2006 Tomcat vs later model Tomcat

S

satchley

New member
My wife and I have owned our 2006 Tomcat in Ketchikan, AK for a couple years now. We even lived on it for about a year before God blessed us with a baby. I was curious what model number 2006 Tomcat it was so I finally checked the HIN (CD025513I506), I believe that means I have number 13 (the wife didn't like hearing that).
I've compared my 2006 Tomcat to lot's of other ones on this site and the major differences that I see are:

1. Outboard brackets: Shorter(24 inches) with the platform between the brackets and angled outside edges on the bottom of the brackets. My question concerning these is, would I benefit from the replacement/upgrade to the newer style, and what's the pros and cons of each?

2. Port and Starboard lazarette hatches: (either side of the live bait well) I definately will change these out for the larger size. Have already had to change the bilge pumps and the starboard macerator pump and can easily see the advantages.

3. Thru hull fittings for bilge and macerator pumps: Would like to raise these up and glass over old holes. Have been in big swells bottom fishing and had water come into the bilge through these holes since their installed too low.

4. Tie bar between engines: I havn't seen any other Tomcats with the tiebar for steering between the outboards. It doesn't bother me really, but if I got the newer outboard bracket it would be nice to use the middle space for a ladder for diving, swimming.

5. Port and Starboard cockpit cubbys: I've seen the newer models have what appears to be an insert installed into these. I like mine for being able to tuck the harpoon and gaff into, but they tend to fill up from heavy rain (in Ketchikan that's almost everyday). Would like either the inserts or a cover that flaps down to keep out the rain.

So, I'm asking the guys with out there with 2006 Tomcats- Dreamer, Discovery, Captains Cat, and Thisaway (once Thataway), are any of the differences worth changing out or would you just keep it the way it is

Stacey
 
Stacey,

Dreamer is #22 and was the first TC with the new longer one piece bracket. I understand it was supposed to reduce the splash on the engines. They still get pretty wet. Our Lazarette hatches are the larger ones that fit the vertical wall top to bottom.

The factory relocated our bilge and macerator outlets to a higher position within the first year we owned her. We have a liquid tie bar and the bracket does make a nice swim step or crab pot storage area. At times it would be nice however to have a solid link between the engines. We have not done anything to the side storage cubbys. Having camper canvas solves the water problem.
 
Satchley,

Discovery is boat #10, however it was the 5th boat built. It was built with the longer Armstrong brackets. The Spray from the bracket and motor lower units were always a problem at speed. The motors were directing a stream of water onto each other. I think we were the first to report the problem to the then Reynolds owned factory.

The lower placement of the bilge and macerator discharge outlets were also troublesome for us. The bilges and fish box's would take on water when we launched and loaded, due to the angle of the boat on the trailer.

The hatch size is not a big problem, the batteries are behind them. It's a hassle to change batteries, but doable. I cut round 6" ports into the aft end of the fish box's to get access to the bilge and macerator pumps ( thank Roger on Dreamer for that solution ).

We have a liquid tie bar. Came that way. The cockpit cubbys are unlined and open.

We convinced the factory that the motor spray was a big problem to us. They agreed and thought that a shorter Armstrong bracket was the solution. We trailered the boat back to the factory and they replaced the Armstrong bracket with the shorter 24" version. While at the factory I convinced them to move the bilge and macerator outlets to the higher position. All this work was done at the factories expense. I thank Jeff Messmer for the quick resolution to the problems we were experiencing with the new TomCat. It was a loss to C-Dory when he left to go to Ranger Tugs.

Brent
 
Satchley, my first TC (Captain's Cat) was hull #16. Not sure which Armstrong bracket it had but the access hatches in the transom were small (now replaced) and the bilge pump/macerator overboards were at the waterline (now raised). My Batteries were below the big stern center compartment (I don't have a live bait well) and access was easy. The bigger hatches in the transom made it easier to get to the bilge pumps and transducer I installed on the stbd side. I replaced both bilge pumps eventually. Spray from the engines was always a problem at lower speeds (<17 knots) but not at high speed.

I now have hull #39 (Thataway). None of these problems exist.

Both boats had the liquid tie bar, I think you probably do too, look for it. Never wanted a solid link between the engines, they are just too far apart.

As far as the cockpit "cubbies" go, just drill a few holes in the bottom and any water will drain into the bilge and the pumps will take care of the problem.

Charlie
 
I had a sailboat with discharge outlets too low. I was told by a boat fiberglass expert that plugging and glassing the holes so they would disappear was expensive and would never quite look like they were never there. Being on a budget, he suggested simply leaving them in place, but capping them on the inside, then he'd place new ones higher up. That was the solution I used, and NO one ever asked about the old discharge outlets as most larger boats have several mystery outlets anyway.

Just a thought from a cheap guy.
 
A good glass person can make a repair so that you will never see it. I would rather do that but it is more expensive--than just capping.

I agree with all that Charlie stated--he has the boat and I ran it some where near 200 hours, mostly at cruising speed of 25 knots. I would go for the liquid tie bar, the shorter bracket and the other items are not as big an expensive, but can be solved.

As Roger pointed out the hull number is not always the sequence in building. Part was related to when the order was taken. Yes, I believe that yours is the 13th build number....but not necessarily the 13th built...
 
Thanks for all the replies, I will be looking into the cost of changing out the outboard brackets to start.
Captains Cat- I definitely have a solid metal link bar between the engines for steering. There's hydraulic Seastar to the starboard engine, and then metal tiebar connecting to the port engine. I'll probably do that improvement last, depending on cost.
All the rest are cosmetic/fiberglass work which I would like to accomplish myself.

All in all, we like the boat. Thought about selling it due to the pound in seas bigger than 3 feet and the less than ideal mpg, but it's been growing on me the more I use it. We do alot more trolling around on one engine with one lifted up, and if the weather turns ugly use both to zip home. Plus when the seas are big I don't have any need or business being out there.
 
Stacey, is your TomCat the one in Bar Harbor North with the roof mounted A/C? I was docked nearby a few weeks ago but didn't notice any activity on board. Nice boat, though, and the C-Dory dealer in Juneau said he's sold more TomCats than anything else.
 
Yep, that was our Tomcat. I believe the boat originally came from Florida- hence the A/C. Removing that and making room for the dinghy is also on the list of projects. I'd much rather have another heat source than an A/C here in Alaska.
 
satchley":73e2cmzl said:
Yep, that was our Tomcat. I believe the boat originally came from Florida- hence the A/C. Removing that and making room for the dinghy is also on the list of projects. I'd much rather have another heat source than an A/C here in Alaska.
Click to expand...

Ha ha - I bet the locals think you are hard core to need AC in Alaska!
 
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