Who's made the switch from V to cat?
 

I've got a bug up my ass about making a change. Lately I have been mysteriously drawn to looking at cats. Besides the speed diff., how do they handle rough, snotty water, such as swells and chop beam side. My Sonic is great in rough water and I have no idea what a cat would feel like. I guess to answer my own question would be to ride in one. But any experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks

I raced V bottoms 32 hustler, 40 hustler, then I moved up to a 40 skater.

WOW what a diff. a fellow racer put it this way. Do you see any of the rich old guys racing V's.

They are faster in all water conditions, and a better ride.

Once you ride in a cat you will not go back to a V.

Curtis
Team Yahoo

I'm curious about this one also as I just bought a smaller cat and I've always had V's. I cant believe people aren't eating this one up. I thought for sure it would get a lot more replies. Anyone?

i made the switch also... i now own a 31 american offshore. i will not be switching back thats for sure. the speed and ride are untouchable by a v bottom boat.

do yourself a favor and buy a cat..

Don

Kendall,

Anytime you would like to ride in my little cat you are more than welcome. Once you get to the 28 30 or 32 range it becomes a WHOLE NEW WORLD! Once you switch, you are done!:) The ride and rough water capabilities are extraordinary.

MEOW !

I'm making the switch from a 35 fountain to a 36 Nor-tech supercat:cool:

I have always been a v guy and really like them. But, after a few rides in different lenght cats and having driven one, I can say that cats ride better in all water conditions versus similar sized vees. The cats are unbelievable. You won't have the interior room in a cabin, regardless of the cabin design in a cat, but you'll get terrific speed and awesome handling.

If it's not a CAT it's a DOG!!!!!!!!

although im currently looking for a bullet or formula im curious what minimum length cat can handle Loto?

loto... i would get at least a 30 or so...
get twins.. so you don't have to have nasty power to run on top. easily
Don

My 26' does pretty well in LOTO. A little bigger would be nice at times, but definetly not a requirement. Whereas a V bottom will go through the snot, the cat just goes over it.

whats the deal with the 28 profile cat?
they seam cheap compared to others.

Although all of these boats are out of my reach at this time, I did do a little research on the Profile products. As a group they offer a great value for the $. The 28 looks like a hell of a deal at Randy's factory direct prices. I've never seen the boat in person and I'm not sure how deep the tunnel is, but it looks to offer a lot of bang for the buck. He'll option it any way you want it. From what Randy said, he'll be coming out with a 35' or 36' cat very soon. I'm sure this will also be a real bargain. I don't think either boat is a Skater, but look at the $$$.

I have been thinking of switching to a cat also. I went out in a 30 Eliminator w/ procharged 500efi's, aside from mind blowing speed. It rode great, in a streach with some chop we were doing over 100mph and it was smooth, I mean real smooth. I won't be upgrading for at least a couple of years but I am already looking at the 30-36 foot range cats. My only real complaint is not all makes offer a cabin a must for me, got to have a love cabin:D also I love standing when I drive, and most cats are sit only:rolleyes:

WILL:p

Check out the 30' HTM. Stand up bolsters and a pretty big cabin. TV, sink, stove, big sitting area.

Cats are where it's at !
I love the big V's but no one can argue the advantage of a GOOD cat . I had a 40' Formula and went to a 39' express cat . It's not a skater but it's a lot better then a V ! The ride and speed can not be matched by a V of equal power . I would say the place to START looking would be a 28 Skater . Any other brand ,at LEAST 30' . And like anything else ,the big the better .

There are tons of good people at the Jersey shore with nice cats . All you have to do is ask for a ride and you will get plenty of help . (MIne is apart till spring sorry) .

Cats are a VERY strange thing to drive after a V. They feel so loose ,that you think you have no control . It's not that bad ,it's just different then what you know now . DO NOT buy one without driveing a couple and realy thinking about which one you want . SOme have little or NO cabin . Others have plenty of room . Also most cats are sit down boats with low freeboard . MIne is real high sides and you can actualy stand and walk around at 70 mph or more . (Not the driver ,of course:p )

IF you still need a ride by spring , let me know . I'll take you out . Joe

Went from a 25' V to an Ocean Express 26' with twin 250 outboards........... It is a whole different world, way better on fuel, ride, speed. It just takes some seat time to get used to 'em. I really love that thing !!!;)

pure Engery,

You have asked a great Question. My decideding factor on buying a cat was money. I wanted a boat that would run 90mph all day. I looked at many v's but you can not get a good V for under 65,000 that would run 90. If you are wanting a good cat buy a 24 or 28 Skater. Wait till the new 30 Skater comes out maybe the prices will drop on the 28's.
Good Luck

I used to be a tried and true V hull man myself. I loved driving in rough water in a stand up bolster and the cabin room.

