I'v heard a lot about V Bottoms hooking and wiping out, but havn't heard much about that happening with cats.

There are fewer cats, that's why.....both types crash.

whos driving?

Canopy is the safest way to go, cat, bat or Vee.

www.reindlpowerboats.com

I agree Chris.

Non-step V is the safest. Then I would say toss up between step bottom Vs and Cats. I think you see a lot of cats going over cause they are running much much faster then the Vs on average. Although I have been over in a cat going just about a 100mph in calm water.

Both are prone to tripping waves and stabbing the bow, if you are driving beyond what the boat is capable of handling. Kevin Brown lost his life in the late 80's racing a 32' Skater without canopies, tripped a wave stabbed the next wave. I have also witnessed, first hand, in the early eighties a 27' Signature (straight vee) barrel roll coming around a turn in a race at Barnegat Bay, NJ - the driver was killed in that incident as well. I guess I still have directly answered your question, but it all boils down - driver, conditions od the water, and speed (common sense ****!)

I'm suprised to hear about blow-overs. I often wonder how these big Skaters like My Way and Jet Set hit those speeds without any close calls. I guess a wind speed meter would be handy.

That was Pat Patel and Doug Lewis that blew one over a few years ago while testing in the bay.

They had the indicator for the tunnel tab backwards. He thought he was bringing the tab up but instead it was going down and packing more and more air. I guess there is a limit....and they found it.

Old School Kevin Brown lost his life in a 32 skater WITH canopies. His canopy came off in the impact when his boat stuffed. I believe the canopy caused most of his injury.