tomcat as a first boat???

Yes, a non-diesel will pull your 22 with no problem. I pull my 255 with an F-150 with no problem, and although I'm 70 I actually enjoy driving the rig, have no problem parking, and have driven it cross country with no issues,

If you have ever pulled a 40 foot RV fifth wheel or towed a car/toy trailer behind a 45 foot motorhome, you may find the 25 1/2 foot Tomcat pretty 'tame'. If you want to see some "really-big" tow rigs go to Glamas (near YUma) for a holiday weekend.
 
i'm looking at a 8 inch lifted F250 today with 37" tires and rated for +15k towing capacity. guy poured "boat money" into thing. i'm still doing the fishing charters for another year, but if the 255 opportunity comes up as a first boat, i'll be ready. i've made a living doing total car, and total house restorations. there is nothing in boat mechanics and maintenance that i haven't done 100 times over. i see the big boat/truck fuel expense in my future, but almost all the other efforts and expenses all associated with boat ownership won't be nearly the hassle of my dry docked boat. too much of these boat woes i think come from the perspective of people paying someone to do their engine maintenance and hull work, not someone that can easily build and repair every system in the boat?
 
IMHO your 15k rated F-250 is more than enough. As to boat maintenance, I'm very impressed with todays generation of four stroke outboards. My boat has Honda 150's with 2500 hours, and based on the service records and my experience, they have been pretty much bullet proof. I do not use any additives and try to stay clear of ethanol laced gasoline especially if I'm not using the boat regularly. I think my biggest maintenance expense other than oil and filters has been replacing/repairing bilge and macerator pumps.
 
“Boat ownership” is about as vague a statement as I can imagine?
Some people buy boats too big and too old and without even the intentions or know-how to do the very basic and routine engine and hull maintenance you mention. you just can’t group that person with someone with a hard-working spirit with the level of knowledge to be a tesla engineer. Then you factor in the practical measures of keeping a boat clean, keeping low running hours and dry dock storage, and there is really no comparison. Simply put, not all boat owners are equal. A police chief may get out of a speeding ticket better than I can. A dentist might get his family’s cheaper dental coverage. And guess what, I can build a car, house or boat etc, practically from scratch. This is far different “boat ownership” than reaching for a check book when something neglected eventually goes wrong.
 
Sounds like you can fix and build anything, and have a comprehensive knowledge of boat ownership without that pesky detail of actually owning one. No more advice I can offer.
 
james, i'm sorry if i came off anyway, other than grateful for all the really good, and generous advice. i thank everyone that's replied.
 
nuccifilms":1gmai4oo said:
“ This is far different “boat ownership” than reaching for a check book when something neglected eventually goes wrong.
Click to expand...

It's a lot more than maintenance and repairs. James mentioned it in his earlier post, "when you own a boat, there is ALWAYS boat stuff to buy that you didn't even know you needed", and this is SO true!

I've owned over a dozen boats over the last 25 years, and though my new 22' has only required 100 hr service thus far, I've spent WAY more on "stuff" I never even knew I needed until owning the 22'. For example, the 2nd VHF - now that I have it, not sure how I ever functioned with just one radio! Of course, it's never just a 2nd radio, for each item like that you make 2 or 3 trips back to the marine store to get wire, connectors, antenna, antenna mount, sealant, stainless screws, washers, nuts, PL-259 connectors, etc, etc. For projects like this I've learned to just spend a weekend with the boat at the marina, directly across the street from the marine store, and have them open up a tab like you're drinking at the bar.

Then last week, spent about $75 on Fender Covers - that's right, protectors for the protectors! With all the winter boating this year, I spent a lot of time staying at marina docks in heavy winds and noticed the Polyform fenders are scuffing the gelcoat. While I was at it, I bought $25 worth of protectors so the anchor chain won't scuff the gelcoat on the bow. Who even knew this stuff existed?

I could go on..in less than a year probably about 20 or 30 other things like the above....point being if you really get into owning a boat, there seems to be a never-ending barrage of "new stuff" you just can't live without, and then all the parts and pieces that go into installing each of those accessories. It adds up quickly! B-O-A-T.

