Another Fast Cat Question

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 La Londe
www.YumaBassMan.com

"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

"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

"Bob La Londe" wrote in message SNIP


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.

Man, as deep as this tunnel is, you'd have to really slam it to stick it in
a wave that deep! I suppose in theory that could happen, but man, that
would be some extreme conditions.

Since I made the committment to buy the Fast Cat, I've talked to some other
dealers and self-professed boat experts. I've heard all kinds of "horror"
stories about catamaran hulls and how a conventional hull is superior to the
cat style. But when I ask them how come catamarans are dominating offshore
powerboat racing, which is probably the ultimate rough water experience,
they have no answer.

I guess all I can say to that is "wait and see".....

If you want the definitive answer, contact Errol Lanier at
and ask him. He used to run (among others) Miss
Budweiser and the Benihana boat. Errol was the first to bring a catamaran
boat to offshore racing and he could answer your question a lot better than
I.
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

"go-bassn" wrote in message
...
Stevo/Bob-

I checked out the FastCat at the Classic Outdoor show last weekend, it is
indeed a very interesting design.

I personally saw three things about it that I questioned as being
potential
problems.

The first is storage. It appears that there's very little space outside
of
the two catamaran hulls, each of which off a huge, cavernous storgage
area.
These caverns are very deep ones, but certainly not wide nor do they offer
any kind of organized layering of equiptment. I can easily see things
burying up in layers in there, which could result in numerous problems.

***Fast Cat and I are working on this. I'm going to see about working up an
organizer system for it, but believe me, there's a LOT of space, far more
than was in my Cobra.


The second thing that struck me was the size of the forward casting deck,
which I saw as being very small. As a guide you probably have 2 or more
individuals up there (including yourself) often. If the deck extended
back
to the consol that would be adequate, but it stopped well short of it.

***This too is going to be changed for 2007, and I've been promised the
first boat out of the factory with a flipping deck. But believe me, that
deck is NOT small! It fishes a lot bigger than it looks. One thing that is
easily overlooked is the wide gunnels of the boat. I could easily walk
anywhere in the boat and it's so unbelievably stable that I felt like I was
walking on a sidewalk. Last Friday, we had 4 adults fishing in a C20 and
were never cramped for room.


The third potential problem is the one Bob mentioned. Those catamaran
hulls
are skinny, and in big water & under full load I can't see them keeping
the
upper platform (which is flat underneath) from hitting water hard on the
way
down especially at speed. Basically there's nothing I see that would
"split" the water in big seas like modern v-hull variations do.

***With the design of the hull, you don't have to "split" the water, the air
that flows under the tunnel actually lifts the boat much like an airplane's
wing, so the greater the speed, the more lift you have. And there is a
contour under the tunnel, it's not flat at all. The boat does not "work"
like a conventional boat hull would.

They way you describe the "smacking down" of the flat surface stopping the
top from submerging makes sense on a straight-down drop, but not at all at
significant speed. I realize that you generally fish small waters &
aren't
likely to encounter waves larger than 2-3 feet, and if that's the case
this
may not be a concern to you. I know also that this rig is derived from
racing boats, and that boat races aren't done in high seas, at least not
with 22 foot boats.

***Again, the greater the speed, the more lift, so the liklihood of the boat
of the tunnel "sticking" to the water are slim and none. Yes, typically the
waters I fish are smaller, but then again, there's not too much that's small
about Lake Superior or some of the chain of lakes that I run. I met a
gentleman from Ohio that fishes Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair in Michigan
quite a bit and he told me that this boat handles rough water like no other
boat he's been in. He related a story to me where he and a Ranger 521 were
fishing the same area when the lake kicked up rough. Ron fired up and ran
70+ mph in 3 footers, arriving safe, comfortable and dry at the landing.
The guy in the Ranger arrived much later, wearing a sodden rain suit.

I also beg to differ with the following statement "boat races aren't done in
high seas, at least not with 22 foot boats." The reason that Erroll first
brought the catamaran hull to the States was that he was tired of getting
beat up, peeing blood and having broken down hulls using vee hulled boats
when racing in high seas. He was relating some war stories about running in
rough water and told me that in England, they actually prefer the water to
be rough and have postponed races because conditions were too calm! After
spending two days with Erroll and Jerry, the two owners, listening to their
experiences and history, watching videos of races they've been in, tells me
they've forgotten more about running boats than we'll ever know, so when
they tell me something, I listen and try to remember it all.


Keep in mind that I've never ridden in or seen a FC in action, and that
these observances are merely my concerns after seeing one up close.

***Everyone that I've talked to that has actually been in a Fast Cat tells
me the same thing, the rougher the water, the better they run. Tell you
what, come to the NWC, bring your boat!


I know you're a wise man Steve, but I'd take a traditional bassboat design
over one of these personally. JMHO of course.

***Me, I prefer to explore alternatives. Afterall, had I not kept an open
mind, I never would have fished Secret Weapon Spinnerbaits, and those lures
have proven to be a God-Send!
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

Amen on the SWs! Sorry my reply took so long, I hope it shows up as
I'm now posting through Google groups since getting Verizon dsl. I
can't wait to get in your Cat Steve, I'll be looking forward to it!

Warren