A few questions for the Cat Brats...

M

Mr. Fisherman

New member
Alrighty, before we go any further I thought this would be a great way to collect questions related to the Tom Cat boats.
I have not been struck by three foot itus. I love my 22' Angler... Love it.
That said, are those cats tuff to launch and retrieve by yourself?
 
Hey Mr. Fish! You could haul boo-coo Halibet on a TC. Yes, you can load and launch the TC24 by yourself....but it aint easy...but gets better each time. I have launched and retrived mine 2 or 3 times now by myself. Each time, both the wind and current were favorable. The newer set up of the new custom trailer should make things easier too, particuarly with some side guides mounted as to let the boat "settle" down onto and rise off the trailer. Simply put, these boats are not designed to "drive on/drive off" the trailer, but more of a vertical lift and fall. If the ramp is a slow tappered ramp... a trailer tounge extention mounted on the trailer once the boat is on the ramp at the waters edge may be needed to get the boat/trailer far enough back into the water and keep the back end of the tow vehicle out of the water....particuarly the salt water. For me, all but one trip in the TomCat have been fresh water launches....and the salt water ramp was steap and high tide for both launch and retrieval. For sure it is way easier with one other person to help with a rope tied to the stern cleat on the up wind or up current side as to keep the stern of the boat from blowing/flowing/shifting down wind/current and not aligning on the bunks properly. That person with the rope just walks up the ramp with the correct amount of tension on the rope to keep things straight...and it might take a time or two to get the hang of it. Oh but once in the water how sweeeet it is!!!
 
Cat Brats. I like that!

Brent and Dixie launched and retrieved their TC24 all over North America, and they've launched and retrieved "Discovery", their TC255, for sea trials just recently. They're online sometimes so maybe you'll hear from them, too.

Katy and I will submit ongoing reports during Dive Cat sea trials 2/15-2/18, and when we get her launched at Marina Del Rey. I am expecting single handed ability, but I don't generally have much wind, and never have current. We're sissies.

Bob Cat
 
I don't find it easy to launch or retrieve but we get it done. I did have a 40 inch tounge extension made by a friend (sounds weird). I haven't had to use it yet but it would have been useful in some of the shallow low grade ramps I've been to. I do have inner bunks to guide the boat on center. I find the boat likes deep and steep ramps where it can float on and off quickly. Phil FanTC
 
There was some concern about the new TC255 trailer. Discovery and Dive Cat both have electric over hydraulic brake systems. Some of the electrical components mounted at the tongue were very close to being submerged when launching on a shallow gradient ramp. These parts can be relocated, but it may be an indication of a larger problem yet to be determined and resolved.

There is also the matter of an anchor in place in the roller catching on or colliding with the roller stop assemby on launch or recovery. I believe Discovery had to let out chain and put the anchor on deck to avoid the problem. That's not acceptable.

On Cygnet, Brent had redesigned the bow stop pads on the trailer into a U shape that touched the hull on both sides of the anchor but allowed plenty of room for the anchor, in its roller, to pass through. Don't know why EZLoader didn't incorporate that.

It is not realistic to expect all ramps to be a steep enough gradient. One point of having a trailer boat is to be able to launch wherever you want. There aren't very many places to launch on the coast here. I'll be very disappointed if I can't use all them. In my opinion, the trailer should be flexible enough to adjust to varying ramp conditions.

We'll see how Dive Cat does at EQ's marina ramp.

Bob Cat
 
C-Brats

We have launched and loaded a TomCat probably in as many varied locations as anyone, except maybe Fred Kistler. The TomCat 24 usually required a crew of two, and occasonally more. The condition and steepness of the ramp was the big factor.

On flat ramps it is difficult to get the boat to float off, due to the height of the boat on the trailer. You end up powering off after backing in as far as you dare. Then you power on when loading. On steep ramps the issue was that the anchor would foul on the bow stop and you would have to go forward and unhook it.

The design of the EZ Loader trailer on the TC24 was poor at best. I ended up making a center guide-on to keep the boat lined up during launches, but more importantly during loading. The included factory guide-on's would simply bend over in any kind of side wind. Also the trailer was out of sight, being completly submerged. I extended the side guides and beefed them up. See the Cygnet album on both C-Dogs and C-Brats. Byrdman's thoughts on using dock lines to help guide the boat on, were also our experience. That's where more crew was appreciated. I did have EZ Loader make a split bow stop, which helped in keeping the anchor off the bow stop.

We were always able to eventually get the TC24 off and then back on the trailer. It was just not easy. Once at Puerto San Carlos on Magdalena Bay in Baja Mexico, we beach launched the TC24, over the sand, with a mexican friend's, Ford Victoria Taxi. I have a picture of this , and will post it if I can find it.

The only time we have launched and loaded the new TC255, was at Lake Washington. The ramp was very flat, and we experienced much the same problems as with the TC24. The boat would not float off the trailer. When we tried to power off, the anchor hooked on the bow stop. We powered back forward and let out the anchor windless, then laid the anchor (Bruce 22 lb) on the deck, and powered off again. Loading was the reverse process. As Bob Cat has mentioned we have electric/hydraulic brakes. The accuator is mounted on the trailer tongue, and would not let us back the trailer in far enough to float off, without getting the accuator wet.

I have contacted the EZ Loader Rep. Tim Egan, and he is working on resolving these problems. I am confident that the new TC255 trailer can be reengineered to solve these issues. It's a great trailer down the road. Pulls fine and handles the TC255 with ease. Have to look back to know the boat's back there. Just heavier than the TC24 up the hills, and the electric accuator is a little slower to begin braking, than with surge brakes.


