Looking at cat hulls as second boat, question is 21 ft, 23 or 25ft all have different specs weight etc...I do realize each manufacture offer different option, but at the end of the day my concern is length performance. Like to hear +/- between the three which is better for running skinny, draft ride etc...second question top drive, elevated deck or standard which is better!
HTM
If you carry a lot of gear and/or a lot of people, you want the bigger boat. It will run just as shallow as the little boats (all else being equal) when empty, and will run much shallower than the little boats when both are filled with gear. On the flip side, a smaller boat will be easier to push off if you ever run aground, and will get better MPG.
I'm a big believer in elevated helm - let's you see much better what is going on in the shallows, helps you navigate around shallows, etc.
I'm a big believer in elevated helm - let's you see much better what is going on in the shallows, helps you navigate around shallows, etc.
CAT hulls
I have the 23 Shoalwater CAT. This is my 4th Bay boat. This is by far the best hull design we have been on. Gets up crazy shallow, runs even shallower. Also is very very stable. Will stay on plane at 10 mph. I like going bigger than smaller, but that is because we take alot of folks fishing and this gives us the room we need everytime. We have the 200 HO and I would not get a bigger engine. This 200 HO pushes us GREAT. Its really a personal preference what you want. The Shoal and Haynie have the better Hull design in my opinion... But thats my opinion, others will dis-agree of course. I like the speed and smoothness of these designs... Good luck
Why don't you just get an SCB and go faster and skinnier than the other go fast boats and not beat you to death in between. Wouldn't need two boats either.
Two boats
Why two boats cause I can! no scb is not the solve all of all boat! Scb is great boat but trying to determine the +- in cat hulls!
Why two boats cause I can! no scb is not the solve all of all boat! Scb is great boat but trying to determine the +- in cat hulls!
Stoner Cat
Take a look at the 23 Stoner Cat @ www.stonerskiffs.com. I have one and love it. PM me if you have any questions,
Take a look at the 23 Stoner Cat @ www.stonerskiffs.com. I have one and love it. PM me if you have any questions,
HTM
HTM,
You know my thoughts and we will soon have a 16, 20, 22.5 and a 23.5 built however you want and you can test ride all of them.
Whenever you get back.
HTM,
You know my thoughts and we will soon have a 16, 20, 22.5 and a 23.5 built however you want and you can test ride all of them.
Whenever you get back.
Cat hulls run almost as skinny as an RFL but don't beat you to death. They ride so much better than the flat bottoms. Most will run in 6 inches or little less and get up in less than a foot in mud. I would look at a 23 Shoalwater or the new 23 Haynie cat. Both are smooth riding boats and skinny running. Salt and Sol can't shut up about his 23 shoalwater cat LOL. they are good boats, Haynies are great too and both were designed by Mr. Haynie.
you forgot something, fixed it!Desperado Outlaw
surf to spit.... and everything in between. It'll take 5'rs at 50 plus and rides like a caddy going across midbays!
OH,, I know of a die hard cat man that's fixing to go Mono... humm,,, will he ever stick his head out and admit it! lmao! :rotfl::cheers:
fattyflattie, I will be in Port A this weekend if you would like to ride in my SCB, it might make you think the SCB is the end all be all. There are a lot of great boats designs out now but a great design does not mean the finished product is great. One of the reason I went with a cat hull is the amount of deck space. The reason I bought a SCB is the performance it will achieve with a 175 motor it is a 22'10" boat.
saw a new cat at Kroll's the other day, it is being built up near Orchard TX
looks interesting, big too.
looks interesting, big too.
HTM how much does your boat draft and how much water does it take it to get on plane in? Not starting any argument by any means I just have always wondered what the real world numbers were for that boat.
