Cat Question
 

Newbe here! I just tripped onto your site. Very nice! I'm in the process of looking for a used cat for use in Long Island Sound and a little fresh water lake usage (maybe once a year). Unlike many of the members here, I have a very limited budget of around $30,000 for my new toy. I'm very handy and I don't mind a project.

I see PROROC marine in NJ (proroc.com) has a basket case 1980 30' Cougar Flight w/ 502's (465hp) and #2 speedmasters. I called about it and I was quickly shuffled away from it. I sent them an email requesting more pictures and info, but I haven't heard back from them. Anyone know anything about this boat or its type? Speed?

I've also found a 1993 26' Cougar CAT Offshore w/ twin new Optimax 200's (OB's) on it. Kevlar hull, all new gauges, cables, interior and gellcoat. Sharp boat. I think I can pick it up for $20,000, which looks like a great deal. Doesn't sound as cool as twin 502's, but it needs nothing and it's super efficient. I'm just concerned that the boat is to small for ocean use. I see 2-3 seas on a regular basis and I have no cat experience, but to me a 26' cat sounds marginal for my application. The sponsons look pretty deep for a 26' cat so maybe I'm wrong.

I'm hoping some of you can point me in the right direction. I'd love to have a 38' cat with 800's, but it isn't going to happen on my budget. Also, if anyone knows of other boats that might be of interest to me please let me know! I haven't ruled out 29' - 34' V's either, but everyone has one of those... and maybe there's a reason for that!

TIA,
Scot

Hey don't forget to check on insurance FIRST as many small cat owners are finding out its not cheep I'm not trying to scare you a way but jest be aware it could be a fackter.;)

Thank you guys. Here is the info on that 26' cat. It was on ebay under item # 2428876258. The seller has agreed to accept $19,750 for boat and trailer. What do you think?

I still haven't heard a peep from the place in NJ. I'd be a little p.o.'d if that was my boat being brokered.

Look for a used 24 Skater with new or rebuilt outboards. It will run better than you think and be both easy on the wallet and keep its value. With 2-3 foot seas you'll be fine in that boat.

If your planning on running the ocean, my money is on length!!! I have a 26' vhull and run off Jersey and Maryland and I get beat up.... I don't know the first thing about cats, but I know once your out the inlet, the boat seems to shrink in half when going up against the seas...... I'm trying to move up bigger just for that reason... and more accomodations... If your going out to the ocean... bigger is better!!! Good luck!!! Your in the market at the right time... used boat prices are WAY down!!! I can't believe what boats are going for....

A 26 cat is NOT the right boat for the ocean. I run a 25 daytona and anything over 4 foot is down right nasty to run through. 3 to 5 foot swells would make a nice launch ramp but the landings could be kinda hairy.

The Cougar Cat at 26' is a good rough water boat. They are built in England.
Does any one remenber the old old Ballistic boat (I think). They were competitive with the Skaters and the Spectre's & Motions in there day the early days(late 80's-early 90's)

With the 200's it should run 80-85. To go faster you will need some low water pickups to raise the OB's.

For 20g's you won't go wrong if it is like you said and is running GOOD.

Good luck

So I'm getting mixed signals about this 26' Cougar. I realize it's not a 40' ocean monster, but will it be okay for the 2'-3' rollers I see in LI sound? This boat looks to have a pretty deep tunnel w/ tall sponsons and no center pod. Won't this give a better ride in the crap compared to the shallow hi speed tunnels?

Have any of you looked at the boat on ebay using the search # I gave above? I'm not trying to justify it in my mind, but for $19,500 I'm not sure how much more boat I'm going to get. I'd love for a couple of you cat guys to take a look at it and give me some feedback.

TIA!
Scot

Do Not compare the Cougar with an Eliminater, Talon or a American Offsore 25 they all have a center pod not a true tunnel. From what I was told and have seen with I/O setup. That will beat you up bad.

thers a chris cat in ft lauderdale in the boat trader, 454 with trs drives, graphicsbut needs interior and could use paint

ss930 check you email

This one?

Wider beam then yours Cat.

For that price the cougar is a GREAT boat especially with fresh power. It is plent big for 3 footers. Ballstic did run good, it was a Express cat, owned by James Sjed of Virginia.

