Tomcat 24 vs 25 Cruiser for Kids and fishing and rough water

[Jolly Rogelio]

[CPlay]

The Tomcat 255 vs 24 debate has been done before but I will add my (biased) opinion as a Tomcat 24 owner since the question has come up again.

Some thoughts..............

The Tomcat 24 head came with the option of marine head and holding tank or porta potty. Mine has the porta potty, which is my preference.

Comparing the Tomcats 24 and 25 is similar to comparing the C-Dory 25 to the 22. Most owners pick one over the other for what best suits their budget and how they plan to use the boat.

The good things about the 24: Lighter, easier to trailer, less draft, more maneuverable, planes at lower speed, less windage, smaller engines, uses less gas, smaller slip needed, takes less time to clean/wash/wax.

The good things about the 255: More interior room, stand up head with shower, easier battery access.

The head compartment on the 24 is only 4'10" tall. It is best to sit as you enter. This is not a problem at all with practice. Of course the taller you are the more difficult the maneuver. I am only 5'7", so no issue at all for me. I prefer the head compartment be as small as possible because very little time is spent in there, so why have it take up a large portion of the interior.
Also, the forward angled windshield can be a head bumper till you get used to it. Again, the taller you are, the more likely of an encounter. I have not found the windshield to cause heat buildup on hot days when underway with the windows open. On hot days, when not underway, I put covers over these windows. When its cold out and all windows are closed, the sloped windshield helps warm the boat (very nice).

I personally prefer the Tomcat 24 over the 255 for how I use my boat.

-Jeff-

[Frenzy]

I agree with everything Jeff just said about the 24. I am 6' 3" so head room was a concern for sure. Do I wish the head was bigger? Sure, but it is a compromise I am willing to live with and think it is preferable to a porta potty under a V-berth, which many other boats this size might have. I think the 24 maximizes every square inch very well. I am sure once you have had a chance to see both models, one will 'speak' to you making your decision easier.

[thataway]

Remember that the hulls on the bottom are the same between the 24 and 255. There is the bracket, which does not add any planing surface. The bridge deck is relatively higher on the 24. The Bunks are about the same size. Both were not in production at the same time.

[flatfishfool]

I can’t add much that hasn’t been said. The head and swim platform/motor bracket are upside of the 255. If money and size are no object the 255 is probably a better overall boat, a progession of the concept. I recently bought a 24. This past weekend we were rafted up with friends who have a 255 and had never been on a 24. When they came aboard they immediately commented on the bow/bunk being more open. The difference in house design gives lower headroom on the bunk entry on the 255. It also gives it a dash and port hole windows which the 24 doesn’t have, other than the helm dash. Their perception was the cockpit on the 24 was larger too. Not sure if that is actually true or just their perception. We also thought the dinette/table on the 24 was slightly bigger, but again I have not compared measurements so could be false. Speaking of the cockpit, the 255 has in deck storage lockers/fish boxes, the 24 does not. The 255 also has a “wedge” or extra vee in between the hulls in front. I can anticipate what this is intended for but can’t speak to whether it makes any functional difference. Others maybe can. I love my 24 so far and am also one of the weirdos who likes the look.

[Molly Brown]

Holy Cow! Just came across this thread and I’m sure glad that back in 2002 the 24’ was the only other choice back then. Bought a 22 in 2000 and our current 24’ in July 2002. The 24’ felt like 3 times the size of the original 22’ we bought…what luxury. Is the 255 a nice boat? Sure it is! Couldn’t afford to buy one though. We’ve owned this boat for 22 years and made it work through 2 teenage boys and a multitude of dogs. Currently 3000 miles and 3.5 months into the Great Loop. Could I use a bigger boat? Sure but at what point is bigger enough? I like the “buy the boat and go” philosophy…..everything is a compromise and ultimately it’s what you can afford to use on regular basis. Usually my first question when I see a boat I like is “how big is the fuel tank?”

James

[kaelc]

Glad to see this old thread still adding value. We are using our 25 Cruiser lots. I did make an offer on a 24 tomcat that had keel damage. Ended up with the 25 Cruiser when the 24 owner wouldn’t come down in price. We love our 25. Sleeping is tight for a family of 4 but I can set up a cot in the cockpit with the rain enclosure on.