FirstTime Driving Impressions: 53' Airborne Cat
10-04-2004 | 07:41 AM
#1
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From: Aurora Ontario
FirstTime Driving Impressions: 53' Airborne Cat
BIG!!!!! REALLY BIG !!!! This thing is a monster.53 x 12 feet, 2X 1200 cobras, 90 mph in 4 to 5 foot swells with 9 passengers aboard. Its probably as close to driving an aircraft carrier as I will ever get 
For an 18000 lb boat with two state rooms, an enclosed head and standing head room, it actually starts to feel light around 80 although it does have a tendency to porpoise , tunnel tab be damned. I feel that the X was probably a little high but thats something the owner and the rigger are still trying to iron out. The boat planes without any bow rise, it just starts moving forward and gains speed until it starts to pack air. We ran about 35 miles over 4 to 5 foot swells and you could hardly even notice there were waves. We were joking about serving wine and cheese at 85 but figured the crackers would blow away All in all I would have to say that this thing was one impressive wave stomping monster. Pretty sad really when I could drop my Eliminator right on the deck of this thing and have room to walk around it! The tunnel is big enough to take a small runabout head on and never even notice it went under you. Standing beside what looks like a TINY 700 cid Cobra and thinking that if I climb up a few feet, I will be able to see out of the engine compartment left me thinking about how really REALLY BIG this cat is. Cool toy but a little large for general use I think. Hell, the trailer for this sucker is 70 feet long 
For an 18000 lb boat with two state rooms, an enclosed head and standing head room, it actually starts to feel light around 80 although it does have a tendency to porpoise , tunnel tab be damned. I feel that the X was probably a little high but thats something the owner and the rigger are still trying to iron out. The boat planes without any bow rise, it just starts moving forward and gains speed until it starts to pack air. We ran about 35 miles over 4 to 5 foot swells and you could hardly even notice there were waves. We were joking about serving wine and cheese at 85 but figured the crackers would blow away All in all I would have to say that this thing was one impressive wave stomping monster. Pretty sad really when I could drop my Eliminator right on the deck of this thing and have room to walk around it! The tunnel is big enough to take a small runabout head on and never even notice it went under you. Standing beside what looks like a TINY 700 cid Cobra and thinking that if I climb up a few feet, I will be able to see out of the engine compartment left me thinking about how really REALLY BIG this cat is. Cool toy but a little large for general use I think. Hell, the trailer for this sucker is 70 feet long
10-04-2004 | 09:19 AM
#3
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From: Minneapolis, Mn, Usa
Re: FirstTime Driving Impressions: 53' Airborne Cat
PICS!
Sounds impressive.
I will never forget the one I climbed in at the Miami show a few years back
Sounds impressive.
I will never forget the one I climbed in at the Miami show a few years back
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This Cat is trying to keep up with the Big Dogs
This Cat is trying to keep up with the Big Dogs
10-04-2004 | 11:53 AM
#4
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From: Lake St.Clair MI
10-04-2004 | 12:01 PM
#5
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From: Houston, TX
Re: FirstTime Driving Impressions: 53' Airborne Cat
Lil Bill at Victory MArine had one a while back with some big HP in it he built. He tested it across the Galveston Bay. Water was around 3 to 5 footers. The boat CRUSHED it and just kept hauling ASS!
The boat barely fit between the docks to launch. Its an amazing boat. I think the one he had was owned by a guy in Louisiana. WHAT a MONSTER!!!
The boat barely fit between the docks to launch. Its an amazing boat. I think the one he had was owned by a guy in Louisiana. WHAT a MONSTER!!!
10-04-2004 | 12:11 PM
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From: Aurora Ontario
Re: FirstTime Driving Impressions: 53' Airborne Cat
Originally Posted by Nykamp
Was it rigged by Raymond Roberts in Can., if so he is a great guy and an awsome wrench. Steve
10-04-2004 | 08:23 PM
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From: oshawa ontario
Re: FirstTime Driving Impressions: 53' Airborne Cat
The crew went around and warned everybody anywhere near them parked in the marina that they were going to start the thing up and it was going to be VERY LOUD......good of them........I LOVED IT........but I agree with Airpacker..........Its a freekin' cool but ENORMOUS boat......really too big for around here...........doug
