TC 25 Update

Bob Cat · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 9:13 pm Post subject: TC 25 Update

Hi, All of y'all Brats

Sorry to have missed all the doings last weekend, but it sounds like everyone had a great time. I'll cath up on the social scene later.

Great to meet Dave S at the show. What a calm gentleman. And the CD owners group are fine folks, too. Spent quite a bit of time in the booth and out with various chores and missions, but here is the reason for this message, a TC 25 update.

I saw the "part/plug" nearly complete at the old Monroe facility. Key craftsmen are working diligently to get it ready for mold making. I must say, it is everything I hoped for. If you take the TC 24, add 18" in the cockpit and the CD 25 cabin, you just about have it. Then, if you square off the transom and mount the engines on 27" brackets (as seen on the boats at the show), you have yourself the equivalent of a 30' boat (ride and handling wise) in a 25.5 package with lots more cockpit space.

My agents report interest/sales at the show are significant. In my opinion, we'll see #1 in late March or more likely April. I'm sticking by my New Year's forecast. All this from a couple of artist's conceptions at the show!

Also at the show I gathered my electronics, watermaker and jacuzi tub (just kidding) along with confirmed assurances that EZ Loader engineers and CD will be working together directly over the next weeks to finalize a dedicated design package. What a relief. It look like Tanner will do the stainless (I'm going with the arch now) and they deliver a quality product, as seen on Orca's.

At the bottom line, I'm very pleased with what I saw and heard. Yes, there are other cats out there, but this is one that will be well built, fast, and able to be modified to meet my particular specs and needs. It is a working boat. I don't need someone to tell me where every cleat has to be, then build it or fill it with foam so I can't put things where I want.

This is getting a little too long. Sorry. I'm pretty excited!

Best to all,
Scaley

TyBoo · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 9:38 pm Post subject:

Byrdman · Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 7:06 pm Post subject:

Scaley: Yes a lot of interest in the TC25. I have been real hard at it with both C-Dory & EZ-Loader on the TC trailer, and just as you repoted, Jeff from C-Dory sent me an email to state that for sure a TRULY CUSTOM TRAILER is in the works between the 2 companies... A great boat getting better... Now, I will just have to see one, get on one,,, prior to see if it is worth the $$ differance of Hull # 51 ...C-Salt/FreeByrd to drag FreeByrd back up for some swapping out... Byrdman in Bama

jswygal · Joined: 09 Sep 2004 Posts: 4 City/Region: Miami, FL

Has anyone seen the interior layout? Will the new TC-25 have the same forward cabin athwartships bunk? How about the interior height...will it be greater that 6'2"?

Bob Cat · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 10:35 am Post subject:

Steve in Miami,

What I have heard and seen indicate there will be plenty of head room. I'm 6'1" so the original design TC24 was a problem. I had asked for more headroom and Jeff says they are delivering it in the TC25. I visited the Monroe facility where they are making the molds and saw the various elements. I was assured by Jeff M personally at that time the increase in cabin headroom would be substantial. When they get all the pieces together we can ask for the final measurement.

As far as the forward berth goes, it is basically the same size as the TC24. The small head forward is replaced by the stand up shower/head aft on the stb. side. This may provide a little more wiggle room. Longer than my queen bed athwart but maybe not quite as wide fore to aft. Plenty of room to stretch without curling toes!

Scaley

jswygal · Joined: 09 Sep 2004 Posts: 4 City/Region: Miami, FL

Scaley, thanks for the encouraging words. At 6'5" and 250# my search for a trailerable cruiser I can fit into comfortably have been futile. The new TC-25 may just be the ticket. My friends with their Rosborough SF-246 sedan cruiser will turn green as a shallow sea. Very Happy

Sea Angel · Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 1:19 pm Post subject:

Hi Steve;
Head room and interior beam room were key factors in choosing the CD25 over the RF246 here. And I won't fall out of the cabin side doors when my juice is too high, or bang my head entering the aft door.

Byrdman · Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 6:08 pm Post subject:

Think several of us want a notification once the 1st TC25 gets some power strapped to her. Worth another round trip ticket for me....however, for those of you who know what the snow gave me as a route to the SBS and factory gathering in Jan05.... I may just drive on up to Nashville and get on that NON-STOP flight.... Bham, St. Lewis, Kansas City, Oakland, CA (well... they hit the left bank and just went north)...then finally, Seattle... but, all for a great cause and to meet some wonderful people and friends... Look forward to my soon to be next trip. Who is getting the 1st TC25 and when/where will she get power? Early tickets are cheaper.

Byrdman · Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 6:10 pm Post subject:

Opps.... and EZ-Loader indicated a truly CUSTOM trailer should be ready by late Mar/early Apr05 too....which does make this vessel/trailer set up "truly trailerable" for those of us who take it on down the road a piece. Great to see two Great Companies working on a package.

