Active Cats
 

I am considering making a move to a cat.
In my search I have stumbled on a Active Thunder 37' Cat.
I realize its not a MTI,Nortech or A Skater But they are out of my price range.
This one seems to fit my criteria of.
A Cat with a cabin.
A Cat that will handle New England seas.
A Stepped Bottom design.

Bob Morgan Built this hull in 1991. He told me the layup is heavy and it would be well suited
for rough water.

This is just a bare hull rigged for SSM5's.Must be completly rigged and the rear hatch is missing.
The hull is 37 feet x 12.5 feet wide. Whats this Hull worth? No trailer.
I realize its a rare boat which would hurt resale.
I have the power.
I have Arnesons.
Its a project and then some. But due to limited finacial resources it allows
me to assemble and rig a triple digit rough water Cat that meets my requirements.
I have rigged two other boats in my past. I am capable of glass work as well.

Please all you cat guys Comment and give me suggestions on this Hull
and the task I am considering.
Thanks in advance
Gerry

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

heres another one without power at Big Thunder Marine

http://www.lakeozarkboats.com/view_ad.asp?pid=1061

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

Gives me a better idea of what this ones worth.
Comes with trailer also. Most likely more then just a hull
Ill give them a call
Thanks

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

Caveman, I think the two pics are of a different co. The one you are looking at is I believe not an Active Thunder Cat, that Pat produced, they also look differnt. Jeff

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

Cave, buddy, you know I just went through all of this: $3 to 5,000 tops!!!!

Hatch and trailer will be north of 25g's. Rigging will not be cheap. A TNT, Big Thunder etc would have to rig and wire it to make sure it is right.

Be ready to drop 125-150 g's total or more depending on what is in the cockpit.

Most times on a project like that it is not ONLY the money that gets you. It is the time, aggravation and disappointments. :(

At the end of the day (hind sight is always 20/20) I should have bit the bullet and purchased a skater or Nortech.

Remember in heavy water there are five factors required in a boat:

Length
Strength
Weight
HP
Mucho Dinero

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

I am pretty sure that the white boat is an ACTIVE cat pre Active Thunder. The red boat is an active thunder 32 which as I've been told the bottom of a 32 Skater. I personally think I would go with the 37 what year is it. I believe the 37 is similar to an Express cat.

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

Interesting Bob Morgan gave me the lead on this boat. He mentioned something to the
tune of taking second in lake of the Ozarks in early 90,s However dont quote me on it.

Heres some other shots.

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

It does look like an express. I would have to see a photo of the cockpit.

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

The only cats/boats with steps back then were OE's. It probably is one. But again, a photo of the cockpit would clear that up.

Pic of rear deck of OE. There appears to be no gas tank in that boat either. More $$$$$$.

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

Like Expresscat 39 said..... Sometimes it's better to spend a few more $$$ up front, and get something that is proven to work.
Not sayin that you don't know what you're doin, but, be prepared to spend some big $$$, usually twice as much as originally intended, and some serious time and agrivation. This is a very big project, and if it's not done right the first time, you WILL regret you ever started it.
Just mt $.02 from what I've seen in the past.

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

Express I appreciate your honesty. If you remember I was looking at Express39,s
I know where there is one now for $65,000 complete 1985 no trailer. Myco quoted
me 14000 for trailer. It has 572,sNA.s with arnesons. It is turn key however I did not
fly out to look at it yet. Not to knock Expresses But Bob Morgan said it would throw fiber glass at ya in Big seas. Its a pretty good price though.
Ross Focht Jr quoted 128,000 to build me a new hull only I think its a 38 with a narrower
beam. Another good price but to much for me.

Oh yeah You got a serious example of a express cat. That I would love to have.
I have followed your project from start to finish. Its Awsome.
Im pretty sure I can build this for less then the #,s you are mentioning.
I have everything to build it.
I am fortunate to have the facility's to paint and rig it here.
Maybe Ill just double the budget to be safe.

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

Yes Thats what Morgan called it Active.

