again is anyone with a cat getting insurance WITHOUT the class?

You have several things going on here. First, you made that magic step past 26 feet. That's the invisible barrier for HP marine insurance. If you're under 30, don't own a home and have moving violations, you're chances of getting insurance have all but evaporated. The TM school is a blessing in disguise. The insurers want this because so many people who "thought" their years of seat time mattered and then proceeded to destroy expensive boats taught the insurers a lesson- people need operation instruction. You should thank them, not curse them.

Lastly, the next time you see someone operating a boat improperly or unsafely or with alcohol on board, remember to thank them for the situation you find yourself in right now. Every time I see one of those cop shows on TV where they're places like Havasu, I can feel my insurance rates going up.

You will not be a passenger and you wil have the best of times with a great learning experience. We are plan a trip in your neck of the town next month. Its a chance to jump aboard. Get certified, it last a lifetime, lowers your insurance and my save you alot of greef, money or life. Tres 352 266-1457 anytime.

Or you could go with a 34 Nordic cat instead and the school is included. Sorry I know that doesn't help. From what I have heard unless you have a lot of seat time in smaller cat or you had the Class you are pretty much SOL

You may want to try boat u.s. It has been since 2002 since I had a 25 Daytona with them, and alot has changed since then in the cat ins. market. It may be worth a call.

My buddy bought a 32 Skater with 575's 2 years ago and he did not need the class(maybe things have changed since then). He also did not have past high performance boat ownership.

You guys just dont get it! Everytime someone buys a cat and 2 weeks later winds up with a claim your all screwed Just keep letting these types of situations come to hand and soon there will be no HP insurance. Education is important, and if you want goverment legislation to enforce that then your going to hate it worse.Not everyone gets lucky.Maybe you guys all remember that Gladiator that went upsidedown in Miami and it was on the channel seven news, That owner was instructed to take our class and had arranged a date, later called and said we found insurance with taking a class,and they said after driving the boat they had it under control. Lucky no one got killed. But there was another claim driving up all our insurance rates. go figure.

I wasn't condoning not taking a class. I'm just saying that you can get insurance without taking it.

i've been a boater my whole life...from old checkmate starflight's with high hat merc's, glastron carlsons, 30 spectre cat, 353 fastec, 29 scarab and numerous fish boats as well...and i still feel that an actual test just like ya need for a drivers liscense and or motorcycle liscense is definately in need. luckily i havent had any accidents BUT would like to attend tres's school...unfortunately finding the xtra money is my issue which is why im boatless right now. AWSOMETHUNDER do yourself a favor as well as the others around you AND ATTEND THE SCHOOL. I purchased my 30 spectre from PROROC in Brick and Rolf and Francine wouldnt let me take delivery of the boat until i went out with him and ran the boat...

Awesomethunder, Have you called me yet or submitted anything online to my agency? If the boat is under 85mph like you say it is AND you are older than 35 years old, we can insure you as a first time CAT owner and you will not be required to take any boating schools.

On a side note however, I have heard guys that have been boating for 20+ years, take the course with Brad and Tres, then they come back and say that they learned things they never knew. No one can know everything about something and when you have never owned/operated a CAT (even if it's only 83-85mph), it is very different than a V bottom boat. If you can make the course happen, I would do it. Is it required to obtain insurance... not necessarily. Call me to discuss if we haven't talked already.