Byrdman in Bama on FreeByrd: TC24, Hull # 51

Bob Cat · Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 8:40 pm Post subject:

Byrdman,

I think I'm getting #2 because of the mods. Maybe Les is getting #1?

I'm putting Honda 150's on, which I think have been ordered. It will be interesting on those long brackets. It's about 4' from the transom to the prop! That's a 30' boat plus tongue on the trailer. Between my long bed F450 and this I'll have to do some scouting before entering any parking areas.

With half tanks and water with 2 p.o.b. I'd expect at least 35. What do you think?

Steve, at 6'5" you're probably pretty used to ducking! or you have the scars to prove otherwise. That's probably gonna be the max in any trailer boat. Another benefit of this cat will be it's ability to cut through the waves and chop more gently than a V hull. When I was test driving a TC24, having been on V hulls weekly for the last year or so, I was bracing myself in anticipation of the jolt that never comes. The risk of popping against the overhead is greatly reduced, not eliminated, just greatly reduced.

I'll check in with the factory next week for another update. It's nice to know the trailer will be ready when the boat is!

Scaley

katkt · Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 7:23 am Post subject:

[quote="Scaley Waterman"]Byrdman,

With half tanks and water with 2 p.o.b. I'd expect at least 35.

Scaley, our Tomcat w/twin 90's and bottom paint runs 37
WOT, you shouldn't have any problems doing 35 with the
new set up.
I'd be guessing but you should see WOT speeds in the
low to mid 40's

Gordon

jswygal · Joined: 09 Sep 2004 Posts: 4 City/Region: Miami, FL

What a good chat! Anyone seen an interior layout or drawings/photos of the new boat with the brackets? Has anything been found out about overall weight? What do you think with the twin 150s and EZ Loader? Can a F-150 with 7500# capacity handle it? Smile

Chivita · Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 11:55 pm Post subject:

JSWYGAL,

I was at the factory the other day asking about the TC and was told that the interior would be the same as the 25' C-Dory, but that the floor would not be as deep. Other than that apparently the interior is identical. Cockpit is bigger due to the brackets, no idea as to weight but you may be pressing your luck with the F150, unless you are not towing far.

Byrdman · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2005 9:34 am Post subject:

KATKT: 37mpy with twin 90s?? Humm.. mine runs about 31 WOT...but I am in fresh water ILO salt water...?? Think the bouency is that much differant?? Full 5 mph or more differance?? Hey, See you list Pensecola as one of your home ports?? Damage during Ivan and others last fall? Have a friend that has a total re-build just about to start after just clearing up all the insurance work.... You should join us in Nashville for the Apr05 gathering...

JSYGAL: Having pulled the TC24 accross our Great Nation.... I'd for sure go with 3/4 ton.... unless you already own a L O N G ....did I say long...F150.... then you may want to boost the rear with an air lift system. I had to do this to get my TomCat from Nashville to Montgomery, and the LACK OF LENGTH and total frame set up of my 97 Tahoe, 5.7 was TOOOOO short...and too light...even with the 7500 or 8000 towing capacity. The onboard gauge and pressure adjustment add on to the air kit was priceless....even if I was just loading up the back with stuff.... I have since replaced my Tahoe with a 2005 Excursion built on the F250 Heavy Duty frame, with the 6.0 Turbo Diesel.. I used my nephews truck to pull her cross country....and got totally spoiled traveling those little hills between the leftside and right side of our Country. grin.

SCALEY: Any timeline update on Les's or yours? Any more update from Jeff or EZ-Loader on the trailer...??? or are they waiting for TC25 Hull #1 for the set up?? I am just going to cover my bunks with an extra layer of tuff indoor/outdoor carpet to make the Apr05 Nashville Gathering... Looks like hell and "rigged"...but I need to do something.

Byrdman · Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2005 2:45 pm Post subject:

Got a quick/short email from Jeff @ C-Dory end of last week. He is indicating both trailer and 1st powered up "TC255"....yep, 255...not TC25 as we have been using.... will be ready in the Jul05 timeframe. I would almost bet that with the sales from the 05 boat show season....it was a no brainer as to where to point the resources for a few months....

At the same time, I recommended to Jeff an "Unveiling Ceremony" of some type...which would make for another great opportunity for all of us to GATHER again. With the factory giving us that feast of a meal in Jan05, I have offered bringing some nice pulled smoke pork and possibly some ribs from our Nashville plant for this event....if they choose to do it. Sure would be nice to get back out there, see the new boat, see some old friends... and possibly sample some more of Pat & Davids goods....and see their new boats too. We could make this a big pot-luck gathering.. All I need from Jeff is dates...me and BBQ will show up...

Thoughts/input or other local knowledge on this topic????