John T":e2rkujkf said:
My question about softness of ride in a head sea was prompted in part by Bob Austin's post at 7:25pm on 8/11 in a discussion under "TomCat." The boat that would allow me to minimize pounding in chop up to 4' would likely be my choice between the Cruiser and TomCat. I was reminded again last Thursday how much my wife truly hates pounding when we took our 22' Cobalt open bow (hard chine V, 20 degree deadrise aft) from Gig Harbor to Seattle to meet our son for lunch. That's a great boat for water sports,I've never owned a cat, though I've driven a 32' Zeta and spent two weeks at a time on my father-in-law's 42' Zeta fishing in the Broughtons. ......
We both find the C-Dory intriguing and appealing as a fairly simple, well laid out, great looking, economical, hopefully comfortable couple's boat for off season use and an easy single hander for getaways for me alone once in awhile. The TomCat offers more spacious accommodations and the benefits of a cat's ride. But that one consideration remains paramount I think: which would most likely be easiest on us when the winds kick up and oppose the current, creating those steep close chop conditions?
It's hard to sell any owner on the idea of taking you out in their boat in lousy conditions, so I haven't tried. .........
So I keep asking questions. Please forgive me if it has become annoying, but your responses have been extremely helpful and I am truly grateful.
Thanks,
John
I'll start my post by quoting a post of mine from April 2011:
Lets just say that I have seen a lot of blue water, and for our bodies, that going over 8 knots in true 2 1/2 foot seas will beat the heck out of you in a C Dory 25. The Tom Cat 255 will do 25 to 30 knots in true 3 foot chop--but much over that, then you are not going to keep that speed up.
I think that 3 to feet is close to the limit --it depends on the period (steepness).
I did cancel one trip, where I would be beating into 3 foot + for a good part of 200 miles. I find the faster we go, the better the boat rides--and when we get to 35 knots the best ride. We did run 14 miles into steep chop from the ICW to our home, with 35 to 50 knots on the nose. But, that is different than conditions in John's waters, where currants can also vary the steepness of the wave. Going into 4 footers, are probably beyond the best ride of the 255. One criticism I have of the boat is that the tunnel clearance is not ideal. In my headily loaded boat, we often had the waterline inside of the tunnel--that disappears as one gets onto a plane, gets an air cushion between the bridge deck aft and the water. Rarely did we ever get any "sneeze"--that it spray from between the tunnels forward. The 255 is a true planing cat.
For the steep 4 foot chop--a displacement/semi displacement cat is better. (I don't think this is much of a difference--in performance, but the bilge on displacement is more rounded.)
I don't have any experience with the Zeta Cats--they have an excellent reputation--but as you know--you cannot compare a beamy deep V type of cat, with a planing cat. The Zeta is sort of a deep V which has been cut down the middle--still has pretty good beam on the hulls, with a relatively narrow, but deep tunnel.
Generally in boats this size, the semi displacement boats are going to do better.
The World Cat or Glacier Bay. There have been more problems with the Glacier bay--and we did not like the layout (2690)--the World cat less issues, but not the layout for us.
The advantage of the semi displacement is also their short comings...They run well with gradual rise in the hull, and keep tunnel clearance as you come up to speed. They do not plane, thus top speed is less. In 2-3 foot chop the Tom Cat, is better--faster, and equal ride.
As you get up to 4 feet--you can keep the tunnel clearance with a decreased speed, and a better ride in the semi-displacement---but there will be more likely more "sneeze". In down wind/beam conditions--the Tom Cat is better, even in the bigger waves--but that means gotten on the back of one and riding it..., not going over. Several of the Glacier Bays have capsized or come apart. Less problems with the World cat--and World cats are still being made.
I agree with you wanting to run in really bad conditions. The second sea trial was with Marc at Wefings--and it was blowing about 30--steep 2 1/2 to 3'. There just happened to be a Regulator 26 going out at exactly the same time. (24* deadrise)
My feeling was that the Tom Cat was better.
My solution--might not be for you, but I sold a Century, with about 20 degree deadrise, and bought a Caracal Cat 18 for the running around, fishing. Its ride is equal to the Tom Cat 255--at least up to 2 1/2' There are two differences from the Tom Cat--1. it is a single engine cat, which (2) tends to ventilate going down wind/seas...this is mitigated by Prop blade choice and engine height.
The forum is for answering questions--our experiences all may vary, and you will often get slightly different opinions...
We sold the Tom Cat only because of health reasons. Wife Marie reminds me every day what a great boat that was...
