How many different manufacturers can the outboard large cat market support? MTI, Doug Wright, Performance Powerboats, DCB, Mystic, Outerlimits, Nor Tech, Skater, Fountain, Eliminator, Interceptor Boats, AMP Boats, Hellkat Powerboats, Statement Marine, Spectre Powerboats, Valor Cat, Platinum Powerboats............these are all manufacturers of current offering 32'+ models that I can think of - and I'm sure I'm missing a few. What are your guy's thoughts? Do you think the market can sustain this many different manufacturers of 32' - 44' cats priced from $500,000 - $1,200,000 that run 130-140mph? It wasn't that long ago (20 years) that we only had 4-5 manufacturers of performance cats in total - including all sizes from 21' - 46', both inboard and outboard.

I think many question this as well. There are virtually only 2 performance type of boats being built these days. Outboard Cats and Center Consoles, The amount of performance inboard V bottoms and Cats being built these days is about .5% of the 2 other types.
The Outboard Cat variety is pretty interesting, there is a style and size for about everyone. Can there continue to be enough buyers to keep every brand in business, I personally dont think there will be enough buyers in the next 12+ months to keep all these manufacturers afloat.

That's a really interesting thought. I wish them all the best at the end of the day they're helping (currently at least) keep this sport alive. But really, how many differences can there really be between 20 of them? And every time a new one comes out its advertised a "game changer". I know the DCB's are drop dead gorgeous and rigged impeccably, I know the Outerlimits and Skaters are good in the ocean, but at the end of the day how truly different can 20 different versions of the same idea be? I hope Platinum does change the game. I hope they win championships and send everyone back to the drawing board. That would be extremely exciting and it's certainly what they're claiming will happen. I just have a hard time believing it particularly when their two loudest cheerleaders are boat salesmen, not racers.
Sort of reminds me of the current center console market. Then again, that seems to be booming.

This is a great question and I am sure you are right that some won't make it. I will say some of the ones mentioned build boats that are more specific then others. I would say that Eliminator has carved out a niche in the out west lake market. MTI is probably the leader in performance sales. Norttech trying something new quads and a cabin. DCB has amazing fit and finish and have a great following. I was always amazed how many brands and models of CC there was not to mention the sales #'s. I never saw the draw until I went on one and really enjoyed owning my 38 Mystic quad CC. To me the cat boat is the ultimate performance day boat. Fuel efficient and low maintenance not to mention being able to cover tons of ground quickly. They also ride really well up to 3' seas. CC are great to pack a ton of people on get out of the sun but not comfortable for passengers going fast. It does seem to be the new hot sector but not enough price difference in many in the middle to keep them all in biz. I looked at a bunch and found a few I really liked. I went to Mystic because had experience with them, I liked the user friendly cockpit design and they are know for their great rough water capability.

Johnny,

Something similar was once said about Bernie Little in regard to the Unlimiteds. And we see where that ended up.

Thanks. Brad.

I rig boats at skater, I gotta see what a DCB looks like in person now!

One might say they are not unlike SUV's and Center Consoles, they are a license to print money and if you are not offering one in your line up you are missing out.

Style and fit-finish is about all there is to seperate them. It's either a pair of 450's or 500's pushing them across the board so the performance playing field is relatively flat.

From my perspective, Mercury racing built some great motors which has opened up the market for larger catamarans. New catamaran technology is awesome. You can reliably run these boats in comfort. Some of the boat builders mentioned have some retirements coming. In one case the builder's proprietor is the boat maker.

If you look at the food business, major brands lost mojo while much higher quality smaller brands took over the category.
Similar story with auto manufacturers. Tesla took market share from different manufactures.

Never thought a pick up truck would be $104,000 either.

Fortunately those at the helm and in charge of the design / build are just that... well seasoned racers with build history. Hope all is well bud

Three years in the making, Platinum Powerboats of the Show Me state is the product of a collaboration of veteran offshore racers Scott Grants and Edwin L. Scheer, the former owner of Motion catamarans, and Grants who was a leading Motion dealer. The duo raced together in 1999 in the Super Cat Lite classes compiling an impressive string of victories. One of the Team Motion entries actually earned a world championship in Key West, Fla., that year.