New TomCat 25

F A N T A S T I C !!!!!! This will be great! Wonder if they ever had a "late-night" boat Christening ceremony after most folks have left the boat show???? But, without looking at the official rules... the boat should more than likely be in the water...?? Who has the rule book? But Bob, I truly was looking forward to hooking up with you on it for a day or two while I was on the left side.... Enjoyed our talk. Keep us posted if ya hear any updates from Brent and Dixie.
Byrdman
 
Update on Aft Steering

Les says they've tried every which way to make it right, but the Teledyne/Morse controls just won't work. So, he'll try a Kobelt control system, both fore and aft. It will require fewer cables, less space, and have less slop in the action.

Sounds good to me. I'll keep this thread updated with pics and info as available.

The arch and inside handrails are in house, but not installed yet. Pictures soon, I hope.

Bob Cat
 
New pictures in the album!

The arch has been installed, along with Radome, VHF antennae, GPS antennae (port side) on top of extension to clear the Radome, light post tall enough to carry a 1m x 1m dive flag with red/white/red light configuration for night diving, and an additional horn under the light post facing aft.

All the deck lights have been installed along with the search light on the visor forward.

Don't know that the Kobelt controls will make it before the show.

Les and Crew work next week, then off until Jan 3, when the boat will need to be moved to the SBS. That pretty much moves the delivery into February. I'm committed to the last week of Jan and first 2 weeks of Feb for a project here, so it looks like mid for pickup.

I'm thinking about a quick overnight to the show to visit her. Maybe I can sneak aboard late and spend the night.

Bob Cat
 
Looking great! Why are you going up so high with the GPS antenna and the Anchor lights? I assume that you are putting red lights up there also.
I like the hand rail around the foreward eyebrow--that should be standard if it isn't.

I guess I'll have to wait to see your boat when I get back out in March--you should be well into utallization by then!

Best regards for the Holiday!~
 
GPS antenna height to clear the sweep of the radar beam and to visually balance the height of the VHF antenna.

Lights and Shapes, as per Navigation Rules:

Rule 27

(e) Whenever the size of a vessel engaged in diving operations makes it impracticle to exhibit lights and shapes prescribed in paragraph (d) of this Rule, the following shall be exhibited:
(i)three all-around lights in a vertical line where they can best be see. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red and the middle light shall be white;
(ii)a rigid replica of the International Code flag "A" not less than 1 meter in height. Measures shall be taken to ensure its all round visibility.

So, the flag will be attached to the pole under the light, held out by a wire frame triangle in the flag fabric. In night diving operations, all 3 vertical all-arounds will be on. At anchor, only the white. And underway, the white with the running port stb controlled from the switches at the helm.

The height of the arch off the cabin top is dictated by the storage of kayaks under there. Antennas and lights all swival down. Now all I have to do id remember to do it beforew the first overpass!

Bob Cat
 
Lookin good Bob.
I'd be a little concerned about those dock lights. I don;t have lights on my boat yet but have read about the blinding effect of the reflection off the bow rails. I was thinking about adding some snap on plastic pipes or wrapping the rails with something to kep the glare off for late night, early morning or overnight trips.
I hope to be able to make the SBS and see your fine craft.
 
I would suspect that the water pipe foam insullation would work well for "anti glare". I always try and rig my boats so that there is no glare even from the running lights. I have a search light--slightly higher than Bob's--and the glare is not a problem--however on my other boat I have it on the bow pulpit, and that works much better both for the glare, and being able to get it down on the water without lighting up the deck. However boats rarely run with the docking lights.

Bob, Thanks for the explaination--I had suspected the Red/white/red was going to be there. I have always kept my GPS out of the radar beams, but often below the Radar dome. My guess is that when diving you will look like a 60 footer! May keep the fishing boats away :-)
Regards.
 
Hey Bob! I will fly out of the LA Airport sometime on 8Jan heading up to the Seattle area. Will make my mind up where I am going to stay once they make their mind up when the boat show is going to be. If dates move forward, then I'll go straight to the show. If they stay where they are and Friday 13 is the 1st day of the show, I more than likely will run north a bit to stay with Roger, Lizbeth and the Johnson family for a night or two...hpefully helping Roger move some taters around, then come back down to the "C-Dory Hotel..".

Really looking forward to seeing your boat...... and you too. :mrgreen:

Nothing from Brent and Dixie..... all must be well and no laptop with them.

Byrdman
 
Hi, Byrdman

Brent and Dixie got home just fine. They have computer problems. Weighed the boat with trailer at about 9,000 with very little fuel and extra stuff, so we figure 10k.

Brent said it towed real well, not any different feeling than the 24. I'm sure he'll fill us in when he gets back on line.

Watching this playoff stuff closely. I'll probably book a flight today to cover 13,14,15. Looking forward to meeting everyone!

Best regards,
Bob Cat
 
Hi, All

We have finally taken delivery of our TC255 Discovery. We spent two weeks in Auburn while the final rigging was completed. Visited the factory daily for input on where things were located.

We water tested on Dec. 10th at Lake Washington and spent about 3 hours breaking in the motors and initalizing the Raymarine electronics. Scott Mathews and Rick Rizteen were also aboard. The boat was flawless and everything went well on the water. Some trouble with launching and loading due to the flatness of the ramp. Not able to back far enough in to easily float the boat off and on. Had to power on and off. Have contacted EZ loader on some trailer changes to allow backing in further.

