From V to Cat
 

Who has made the move from V bottom to Cat?
What was your reasoning and and now how do you feel about your decision?

After reading the August issue of POWERBOAT, and seeing the DCB 29 and Eticket 28, those seem like incredible rides.
How would those compare to say a Pantera 28 or Joker or Phantom in rough water. And I mean snotty 3-4ft seas.
I'm on the western sound, and its mostly 2ft chop and crappy traffic water, where one of these cats might do well.

Re: From V to Cat
 

I made the switch, and love the decision. I think my 31 American Offshore handles the rough stough great. To compare a cat to a v, in my opinion you have to add about 5+ feet to the v for the same ride, since the cat runs level and its running surface is like that of a 5'+ longer boat. Not to mention the unmatched efficiency of the tunnel. Its the only way to go in my book.

Don

Re: From V to Cat
 

I just made the move from a 35 Twin Step Cigarette to a DCB F-29.

After my Cig sold, I made a list of what my boating needs truly were.
For me, low freeboard (kids can see out :rolleyes: ), speed with reliable power, durability, and trailering ability were at the top of the list.
I also wanted something unique and well built.
Rough water handling (for the size) was also a consideration.

I ended up buying a 2003 F-29 with naturally aspirated 580 ci. engines that produce around 650hp. The engines are very tame, run very well on pump gas, and should be very reliable. They also idle well, do not load up around the docks or cover the transom with soot.

I just bought the boat, so I don't have enough hours in the rough stuff to be real comfortable yet, but so far I can tell you that for what I want it to do, this boat is GREAT!.
It handles up to 4' washing machine chop at LOTO very well, but when they get 5' or above as it did last weekend, I will miss the extra 6' of boat for sure. I also need to learn how to drive a cat through the rough stuff. :rolleyes: :D It's more the length and wieght of boat, not cat or V that detemines the ride, I am sure(given both well designed boats).

I also ran 118 MPH (with more left) with his very conservative and reliable power. You can't do that in a V.
Although I looked at 30 Eliminators as well, I don't think you can beat an F-29 for its looks, build quality, rigging quality, and uniqueness. There customer support is second to none as well, believe me!
If you have any questions, feel free to call any time!
John Fairleigh
620.874.4280

Here is a few pics from LOTO last Friday:

Re: From V to Cat
 

38' Scarab to 31' Chris cat on LOTO. Wanted to go 100mph.
Just keep it on top of the chop and it rides as well as the scarab did. Take your time learning, especially turning, and resist the temptation to drop the throttle suddenly. Oh yeah, ride a few and see how they launch off waves. They should come down fairly flat. My old OB eliminator came down tail heavy and was a bit scary.
Gary

Re: From V to Cat
 

That E-ticket is a really sweet boat. Kinda reminds me of the Donzi classics. I switched from a V to a cat and just love the difference. My 26' handles the loto water just fine. 2-3' rythmic Lake Michigan waves OK. Beyond that it's really not comfortable. What I have found is that you need to keep the air pack under the boat. With the air pack, the boat will just float over stuff. I've gone over some huge holes in loto and never felt them. The quirky thing is that boat will launch when you don't expect it either. The biggest issue that I have found is with insurance. Please investigate that before your purchase.

Re: From V to Cat
 

Good thread
Im selling my 25 AT and seriously looking for a 28 Skater. The insurance is an issue Im willing to deal with however the effect it will have on resale is a bigger concern.
Im keeping an eye on this thread and would like to hear the good and the bad reviews.

Re: From V to Cat
 

Yea Cord, that is what I was thinking... the "I" word.
But is it the speed and power that keeps the cat insurance high? or just because its a cat?
What would you guys think of the aforementioned cats w/ a single diesel?
http://www.marinedieselusa.com/html/tigershark.html
This 400hp version has over 650lb/ft of torque.
Engine specs

Re: From V to Cat
 

Summer Obsession: your boat looks great! Can I ask how much insurance you have to pay for the cat vs the cig?

This is good thread. Trailering and insurance is holding me back.

Re: From V to Cat
 

Summer, you have a small cabin in there?

Re: From V to Cat
 

Downtown:
Insurance is twice what I was paying for the Cig. From what I am told, my lack of cat experience and the speed of the boat are the main drivers for the cost. I hope that next year, having more experience, I can get a better deal, but I will probably have to switch companies.
I am told there are only two companies that will insure cats in my size range.
The only reason my insurand is even buyable is that I have a 7 month lay up period.

Re: From V to Cat
 

Not really a "cabin", but more a padded floor with two built in 50 qt ice chests and some deep "pockets" for stuff forward of the ice chests. There is more room than I would have thought, but no seats like an Eliminator.

If you look close in this pic, you might be able to see what I am talking about:

Re: From V to Cat
 

Tnks. Looks like a guy has some place to pass-out if need be. Those speeds are awesome. Hard to do that in a V unless money is no issue.

