$166k for a new Tomcat

It's in the same general range as a Ranger Tug 25 Outboard with single 250HP, or a Rosborough RF-246, depending upon how it is powered and equipped. New boats are pricey!
 
New boats aren't pricey.

I'm always explaining to Eileen how much more it would cost if our hobby happened to be flying antique jet aircraft. Have you priced a replacement MIG engine lately including customs?

This one isn't even a jet.

https://www.avbuyer.com/aircraft/milita ... F13/357025

One of my favorite Bob quotes is, "You can't take it with you, and the kids would just squander it."

I like how our Brat on the left coast walked into the Honda dealer with a bag of cash for a replacement BF150. Take a suitcase in to Three Rivers Marine and try your luck.

Cheers!
John
 
Not too bad considering the cost of other boats. This Tom Cat looks like the "Sport" (non headliner model), but has the basics with windlass and Wallas, refer wireless controls etc. I see that they have put channels from the in the floor fish boxes to the scuppers--hopefully that will eliminate the leaking of water into the boxes from the deck.

Agree it would be fairly easy to get to $200K with a camper canvas, and a few other accessories. The trailer alone is in the $8500 range. Oh yes, taxes...

Airplanes: the all electric Pipistrel all electric 2 seat trailer is only $137,000 base price without charger--a real bargain in the aviation world.... :smile

The Cessna 172 is still being built: the 172-SP, goes for $307,500; the 160 hp 172R sells for $274,900. Makes a Tom Cat seem like a bargain...
 
thataway":8og96m4o said:
I see that they have put channels from the in the floor fish boxes to the scuppers--hopefully that will eliminate the leaking of water into the boxes from the deck.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately not.
They still fill a little with every afternoon shower.
Has anyone successfully added a gasket of any kind?
 
With airplanes, the cheapest thing you do is buy it. Boats aren't quite so bad.

The plane listed isn't even a real one, it is a replica.
 
Its a non current model as well . Probably getting pressure to order a 2020 from NMI. Less than 6 Mos. till 2021s come out !
Marc
 
Sport=no headliner + balsa core as I remember .
Fancier Tomcat = padded/insulated headliner and composite core ...I think
It's been a while and things change , kinda.
Marc
 
My understanding was as Marc noted--the Tom Cat Sport has no full liner/vinyl and foam headliner, with core of balsa. The Tom Cat has more liner (?) and the vinyl foam headliner, plus a foam core. The web site shows exactly the same for both.

However going to the Venture series, it shows the Sport with no hull liner or vinyl liner and balsa core, vs the standard Venture with hull liner, vinyl/foam headliner and foam core.
 
ssobol":294wlnci said:
What difference does a foam vs. balsa core make to the handling and/or durability of the boat?
Click to expand...

I doubt if anyone could tell the difference.

It should make no difference. Of course some feel that having foam gets away from the "rot" issues with balsa. On the other hand, foam will delaminate just as readily, particularly if the the boat is exposed to freeze thaw cycles. There are some very graphic photos of foam cored boats which were either not properly built, or hit an object tearing apart. Most foams (even "closed cell") eventually will absorb some water. One of the banes of older Boston Whalers is a wet foam core. The shear properties and compressive properties of Balsa are better than many foams. t

Foam is lighter, but is more expensive, and may require a thicker core. There are a lot of engineering factors in design of both balsa and foam cored laminates. Both should be fully sealed from water, and both should have stronger core materials in the way of bolts and compression such as thru hulls.
 
JMacLeod,
I don’t think anyone has successfully kept TC255 fishboxes dry, even with new boats with new gaskets. One posted about having a vacuum effect when trying to open the lid (running the macerator pump with the lid closed could do that) and water STILL got in.

My PO drilled holes in the bottom of the channel around the lid perimeter but still had water collect in the fish boxes. How water can ‘climb’ uphill out of that channel rather than run into the bilge through those holes is a mystery. Some suspect a ‘capillary action’ is to blame.

I personally think that the Universe is entitled to have it’s mysteries, and this is just one more of the major ones.

As long as you NEVER put fish in there, the easiest fix for cruisers is to simply disconnect each fishbox drain hose at the macerator input and lay it flat in the bilge so all fishbox rainwater drains into the bilge to be taken care of by the auto bilge pump as needed. This is easy to reverse at any time. We store the stern anchor, line, fenders, engine flush hose, etc on a Dri-Deck layer so anchor doesn’t bang up the fishbox.

My observation over the past 7 years has been that nuisance amounts of rain or washdown water prefers to dribble into the fishboxes rather than finding its’ way out via the two aft scuppers. This invites the worst-case concern about what would happen if the TC255 cockpit is pooped by a large wave (hopefully with the cabin door closed). If it didn’t capsize, how much would exit by the scuppers vs via closed and latched fishboxes? I suspect that the extra weight on the fishbox lids might prevent much further intrusion compared to nuisance water and that most would exit out the scuppers. I hedge my bet with Rule 2700g/h Gold bilge pumps replaced every 5 years.

One owner rigged a float switch into the fishbox (would require drilling a hole in the fishbox itself for the wiring). All such switches allow ½ to 1 inch of water to remain, and the switch itself takes up room and is subject to damage by whatever you throw in there.

I wouldn’t worry about it and instead plan the next Adventure.

But let us know if you find a better solution!

John
 
That seems like a fairly decent price on that TomCat with all that comes with it. We just picked our new 2020 up at NWM Jan 17 and paid just over $180000. with out the canvas or the wallas stove/heater. We did include trailer with hydraulic/electric brakes, Sea Star 360 controls, Suzuki 175s, extra water tank and the non sport model.
I have a lot to do in outfitting the boat and look forward to get her on the water.
 
Rick,
Awesome boat, and the first 255 I've heard of with the Optimus 360 system! Tell us about it as you get familiar with it.

Today we had the bimini expert out to check our rig for a quote to add Phifertex (looks like what you chose) camper sides enclosure. On past boats, clear isinglass of any type was an expensive pain to store and use without damaging it.

If that is a GPS antenna on the mount be sure it's not in the beam of any future radar or it'll get fried. We find tucking the GPS antenna inside just under the ceiling gives a strong signal and lasts much longer when out of the weather.

We just replaced the radar mount with a 16" Seaview and light bar to get above the new 14.5" Coleman 15,000BTU rooftop AC. The Perko 1197 light will be above the max Federal hgt of 13 ft 6 inches by 5 inches. At least I can fold it over 90 degrees by loosening 4 bolts. Hope I never forget to before trailering!

Cheers!
John
 
John ,
Thanks for the warning on the GPS antenna. It is the antenna for the optimus 360 system. I have the radar and GPS/ Chartplotter due to arrive today.
I will check with Mike at NWM about that issue as he has installed several of these units on TomCats and Seasports.
Mike did say that the optimus antenna was more accurate than garmins and that I should use it for the garmin.
Rick
 
Great photos of Rika's Tom Cat build. Gives one prospective of where the fuel tanks are located (and what may be involved in replacing them...

Good eye, John. I agree, you want that antenna well away and not in the beam of the Radar.

Good to see an appropriate sized truck for the Tom Cat. Looks like plenty of capacity and towing power! Snow...??

John are you using Phifertex instead of clear vinyl windows, or as sun shades?
 
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