Cats perform way beyond marginally than flat bottoms.

Indeed. I don't know why people say things like that when they really have no clue.

TH

 

I've never been on a Dargel, but would like to see feedback on somebody that has been on both a 23 Dargel and the 24 El Pescador.

 

If they come come to the Rock the Dock I will let you know. There are none that I know of where I fish.

 

I'd like to see the new Gulf Coast 25' Saber cat in rougher water to see what it does.

 

Yeah I would too. Good looking boat, but looks like it could be a little heavy though.

I think those Dargels are probably the top big cats right now. The El Pescador is super nice boat but I've heard the bounce a little.

 

Are we talking about the El Pescador "Classic" cat or the newer 24Cat? Can't speak for the Dargel but can say from experience a Haynie SC handles rough water much better then the El Pescador. Hole shot, handling and speed goes to the the EP.

 

I have a Transcat SVT 22, and I am more impressed with that hull every time I take it out - shallow water and rough water capability. Like has been said here many times "quartering" the waves make all of the difference in the world. I have found that when I cross east or west Matagorda on a windy day that I tack it back and forth just like a sailboat - you travel further just to keep from hitting the waves head on.
But as much as I like the cat hull, it can't compare to the ride of my older XLR8 true v-hull. IMO you are still giving up a lot of rough ride capability when you go from the V-hull to the cat hull.
Everything is a trade off...

 

I have the SVT 240 . I think the extra 2 ft really makes a difference . Even though a V hull may have a bit of advantage, I think the SVT does EVERYTHING really well . My buddy has a 25' Dargel and that boat is a beast . I can however handle the rough stuff almost as well as he does, and he concedes that my boat drafts shallower and jumps up shallower than his after we helped push him off into deeper water on the back side of Contee lake .

 

So quartering the wave is key. Anyone have suggestions on where cat hulls like the motor trimmed for big waves?
Do you want to try and keep the bow up some to get over the wave?
Also best times to throttle up or down?


I've heard with V hulls (and not sure if correct) but you want to trim those down so the V hull cuts through the wave a little ?

 

I have a 2010 23 Schoalwater Cat Hull. I have a 300 ETEC I don't get stupid and I have a great hole shot not goosing it. My boat is a beast hence my handle. I will give some advise with bigger waves like when you drive a car in snow. SLOW DOWN. Because of it's size Trinity Bay can get pretty nasty if you launched at Thompson's and worked your way back into Jack's pocket. The wind has come up pretty good many times but I have always felt really safe in my boat. Once you get the wave angle either going with the waves or against them and the rhythm you will be surprised at the chop you can take in these boats. I feel the best feature of these boats are the almost 24 feet length as you pass from the top of one wave to another. I only run about 3,000 - 3,250 RPM's max in white cap crop. My boat is super dry also. I would imagine that with trim tabs these boat would really excel.