Would like to get opinions on which is better the transport 240svt cat or the shoalwater s23 cat. Would be doing lots of wade fishing in matagorda and crossing the rough lower Laguna madre in port mansfield I would also like to run offshore to troll for some kings and dorado and even go deep drop out of it ... Would just like some opinions or any feedback would be greatly appreciated !!! Thanks!!!
Tran cat or shoalwater cat
- Tags
- transport
Brady Mears
21 - 40 of 45 Posts
Joined
·
2,958 Posts
The Shoalwater Cat runs faster and gets better gas mileage than the Trans Cat. It also runs and gets on plane shallower. I've seen the Shoalwater Cats get up when not floating in mud without a whole lot of struggle. Don't know why it is but the Trans Cats just don't run as good as the other cats on the market. Maybe it's their weight or the hull design itself but a few guys I know with the 22 and 24 Trans Cats are a little disappointed in the speed and fuel efficiency. That being said the Trans Cat is built like a rock and is all composite and the quality of workmanship is fantastic and they rig them nicely as well. Shoalwater isn't as good of build quality but it's still good, not junky like Ultra Cat lol. Haynie Cat is another one you might consider, great hull and great service from Chris. None are going to be as good as a v hull offshore. On a 1 footer day it will work just fine offshore. Heck, guys take jon boats offshore on days like that so a large cat hull will do fine. Just have to find those really calm days. If it were me, I would buy the Shoalwater Cat over the Trans Cat based purely on performance but that's me. Take a ride in both boats and pick the one that fits your needs best. Neither one is going to do well in larger swells offshore like a v hull would.
just sold 23 sho cat that cat its just perfect boat only thing i didn't like about it is the speed thats it . was doing 50 to 55 loaded
it cross rough water with no problem .
goodluck
Joined
·
872 Posts
****, you just got that boat it seems like. What did you get to replace it?
yea sold it and was going with 21cat with 250 but i really wanted 300 on it
was not too happy with service from factory also
so i sold it
you have to pick the right dealer with these boats and not even try to call shoal water at all
right now im laying down i didn't really wanna say whats next but only SCB
have no idea stingray or recon yet
I'm just watching more and more combo colors no matter which one i go with will have 300 on the back
will probably see eric before end year
was not too happy with service from factory also
so i sold it
you have to pick the right dealer with these boats and not even try to call shoal water at all
right now im laying down i didn't really wanna say whats next but only SCB
have no idea stingray or recon yet
I'm just watching more and more combo colors no matter which one i go with will have 300 on the back
will probably see eric before end year
yea tran has nice boats and runs skinny and good service
i just look at it if you gonna spend 60k on any other boat i would just get a little more and go with scb and sleep good at nite and not worry about prop or service or finish or any other problems
thats just my 2cents from my experience with few boats
never saw any one crying on about scb or asking for a prop size
good luck with any boat you go with they all nice and do the job
i just look at it if you gonna spend 60k on any other boat i would just get a little more and go with scb and sleep good at nite and not worry about prop or service or finish or any other problems
thats just my 2cents from my experience with few boats
never saw any one crying on about scb or asking for a prop size
good luck with any boat you go with they all nice and do the job
Joined
·
248 Posts
I've run my 220svt 30 plus many times got beat up at times. Come to think of it I got beat up in 22 Aquasport. Not sure SW stinger but tran has 3 massive vertical stingers. I looked at SW n didn't like the storage up front. SVT you can store a 5 gal bucket for when you can't get to dock in time. I've taken waves over now and boat drains quick n Tran will put in larger scuppers. Consider raised deck for less water to store now you can be a semi submersible. Great boat to dive from very stable at anchor. I saw a BC of end of Port A jetties in 3's with 100 plus tarpon a couple weeks ago. Go with Tran for what you are wanting to do. Good luck fun process
It just seems to me with such a focus on offshore there are at least two manufacturers that make massive cats designed for shallow bay/offshore that would be much more confident in those conditions. Shallow Sports giant cat and Dargels giant cat seem to fit that bill so much better.
Joined
·
248 Posts
240SVT width 8'6" is not a massive cat??? Just lower gunnels that you don't necessarily need
Joined
·
240 Posts
Well after buying my Recon and having a Shoalcat it was well worth the wait!!
I will say if your wanting a Recon go and see Eric and at least get your deposit in and hold your spot in the production line! My wait time was right at a year.
owe yea its worth a wait and every dollar
thats gonna be last boat for me for a long time so I'm just taking my time to pick one of the two. for that reason i bought a10k boat so i won't rush and tell the wife i wish i bought a stingray lol
so i have 2 more month to think . but it sure helping a lot with boats he's posting on web . keep them coming eric lol
no more black white or dark gray that i kno
Joined
·
26 Posts
i just got my first stingray and it by far the best bought i have every been on... it goes plenty shallow for how i like to fish and it has great speed and just an all around great ride. I'm on the waiting list to get a recon but may just stick with the stigray because of the speed. i did not think i cared about speed but once i started going fast i just wanted to go faster...lol
Joined
·
535 Posts
I don't agree with the first part of your statement, unless your comparing apples to apples ... In order to accurately make that statement you have to get 2 boats as evenly matched as you can, horsepower and prop being the main factors and then run them and see. I'm sure as you can tell I'm running a Tran lol, I love it. I have a friend that has a Shoalcat, great boat for sure. I would love to put my SVT up against a evenly matched Shoalcat and have some fun ...
The second half of your statement is spot on ...
Cheers,
D.
Joined
·
240 Posts
Yes making the choice is a double sided sword! well since we live so close to each other next time i run to the bay or up to Lake Summerville i can see if your avail and you can get some seat time!
yea do that please . ill send you pm
thanks
Joined
·
240 Posts
SORRY!!
!!21 - 40 of 45 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