I never really liked the smaller low profile cats. A cat in general just never seemed like a real boat to me. That was untill I made the switch from V to cat about a year and a half ago. I dont think I have rode in a v hull since and I dont really care to....

I wanted the docking ability of twins, a decent size cabin and one big enough that I did'nt have to hear the wife scream about the lumps and bumps anymore.

I now have a 1985 30' Chris Cat with enough power to run over the century mark and I absoutely LOVE it!! The best of all, is that I dont hear the wife #it@h anymore.:D

Once you own a cat, you cant go back.

So, get into a cat, sit down, lean back and enjoy the ride.... You will never regret it.

Pure Energy, you live in New Jersey. Come down to LBI and take a ride this weekend on my 36 Spectre. 140 MPH all day over just about anything. You'll be buying a cat Monday. Otto

36spectre will give you a ride :rolleyes:

Hang on to you hat ! :D

Hey wait ! Wheres my ride ?

How's it going Otto ?

.....

Pure energy
 

I'm glad you asked that question. I've been wondering the same thing and want to make the switch. All my "bunch" have V's so I've never the chance to ride in a cat. Check out this thread on Vs vs Cats http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...threadid=58998 Can you take the hint Merlin540?

IF you purchase a Cat.you are going to have to learn how to drive it. It's Not a Bost that you can just jump into and say wow lookie here i can go fast and not hardly ever feel a wake again.the turn's are much differant than a V. and travimg at over 120 mph & faster.. you just don't say lookie here guy's & girl's let me show you a quick turn. if you do we'll read about you here in most cases. Buy It You will Love it.!!

Gezzzzz lookie at my post i can't even spell BOAT right. that does spell B-reak O-out A-nother T-housand

Hey Joe. You know that you're always welcome for a ride.Otto

Shane, next time I see you on the river I will definately take you up on that!!

36Spectre, next time I am down there I will take you up on that ride too. I'll be sure to bring an extra pair of underware!!!!!!

Thanks

i love the Vhull but when i went on a cat for the 1st time i was amazed. 108 mph was awsome. Seemed smooth to me. If u like speed..go with the cat. The owner of the cat wants to go BACK to a V(i think)....go figure.

Does he want to trade??

Many people on the board are much more knowledgeable about the history of the marine industry than I am.

Few people will argue that Don Arronow (sp) was a gifted hull designer (Magnum Marine, Donzi, Cigarette, Formula). Once people who were buying his companies figured out that once they bought the company, he would create a new one to compete, I heard he had to sign a non-compete.

Surprise, the next hull design he came out with was a high speed cat (US Offshore of something). I believe they had a narrow tunnel compared to today, but they were Don's next insight.

Had a 30' V, just bought a 36' Spectre Poker Run Edition. It has been the best purchase I have ever made in regards to boats. The wife is much happier due to the nice ride, plus no wind tangling up the hair with the canopies. We had the boat out in the pacific on sunday, 2' wind chop and 3-4 foot swell. The boat rode like it was on rails, unbelivable. No bouncing up and down, and side to side. Just a smooth solid ride. I was a tried and true V bottom guy, got a ride over memorial day weekend in a friends skater at alittle over 130, then bought the spectre. We will never own another V again unless it is a large ocean crusing yacht. Gotta Get A Kitty, Just look out for the insurance!!!!!!!

Hi Ken:

I drove a 31 American Offshore cat at about 80 MPH through Miami earlier this year, liked the ride but did not like the cabin compared to the Sonic. I have been through some awful storms in the Sonic and I still can't believe a cat could handle ten foot breaking seas like the Sonic can.

Hope you had a good time on Block Island and a safe trip back from Block Island in the fog. Hyperfishing was on our way to Martha's Vineyard but did not like the fog, so we pulled in for the night at Block. The next day there was no fog and we had no problems getting to Edgartown, M.V.

We really enjoyed a nice walk on Block two right turns up the road from the Hotel Marina. Stone fence sheep meadows all over the place, thought we were in Ireland!

Cheers,

Chris

psssssssss
 

Wish I had a kitty!

;) ;) ;) :D