Who makes the best Cat out there Glacier Bay, world Cat, proKat, twin vee, prowler etc

[baranx3]

I'm not looking to start a debate but I was curious who makes the the best cat out there when considering long term wear and ownership. A family member is considering a used cat now that fuel costs are so high and I thought I'd check for feedback from owners. I already checked a few threads using the search option but all I've seen really is to stay away from certain year twin Vees and that cat rides are second to none when it gets snotty out there.

[Prowler246]

Maybe I'm a little prejudiced but I would rank them here:

1. Renaissance Prowler
2. World Cat
3. Glacier Bay (maybe the best ride, but I just don't like the looks)

4. None of the rest

[BW23]

The only 2 I considered were World Cat and Glacier Bay.

Bought the GB due to a better layout. Both quality boats!!!

[Big Jim]

THE GLACIER BAY IS A DISPLACEMENT HULL WITH A VERY NARROW ENTRY WHICH GIVES IT A SUPERIOR RIDE IN ANY HEAD SEAS (NO POUNDING). EVEN THOUGH IT IS A DISPALCEMENT HULL, YOU CAN ACHIEVE 40+ MPH WITH LESS HORSEPOWER THAN A MONO-HULL. THE WORLD CAT IS A SEMI-DISPLACEMENT HULL AND CAN TAKE MORE HORSEPOWER, ACHIEVING @50 MPH. bOTH ARE BUILT SOLID. I LOOKED AT THE PROWLER, AND IN MY OPINION, IT DIDN'T MEASURE UP TO THE OTHER TWO. I BOUGHT A G.B. 26 FT. CABIN MODEL AND LOVE IT.

[ramkinman]

Agree with the previous posts. I looked around for months and the only two brands that I would then consider are Glacier Bay and World Cat. I didn't have the opportunity to look at a Prowler, but they seem to be very well built and their website photos show a great fit and finish (look at the wiring and rigging, it's immaculate). I was also looking for a used one (can't afford new) and finding a used Prowler isn't easy. Also, they only make two sizes...It would be nice if they made one in the 26-28 ft. range.

If you want to see how they hold up, look at a few used ones; this was a deciding factor in my mind. Look at a 6-7 yr old GB or Worlcat then compare it to the others....no comparison. My GB is a 1999 and it still looks brand new.

Like a previous poster, I went with the GB because the layout was much better for our needs. I'd also do some research regarding the difference btwn a displacement vs. planing cat hull as that is a primary difference btwn the World Cat and GB.

I can't speak for all cats, but I couldn't be happier with the GB. It's truly an amazing boat and it's a joy every time I take it out. I can't imagine going back to a monohull unless I can someday afford a true 40+' sportfisherman.

[seacat21]

A little more information might help here. How big is the boat being looked at? What type of are engines on the boat? What will it be used for and so on. Each model has it's advantages and disavantages and need to be judged that way. Most of all tell them to sea trial it and have it surveyed.

[foulhook]

I guess it would depend on what size cat you are talking about. Im sure you all saw my twin vee thread a month or so ago so enough said there. My votes would be : Caracal (under 19ft) World Cat (20-36ft.) No offense to GB at all. I just personally prefer the Semi Displacement ride of the World Cat. 2nd choice would be Prokat. Which ever cat you choose you will be happier with it over any mono hull. Once you go cat you never go back

[ccat]

Sea Cat 22' best ride and value on the water check out the comparisons on this boat test.

http://www.twinveeboats.com/seacat/news206.htm

[Rickster]

I have been out on both GB and world cat and if it were me I would buy the GB. I also prefer the layout and found on a nasty day the GB was a better ride IMO. Still have your buddy test both and he may like the planing hull of the world cat vrs the GB. Also, would depend on what kind of fishing and area ect... The friend of mine that got the world cat went with one because it has a shallower draft then the GB and his canal can get very shallow on a low tide.

[Water Damage]

i bought my WC last year and would nto trade it for any other model I have seen. I have taken some GB owners out for test rides and so far 2 of the 3 have sold their GB and but a WC. Every boat is a trade-off, but the WC is great for me.

[science69]

I have owned the Renaissance Prowler 246 and currently own a 306 and couldn't be a happier customer. Finsish is excellent. Wiring is great. Full economy is spectacular and it's quick. My 246 wasn't that fast because I only had 140's on it but my 306 with 250's moves.
My list is the same as Prowler246, but I am also a little prejuduced.

[Bullshipper]

I would rate the best fiberglass production boats in their size in this order.

