TaJon- ???? for you
 

On the Cat do you get a lot of tunnel/hull slap on the troll?

only trolling into a head sea greater than 3'.

I guess that all the cats under 30' will do that. Its a little frustrating but you will get used to it. I "tack" into the seas at angles of 35 degrees or so and that reduces the amount of slap that you'll get. But with any other seas, following or from the sides, none.

:humpty:

worst part about owning a cat.
but if thats the worst.... ??:wiggle::wiggle::wiggle:

thanks.

Goodbye Steiger hello Cat......

If you had to get another boat dont worry about $$$$$; would you get a cat? I want to pull the trigger on the 27 te and everyone I have talked to said cats are the nuts. what do you like about them versus what sucks. Snap rolls not with standing. That is just the nature of the beast.

If not a cat maybe a 25 Carolina Classic with a 315 yanmar diesel.

UM,
That Steiger has been VERY VERY good but I want a boat that wont beat me up. The Steiger raises fish like no other hull for some reason. It has produced extremely well but it does ride rough and is a little small to be playing the game sometimes in the conditions I fish in. Safe yes; Uncomfortable yes also. Plus the new Steigers finish is not what I considere worth 80k.

kr,
mine's only a 20' but i can testify, if you don't want to be "beat up" then there really isn't a question. i can't say enough about the ride when your running.

have you sea trialed any at this point? i would NOT pull any triggers until you do.

that said i have never talked to a cat owner that wishes they went back to a mono.

i'd say, every third trip i get a compliment and are asked about the ride (no joke)

I was thinking on the Cat a few months back, I had one to go look at, I saw a guy getting gas in a 25 or 27 cat and asked him about the boat.
He said he would not do it again, that in the ruff the hull would lift on one side and not the other and that it slaps in the middle at times.

I was looking at the 23 Sea Ox at the same time and all I got was good things said about it.

So I got the OX, its a great riding boat with the trim tabs, I love it!! But now I am wondering if I did the right thing?

O well there is always next time ;)

TaJon,
How easy is it for you to boat fish over 125 lbs from the side? Are the gunnels really high from the waterline? Asked another way; can you lean over the side and get your hand wet? Just curious for tag and releasing the tuna. Also what is your burn at cruise?

Matt,

Hang on a little bit if you can buddy. Boston's boat show will be at the end of January. You should be able to walk around them and get a feel for them then. Then schedule your sea trials.

Love the 27 with a cabin.
Put 200 on it and you have a speedy canyon boat for the cheap. Matty we going to the canyon next year or what? You still owe me a ride on the Parkah!!!:happy:

Give me another year to finish grad school and finalize my promotion and maybe 2009 I'll be in a 31 Cape Horn. Canyons here we come. It may be a little tough to tow around the Cape though!!!!

The only other boats that I would consider is any Carolina style hull.

The only real downfall is the tunnel slap. I go the same speed in 3-5 as in 1-3 and the ride is really similar. There is a learning curve to running these things though.

The cats don't roll any more than a conventional deep vee. I fish on a mastermarine regularly and it roll much harder than mine. And I think I only got splashed or "sneezed" on twice all year.

I'm 6' tall and can barely reach the water if its calm.

Pulling in a fish for me hasn't been a problem. I haven't caught any :laughs:

but I could do it pretty easy. I do go to the gym a bit though.

On the 27, make sure you get maximum power, or on any cat. It makes a BIG difference.

Call either atlantic boats or Cape Ann marina. They will take you out without any obligation. They really love the seatrials, and I think they have a 27SC right now.