Cat Question.

[doc_texoma]

I'm fairly new here - so thanks first of all for running these awesome forums.

I currently own a cruiser - a Chapparal Laser 32 which while not a dog for its size, its certainly not an adrenaline rush experience to wind it up...

So I've been contemplating a low cost solution to the subtle need for speed that I have.

I'm a huge Glastron Carlson fan - so my first thought was to go get a 16, 20, or maybe even a CSS-19... But then I stumbled across an old Bluewater Cat made by Don back in the early 80's..

I found a few of them online but most are a little bit more expensive than I want to pay.

Then I found a Wellcraft Cougar Cat - which supposedly was made by Excalibur for Wellcraft and its MUCH less expensive although it needs work.

Obviously I'm not looking for something thats truly "high performance" - more than anything I just want to find something thats fairly roomy, comfortable - handles rough lake water well, and is a little faster (and maybe more economical) than my cruiser.

With that said - does anyone have any suggestions on other "cheap", older hulls I could search for that would meet my paramaters?

If the Cougar is still available when I have the cash to buy it, I will probably go that route - but want to keep my eyes open for other stuff too.

BTW: twin outboard would actually be prefereable to I/O's to me as I'm not too much of a "wrench turner"....

Thanks again for the site!

[Vicious]

What are you look'in to spend ?

[Trick Powerboats]

Sparky,

Show him photos of the 31 you build. Sounds to me like a perfect match.

[doc_texoma]

well.. I guess the easy answer to that question is "too little".

since I already own a cruiser that I dump money into, it doesnt make a ton of sense (for *ME*) to even be looking around for something like this.

I think the fact that I've seen larger boats (and even a 30' skater knockoff recently) "thrown away" and left for dead and am hoping I can find something that matches my wants in this category that I could spend a year or two tearing down and rebuilding.

As an example, in Florida right now, for $6k there is a 1981 Wellcraft Cougar with twin IO TRS drives and even some interior. I do not know for sure but it sounds as if the motors are even RUNNING...

I could probably come up with the $6k quick enough - but the logistics of the thing will add another $2k as I'm sure it doesn't have a trailer, and a 32 foot cat isnt going to be easy to just throw on any trailer.

As mentioned - stuff like 15, 16, 17ft Carlsons are where I was going with this initially - but finding some of these early 80's big, slow, but sporty cats made me wonder if I couldnt swing something all together more cool when compared to a 16' v-hull.

And Vicious - I stopped by you guys website... I *love* that little cat you guys are making.. Who knows, that may be the route I go. I also saw that someone found the molds for Glastron GT-150's and is making new ones and selling them painted with gagues for $3500 - which is a pretty neat deal on a timeless styled boat.

Thanks for talking to me guys - I know I probably sound like a wannabe - but I swear my intentions are in the right place.

Doc

[Racemore]

Doc,the Well craft tunnel is not what you want.They are slow and porpoise at midrange.They will roll over if it hooks,and it will hook if you over steer.They don't make them for that reason.If you don't want to spend 40K+ I would shop for a used 24 Skater,25 Motion,23/24DaytonaEliminator.
You can find them for 20 - 30K.

About your Laser.Is it around a 90 model that they quit building because of the luxury tax.If so I have a hull I bought at the Chaparell auction.It was the hull used to make the interior plug for the cabin.I have had it for 15 years to build a fishing boat.Nice hull wth a 10'4" beam.There are not many of them around.How does it perform.I guess you have twin 7.4 mercs.Lonnie

[doc_texoma]

Racemore - thats indeed the boat. Mine is a 1989 model - but its in better shape than nearly any other I've found. Only crappy thing (to me) is that it doesnt have the arch like 99.9999 of the others do. I've gotten used to it, but I'm an arch freak so...

It handles just fine - while it may not look like it in the water, the Laser is indeed a true cruiser, and because of that it does handle somewhat piggish. The hours on the twin 7.4's are unknown, and while I have done as much preventative maint as I can, I do keep the RPM's low and change oil way too frequently.

I would be happy to take any pics, or provide any detailed info you care for..

One upshot is that I've been running with a port carb that is DUMPING gas everywhere costing me tons and also surely affecting the performance of the boat in an adverse way. Along with a fresh bottom job I'm getting the carb rebuild, also a new exaust elbow (had a leak) and some other minor stuff. I would assume that when I get it back it will feel better to me, although I still plan on babying her.

I've always thought fondly at how fun it would be to drop new 496's or 500's into that boat... Its just a big freaking boat.

As far as your comments on the Wellcraft go.... My main intention with whatever I get to fill this void that I'm discussing is going to be having loads of freeboard whether in the cockpit, or on the bow, the ability to carry 8-12 people easily, and it needs to LOOK killer. Performance is very much the least of my worries with this interest - and I honestly could care less is the boat doesn't exceed 50mph... Reading about the aronow 39 cat made me start looking as everyone was bashing it for being so "slow" but that it was very stable in rough water. My hope was that I could go out and find something as beamy and huge in the cockpit as that boat while also keeping the cool "look"...

What I'm wanting is probably the antithesis of what this board is all about since speed is really very low on my list - but very obviously lots of people have tried building these huge cats without much luck. I just want to capitalize on the builders misfortune and fine a big, slow, roomy boat that once had intentions of being a go-fast of sorts..

Again - whatever you want on the laser I would be happy to provide. Its a wonderful boat for the next year or two - but I think we'll go for an older Fountain 38SC after that..