Bridge Clearance Tomcat 255

C

caracal

New member
Hey guys. If you have or have had a Tomcat 255, can you tell me what you bridge clearance is/was? I am interested in finding out what the clearance is on a bare top, but also what your clearance is if you have something mounted on the hardtop and what is mounted. I am wondering if I can have access under local bridges if I get a Tomcat. I am a big catamaran fan. I own a caracal and have owned a seacat. I hope to get some cruising under my belt in the near future. Thanks!
 
My TomCat requires 9 feet. Have a radar arch topped with anchor/running light. Could reduce height by 9 inches by lowering light. Of course the radio antenna is also lowered.
 
Welcome aboard from a fellow Caracal owner. Without anything on the top you should be under 8' and probably under 7'6" I sold my Tom Cat, so cannot measure it.
 
I never had any problem with Bridges or Overpasses. I can verify that 8' radio antennas will be shortened by 3' if left up and you encounter an underpass :oops: The TomCat does sit high on the trailer due to the hulls resting above the fenders.
 
On the road, keep the hgt on trailer under the Federal 13.5 ft limit.
On the water, as little as 7 feet (full gas is 900#) above the waterline. You'll want a Coleman RV AC, my 13.5k unit adds 12.5 inches, though you can get low profile models. I added a HDX 24 radar on a 1/2" starboard platform on a Bob Austin Special PVC Commode mount, but we remove the dome for long road trips. Easy at floating dock marinas, harder in the driveway, a no-go in the gulf after passing under "bridges". Consider if you want a dingy, that further complicates. Don't keep the dog up there if you'll ever run for public office, esp when the radar is on (unless broadband).
Happy planning!
John
 
Thank you very much for the replies. I should have specified that I am interested in the clearance while on the water, not on the trailer. Bob, you have great taste! Now, based on your responses, it seems that the weight sensitivity should lead me to ask how much your actual draft numbers vary? I know that it is listed at 15", but how deep do you all really sit when you are loaded up for a trip?
 
caracal":1rlgkjww said:
Bob, you have great taste! Now, based on your responses, it seems that the weight sensitivity should lead me to ask how much your actual draft numbers vary? I know that it is listed at 15", but how deep do you all really sit when you are loaded up for a trip?
Click to expand...

Clayton, I never measured the draft when loaded. But during our winter low tides, when I owned the Tom Cat, there are 18" shoals, and I always was able to get over them. (More recently a 40 foot trawler, drawling 3.5 feet moved in--and we now have deeper channel.)

The Tom Cat handles very much like the Caracal--without some of the habits which are present in the Glacier Bay and World Cat, semi displacement hulls. This means level ride, handles well down and cross seas, as well as no outward lean on a turn.
 
Ill likely have our stock Tomcat in the water soon for demos . Ill measure . W are in Eastpoint, Fl and are the Florida dealer .
Marc
 
Hi Clayton,
My hull scumline indicates a draft of 16-18 inches. 20 inches is knee deep for me and what we like to anchor in if the tide is not going out (they can be an astonishing 18 inches around here). 33 inches with engines full down at bottom of skeg, 24-26 inches with engines at the border of the 'trailer' position. Much more tilt up than that and you're making more water-fountain than headway in this boat.
When I get myself into shallow trouble over a sandy bottom, I find it easiest to just raise the engines, hop off and shove her around as needed.
I hear the dark blue hulls float much better, so you really should see Marc's new 255 at Weffings. Wish I could justify needing a 'spare' TC255.
Happy Researching,
John
 
Thanks for the info guys. 16-18" is pretty darn good. It is always interesting to see what boats actually float in loaded down. The manufacturer numbers are usually pretty far off.
 
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