Trailered home to Utah on the 11th and 12th. No problems at all. 1100 miles. The boat is heavier and takes a little longer to stop due to the lag time in the electric/hydraulic breaking system. Very pleased in the towability. We drive a Ford F450 dually crew cab with a Lance 10'-10" camper attached. This is the same rig we used for the TC24, for over 30,000 miles. Can't tell much difference with the TC255 behind. Weighed the total rig at a Washington truck weigh station and we were just under 27,000 lbs total weight.

I have spent the last few days adding some more goodies to the boat. 60 watts of solar panels on the roof. Finished the overhead shelf electronics, installing bimini top, bait livewell bag and downrigger/pot puller swivel base.

I will post some pix when I get the Laptop fixed. Now using a 8 year old Mac that I don't want to download my pix to.
 
hey there Cygnet, last sunday we where trudging up north on I5 when I spied a truck & camper hauling a new TC going southbound, M & I both about got whiplash from gawking. That set up is hard to miss as it rolls down the road, nice looking package.......I'm off to buy more Lotto tickets now :)
 
Okay, this is kind of a "customer service" issue:

I have tried to include pics of relevant material. This is your chance to request pics of particular personal interest related to this boat. No guarantees, but I will relay any requests to Les, the man with the cam.

Bob Cat
(I really like my new name!)
 
Brent..... How much does your truck and camper weigh? Attempting to get a pretty good idea of the weight of the boat, motors and trailers...and stuff.
Byrdman
 
Well Ken,

I guess you saw "Discovery" on I5 which Brent tells me is the name of their new Tomcat. Jeannie and I met Brent and Dixie at the weigh station at the intersection of I5 and Hwy 18 early Sunday morning on the 11th. I gave them some items for their new Tomcat and they gave us some items for their old (our new) Tomcat. Then they headed south for the warmer weather!
 
Pat & Rick on Amigo,

Brent and Dixie (formerly Cygnet) have taken delivery of Hull #5 (Discovery) but they're not available right now.

There's a gentleman in Seabrook, TX, Joe C. with an unnamed TC255. He reported results of his top speed and mpg on another thread.

My TC255 (Dive Cat) will be ready in mid-Feb, rigged for diving at EQ Marine Services.

I'll keep my experiences posted on this thread.

Bob Cat
 
Hi All-

I am completely new to this site. I didn't even really know about C-Dorys until yesterday. My spouse and I have been looking for a power cat in the 24-28 foot range. We went to the Baltimore Boat Show to look at a World Cat and the TomCat was right next to it. It really caught my eye. Most of the power cats seem to be tricked out for major fishing. We don't really fish -- we're looking for something to cruise around on in the Buzzards Bay/Cape Cod Bay area. We're not terribly experienced and want something stable and comfortable for a family of three humans and one dog, plus the occasional guest or two, mostly for day trips. Would like to be able to do overnights with the immediate family from time to time. The TomCat seems pretty ideal.

The thing is, having never been on one in the water (or any other C-Dory, for that matter), it seems crazy to order one at this point. But if we want it for summer, we'd have to order it now.

Any advice, maybe from anyone who already has a new TomCat or has at least been out on one?

Norma
 
Hi, Norma

If you've read through this thread, you've already gathered a lot of information! And check out Dive Cat's album for more info.

My boat, Dive Cat, is in the final stages of rigging at EQ Marine, after being used as a display boat at the Seattle Boat Show.

Like you, I searched a long time to find a boat to meet my needs. Many V hulls and Glacier Bay, World Cat, Twin Vee cats. I saw a TomCat 24 being launched in my marina a couple years ago and started researching. Visited the factory, test rode. During that time, C-Dory made a committment to build a new version, the TomCat 25 (that has become known as the TomCat 255). That ended my search!

Like you, I'm not much of a fisherman, mainly because my skills are so bad I would starve! I have to get in the water and see them, so scuba and free diving are my interests, along with cruising. The TC255 is perfect for me. In fact, my initial interest has turned into an OUPV liscense and a six-pack dive charter service on a part time basis along with crew and coxswain training for the CG Auxiliary in the area!

Excellent maneuverability with twin engines mounted wide, excellent stability at the dock and at anchor and at all speeds under way. Excellent fuel economy based on boats of similar weight and power. Abundant space for Katy, me, Mika the Dog (30 lbs) and at least 2 more for day cruising, but could easily accomodate 8 in nice weather using the cockpit. I'll have 4-5 divers on her with Capt and 1 crew for 6-8 hour dive trips covering up to 100 miles slip to slip.

As you can see from the album, we've got a lot of extra stuff on there to accomodate the diving thing. All that stuff also allows us to stay out at our islands here for extended periods. We would like to eventually take up the cruising lifestyle on a regular basis and go from Cabo to Alaska, in convenient sections.

Enough here, but don't hesitate to ask questions in the forum. Many people are available to answer questions and offer opinions on most any subject. It has been extremely helpful to me as we've gone through the process from dream to near reality.

You have a wonderful area to boat in. I know it very well academically from using the 1210TR chart for training in the Auxiliary. Maybe one of these days we'll tow her back for some good New England cruising and free diving for stripers!

Of course, you're welcome to make the journey out here to Marina Del Rey for a test cruise when we have her. Expected delivery is March 1 to the slip. We'd love to have you on board.

Bob Cat
 
Bob Cat":zsnd2mp3 said:
Hi, Norma
Of course, you're welcome to make the journey out here to Marina Del Rey for a test cruise when we have her. Expected delivery is March 1 to the slip. We'd love to have you on board.

Bob Cat
Click to expand...

Excellent advice/offer. At the current rates, it's easy enough for two to hop a plane to LAX, rent a car, spend one or two nights in a hotel and a whole day checking out Bob Cat's 255 before returning home and ordering. A small price to pay when you consider the overall expense you're looking at.

Don
 
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