that is of good build quality. After running Lake Michigan, all my life and now LOTO extensively for the last four years, I can tell you that build quality shows up front and center on any boat that is run fast.
The best option "new" that I am aware of is going to be a Skater. You will still have potential "wood core issues that many have dealt with" or the Doug Wright designed 28' that Performance Powerboats now owns. Again, is 300K entry level? When I was new to boating, 300K might just as well have been 50 Million-"I had the same chances of obtaining both at that time (NOT)". A Doug Wright designed 28 just sold for 275K with twin 300Rs (boat was new "zero hours"). Again that is not what I would call entry level.
I have had several used skaters, Spectres, and smaller cats as well. If I was doing it all over again today, I would look for a 32 DW (maybe an ex-race boat conversion), a really clean 30' Spectre or 30' Skater with 400Rs. After having 4 stroke motors (for the amount of boating we like to do, and overall performance), two strokes are a thing of the past. Going a touch smaller would leave you with a 28' Skater and I would want 300Rs on it. Anything smaller then this would prevent me from being able to participate in many group runs and or allowing me to boat on the waters that I really enjoy. There is not a "entry level size cat" better suited for rough water then a 32' DW, or the 30' Skater.
If you are not constantly running rough waters and pushing your rig, then there are a couple other options.
Joe
The best option "new" that I am aware of is going to be a Skater. You will still have potential "wood core issues that many have dealt with" or the Doug Wright designed 28' that Performance Powerboats now owns. Again, is 300K entry level? When I was new to boating, 300K might just as well have been 50 Million-"I had the same chances of obtaining both at that time (NOT)". A Doug Wright designed 28 just sold for 275K with twin 300Rs (boat was new "zero hours"). Again that is not what I would call entry level.
I have had several used skaters, Spectres, and smaller cats as well. If I was doing it all over again today, I would look for a 32 DW (maybe an ex-race boat conversion), a really clean 30' Spectre or 30' Skater with 400Rs. After having 4 stroke motors (for the amount of boating we like to do, and overall performance), two strokes are a thing of the past. Going a touch smaller would leave you with a 28' Skater and I would want 300Rs on it. Anything smaller then this would prevent me from being able to participate in many group runs and or allowing me to boat on the waters that I really enjoy. There is not a "entry level size cat" better suited for rough water then a 32' DW, or the 30' Skater.
If you are not constantly running rough waters and pushing your rig, then there are a couple other options.
Joe
Last edited by JPEROG; 10-23-2023 at 10:33 AM.
10-24-2023 | 12:45 PM
#27
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This was mine! 17' Speedliner. Insurance was cake. 
I sold it last year after putting a new transom in it, had it painted, and had a new interior made. I just never got around to putting it back together as other hobbies took over.
I sold it last year after putting a new transom in it, had it painted, and had a new interior made. I just never got around to putting it back together as other hobbies took over.
10-24-2023 | 01:20 PM
#28
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There is no "entry level" cat that is of good build quality. After running Lake Michigan, all my life and now LOTO extensively for the last four years, I can tell you that build quality shows up front and center on any boat that is run fast.
The best option "new" that I am aware of is going to be a Skater. You will still have potential "wood core issues that many have dealt with" or the Doug Wright designed 28' that Performance Powerboats now owns. Again, is 300K entry level? When I was new to boating, 300K might just as well have been 50 Million-"I had the same chances of obtaining both at that time (NOT)". A Doug Wright designed 28 just sold for 275K with twin 300Rs (boat was new "zero hours"). Again that is not what I would call entry level.
I have had several used skaters, Spectres, and smaller cats as well. If I was doing it all over again today, I would look for a 32 DW (maybe an ex-race boat conversion), a really clean 30' Spectre or 30' Skater with 400Rs. After having 4 stroke motors (for the amount of boating we like to do, and overall performance), two strokes are a thing of the past. Going a touch smaller would leave you with a 28' Skater and I would want 300Rs on it. Anything smaller then this would prevent me from being able to participate in many group runs and or allowing me to boat on the waters that I really enjoy. There is not a "entry level size cat" better suited for rough water then a 32' DW, or the 30' Skater.
If you are not constantly running rough waters and pushing your rig, then there are a couple other options.
Joe
The best option "new" that I am aware of is going to be a Skater. You will still have potential "wood core issues that many have dealt with" or the Doug Wright designed 28' that Performance Powerboats now owns. Again, is 300K entry level? When I was new to boating, 300K might just as well have been 50 Million-"I had the same chances of obtaining both at that time (NOT)". A Doug Wright designed 28 just sold for 275K with twin 300Rs (boat was new "zero hours"). Again that is not what I would call entry level.
I have had several used skaters, Spectres, and smaller cats as well. If I was doing it all over again today, I would look for a 32 DW (maybe an ex-race boat conversion), a really clean 30' Spectre or 30' Skater with 400Rs. After having 4 stroke motors (for the amount of boating we like to do, and overall performance), two strokes are a thing of the past. Going a touch smaller would leave you with a 28' Skater and I would want 300Rs on it. Anything smaller then this would prevent me from being able to participate in many group runs and or allowing me to boat on the waters that I really enjoy. There is not a "entry level size cat" better suited for rough water then a 32' DW, or the 30' Skater.
If you are not constantly running rough waters and pushing your rig, then there are a couple other options.
Joe
10-24-2023 | 01:27 PM
#29
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From: Bourbonnais, IL
That’s a great point. I tried to buy an entry level twin engine cat this Spring/Summer and insurance priced me out of the game. To use the boat six months out of the year max and pay 20K in insurance was just not going to happen out of principal.
10-24-2023 | 04:47 PM
#30
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From: Lees Summit ~ LOTO 10MM
Curious what model cat and power was 20k a year?
