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Still shopping folks. Thought I had settled on a Donzi 23zf, but then took a look at larger center consoles and think that is how I really need to go. Fishing mostly inshore off NJ, inside the 30 fathom line, so not necessarily a canyon boat, but...
Anyway, been trying to decide between a 2001 Pro Line 27 CC w/ Twin 225 Optis, and a 2000 World Cat 266 with Twin 200 Yami 2 strokes. I think I understand what I'm getting with the Pro Line, it's a big solid boat 29'LOA 9'10" Beam. No experience with the cats. Only second hand reviews, all raves from family and friends. Assuming electronics and condition are the same and price isn't a factor, What do I lose with the Cat hull and what do I gain? Really just looking for general impressions, not even about these two boats, but about the two hull styles. Any and all info from the combined knowledge here will be helpful.
Thanks!
I wont involve because it appears you dont wish that?
As to the PRO-LINE portion, I'm very happy to contibute, should you so wish.
Mono vs. Cat is a subject that can be like unto relgion and politics.
Naturally, I have our viewpoint, but will wait for an invitation to participate.
What ever is requested as to PRO-LINE, I'm delighted to offer any confusion I can.
Hey Mike, good reply. As far as the comparison, I have driven the world cat 266sc for an older buddy of mine in ocean city md. now for about 4 years. We would go out to baltimore canyon and such. I now have a 98 proline 3400cc. I prefer the proline mono hull for one main reason. When your in the cat heading into waves ay any kind of angle it seems to gerk the wheel hard as soon as the second hull is pushed up out of the water more than the firsy hull. Just my 2 cents worth.
__________________ Ken2175
98 Proline 34 CC
2-250 mercs
Mike,
I absolutely want your opinion on the pro line. I was going to pm you seperately and ask you for it. I probably shouldn't even have mentioned the brands in this thread. But, since I did, please weigh in. I love the fishibility of this Pro Line. It is huge for a 27, super roomy, tons of freeboard, great layout, looks like exactly the kind of boat I am going to love on the water. Looking forward to hearing your opinion on it.
Ken,
It's funny you mention the handling. I was on the WC site reading the owner's thread and it seems like a lot of owners have a LONG learning curve to handle these things in anything besides heas on seas. They seem to love them once they get past that though. I've been a V-hull guy for 30+ years, so, frankly, I only know that. Just trying to get past the Cat hype and get some real opinions. Not 2 or 3 zealots, having a pissing match, like usually happens with this question.
i cant tell you about a proline, boat the WC, go bang on a sponson, it flexes incredibly and sounds like a Rubbermaid garbage can.
That's about the dumbest thing I've read on here in a while . You're welcome to come bang on mine anytime.
As to the question.... First, I think they are very different boats. You really need to get on them both. I was in a 25' well made Mono prior to this boat. They perform very different and both have there advantages. I think Proline is a good boat and a GREAT company. Mike C is a great asset to this forum. I chose to go with a cat based on the seas I'm typically in and the desire to fish more days. What I mean is with a similar size mono, my boat rides much smoother than a Mono and I'm comfortable in bigger seas than I would be in a Mono. As to the learning curve, it does take some getting used to. You have to throw out what you knew from a Mono and relearn how to drive. I have 130+ hours on mine since March and I'm now feeling VERY comfortable. If you have any questions about the WC, feel free to ask.
Mike,
I absolutely want your opinion on the pro line. I was going to pm you seperately and ask you for it. I probably shouldn't even have mentioned the brands in this thread. But, since I did, please weigh in. I love the fishibility of this Pro Line. It is huge for a 27, super roomy, tons of freeboard, great layout, looks like exactly the kind of boat I am going to love on the water. Looking forward to hearing your opinion on it.
Well, it's not a 27' boat. Here's the specs and some info:
LOA 29'1"
Beam 9'10"
Hull draft, motors up 20"
Deadrise at the transom 19 degree
Fuel 200 gals
Weight, full fuel and twins 8550 approx
Cockpit depth 26"
Max HP 500
Fresh water 15 gals
Livewell 35 gals
WOT W/2-225 OPTI'S 53-55 Not gauranteed, but from our "2001" specs
The OPTI'S would be my choice of power on the hull, but that's my personal opinion. I like the motors.
Wide beams, with one exception, we no longer build 19 degree deadrise at the transom. We're 22 degree now. Offshore the additional deadrise at the transom will offer a better ride, but that is not to say the 19 degree will give you a bad ride. My boat is 30' long, 10'10" beam, a 19 degree at the transom.
Additionally, there's no wood anywhere in the structure. Wont be any rot issues.
X2 with Carrigan, all my Pro Line/Pro lite customers have been more than happy with thier boats. WC has a good reputation also ,just don't know anything about them.