Compare
Honestly 6 to 8 inches tournament loaded....now understand same as scb each l&b are different due to custom designs my l&b hull weight is 962. But the avg is 950. As far as plane u should know better it all depend on prop! So do u really want me to answer that question how much water does it take to get on plane! If u need to know My boat can get up 12 in of water pending prop I can swap props n get up in 17 in. I took a demo ride in scb just like yours but still on the fence....to be honest if itwasnt for Eric I wouldn't even consider them! I am doing my home work, example been in RFL with a trp but majek customer service is not what it used to be! Heck I may just get a hells bay just don't know that is why posted the question looking at cat hulls but may go with flat bottom hull
Honestly 6 to 8 inches tournament loaded....now understand same as scb each l&b are different due to custom designs my l&b hull weight is 962. But the avg is 950. As far as plane u should know better it all depend on prop! So do u really want me to answer that question how much water does it take to get on plane! If u need to know My boat can get up 12 in of water pending prop I can swap props n get up in 17 in. I took a demo ride in scb just like yours but still on the fence....to be honest if itwasnt for Eric I wouldn't even consider them! I am doing my home work, example been in RFL with a trp but majek customer service is not what it used to be! Heck I may just get a hells bay just don't know that is why posted the question looking at cat hulls but may go with flat bottom hull
HTM, The reason I asked you stated 21-25 cat hulls in your first post. The difference between 21-25 are huge I thought you might have bought some kind of scooter. I think one thing you will really like is the deck space on a cat compared to your L&B. The build quality of you boat is going to make it hard for you to choose a second boat unless you can live with a rolled gunnel(most Texas built cat boats are rolled gunnel)I myself could not. Keep use updated on what you buy. Good luck
If a 20' would work, you really should go ride in a 200SVT I think everything about the boat and the price would impress you. Dealing with Donnie and Frank Tran is unlike any dealings you will have with a boat dealer. It is pleasant to say the least. Not pushy and no pressure they let the boats speak for themselves. If you want a 22-24 do yourself a favor and wait, they are working on a new cat in that range.
Htm, What you doing in Dubai? Work for Shell of Cameron?
All, what most fail to ever realize is that our cats that we use for the flats are different from say a World Cat. Why? because they have a lot more bow on those boats so read what they say and reduce it. Why? There is a function of diminishing results from our cats. I have been on just about all of them. I don't want to come across as a know it all, but how else do I tell you I have done it and save you lots of time on your research? Anyhow, I have extensive time in a Shoalwater cat and a Tran Cat and SCB. Not the Stingray but 2 different F-22's.
So, Eric's hull is different than the existing Shoalwater, Tran, Flats etc.. Cat. His is a true air entrapment hull, has sharper lines, and has a center pod adding lift to the boat at speed. The traditional cats do not. But, bottom line and here is where most fail to put the science behind it, all these boats have to be making a substantial speed for the comforts of the "cat" definition to be beneficial. Yes they will eat up typically what most consider a good chop, 2'. BUT, you have to have B*LLS because it's going to be a ragged trip getting there and you are right on the edge as race car drivers put it. It is amazing the difference and is night and day in ride quality once you get over the "hump" so to speak.
In a tran and similar existing hulls that seems to be about 43 mph. Oh course that is an average and depends on weight and placement of such. With a SCB, it seems to really flatten out above 50. Of course a lot depends on trim once you get there. This is a LENGthy subject and I will cut it short, But in the end, a cat will outperform a v hull up to a certain point then diminishing results will start. That is because boats will launch, boats will land, just about all inshore v hulls that are considered a flats type of boat have a flat back so they are going to pound unless you know how to drive a boat like an offshore racer. So, a cat will be smoother until a V hull has to power through it and then it needs a keel to really smooth it out.
Surface area is key to draft, so a cat wont float as shallow as a 25' majek unless it has a shallow tunnel, and then it is a hybrid and wont perform like a cat, it will only turn better. Ideally, a boat will be light, have lots of surface area, have vents to allow it to break the suction at speed like a big fountain and reduce friction, yet still have some way to break waves with some kind of big bow or multiple bows in case of the cat. Does one exist? I say no. You go fast, you go shallow, and if your trying to maximize between the two, the speed of the SCB surely ranks it higher than any existing flats boat until you get stuck the first time and try and push it off. Then you will kick yourself hard and many times for not having a big wide flatbottom.
