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Thanks Bullshipper! Now that makes some sense to me. I am still going with the Sea Cat as I like the layout better & for what I am using the boat for, the small difference in performance would not matter to me. Thanks for all of the responses.......
Thanks Bullshipper! Now that makes some sense to me. I am still going with the Sea Cat as I like the layout better & for what I am using the boat for, the small difference in performance would not matter to me. Thanks for all of the responses.......
Steve
Just try it out before you buy.
The seacat is a fine little hull, much better ride than 95% of the small monos out there. Simple, easy to maintain, and a good ride for small boat. Don Fidler has always built good quality.
Hey Warefisher: How do you like your Leader Cat 18'? Any input on ride, upkeep, mpg, etc...? What size engine is on the back? Pictures of your boat? I'd be interested in finding out some more information? Thanks,
Excellent discussion. I did look at both the Sea Cat and Caracal, and ended up purchasing the foot wider Caracal. Very happy with the pruchase. I do have the slightly larger 140 hp Suzuki--and you might consider the larger engine for if you are going to be carrying more weight and gear for diving. It compares favorably with the ride on my other larger cat, also a planing cat--Tom Cat 255, with 300 hp. (of course a cabin and a lot more speed). I don't find the motion in beam seas at all uncomforatable when at rest or anchor. In fact I find it better than the 18 foot Century it is replacing (15 degree deadrise).
Certainly the Caracal is very well built (I have a 2007, with liner). I am not sure if Caracal is "out of business" or actually just laying back and not producing because of the recession--I believe it is the latter, and we will see new boats produced when the economy picks up.
Do consider the 4 blade power Tech prop. Also get a good dive ladder.
Thanks for that advice Bob it's very encouraging. As I noted previously, the object of purchasing this particular boat is to cut down on the expenses associated with owning a boat in the first place. Would I like to own a 36' Regulator with twin 300's on the back, you bet. However, affording a rig like that takes big bucks and is just not in my game plan. It's funny but when I owned a 13' Whaler I used that boat more & caught more fish solely by being able to get to places where big rigs could not go. So, I guess it depends on what one plans to do with the boat & how much moola they are willing to part with. In any event, I am sure that I will be very happy with the Sea Cat!
Excellent discussion. I did look at both the Sea Cat and Caracal, and ended up purchasing the foot wider Caracal. Very happy with the pruchase. I do have the slightly larger 140 hp Suzuki--and you might consider the larger engine for if you are going to be carrying more weight and gear for diving.
Certainly the Caracal is very well built (I have a 2007, with liner). I am not sure if Caracal is "out of business" or actually just laying back and not producing because of the recession--I believe it is the latter, and we will see new boats produced when the economy picks up.
Do consider the 4 blade power Tech prop. Also get a good dive ladder.
Enjoy the ride and have fun.
I have never personally seen a Caracal as they are not as popular in Florida as the Sea Cat hull is. Not because they are an inferior boat, but the fact that they are made in the North East and all the Sea Cat style hulls were produced here in Florida.
I would have to disagree with the comment about getting the 140 for "carrying more weight and gear for diving". From my experience, a hull can only safely carry a certain amount of weight.....I would rather have that weight taken up with dive gear rather than engine weight. I don't know how much more the 140 weighs than the 115, but I'm pretty sure it weighs more. At cruise speed, fully loaded, the 140 will not push the boat any better than the 115 and the 115 will get better mpg.
I don't know about Caracal's business status at this time, but I do know Sea Cat is presently laying low and has future plans to ramp up production when the economy picks up.
Definately get a 4 blade prop, don't have any experience with the other companies out there, but Power Tech has made me happy on both the customer service and product quality side. You call them and tell them what you have and they will suggest a prop for you and then allow you to exchange it (within a reasonable amount of time) for another prop if you feel you need a larger or smaller pitch.