Sorry for the confusion

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

[QUOTE=10x]Like Expresscat 39 said..... Sometimes it's better to spend a few more $$$ up front, and get something that is proven to work.
Not sayin that you don't know what you're doin, but, be prepared to spend some big $$$, usually twice as much as originally intended, and some serious time and agrivation. This is a very big project, and if it's not done right the first time, you WILL regret you ever started it.
Just mt $.02 from what I've seen in the past.


This is why I posted it here. Please someone slap me upside the head :D
No seriously I beleave I can build it. Just need time and patience and Money.
Hopefully not to much of the latter.
Gerry

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

Mine was fully rigged. I allowed 70g's and ended up with 75g's over budget. Like 10X (Frankie) said, you get into a lot of unexpected things.

I know Bob Morgan knows his stuff and any boat, including a skater, MTI and Nortec will through glass at you if you run it long enough and hard enough. Some will just do it faster.

You think you have rough water go to Lake Erie. No boat was built for that washing machine. The west coast of Florida, get out the pontoon boat. A boat would last there forever as long as the salt or a hurricane didn't eat it.

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

[You think you have rough water go to Lake Erie. No boat was built for that washing machine. The west coast of Florida, get out the pontoon boat. A boat would last there forever as long as the salt or a hurricane didn't eat it.[/QUOTE]


Dont know about the great lakes but it gets pretty rough offshore. We boat around
block Island RI and Cape Cod, Marthas Vinyard MA. The Ocean can turn fast. If its Nasty I wont run in it. The APBA Races were up here not to long ago Typical Cape Cod seas. Broke alot of boats that year. They haven't been back since.


Heres a transom shot. dont have any cockpit yet.

The $150,000 you got in it isnt including engines and drives and transmissions is it.?
I got a complete boat I am stripping. Everything from trim cylinders
to mounts, pumps. Would it have cost you less if you had a boat you could strip?

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

If projects are what you like to do, Than that looks like a good one. But if your in a hurry to drive it and use it than realy think about it first because it will take time. I like projects and I see alot of posibility in that boat. If your into it and have the engines and drives ect that could be a sweet boat when done. I look at it and see like 3 different cool engine hatches in my head. But don't fool yourself that boat will take time.

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

What is the asking price on the hull??? I have a friend... and a few otheres that might be interested if you are not going to be interested in it.....


Ernie

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

you'll never get eth $$$ out of it you put into it. Take all yoru extimates adn double them.

When peopel told me that aabout project boats i was like "yeah right, HA!!!, you're on crack"

well i have about 30-35k if not more into my single engine 27' project scarab with a bravo and pretty small (550hp) power. I cna tell you it not worth anywher enear that.

Projects add up SUPERFAST especially if you aren't doign the work yourself. If you coudl do it yourself and have a year or more before you wnat to go boating i'd say go for it.

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

Why was it unrigged?

My hesitation would be in not knowing if the hull will work properly when it's done. Can you find another one to take a ride in? Does it lean in or out in turns?

If I was going to buy an unknown hull, I'd like to take a ride in one just to know if I would like the final product when it's complete.

Did you see the brand new 32' Spectre hull? How about the 36?
http://www.spectrepowerboats.com/
Good luck!!

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

Sweet ..do that thing up :evilb:

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

I agree... The owner told me it got repoed after It was sold, stripped and sat for years then he obtained it.
A ride in a one would make it all to easy. The Hull is 12.5' wide 37' Long with double stepped sponsons. I need to get the weight.

Rides in one like it...
Forget about it... Out of the question... It is what it is...
I think three of these Active cats were made this is# Three.
Morgan knows the hull very well. I called him to ask if he had any leads on a Rough water cat that needed...This is what he gave me.

There must be someone out there that knows this hull other
then Bob Morgan.

My opinion is with the 1000HP and the Arnesons I have available it could be worth
the time and money.

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

DO IT ..that things a blank canvas .. It would be a sweet piece all put together ..Do it do it :evilb:

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

He told me $ 65,000 I almost hung the phone up. then I stated shooting the sh@t
with him and I offered him my Hull in trade plus cash. (I made him an offer he couldnt refuse). Heck Now that were on the $$$ subject were your friends and yourself thinking
$20.000 like I was? If you have deeper pockets let me know Ill sell it...