-Mike
 
yes mike,
i've more recently broke away from the off-road nuts to be a part of the boat nuts. those guys are never done eithier. not sure if they truly want to be. there is a bit of a fine line between passion and obsession. there is a "macfadden" in my area, which is the bee's knees of hardware. they have tons of stainless at a fraction of your marine supply house in your bay. i bet you buy a lot of things on the spot out of convenience. i know spending a few weeks of labor at the side of my house is different than what i'd spend in dock at a marina
 
An 8 inch lifted 250 with those big tires will be a terrible tow vehicle with a C-Dory. Lots of power is lost turning those big diameter wheels, but the stability of the truck on curves and in wind and with 10,000 pounds waging behind is something you would need to think real hard about. 8 inch rise in CG is a lot on a truck. Stick to a standard 4WD big V8 or diesel as a minimum for towing that kind of weight. Also, the tow rating is not the consideration. Stopping power and control in an emergency, cross wind gusts, and wear and tear on the drive train if you are towing at the rating are all in the "Truck" equation. Don't be fooled by the rated tow capacity.
 
well, today i bought the F250, but NOT for towing. of course 37" tires and 8" lift must be HELL on towing. but the guy made me an offer i couldn't refuse. he sunk $30K on the truck & mods. he was asking $25K a week ago, but today was his last day he had to have cash. it was me or the pawn shop. so i'm now the proud owner for of a F25, only 87K miles (for$12K cash) it's 6.0L engine has also been bullet proofed of all the known issues. i'll sell it long before i see my future T255. in the meantime, i'll lower it a few inches. if a decent cdory 22' deal comes up in the off season, i should get by with "bigfoot", until i my eventual upgrade to more stock F250 and an eventual T255 . that's the plan.

https://www.photobox.co.uk/my/photo/ful ... 1673244837

bYuv35
 
MikeR":1dbg7ozx said:
nuccifilms":1dbg7ozx said:
“ This is far different “boat ownership” than reaching for a check book when something neglected eventually goes wrong.
Click to expand...

It's a lot more than maintenance and repairs. James mentioned it in his earlier post, "when you own a boat, there is ALWAYS boat stuff to buy that you didn't even know you needed", and this is SO true!

I've owned over a dozen boats over the last 25 years, and though my new 22' has only required 100 hr service thus far, I've spent WAY more on "stuff" I never even knew I needed until owning the 22'. For example, the 2nd VHF - now that I have it, not sure how I ever functioned with just one radio! Of course, it's never just a 2nd radio, for each item like that you make 2 or 3 trips back to the marine store to get wire, connectors, antenna, antenna mount, sealant, stainless screws, washers, nuts, PL-259 connectors, etc, etc. For projects like this I've learned to just spend a weekend with the boat at the marina, directly across the street from the marine store, and have them open up a tab like you're drinking at the bar.

Then last week, spent about $75 on Fender Covers - that's right, protectors for the protectors! With all the winter boating this year, I spent a lot of time staying at marina docks in heavy winds and noticed the Polyform fenders are scuffing the gelcoat. While I was at it, I bought $25 worth of protectors so the anchor chain won't scuff the gelcoat on the bow. Who even knew this stuff existed?

I could go on..in less than a year probably about 20 or 30 other things like the above....point being if you really get into owning a boat, there seems to be a never-ending barrage of "new stuff" you just can't live without, and then all the parts and pieces that go into installing each of those accessories. It adds up quickly! B-O-A-T.

-Mike
Click to expand...



I soooooo feel your pain!! lol
 
Congrats on the 'new' truck. You did good. It won't even know the 22 is behind it
 
coming from my 2300lb FRS, i'm not really feeling the extra play in the steering, really can't get away from in the bigfoot setup. i'm wishing i had a slightly newer, slightly more fuel efficient stock one already. trying to be a boating nut, not an off-road nut. also, what's that they say in towing? "if you don't know it's there, you're not paying attention"
 
nuccifilms":1y5h8mrz said:
coming from my 2300lb FRS, i'm not really feeling the extra play in the steering, really can't get away from in the bigfoot setup. i'm wishing i had a slightly newer, slightly more fuel efficient stock one already. trying to be a boating nut, not an off-road nut. also, what's that they say in towing? "if you don't know it's there, you're not paying attention"
Click to expand...

Given the deal you got, sounds like you can relist it and use the profits to get what you want down the road. As to not knowing a 22 foot boat is behind the truck, I was referring to the truck, not the driver :thup
 
nuccifilms":1l1e7wkp said:
Simply put, not all boat owners are equal. A police chief may get out of a speeding ticket better than I can. A dentist might get his family’s cheaper dental coverage. And guess what, I can build a car, house or boat etc, practically from scratch. This is far different “boat ownership” than reaching for a check book when something neglected eventually goes wrong.
Click to expand...