Ryan,
I talked to Scott tell him on the optimax setup please.
Drives water pu etc.

Thanks

If the waves are over 2 feet and you can't cruise over 50 mph, you don't want a cat . The flat bottom will hit the waves and hump you to death. This will happen even in a 36 Skater!

HEY SS930...I'm with EMDRIVER on this one!!!...If it is AS DESCRIBED & pictured, that is a hell of a buy for a boat that WILL handle some pretty fair sized water...It IS a tad cramped & insurance might be a little high, but you will probably pass MOST of the guys that hang out here in just about ANY water with a little seat time...It also looks to have all the "good stuff" already...Have someone that knows what he's doing look it over for you (RYAN BECKLEY maybe???) with a promise not to buy it out from under ya!!!...lol...:D ...Nice pick for a neophyte...;) ...

I'd still say that the 24 Skater will run as well if not better than anything in that category. That boat will run as well as a 28 foot vee bottom and will run well in the seas you are describing.

I dunno which year it was but there were some problems with some of the early opti's Mercury even dicontinuted them for a short time. As far as the hull as long as it is strucrly sound this is a great buy and an excellent choicce for a first cat. There used to be a bunch of these as race boats, Couragous Cat, AirRide, Cat-U-Later, Battle Cat and others. I've seen them with twin v-8's and twin and triple v-6's. I am SURE if you survey it it is a GREAT deal.

What year is that Cougar??? It may have been made in Fla during the early 80's. Mine is an 83 and is built like a brick sh!thouse. Brownie here on the board was with the company back then and may be able to shed some light also. As nice as that boat looks it is a deal if the hull checks O.K.

And the 01 Optis should be fine. Not exactly high performance but real good motors.

Just don't do this:

my cat will take 4'-5' with ease not backing out of the throttle cruising at 80mph not a problem at all but any thing over 5' you relay have to pay attention best of luck to ya on what ever you decide

I looked at a 84 cougar 26 before I bought my skater. It can handle big water but they are heavy as hell and they have no room . Take a 4x8 sheet of plywood and stand inside of it. This is how much room you will have. Look for a 24 skater you can't go wrong.

Ryan Beckley, I sent an email to you but don't know if you got it. anyway I am looking for the mercury racing logo file to output to a vinyl cutter. I was wondering if you have it, or a custom version of it. I have made a couple custom versions using the software, but I thought I would try to get the real one, before I put any new decals on my cowlings. Thanks, Darren

Thank you all for the feedback! The seller has accepted my offer. I don't think I can find anything better bellow $20,000. Yes the cockpit is SMALL and CRAMPED, but I want it for toy, not a hotel room.

Skater guys,
I've looked into the 24' Skaters. Very nice boat, but even shorter than this Cougar and if anything I was looking for something longer than 26'. The 24' Skaters are a little pricey for me and I don't think I can find one in this condition with new power for $19, 750. I do realize they hold their value very well, but I can't see me losing any money on this Cougar either.

Insptech,
This Cougar is a 1993 hull. It's a kevlar hull with what the seller describes as an internal structure. Not one stress crack anywhere on the boat. Seller claims it's a little heavy for a kevlar boat, but solid as a rock. He said the boat could easily handle much more power. He also mentioned an identical hull that has 3x225's on it and not one stress crack. Sounds very solid. BTW, I don't have access to your link you posted yet (I'm a newbe remember?). My membership will take up to another 24 hrs. If you can paste the http I can go from there.
Oh ya, I'll have to look for Brownie for more info.

Thanks again guys, if any of you come up with any other info on this rig or the Cougars... please post!

Scot

HEY SS930...Congratulations on your new purchase!!!...May it bring you many years of fun & trouble-free ownership!!!...You are now an official member of the B.O.A.T club!!!...You do know what B.O.A.T stands for...Break Out Another Thousand!!!...;) ...lol...HAPPY MOTORING!!!...:cool: ...

Good Luck with it, you'll love a cat once you get some seat time............... I have a 26' Ocean Express that runs in anything ( at the right speed of course! ), the good part about having a true tunnel boat (no pod) !!!!!!! Be sure to get a good capsule jacket and wear you teather. Have fun, Bill.:D