Re: From V to Cat
 

I doubt if you will ever get a break on the insurance. It's just plain high because it's a cat.

Storm-I believe that engine is based off the old GM 6.2 diesel. That was a OK engine in it's day, but it's not nearly as good as some of the other ones out there. Either way, I don't think I'd use one in a cat. This is from a big diesel finatic too. They're just too heavy and unresponsive. I think that a diesel would be awsome in one of the bigger V bottoms. To give you an idea, my modified Cummins makes around 450hp at the crank and over 800lbft of torque, but it weighs close to 1,000lbs-undressed.

Re: From V to Cat
 

I actually went the other way- from a 25 Daytona that I ran 125 hrs/3 yrs to my 28 Pantera which I've put 35 hrs on in 1/2 season. (best of 99 vs 78 with very similar power)

Overall, I miss my cat, it was cheaper to buy, faster, cheaper on gas, faster, faster cruise and yes, cost twice the amount to insure. IMHO, the insurance is a non issue- whine all you want, but the bottom line is the bottom line, when you add up all you spend on a given boat to have the performance, cruise and top end you want then the ins. is a small factor that is eclipsed by other issues.

I do like the Pantera better for "hanging out" better hatch for the bikini's, cabin is bigger. The Pantera is also more fun for the bigger snotty water (more than 2-3' chop) and launches and lands nicer. Part of that is to blame on the smaller size and more shallow tunnel of the 25' Daytona, when you land and run out of tunnel you may as well be landing a deckboat- hit's hard.

My wife really prefers the Pantera, cabin and was unnerved by the flat cornering which is cake once you are used to it. The V is very easy in the corners as it carves like a bike.

Another consideration- the cat is way nicer at speed in the confused slop, the v is heavily influenced hitting or landing confused water where there is more impact on one side of the hull, pitches more violently to other side. The cat is heavily neutralized by the air pack, and in the same conditions will settle left, then right, then neutral very quickly and without nearly the extreme range of motion/drama.

Re: From V to Cat
 

My thoughts on this are that I have been next to a Pantera 28 in rough stuff the owner of the Pantara races another offshore boat. After watching us he wanted a ride in a Spectre, he got it and then he took the wheel. Last I new his boats was for sale and a spectre was to be his next purchase.

spectrepowerboats.com
30'OB SPECTRE

Re: From V to Cat
 

I agree with this statement fully. :drink:

Re: From V to Cat
 

Cattitude,

I was waiting for your response.

Do you think the ride of the DCB / Eticket would have been much better than your 25 Daytona? or could you not say cause you've never been in one.

From you owners of the cats, who use them in the open waters... how do they handle the swells (6ft and larger rollers, not peaking waves), cuz I know the Vs love to shoot off and land softly off them.

Re: From V to Cat
 

Yes, more boat, but that said, my next cat will likely have a deeper tunnel like a 30 Spectre, 31 AO or even a 28 skater if I go OB (something to be said for the perf and relibility of two 300 OB's) The E-ticket seems deeper than the DCB, just from pics etc.

Re: From V to Cat
 

[QUOTE=Cattitude]Yes, more boat, but that said, my next cat will likely have a deeper tunnel like a 30 Spectre, 31 AO or even a 28 skater...[QUOTE]

So you are going back to a cat? or keeping both.
Lemme know when the 28's up for sale ;).

Re: From V to Cat
 

More than likely the Pantera will be around as long as my wife is :rolleyes:

Re: From V to Cat
 

2005 Marine Technology 44' Scism Cat

I am thinking in this direction. Opinions please.

Re: From V to Cat
 

Hydro... that is a mighty fine DIRECTION!

Let me know if you get it, I'll help you dial it in... I make a great ballast. :D

Re: From V to Cat
 

[QUOTE=Hydrocruiser]2005 Marine Technology 44' Scism Cat[QUOTE]


To quote a major influential boat manufacturer, "Scism may be the only manufacturer that can build a better boat than Skater". And yes, he included himself in that catagory! That said, I'd also suggest that you look at both Skater and Nortech. Nortech builds a really trick boat.

Re: From V to Cat
 

I pay $3500 a year for our T/S Gun, and I was quoted $7000. a year for a 29 with 525's. This would have been my fourth cat, so I don't think the experience was the issue.

I have had three DCB's and Dave offered me a killer deal on a new 29 to try to get me back into one of his boats. The insurance quote was one factor that made me decide not to switch back to a cat.

I also love my Gun, and except for the speed I don't miss anything about the cats I owned. I can take the gun anywhere in any type of water without worries, and I don't have towing issues with being wider than the legal limit.

I live in San Diego and have a house in Havasu so I boat in both the ocean and the lake. It would be hard to have a cat to do both with unless you start looking in the 36+ range, and then you have towing issues.

