TOMCATS: So, whatcha do . . .

B

Bob Cat

New member
Since there are an increasing number of TomCats out on the prowl, I'm introducing a new subject area specific to the cats and their owners. I think this will be a useful information source for TomCat watchers.

Like the C-Dory equivalent, it is open to all information related to TomCats, be it on the water, at the dock, on the trailer, or in the shop.

To start this off, Katy and I have had Dive Cat out both days this weekend doing towing exercises with our CGAux Crew Candidates here in Marina Del Rey. We've had between 6-8 POB. Plenty of room to get around. 1 or 2 forward, the rest in the cockpit or cabin.

Long tows were done off the port stern cleat. Moving into a side tow was easy and fast. Sunday activities took an interesting twist when a 65' cruiser came into our work area with no steering, and asked us for help. We went into an immediate side tie at their stb stern, towed for 1/4 mi into their basin, and disconnected right in front of their slip. The only tough time was trying to swing her around in front of their slip. Another big problem was visibility. We couldn't see anything from 7 o'clock to 12 p'clock. Successful. No dings, and only a little yelling!

Best regards,
Bob Cat
 
Great thread, Bob. I first came to this site looking for info on the new Tom Cat and you offered me a ride on yours. We ended up buying a new 22 instead. We're new to power boating and still need to sort out how much we'll use a boat, but the Tom Cat is still of great interest to us.

So far we love the 22. We've had it on the Chesapeake for a couple of months and are having it hauled to Buzzards Bay in MA this week. Plan to leave it in storage over the winter.

In the back of my mind, though, I have a plan to buy a Tom Cat in a couple of years to keep in MA where the water can be a little rougher, but keep the 22 down here for spring and fall boating. We could have the best of both worlds.

I'll definitely be watching this thread as we consider the possibility of a Tom Cat in our future.

Norma Scogin
 
Many a great day, many a great night, many hours still dreaming about my TomCat, the original TC244.... FreeByrd. One great boat for sure.

I feel fortunate to have been "part of" the building process of the TC255...as far as Jeff and Scott from the factory, other TC244 owners, other C-Dory owners sharing many emails, phone calls....and a trip or two to the factory from Alabama for me. I love that nice big "useable hood" up front.... Yall see the hood of an old tried and true 244 Volvo up there... look at the front end of the old Volvo...and take a look at the front deck of the TC255. Great job working in and keeping the room by using a "square" up front. Too many boats loose room trying to look smooth... You can use the front of this boat as Bob so clearly states...

Bob... I still need to come out and get on your boat and see, touch, feel and enjoy the boat. Thanks for the time we had together when she was still high and dry at the 06 Seattle Boat Show. FreeByrd was that boat in the 2003 Seattle Boat Show.

Good thread.

Byrdman

FreeByrd_in_Route.jpg
 
Dive Cat was used as a CG Aux Facility this weekend in Long Beach for crew and coxswain qualifications and member currencies. Had a great time doing search patterns with very precise turns and good looking tracks on the gps. Installed a large cleat on the port stern so every side tow line has its own cleat. Very user friendly for candidates. The QE's were nestled in the cabin watching fore and aft, out of the sun with a nice table to work at. Worked a couple days with a retired Marine Corps Sgt. Major, vet of WWII, Korea and VN with other stops in between. Slept on the boat next to the main channel in LA Harbor. Up to 6 POB and full fuel, 32 knots and riding like a Rolls Royce!

Bob Cat
 
Wow...sounds like a great weekend for sure...and what a neat ol man to hang around to boot... I sure miss my nights aboard FreeByrd.... Ya know... I can almost hear the song.....the slow notes :note :note :note when I reflect a bit... and think back. Especially the real cold nights when most folks down here have "winterized"...and are at home... That is when this pilot house boat really starts to sparkle.

Bod... What is a QE if I may ask...you have to put my mind at ease... I have come up with several possibilities.... :mrgreen:

Byrdman

FreeByrd_Nights.sized.jpg
 
I can't imagine what might be going through your mind, Mr. Byrdman, so let me splain . . .

In the Auxiliary there are operational qualifications, like Crew, Coxswain, and 5 year renewal programs that require certification by a Qualification Examiner, or QE. The QE is an experienced coxswain appointed by the Director of Auxiliary to verify that the trainee meets the performance standards for qualification. In the case of initial crew and coxswain quals there is a 1 on 1 dockside oral exam as well as an on-the-water check ride. All this last weekend was dedicated to the check rides. If you know what you're supposed to know, it's not too hard and can be a lot of fun. If you don't know what you're supposed to know, it can be pretty intimidating, not to mention humbling or even embarrasing. A full spectrum of emotions was on display this weekend.

Bob Cat
 
Trip Report:

We left Friday morning at 1015 headed for the west end of Catalina, the first leg of a 4 day journey. Slow going with very choppy, confused conditions. The boat was very heavy with gear and supplies, full tanks plus 10 extra gallons, 2 big coolers with 60 lbs of ice. Hard to keep her at 20 knots in the conditions so we were all over the place from 8-23. Bad milelage, about 1.2 nmg.