Or simply make/save enough money to not have to worry about it. For instance, I'd rather be having a cold one at the yacht club while I'm paying someone to clean the bottom of my boat in 95 degree heat. There are certain things I'd rather pay to get fixed/repaired/built than doing them myself.
 
We've restored old cars, and remodeled houses too and there's not a lot of parallel with those and boat ownership, even though it helps to be handy. Boat stuff is expensive!

For example, last weekend I discovered my Lenco trim tabs aren't working at the moment, probably corrosion from the salt environment. I've traced them down to the powerbox behind the helm. I can't fix that with a hammer or impact driver, and the part is hundreds of dollars. There goes $800 to switch brands to bennett hydraulic tabs that I prefer. That's an expense I didn't know about last week! At least I can do the work myself. Im already spending $275 a month just sitting there in the water, plus $4.00 gallon marine gas.

You'll be able to run wires to your new chartplotter and radar since your old ones 5 years old and totally obsolete, but you'll still have dropped a few grand on the equipment before you've even busted out your multimeter.

Maintenance will save you some money, but that's not a big expense anyway compared to everything else.

I don't mean to be a downer, just telling it like it is. A ridiculous hobby, that I tell people not to even start. It gets under your skin like an addiction you cant stop until you either regret the money you've spent or embrace it. But what the heck, some people like to show horses, or are really into gambling, or worse. Enjoy it. You'll save some money by doing work yourself but it'll still cost more than you think!

Best bet is to friend somebody else with a boat and buy them super expensive gifts all the time. :thup
 
PaulNBriannaLynn":2ixr7jrl said:
Best bet is to friend somebody else with a boat and buy them super expensive gifts all the time. :thup
Click to expand...

That makes me laugh! I had a buddy that bought a 32 ft sailboat 25-30 years ago in St Pete. For 10 years I'd drive down and we'd sail it for two weeks. Down to the Keys and all over SW Florida.

Every year I went I'd buy him something nice for the boat and pay for all the meals and slip fees when we stayed at a marina.

I still came out WAY WAY WAY ahead!!!
 
i'm not a boat owner yet, so the experts advice is really, really taken to heart. but i'd like to bring up some strategic points: 1) dry docking VS keeping a slip, 2) being a mechanic/laborer VS paying for all upkeep, 3) having a 5-10 yr old 22' with a single outboard VS a 30' something multiple engines and systems. . . i've done the math, and i'm seeing a quite a spread of ownership costs, by making prudish decisions? could you comment on this outlook?

btw - my wife is filipina. her father owns a bought, granted a much different type of boat ownership, but the water is just as blue for him, the fish don't judge him for the size of his banka boat and his yearly salary about equal to 2 weeks of mine? if he can own a boat, i think i can somehow manage too?
 
nuccifilms":27yxxnde said:
i've been doing weekend fishing charters in southern CA for some time (traveling from vegas) dreaming of the day of running back and forth with my own trailered boat. i'm in love with the c-dory, especially the tomcat. my cost in gas of a 3/4 towing a big boat to CA round trip i believe is roughly same cost as our current monthly charters cost (me and wife $300). as wonderful on the water as the tomcat is, how critical would be in downsizing to a 22'? ultimately i plan to relocate to san diego in 2-3 years, where the bigger tomcat would be more a no-brainer. i'd hate having to sell a boat in a few years, because i'm sure i'll be upgrading and re-investing all the while i own the smaller boat. does anyone have experience trailering a tomcat 700 miles roundtrip once a month? keep in mind also that i'm completely new to trailering, let alone a 255. other options, 1) dry dock in CA, 2) dealing with overcrowded charters i've been doing another 2-3 years, 3) getting a 19' - 22' cruiser for a few years for it's easier and cheaper trailability?
Click to expand...

From a Tomcat owner who absolutely loves his boat; don't do it. Why...
A tomcat on the trailer is about 35' and 4.5 long tons. Basically is freaking huge! I wouldn't want to deal with that without any trailering experience, it just seems really stressful. Also you'll be getting about 9-10 mpg at best towing with most 3/4 ton or 1 ton trucks.
 
i agree, that's what kicking around my future boat purchase here has taught me. the new plan is to get a cdory 22' in the next year, maybe even a dirt cheap trophy or seaswirl pilot hosuse fishing boat. i don't expect it to be as seaworthy or liveaboard-able as a tomcat, but that is the price i will pay for not living closer to the coast:( hopefully, i stay prudent in not doing too much to my 1st boat. then 4-5 years i hope to be 20 minutes from the pacific ocean, and looking for that ultimate tomcat :)
 
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