Gators 2000 is right, Mike is an asset to this forum
Hey Mike, good reply. As far as the comparison, I have driven the world cat 266sc for an older buddy of mine in ocean city md. now for about 4 years. We would go out to baltimore canyon and such. I now have a 98 proline 3400cc. I prefer the proline mono hull for one main reason. When your in the cat heading into waves ay any kind of angle it seems to gerk the wheel hard as soon as the second hull is pushed up out of the water more than the firsy hull. Just my 2 cents worth.
I wont do a mono vs. cat thing because it can become heated with responses. Lots of opinions and personal likes and dislikes.
"GATORS 2000" offered about the most candid and honest explantion that I've seen for quite some time. Mono and cat are different, very much so. I thought his comments as to throwing out everything you ever knew, and relearning how to drive a boat were quite good and very often, most often, not understood at all by a normal family boater.
It's a whole "different breed of cat", how's that for a pun?
Is it just the camera angle, or in Gators2000's signature is that port outboard in the water almost up to the bottom of the cowling?
A combination of a few things... Swell coming by, camera angle and if you notice, there is a guy (in the water) hanging on the motor / side of the boat. The guy on the starboard side is not touching the boat.
X2 with Carrigan, all my Pro Line/Pro lite customers have been more than happy with thier boats. WC has a good reputation also ,just don't know anything about them.
Gators 2000 is right, Mike is an asset to this forum
Hey Tim,
"PRO-LITE"?
Took me into the third model year, and getting fired even more than I usually get fired, my boss about as pissed at me as he could be, and I WON! Winning an arguement that went on for over two years with one's boss is not always a good idea. Dosen't always offer a lot of job security. So, where am I going with all of this?
"PRO-LITE" is no more.
"PRO-LINE SE" now. Ended a lot of confusion and needless explanations.
So, look out your windoe, my demo sitting there, the blue boat, that says PRO-LINE SE on it.
Pardon my off subject post.
Couldn't help but mess with you some re that.
get a ride on both boats the same day - preferably on a day when it is about as rough as you would ever consider going out on. Then go through all of the maneuvers:
low speed trolling and high speed driving for a few minutes in every direction: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW. Play with the trim and see how it affects the ride. If the owner is with you, let him go through the same maneuvers with him driving to let you see how he trims the boat.
then drift for a while and see how it lays to the wind and current and how comfortable it is. They will drift very differently.
Then anchor for a few minutes and see how it lays at anchor.
Then when back in a calm area, see how maneuverable they are. Back them up and see how you can control the boat.
btw: when I bang on my worldcat it feels incredibly solid.
That's about the dumbest thing I've read on here in a while . You're welcome to come bang on mine anytime.
As to the question.... First, I think they are very different boats. You really need to get on them both. I was in a 25' well made Mono prior to this boat. They perform very different and both have there advantages. I think Proline is a good boat and a GREAT company. Mike C is a great asset to this forum. I chose to go with a cat based on the seas I'm typically in and the desire to fish more days. What I mean is with a similar size mono, my boat rides much smoother than a Mono and I'm comfortable in bigger seas than I would be in a Mono. As to the learning curve, it does take some getting used to. You have to throw out what you knew from a Mono and relearn how to drive. I have 130+ hours on mine since March and I'm now feeling VERY comfortable. If you have any questions about the WC, feel free to ask.
nope, justs sounds more like cheaply made junk. Don't get upset cause you own one. Thats pretty much why i wouldn't by one. I like heavy construction, you never know what your going to hit out there.
nope, justs sounds more like cheaply made junk. Don't get upset cause you own one. Thats pretty much why i wouldn't by one. I like heavy construction, you never know what your going to hit out there.
Not upset, I just know you're wrong. To each his own.
nope, justs sounds more like cheaply made junk. Don't get upset cause you own one. Thats pretty much why i wouldn't by one. I like heavy construction, you never know what your going to hit out there.
Again ignorance is rampant A world cat hull is at least as thick as, well, your skull.At least 1 inch.You prove what you know about performance and hull design with the lack of knowledge you portray here.If you bang on the sides above the water lines of most well made boats, they are never as thick as their bottoms.Don't need to be and a worldcat is over built by the fact it's a cat.They need more glass in the hulls because of the forces put apon them in the ocean, which is what they are designed for in the first place.So take your attitude to the library and learn about a boat before you show your colors, true as they maybe they are out of bounds.
__________________ NO REGRETS GRADY WHITE 306 BIMINI,with hard top Rupp Radials Smith Carbon Fiber Outrigger 15ft poles-- 2007 SUZUKI 225 4 STROKES 16x18.5 x3 suzuki propps.5750 RPM AT 44 MPH (GPS MEASURED)HDS-10/P79 IN HULL DUCER Bennett tabs..
Pros and Cons World Cat 266 v. Proline 27 cc 
poles
-- 2007 SUZUKI 225 4 STROKES 16x18.5 x3 suzuki propps.5750 RPM AT 44 MPH (GPS MEASURED)
Bennett tabs.. 
. You're welcome to come bang on mine anytime. 
Boating photo of the day? boatingpotd.com 
