Balance point on Tom Cat

Pamlicopirate · Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 9:10 pm Post subject: Balance point on Tom Cat

Hi everyone new here just bought a new Tom Cat with twin Suzuki 150’s. I love it but have a question hope someone can help. I’m putting it on a lift, the cradle is 10 foot and the bunk boards are 20 ft. My question is anyone know the center point for weight before I drill the bunk boards so the boat will be balanced..

gulfcoast john · Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 9:51 pm Post subject:

Congrads, Great Boat, you will love it!
Hope Bob Austin will reply, as he had one on his lift and is the Expert!
Enjoy your great boat!
John

Pacificcoast101 · Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 10:21 pm Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 10:48 pm Post subject:

First welcome aboard.

I have a 16,000 lb 4 piling lift. My cradle is Al I beams 10' long transversely. I have my bunk boards made of true dimension salt water treated 2" x 10" set on edge. I believe that they are 16' long. We have a thunderstorm now, but I can measure them in the AM when not raining. Each side has 2 of the 2 x 10, set on edge and these are set about 6" apart, with the angle equal to the dead rise of the Tom Cat near the transom.

I have used this lift for a 29' express cruiser, an 18' Century CC, the c Dory 22, 25, and my 18' Caracal (on the lift currently, which has almost identical hull configuration to the Tom Cat, (8 1/2' beam), so the centers of the hulls are the same as the Tom cat. I have the bow angled up so all water drains to the aft bilge pumps. (If any).

The lift bunk boards are not moved fore and aft, but if there is an issue with the boat, it will be positioned differently on the lift. For the Tom Cat 255, I had the aft end of the bunks forward of the transom. Balance point will be just forward of the aft cabin bulkhead. The outboards, batteries, and fuel tanks are well supported, as well as the transom. The water tank and more cabin weight is forward...

I would put two PVC tubing covered sq tubing supported "Guide-ons" as I have in the photo--it helps with proper positioning of the boat on the lift. They are tight against the rub rail.

Here is a photo of the boat on the lift.

Stern of the boat on the lift, to show cross beams

Below is a photo of the boat on the Float On Trailer.

Trailer without the boat to show bunks:

I can send more detailed pictures, but they will be with the Caracal on the lift currently.

Pamlicopirate · Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2020 5:29 am Post subject: Thanks

Thanks for the response like they say “a picture is worth a 1000 words”

thataway · Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2020 1:31 pm Post subject:

The length of the bunks are 12'. They are 2 x 8 dimensional,

If you send me a P M on the C Brat site with a smart phone number, I can send you a couple of photos I just took of the details of attachment of the bunks, angle, etc.