Re: From V to Cat
 

I cant see the pic of the Scism, but the 39 is one of my favorite boats right now. the 44 has a nice cabin and more seating, 2 things i dont really need though. I am looking to move up to a 36' + cat from my 28 pantera, which is currently for sale. i had one ride in a 28 eliminator at 100 mph and i was hooked on Cats.

Storm, if your looking for a 28 pantera here's a pic of mine. asking 70K
http://time4beer.tripod.com/pantera1.jpg

Re: From V to Cat
 

Anymore comments from Cat to V or V to Cat.
I know Im going to miss the amenities of the V and am putting lots of weight on the performance.

Re: From V to Cat
 

just look at them all... they all have something a little different to offer... I like the cabin space that the American Offshore has... one of the biggest.. for 31' and true tunnel... plus where are you going to run it... the true tunnels do alot ...alot better in the nasty sloppy stuff... but tend to hop a bit in calm water at certain speeds...
Don

Re: From V to Cat
 

*AMOFS WTF*

Looked at it in miami in 2003 before I knew what a cat was supposed to be. It didn't take long to realize they didn't realize the handling, quality wasn't the level of east coast boat builders are known for putting out. I guess the whole "you get what you pay for" saying is applicable to some cat builders.

However if you want low budget with dvd player and flat screen tv in a cat on a budget this is the boat for you!!! :D :D :D

Re: From V to Cat
 

Hydo, You can't go wrong with a MTI. I love my 42, as does my wife. It has more room in the cuddy than most vees, as well as Huge bath/changing room. There is no porpoise at any speed and I don't even have trim tabs. As for speed I will put these boats up against any with equal power. I just got back from SOTW and the only boat to outrun me in the morning with flat h2o was Dan's 36 skater with 1100+HP and the only one to beat me in the afternoon with 3's was Lances 40 Skater with 1300's.And Randy is one of the nicest guy you will ever meet.
ps, IF you want to save some $$ Mine is for sale as I am wanting a new MTI

Re: From V to Cat
 

For ride ,styling, state of the art cockpit and awesome speed the nortech 36 supercat is the choice. It is also affordable compared to the skater and mti, with 1150's cat runs in the high 160's and ride is incredible. the styling .scoops, and engine package is nothing short of perfect. If you want a top of the line cat and save 150-200 grand take a look at nortech

Re: From V to Cat
 

Ditto on the last reply. I now have the 50 Nor-Tech cat and its great. I handles great and for the size of the cabin, heat air fresh water it runs about 130 with a pair of detuned sterling 1050s. The 36 is actually almost 39 ft. and hanles the big stuff well. Im trying to figure out what 42 mti was tallking about at SOTW that no one was running with him, dont you have some teeth to pull? :) hehehehe.

Re: From V to Cat
 

Hey, Big daddy it's good to here from you. I agree that nortech is a lot off boat for the $. I was only talking about the boat and builder that I have the most experience with.However I do think you know what I was talking about in the run if not it should be in the video.What is the next run you are going to, what about Sarasota. It is a great run with pretty big water which your boat should love.Hope to see you there

Re: From V to Cat
 

:cool: Hehe, no explanation I was just trying to inflame your Trigeminal ganglion. Sarasota? Oct? I am thinking about it,are you? If I dont do that one then we are100% going to the Key west run.Hotel is already set up in KW and the transport of the boat also.Are any of you Okies keeping your boat in Fl for the winter, we are. Tell Delo(Chris to call me) . See ya :crazy:

Re: From V to Cat
 

Actually Delo called me last night to tell me about your post.We will definetly have crew going on the Key West run, did you book your stuff through stu. I haven't even looked at the dates, but always go on that one. Chris's boat is back at Nortech getting new motors built. He hopes to have it ready for Sarasota. We will be there in either his boat or mine or maybe both depending on the size of our crew.You should really try to make it. It is a great run with awesome boats. You could leave it down there for the KW run, Which is what Delo is doing. Oh, you should also book yours room for Sarasota ASAP Because the Hyatt fills up very early, they a 48 hr.cancellation policy. I already have these booked. Hope to see you there.

Re: From V to Cat
 

Once you go "kitty"........you never go back!!!!!!


Maximus

Re: From V to Cat
 

Big Daddy 42 mti, Call me and we will talk details. 734-634-0399. The new Great Lakes Nor-Tech Dealer. :rolleyes:

Re: From V to Cat
 

Take a close look at the Cat's center sponson. If it is flat as Eliminators is I would compare the ride to a Cat with a V sponson or a true cat without one. I had an American Offshore 26 and everybody said it was much smoother than most. I've been in 6'ers with it and yes it was a ride to remember. However if you like to DRIVE then it could get on top and fly. Scare the sh*t out of pasengers though.