Custom Cat Builders

[lapulapu]

Hi all. Finally in the market for a serious offshore fishing boat. For my style of fishing i have decided to go a Cat for their stabilty at rest. I want to get this right as much as possible 1st time around as i have no experience with a cat. Now I would like a walk around cuddy. I see the popular cats here ie: kevlacat, noosa cat, sailfish cat builders etc, dont offer this option?! I dont want large sleeping cabin and want more deck space and walk around option. I would also like to be involved in the customization of my cat.
So my question is this? Are there any outstanding cat boat builders here in Australia, plate or glass, that can build and customize me a cat in the 6.5-7 meter range? Handling underway also important. If i was going mono i'd seriously look at a fisher as I love the way those boys work with clients to get rigs customized. I'm looking for that same service, but in the cat department.
I believe this site is a great tool with the vast experience and knowlege alot of members on here have to share. So if you can help put me on the right cat builder track i would be humbly greatful! Thank you all.

[Blackened]

G'day

CoastalCat

Search the forums here, a few of the boys here have one.

Made by bob @ caloundra in grigor street, you will only hear good of these

Dave

[copie]

lapulapa
Have a look at these manufactured on the sunshine coast. the guy's name is jason. www.offshoremarinemaster.com.au (http://www.offshoremarinemaster.com.au/)
There is one of his cats a 5.2m running out to flat rock on most day's commercially, and a 6.5m privately owned at victoria point. The 6.5 i am shaw you inspect and probably arrange to go for a run.
MARK.

[Blackened]

The 6.5 i am shaw you inspect and probably arrange to go for a run.
MARK.

G'day

Isn't the 6.5 owned by one or the members here?"

Dave

[copie]

Yes it is dave. Graeme i think he is called big g.
MARK

[Deiter]

G'day Lapulapu,
Mate, it sounds like what you want is to be able to completely re-arrange and customise the deck layout.
Firstly, I would say alloy is alot more suited to that purpose than glass. F'glass manufacturers are limited to the tooling and molds they have, unless you really want to spend big $$$$ and get custom plugs done.

Secondly, going down the 'custom' route is not going to be cheap (relatively speaking) whichever way you go.

I am sure most most alloy builders could do what you want, but again, unless you like a floor plan they already have, they'll want to see the $$$$ for their extra time and effort coz they could be churning out a stock boat easier and quicker.

Another option may be to get a hull design from a recognised architect and get a local builder to knock it up for you so you can be more involved and and work out what you want and where.

Heres a few links you might like browse.

http://www.nomadmarinekits.com/assets/home.htm
http://www.bodenboatplans.com/power/default.aspx
http://www.marinekits.com/index.php

And here is a link to a thread on this site with a list of alloy builders
http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/showthread.php?t=66840

Good luck
Damo

[deadbeatloser]

as blackened said go and see bob at coastal he will give you 100% better service than K.C. and a better boat (hav bin most cats)and he has never had any cracking or splitting in his hulls as the others have had ... sea tech are also just around the road from bob ,, go and hav a chat with al as he know wat he is on about(not like F.T. old fart) i know 6 people with coastal and my old boss has a 6m walk round cab he has bin using pro fishing for the last 8 years without 1 problem...


dbl;D

[Luke G]

Have you seen the Leisure Cat range? They have a good rep here in W.A and they have a few walk arounds in there range.

Cheers

www.leisurecat.com.au

[Luke G]

Have you seen the Leisure Cat range? They have a good rep here in W.A and they have a few walk arounds in there range.

Cheers

www.leisurecat.com.au

[Dean1]

I would definately consider coastalcat, bobs new commercial version is definatly a better hull than previous. I was very close to builing a 6 metre version but doing alot of the work myself it was still adding up to over $90 000. Alot of pros are going for them as you can fit them out yourself which in turn saves you $$$. They arent as well finished off as kevlacat etc which is why they are that bit cheaper, but for the serious/professional fisheman who wants a light no frills fishing machine they definatly stack up. The only downfall about a coastalcat is resale value i think. "kevlacat' and the likes just seem to have a name that peole line up for, thats just how it is. Dean.

[Dean1]

And the reason i went for my 5.2kc and not the coastalcat is that i can fit some 4 strokes and it will still owe me about $65000. Just the hull for the 6 metre CC was $55000, i know i wont lose a cent own my kc and it will sell fast if ever the situation rises!

[deadbeatloser]

And the reason i went for my 5.2kc and not the coastalcat is that i can fit some 4 strokes and it will still owe me about $65000. Just the hull for the 6 metre CC was $55000, i know i wont lose a cent own my kc and it will sell fast if ever the situation rises!

im not knockn ya kc . i am talking more about the customer service you get when you buy off some one like bob who will give you the time of day 2 years down the track if and when the need arises........if i had a bigger budget i would of had a coastal cat in my front yard now(not selln theR1)

dbl;D

[julian1]

Noosacat do a walkaround Cuddy in the 2300 and 2700. Also have a look at Bayshore boats in WA they do the Abcat range aluminium cats, very well finished boats. I was talking with a govt agency that went over and looked at the leisure cats for one of their vessels and he said he would not touch them with a 10ft pole !! they ended up with a Kevlacat

[Dean1]

Noosacat do a walkaround Cuddy in the 2300 and 2700. Also have a look at Bayshore boats in WA they do the Abcat range aluminium cats, very well finished boats. I was talking with a govt agency that went over and looked at the leisure cats for one of their vessels and he said he would not touch them with a 10ft pole !! they ended up with a Kevlacat The Abcat range are surely sweet looking boats, i second that. I have them in the powered cats magazine, NIIICCCEEE boats...

[bear]

Nobody has mentioned Sailfish.

Bear.

[PLAY HARD]

Having a 7200 sailfish being built now, Darren at sailfish has been eceptionaly easy to work with for any mods, I are not sure if they do a walk around . Give him a call, nothing seems to be a problem.

[Bonus]

Stick with Offshore Marine Master. I have a 6.3 metre offshore monohull and Jason specialises in cats. I have seen one being built and they are super strong. Give Jason a ring on 0438778330 and tell him Russell sent you to him for a discount.