[teachmath]

Anyone have any thoughts on the catamaran hull vs the traditional hull for near or offshore fishing. What are the pros and cons?

Thanks

 

[SHunter]

I suggest that if you are thinking about buying a power cat that you read up on the different kinds like semi displacement and planing hulls to understand the differences. I have a planing hull and I have no complaints but if I were going to by one today I might consider the semi like a Glacier Bay. I have friends with GB's and they seem happy.

 

[sailor]

I ran a trip in a 26 world cat in July. Got caught in a bad thunderstorm on the way home and I can check of a catamaran hull for fishing. They have there places, but I really don't think you can get a good ride in an offshore cat that is still trailerable. I think they are to narrow for the size to really be a good ride. Others like them but I just didn't like it at all.

 

[leeprice72]

Huh? Most ride very well and there are plenty for offshore that you can trailer.

 

[John B.]

Narrow? Most Cat boats are some of the widest boats on the market. I personally don't like them, but to each his own.

Sent from my LG G2X using Forum Runner

 

[Jason]

Just from my little experience (I have a Kitty Cat 17.5) it's alot of boat (deckspace) fer the size you get....My 17.5 has way more room then my 19 ft center console V hull I had. The ride is alot smother then my last too. It chops through the water and while anchored it actually feels more stable. Compund those feelings on a bigger off-shore Cat I would think....On a good day, I'd feel comfortable taking mine out a ways, just got short gunnels and would be extra careful while fighting critters....Good luck in the boat of your choosing, but ifin I was close to big water....I'd buy a bigger Cat!!!

 

[sailor]

Narrow? Most Cat boats are some of the widest boats on the market. I personally don't like them, but to each his own.

Sent from my LG G2X using Forum Runner

My point was that they are too narrow so that they can be trailered. To truly capitalize on a cat design IMO the beams should be much larger, but then you couldn't trailer the boat and therefore couldn't sell it to as many people. I believe it was twin vee that made a cat with a 14' beam some time ago. The only way you bought that one was to drive it home on it's own hull. That boat would reportedly eat it up.

 

[WhackUmStackUm]

I own a 22' Glacier Bay. It rides like a dream and handles rough seas well. I spent many hours in my buddy's 26' Glacier Bay before I bought mine. I'll never own a vee hull, or even ride in one again, if I can avoid it. The vee hull ride is too rough for my wornout joints.

 

[JoeyWelch]

I am trying to sell my Vhull now to buy a cat. A worldcat.

 

[Nat]

there are not many cats that can fish inshore, so your choices are limited

I recently went with a cat hull for inshore and near shore and I have no regrets, but for offshore anything more than 1' to 2's and I'll stay inside


for inshore the cats offer
1.more usable deck space for the boat length
2.smoother dryer ride in a big bay chop
3. better fuel economy

they are usually rigged with less HP and are slower

they sit higher on a trailer and could create a problem on some shallow ramps at low tide

all boat choices have trade offs

I wanted a dual purpose hull that was great on fuel economy

 

[Orion45]

I had V hulls before and dove from a cat for two years...were I to buy another boat, it would be a cat. They are more stable when fishing and handle the waves great. Offshore cats make great diving boats.

Also, cats handle differently in turns and are harder to bring on a trailer in crosswinds.

 

[Smote]

Any experience with a invincible?

 

[cody&ryand]

I will put my world cat 24 up against any 24 ft mono hull boat for must comfortable ride in a true 3ft northern gulf of mexico sea. She is setting no land speed records but I am not afraid of loosing teeth and making chiropractor appointments. there is a reason why alot of the local near shore charter captains are going to cats. Yes they take some getting used to and I will admit I am still getting used to mine my self

 

[JoeyWelch]

Cat me,

 

[Boat-Dude]

I will put my world cat 24 up against any 24 ft mono hull boat for must comfortable ride in a true 3ft northern gulf of mexico sea. She is setting no land speed records but I am not afraid of loosing teeth and making chiropractor appointments. there is a reason why alot of the local near shore charter captains are going to cats. Yes they take some getting used to and I will admit I am still getting used to mine my self

What are the differences?

 

[LITECATCH]

I have a 22 cat and will never go back to a mono hull!

 

[H2OMARK]

I own a 22' Glacier Bay. It rides like a dream and handles rough seas well. I spent many hours in my buddy's 26' Glacier Bay before I bought mine. I'll never own a vee hull, or even ride in one again, if I can avoid it. The vee hull ride is too rough for my wornout joints.

Well dang, I was gonna include you on an offshore trip I'm planning but.......you know I run a sea hunt so.....

 

[MrFish]

Any experience with a invincible?

Talk to Chris Bazor at Grander. Their 40 cat is a beast. He ran one from OBA to the Keys in a day.. You getting out of the Everglades?

 

[Smote]

Talk to Chris Bazor at Grander. Their 40 cat is a beast. He ran one from OBA to the Keys in a day.. You getting out of the Everglades?

Thinking about it. The 40 is too big. Maybe the 33 or 35.

 

[MrFish]

Thinking about it. The 40 is too big. Maybe the 33 or 35.

Freemans are nice, just too long of a wait to buy new. Used ones pop up every so often.