Cat v Mono - with a twist

[nautilus]

I am looking at getting a larger trailerable cat. Has anyone not been happy with their cat and gone back to a mono? And/or, have you ever been a passanger on a larger trailerable cat? How did you find the ride compared to a mono?

[chris_s]

A mate has a 23' cat and i have a 23' plate mono. Both very nice boats but both totally different. The ride in the cat is quieter but was surprised that some of the impacts were no different to that of my platie. Also have noticed that his cat bobs up and down quite alot whilst underway, obviously due to the considerable extra weight at front. So far on trips that we have both done there is no clear winner, he does not leave me behind in rougher conditions and nor do i have to push to keep up. So i would say that both boats handle conditions the same. But what i have noticed is that his fuel bill is quite alot more than mine.

[snelly1971]

Cats are probably the best riding boat...but.....I find my tri hull ...more stable...easier to drive...and how many cats at 28 foot could plane and run easily on twin 115 4 bangers....and .....I can plane at 8.5 knots...no cat will do that..

Horses for courses i suppose....I still miss my 17 foot tiller steer dingy for fishing inshore...

Mick

[julian1]

i have a 660 Nosacat with 150 Suzuki's. I have had longer deepvee mono's
Haines 680SF
Edencraft 233
Once i mastered the CAt driving which is different, I don't think i could go back. Cats just cruise along so comfortably from one side to the other. I don't know if you could say it is faster than say the 233 in rough conditions as those things are missiles, but in certain conditions the mono would get nowhere near the cat and the Cat does it in much more comfort, i seem to sit down a lot more driving the cat. then you have the stability and no mono will match that in the same size category.

[kingtin]

Tri-Hull the go. I had a 17ft cathedral hull that gave me a better ride and sat better in similar conditions, than the Sea legend 6.5m with it's 19d deadrise. No experience of Cats, but I would think that they are similar to a cathedral hull, although I may be wrong.

kev

[Dean1]

All I can say is that if you own a mono you havent discovered cats yet, or if you dont like them you obviously went for a run in a bad one or the driver didn't know how to drive it properly. Chalk and cheese in my eyes, not a chance would i go back to a mono, its nice to arrive at your fishing spot and not feel exhausted already from bashing your way out in a mono

[saurian]

Happy with mine.
Next one would be a larger plate cat, about 7/8m with fully enclosed wheelhouse and pure fishing/camping setup without the flash finish.
Ta

[Noelm]

All this talk of "how to drive a Cat" makes them sound like it is a whole different thing to do, sure there may be some slight differences in trim influence, but as a whole, they are not too much different, that a new owner needs a year or something to learn the ropes!, there is no reason why you could not just sit back and do nothing if you want, there is no need to be forever vigilant and watch the water in front for every ripple and crest, but if you ant to go as fast as possible, then it does not matter if you are in a Mono or Cat, then you must drive them!

[Lovey80]

Never going back. Would definitely own a fisher in the larger boat class if I couldn't afford a 2400KC or similar.

Cheers Chris

[nautilus]

Thanks to everyone who replied. As you would all know, it is bloody hard finding the time to get out and test a whole lot of boats (or any for that matter!) I was looking at the Noosacat 2700 series. I have seen a couple of walkaround versions, but no full cabin ones. It is going to Tassie, so will need the cabin. There is an option between a short and long cabin. Do people use their cabins much? I first thought that I would go for the short cabin to maximise fishing room, but now I am thinking about taking weekend trips which I have never done.

[kingtin]

Do people use their cabins much? I first thought that I would go for the short cabin to maximise fishing room, but now I am thinking about taking weekend trips which I have never done.

A full cabin's the go, particularly in winter, if you intend to use it often. It all depends if you give preference to deck fishing space, or staying out overnight. Now I've got a full cabin, I'd never settle for anything less.

kev

[unreel]

sailfish alloy cats made in allstonville nsw are the best value for money cat anywhere in aus at the mo.

[crab man]

Hi Guys I have a 7.5m trailered sailfish cat rides better then any other boat i have owned / driven.6.02kevil cat, 9 meter custom carins mono and a heap oflittle boats such as vc's etc etc but its silly to compare two total diff class boats. i use it as a pro boat shot cabbin more room still sleep in the front cabin double bed. i have twin 90hp hondas does 25kts and use 30lts a side doing a 10-13 hr day not turing the motors off work most weather from 30kts northly winds to 30kt southly winds , take on bullshit bars you probley would'nt even think about (only because i gotta go when the product is there to be taken) Any ways hope it helps
cheers craig

[snelly1971]

Tri-Hull the go. I had a 17ft cathedral hull that gave me a better ride and sat better in similar conditions, than the Sea legend 6.5m with it's 19d deadrise. No experience of Cats, but I would think that they are similar to a cathedral hull, although I may be wrong.

kev

Gee Kev ...good to see that someone on Ausfish has a few brains

Mick

[Dean1]

Hey Mick Kev has no experience with cats so he doesnt know what he's missing out on