The Seagulls and Leaders have the exact same hull as the Sea Cat. Their construction methods may have differed with wood vs all composites, but on the exterior, it IS exactly the same hull. The Seagull and Leaders were typically sold with 70's which were significantly underpowered. They had a WOT around 22 mph and could hardly get out of their own way, but they were very fuel efficient and the motor package kept the cost down. Leader did have an option for a 90....I believe the 115 is perfect for that boat. Mine has a WOT of just over 35 mph and it starts to feel light at that point, I don't think the hull could comfortably handle anything more than that, At a cruise speed of 23-25 mph, the boat feels rock solid and ready for anything. I personally believe the 140 is a little bit of an overkill, but I know some go by the bigger is better theory.
I owned an 18' Sea cat good little boat but keep in mind it has low gunnels, you will have some problems with cavitation, and at times water will come in through the scuppers in the back. Its an inshore boat only i wouldnt run this boat more than a couple miles out. I put a lot of hours on this boat and you cant make it into something its not. Its a great inshore boat and i believe in its size and using it for this, its hard to beat. Keep in mind the things i mentioned I will guarantee you those things will happen.
Its an inshore boat only i wouldnt run this boat more than a couple miles out. I put a lot of hours on this boat and you cant make it into something its not.
I would agree. I had an 18' Leader with a 90 Honda that was a lot of fun, but when the chop got to the point of about 2' it started slapping on the flat part of the hull between the sponsons and would really pound.
I owned an 18' Sea cat good little boat but keep in mind it has low gunnels, you will have some problems with cavitation, and at times water will come in through the scuppers in the back. Its an inshore boat only i wouldnt run this boat more than a couple miles out. I put a lot of hours on this boat and you cant make it into something its not.
I have to somewhat agree and disagree with you here. I have one and I have been between keeping it or moving up to a 21-22' cat for sometime now. Guess it depends upon where and how you use it. I live in St Pete, Fl, which is on the Gulf side and the boat is great for our conditions. In the summer, we will get days on end that the seas are less than 2', mostly flat. When we have days like that and it's not predicted to change for 24 hours, I will and have taken my boat 30 miles offshore in those conditions, with a light load. Light load being myself and a friend along with our dive gear. I will make regular 10-15 mile trips in those conditions with myself and two other divers, but not the 30 mile trip. I have a 115 on mine and I'm still cruising at 23-24 mph in those conditions, having a dry and comfortable trip. Of course, I keep an eye out for changing conditions, also have an EPIRB and Sea Tow. Living here, with all the nice days we have, if it is rougher, I just skip the day and plan on going out another day. If I still lived in S Fl, my usage would be different, but were usually running parallel to the shore there to get to dive spots and rarely, if ever more than a mile out. I have cancelled days there when it was 3' and predicted to stay at 3' or get larger. I will still go out if it is 3' and predicted to stay at 3' or get smaller. As stated before, the boat is what it is and can't be made into something it isn't. If you want to routinely go out in 3' seas and load the boat heavy (3 divers or 4 fishermen), then this isn't the boat for you. In my opinion, if you want to use it as I have described, it can't be beat...23-24 mph cruise and 3-3.5 mpg. I put a stainless 4 blade prop and PermaTrim tab on mine and I get no cavitation or porposing, couldn't say the same for the original 3 blade that was on it.
The only reason I'm looking at going to a 21-22' cat is for the couple of times a year I would have like to take an extra diver or two. Currently can't justify the maintenance and cost associated with a slightly larger twin engine set up.
That's very interesting that the 140 would weigh less than the 115.
However, I am still going with the 115 on that 18 footer. It's perfect for my useage.
Steve
I believe it's because it's the exact same engine with a slightly larger bore, meaning just a bit less metal in the block, hence a bit lighter. So yeah, if you had the choice between the 115 and the 140, why not get the 140? Just cost a bit more, why? who know's! It's the same engine!!!
This is a used boat he is buying, set up with a 115. Are you suggesting he trade in the 115 for a 140?
Do any of you understand what happens to a displacement hull pushed too fast?
My bad. His replay made it sound like he was considering both option and choose the 115 instead.
Anyway. Please do educate me regarding pushing a displacement hull too fast. Here is a guess: it become semi displacement and starts to chine walk dangerously.
