"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers" wrote in
message ...

"Bob La Londe" wrote in message
...
Any truth to the rumor that the Fast Cat handles middle size waves
smoother
than most other boats but has problems in really big stuff if it slams
down
because it will stop hard throwing the rider and passenger forward?

Bob,

This is how it was explained to me. In mid-size waves, because the hull
"packs" air under the hull in the tunnel, and because you're running level
with more wetted surface, it can float on a cushion of air and just skim
the
tops of the waves, with the front of the sponsons breaking the wave. This
makes for a smooth, dry ride. This also works as long as the waves are no
more than 15 - 18 feet apart, height of the wave has no bearing at all.
With a conventional hull, you don't have that "floating" effect and you're
taking the brunt of the wave on the bottom of the hull. This makes for a
rougher ride with lots of splash. Depending on how well the hull design
throws the water to the side, you might or might not be dry when this
happens.

If the distance between waves becomes more than that, then you risk
"stuffing" the wave, and yes, that will bring you to a SUDDEN stop! But,
if
the waves are far enough apart, then you can just ride over them without
problem. But then again, stuffing a wave with any boat hull style will
stop
you in your tracks, don't ask me how I know that!

The "cat" hull with the wide beam carried all the way to the front of the
boat means that you will have a VERY stable boat and Fast Cat builds their
boats to racing standards, which means that the average angler can drive
it
just as hard as they want to and never worry about breaking it.

All I know is that I was extremely impressed with the thought that went
into
the design of the hull, how much testing has gone into it, and how
exacting
they are when building it. Trust me when I say, "This ain't your daddy's
fishin' boat!"
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com



Actually what was described to me was smacking down hard and the friction of
the tunnel's flat surface stopping the boat even when you don't stuff it
unlike a v-hull that will come down hard, but split the wave. It was
another boat builder who described it to me of course so...

They agreed in middle weight chop though that nothing beat the ride of a
tunnel. I know my Baker Custom was great.


--
Bob La Londe
www.YumaBassMan.com