This is one of those boats thats always worth more to Guys like me with the parts
to rig it and the guy thats selling it. :eek: :D

Gerry

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

65K BWAAAHAHAHA :eek: :eek:

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

Pantera1 Keep it up. I may need your help if your willing.
I always spend labor day on the lake in NH. Im at Piping Rock Resort in Wolfboro.
Not this year I will have it ready, but the following for sure.
I run the old Hustler32 up there. Last year got the decibel test, But blew a tranny
didn't make the test gotta reschedule for "05". the Marine patrol and I are on a first name
basis :D

Gerry

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

Always willing to help as long as I get a ride in that thing.. I love projects. That realy would make a sweet boat.. Is that your Hustler over at silver sands with the arnesons ?

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

you are gonna give him 20k plus your hull for that?

will he give you a tube of KY with it? cus at that price (plus your hull) he's giving it to you in the ass.....

i'd offer up 15k-20k cash, with no hull. You are gonna get beat up on resale even at that price for the hull.

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

it woudl make sweet ride IF it coudl be picked up cheap enough.

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

one more though. Does it have an interior? Any upholstery? if so and its in decent shape 20k would be reasonable.

If it needs an interior I stand by my previous comments.

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

Nice lines on that hull,it would be nice,but the $ factor is important tripps

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

I agree Puder on the #,s. It does have an Interior that is intact. Thats all its got.
No cockpit. I would like to keep this. Resale dosnt bother me.
Like Express39 said theres gonna be hidden expenses. Having the parts boat
is half the battle.

I just got a lead on someone who knows the hull from another member.
Will give him a call.

Gerry

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

At the end of the day, all it will be worth are the engines and arnesons.

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

No cockpit interior is LARGE $$. Not parts but Labor. Especially on the rear bench.



Labor, labor, labor = $$$$, $$$$, $$$$, :(

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

We want to rig a hull with experimental power.... and experimental drives.... now that I'm thinking about it ..... and experimental hull that no one really knows numbers on doesn't make sense..... by the way..... 65k seems way high.... I was like everyone else.... thinkng closer to under 20k.... well there are some hulls offered by luck strike in the jaguar thread.... they are not for sale, but LS says the owner is interested in selling them just not serious yet..... maybe they are an option for you also....

Ernie

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

Could this be a Bob Oetringer creation from the West coast of Florida? I think he bought the Active cat molds years ago when he was in Chicago.

Just a thought.

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

Many, many years ago...I bought a new 30' Chris*Cat hull only, and glassed on a flat top deck. Had custom fabricated aluminum perimeter bench seating with backrest railing installed with a nice aluminum swing gate at the center bow, for boarding. Bolted on a pair of new Merc 200's on brackets, hydraulic steering, etc. Installed & rigged a nice center-console with a large front jump-seat cooler set-up. Ran about 70 empty. Was perfect for it's intended use in the islands as a people mover/party barge. No offense but, I could see something comparable happen to that cat hull. Just my .02...Ed

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

I justed checked out your project. Nice. The labor of Love for sure.
This would be my third project. One of the steps I cannot complete is interior.
Cushings Foam And seweing aint my bag.
My last interior set me back $5000.00 that included
rear bench seat and sunpad as well as refurbishing bolsters. It was 80% custom built.
However Paint work, Glass work, rigging, Gauges, Electrical. I love it. Im figuring
year maybe two. Gives me something to do.

Heres some shots of the last project.

Took us a Month to Spray and prep.

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

Its all about Time. This cost me around 2000.00 in paint and materials.
Cant count the hours. There Free :D

One week of wet sand and buffing!

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

Your last project looks great!! Thats not what your trading with cash for the tunnel is it? If so I would rethink the cash part. Knock him down as much as you can. I can see your more than able to do the project. One thing I would check is the fuel tanks. If they are in bad shape and under the floor that project could be alot bigger. Good luck with it. It will look great when it's done. My personal thought is the tunnel is worth about 15,000 to 20,000 without a trade providing tanks and interior is good to fair. meaning if the seat frams are shot than you can't reupholster them and you don't have to cut the floor out to change the tanks.Kool project though

Re: Active Thunder Cats
 

dang caveman nice looking pain job there. if you have the heart and will power to do it go for it, just besure to get a good price on the hull first.