Sure the Trans and Shoalwaters are shallower than the scb but you lose some efficiency of the hull so it is slower but faster than a flatbottom.
Take it back, want the best boat for all applications? Make a hovercraft custom and following that would be an airboat. no if ands or butts!
All, what most fail to ever realize is that our cats that we use for the flats are different from say a World Cat. Why? because they have a lot more bow on those boats so read what they say and reduce it. Why? There is a function of diminishing results from our cats. I have been on just about all of them. I don't want to come across as a know it all, but how else do I tell you I have done it and save you lots of time on your research? Anyhow, I have extensive time in a Shoalwater cat and a Tran Cat and SCB. Not the Stingray but 2 different F-22's.
So, Eric's hull is different than the existing Shoalwater, Tran, Flats etc.. Cat. His is a true air entrapment hull, has sharper lines, and has a center pod adding lift to the boat at speed. The traditional cats do not. But, bottom line and here is where most fail to put the science behind it, all these boats have to be making a substantial speed for the comforts of the "cat" definition to be beneficial. Yes they will eat up typically what most consider a good chop, 2'. BUT, you have to have B*LLS because it's going to be a ragged trip getting there and you are right on the edge as race car drivers put it. It is amazing the difference and is night and day in ride quality once you get over the "hump" so to speak.
In a tran and similar existing hulls that seems to be about 43 mph. Oh course that is an average and depends on weight and placement of such. With a SCB, it seems to really flatten out above 50. Of course a lot depends on trim once you get there. This is a LENGthy subject and I will cut it short, But in the end, a cat will outperform a v hull up to a certain point then diminishing results will start. That is because boats will launch, boats will land, just about all inshore v hulls that are considered a flats type of boat have a flat back so they are going to pound unless you know how to drive a boat like an offshore racer. So, a cat will be smoother until a V hull has to power through it and then it needs a keel to really smooth it out.
Surface area is key to draft, so a cat wont float as shallow as a 25' majek unless it has a shallow tunnel, and then it is a hybrid and wont perform like a cat, it will only turn better. Ideally, a boat will be light, have lots of surface area, have vents to allow it to break the suction at speed like a big fountain and reduce friction, yet still have some way to break waves with some kind of big bow or multiple bows in case of the cat. Does one exist? I say no. You go fast, you go shallow, and if your trying to maximize between the two, the speed of the SCB surely ranks it higher than any existing flats boat until you get stuck the first time and try and push it off. Then you will kick yourself hard and many times for not having a big wide flatbottom.
Sure the Trans and Shoalwaters are shallower than the scb but you lose some efficiency of the hull so it is slower but faster than a flatbottom.
Take it back, want the best boat for all applications? Make a hovercraft custom and following that would be an airboat. no if ands or butts!
Sweet.... BTW, I would guess that torrent boat, in part, is designed off the original plans by albert Hickman which made a cat in 1914. I say in part, because it utilizes the reverse v into the sponsons. Anyone remember the Laguna Tiger Mike Mills put out? Nice change, bet rides like a tran/shoalwater laguna tiger hybrid. Cool...
I agree with Lwgbully, iahve ridden on the two different SHoalwater Cats, Hell I had cash to put down to Gene to have one built, the shallow water capabilities were awsome until I asked for an open bay demo, that boat cannot even compare to the 20' Lake and Bay as far as rough water ride, Lake and Bay is much much dryer and smoother. I read all these posts about how the Cats eat the chop, but in reality they are just mediocre i rough water. But I have not been on a boat that does it all yet, I thought the shoalwater 23 Cat was that boat but I was disappointed. It is a great boat but does not do it all.
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