We pulled the TC24 for over 30,000 miles over all types of roads, with only one flat tire, and no other problems. We hope to do even more miles with the new TC255. Living in Utah, it's a long trip to the ocean no matter where you go. Still it's a great way to spend our time during retirement.

Brent
TC255
 
Only repeating whats been said. The trailer needs to be submerged to float the boat on and off(a little power assit from the motors helps).
Guide ons,(at least at the back of the trailer)are a really great idea.
Put the tunnel guides as high as they can go without rubbing the hull when its on the trailer.
With enough practice you could load and launch by yourself, but an extra person is nice. Having someone to back up the tow vehicle when launching or loading while a little power is applied with the motors makes a big difference. We use the little motorola walkie talkies to communicate between the boat and tow rig. :thup When powering on the trailer, the sweet spot between coming on hot, and stopping short of the front stop is small.
 
All of the above and I have tried Liquid Rollers sprayed on the carpeted bunks...Not sure but I think it helps. Anyone have rollers?
Phil
 
I had thought of about 4 rollers, one foot apart, about 16" wide on the forward section of the trailer. Once the boat is fully on the trailer, the shap of the sponsons actually leaves very little, if any weight remaining on about the front 4 or 5 foot of the sponsons.... as I recall.... any of you TC owners with your boat close buy take a look at this and send your input. Now, with those rollers up front this would help in mulitple was....as I see it maybe...
1-that would be the "pivit spot" or weighted area when the boat is leaving the trailer when it is not able to go for a pretty much straight up vertical launch...as with most ramps, and would prevent the "sharp lower edges" of the sponsons from sliping between any of the twin bunk boards...as to put those not so sweet little smiley grins on the fiberglass or remove your bottom paint.
2--that would be a "stop here" area which would allow for a little easier cranking onto the trailer as someone pulled the tow vehicle and trailer forward real slow, as allow the individual cranking to keep up with the wench, until the aft section of the boat was floated down onto the center catch area....which can not be too high as it would hit once the sponsons and the boat are full onto the trailer and while going down the highway.

We are getting much closer, but we are at some of the same issues we have been addressing for years at the same time guys. We can put men on the moon, surley we can design a trailer that a catamaran can be launched and retrieved from.

I was not able to see Tim Egan this year at the show. I made at least 3 differant trips up to their booth, and, each time he was not there. You can not expect anyone to stay at the booth the entire show. I did see some of their reps talking with Les of EQ at the C-Dory booth area . I was not introduced to them nor able to get into the conversation. Not even sure that they were even talking C-Dory and EZ-Loader talk.... I just noticed the logo's on their shirt and by the time I got up there after getting stopped and talking to some other folks.... the EZ-Loader folks had moved on.
 
Just to clear up my above design "idea".... actually two sets of 4 rollers... one set of each the port and the starboard sponsons... for a total of 8 rollers.
 
Zydecomo":2oah8t9q said:
All of the above and I have tried Liquid Rollers sprayed on the carpeted bunks...Not sure but I think it helps. Anyone have rollers?
Phil
Click to expand...

No rollers yet, but the silicon spray on the bunks does help.

My wife has suggested a roller trailer instead of bunks. Maybe on the next trailer.

When we load, I've started being content with the boat simply setting on the trailer well enough for me to get the winch hooked up, and then I'll ride the trailer tongue while my wife backs the trailer into the water far enough to allow the boat to float again and than finish winching it to the stop. This has proved to be alot faster in the end. The truck ends up with the back tires in the water. I usually stop it before the wheels touch the water.

We spent an hour or two one day when we had the ramp to our selves, trying to find just the right place on the ramp for the truck and trailer. It seemed like getting the right amount of trailer in the water, and having the right amount of throttle to bring the boat to the stop, was almost impossible to repeat with any kind of consistancy. Talk about frustrating.
 
Katkt, not to belabor safety but I would not think of "riding the tounge" while ANYONE backed down the ramp. I love my wife and trust her a bunch but wouldn't think of putting her on the tounge either. That's a recipe for disaster, if not the hospital. Please consider investing in some waders or just gritting your teeth and getting a little wet. We need to keep our Brats intact. :love

I've got a roller trailer and find that when I get the rig down to where I need to be to keep from getting my feets wet, I unhook the winch (given we are not on a ramp that the boat will just roll off then), get back in the truck and back down the ramp until I'm almost at float off. Then, I go a little farther, stop suddenly and Captain's Choice rolls/floats off smartly.

On retrieval, I back the trailer in to where I can get most of the boat on with the engines (or if the wind isn't blowing, at least get the winch cable hooked on to the eye at the dock next to the ramp), and get the boat most of the way on, jumping off the bow (jumping is used loosely due to my age, I clamber carefully down), onto the trailer. I can winch it up most of the way, drag it up onto level ground and then winch it the rest of the way into place. A roller trailer makes all this possible.

Of course you need to put the plug in when you launch:shock: and ensure that you have a bow and or stern line attached to it and someone on the shore or the dock. :lol: :lol:
 
Well there has been a lot of good discussion here and I hope the Factory and the trailer manufactures are listening.
It shouldn't be this difficult to load this boat IMHO. Guides on the inside and outside with extended guides to line up on should make it much easier.
Positioning items on the trailer to allow to power load without removing the anchor should be a priority.
On the other hand I can relax because as long as these issues preside I don't have to worry about buying one :D.

I sure would like a ride though.
 
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