18- Seacat
19-Twinvee (haven't tried a Caracal)
22-Seacat
23-WC23sfo
24-Prowler24
25-Seacat sl5, bluewater
26-GB26CC or 2640 without sleeping quarters
27- http://www.defiantmarine.com/gallery.cfm (never ridden)
28- ttp://www.powercatsnz.com/pages/getdesign.cfm?boatID=11&view=phot&pic=144
30-Prowler305 (never ridden)
33-WC33te

If I skipped a size, its because I don't like one in this catagory.

But the best big cats are planning aluminum hulls in my opinion and Mooseboats would probably be the best USA product followed by Mission, Maxcats, and Armstrongs.

http://www.mooseboats.com/frameset_new.html

[Bullshipper]

baranx3 - 5/25/2006 11:10 AM

I'm not looking to start a debate but I was curious who makes the the best cat out there when considering long term wear and ownership. A family member is considering a used cat now that fuel costs are so high and I thought I'd check for feedback from owners. I already checked a few threads using the search option but all I've seen really is to stay away from certain year twin Vees and that cat rides are second to none when it gets snotty out there.

If you keep to 20-28 mph the planning cats will compete with the monohulls in terms of gas economy, but when going faster the mono will win. Prowler is the only production planning cat I know of that is produced in the states, where down under, planning is more the rule due to higher fuel prices and lower wages.

[Sea Tow Ethan]

Prowler is the only production planning cat I know of that is produced in the states...

I'm pretty sure my 1999 ProSports is a planing hull and the boat is still in production, though much improved. Built in Alabama. http://www.prokatboats.biz/

As far as which catamaran is the best, the answer just isn't that easy. That decision needs to take into consideration all kinds of factors. Personally, I really like the Glaciers but I just don't think they would be as effective for my use. WorldCats are great too, but too expensive for me. My new TwinVee fits the bill perfectly.

Now I have two cats and I'm a happy camper.

[Bullshipper]

OceanTrvlr - 5/25/2006 4:49 PM

I'm pretty sure my 1999 ProSports is a planing hull and the boat is still in production, though much improved. Built in Alabama. http://www.prokatboats.biz/

As far as which catamaran is the best, the answer just isn't that easy. That decision needs to take into consideration all kinds of factors. Personally, I really like the Glaciers but I just don't think they would be as effective for my use. WorldCats are great too, but too expensive for me. My new TwinVee fits the bill perfectly.

Now I have two cats and I'm a happy camper.

You're right of course Ethan...sorry.

[seacat21]

I saw this boat this past weekend and it is one fantastic machine. He and one other WC 33 were out 40 plus miles in some nasty (rough) water when some of the bigger charter boats at Morehead City NC were coming back.

Water Damage - 5/25/2006 2:21 PM

i bought my WC last year and would nto trade it for any other model I have seen. I have taken some GB owners out for test rides and so far 2 of the 3 have sold their GB and but a WC. Every boat is a trade-off, but the WC is great for me.

[baranx3]

Sorry I was referring to cat's in the 25-28 foot range.

[Vic Holmstrom]

We have a WorldCat 230SF with Honda 150s. The other day, my wife and I decided to cruise from Newfound Harbor to the 7 mile bridge in the Florida Keys. Hawks Channel had a typical 2 foot chop with 10 knot winds. My wife was able to sit up front on "her cushion" for the entire round trip without getting slammed or even bounced once. At 3900 rpm, the Hondas pushed us 27mph and delivered 2.8mpg according to the Honda digital gauges. Of course this is our optimal cruise speed and performance would drop in rougher seas or at faster speeds.

I have ridden in larger WorldCats and a Glacier Bay 26, which are fine riding boats. For our use in the lower Florida Keys, the WorldCat 230SF is the best cat out there.

[bigtuna]

Out of your choices, I would definetely go with the 27 world cat tournament edition with 225 honda or yamaha fours. This is a great in between boat. It is semidisplacement, so you have a ride that isn't quite as good as a glacier bay, but not terrible like a prokat. The boat rides good. Plus, you have the advantage to cruise at much higher speeds than the gb. If the boat will be used mainly for fishing, make sure you get the tournament edition. The 266sf has no room, little fishbox room, and the livewell looks like it could maybe fit 10 goldfish in it. Not a good fishing layout at all. The te is decked out with more fishing room, dual livewells, and plenty fishbox room. Good luck

[Offline]

I've had the very recent opportunity to crawl around on each of these except for the Prowler. If I were in the market for a cat, only GB and WC would make the short list given your criteria. The Seacat is worth looking at as well if the size and layout floats your boat. Unfortunately, the Prokat had plywood backed panels and a mess of poorly run and spliced wiring that was a big disappointment.

You really need to take these out with the load and the conditions which will mirror your use. Looks like cat owners keep them a while - not a lot of nice used one's out there.