Got over to the island and checked out a couple places inside for diving, then went around the corner and down to lobster cove. Back up to Ironbound Cove for the night, close against the wall. A lot of wave slap between the hulls prevented much sleep, but the steaks were great.

Pulled out the generator in the morning for coffee, then across to San Clemente, NW Harbor. Better seas expect in the last 6 miles, slowing us to 8 kts again, but better overall mileage. Down the inside 20 miles to the east end to pyrimid for some diving, lunch, diving then to Pyrimid Cove for the night. Quiet. Good night, good food.

Next morning to the outside of San Clemente and some secret spots for great diving. Eventually met up with the 97 ton Vision, both of us tucked into a little pocket cove called Fishook to meet old friends and have a great dinner. Wind too strong in Pyrimid to go back around, so we slept at Fishook, but with bottom slap noise all night.

Next morning early across to Avalon at 25 kts, 1.7 nmg due to lighter load. Up the inside checking more secret spots with dives at Ship Rock off the isthmus in a very strong current. Left Catalina at 1215, not knowing what to expect. Made 25 kts most of the way at between 1.7-1.9 nmpg.

Gotta fix the dive ladder. It floats up out of the slot in a swell.
Gotta take 50' of chain off the anchor. Too heavy and piles up under the winch too much.
Gotta do something about the water in the fish storage. Looks like water is backing through the macerators as the holes are submerged in a swell. Pumped every six hours, at least.
Gotta make a better mount for the kayak up on top. Great place to put it.

Gotta get ready for the opening of lobster season Sept. 30 at San Miguel.

Bob Cat
 
Hey Bob.... Thanks for another update and report. Looks like for sure you are loving, living, and learning your great vessel. I miss my TC. Been on the road too much of late to even be out on the water, but I am sure the folks at Wefing's doing my boat work were glad I was out of town. They are doing great work, and my little 18 Angler will for sure be sweet. Initial drive/cruise was better than I expected...and I am going to love those trim tabs... and the fuel mileage too. Do miss my room, goodies, and AC of my TC...but ...another day....another hull.

Byrdman
 
A few starter comments:

Twin engines, widely spaced, certainly make maneuvering in and out of the harbor a piece of cake. Easier to steer into a tight spot than my old 15' Avon.

Stability for fishing, sightseeing - I have had all 5 people on the boat on one side with no tippiness.

Cruising very comfortably at 20 - 22 knots - average just about 2.7 - 2.8 nm/gallon - fast enough and a bit better economy than most 24 foot monohulls in our area. I suspect that we are loaded much lighter than Bob Cat.

It appears that trimming the engines almost all the way down is best for cruising.

Goofy raked windshield causes many head bumps, but is the most non-claustrophobic cabin I have been in.

Towing is scary. It sits way the heck up there on the trailer.

Handles green water over the bow better than I do.
 
I know the weekend isn't over, but I had a busy day waxing the hull, fueling up, installing a 34" horizontal rail across the transom between the engines on the 45 deg part, installing brackets on the outside lip of the center of the swim step for 30" vertical hand holds for diver egress, and mounting the ladder on the port side of the transom like Dreamer did.

I think my fuel gauges are innacurate. Both my tanks showed near empty. I put 30 gals in each and one reads full while the other is near full. What is y'alls experience. 65 x 2 is the spec.

I ordered a "Commercial Bracket" from Armstrong for a more positive lock on the ladder in the slot. The rep said it would do the job. $50.

Got a date with the Canvas Lady on 9 Aug. Should be sporting a new bimini for the Cat Gath.

Bob Cat
 
Hey Bob and others...thanks for the Cat Talk. Bob, please post some pics of your rails. Climbing into the back of my 18Angler was a bit differant than back onto/into the cockpit of FreeByrd. That wide dive platform and handrails were truly nice. I did get the 4 step Garlick ladder, and sure glad I did. Great job of mounting it my the install folks, and, like others....I will need to get some type of handle/rail at some point, but, a firm tied rope between the aft cleats worked great too....and no holes in the boat.

Byrdman
 
Yo Bob and others:
I too think it would be terrific to have a seperate thread for TomCats. Although we're all part of the C-Dory family I believe that there are some unique features and questions that would warrant a Forum just for Cats.
A general question I have is how to post photo's of my boat on the C-Brats site. Any suggestions would be helpful. Also,after over 4 years I'm embarrased to admit that I still haven't given my TC24 a proper name. :oops: Any suggestions in that area would also be greatly appreciated.
FRED & DEB
2002 TomCat
 
Fred & Deb - to get a photo album on this site send a PM to either of the following site administrators.
TyBoo
Da Nag
All you have to do is click on their name and put “Request photo album” in the subject.
 
The largest gathring of Tom Cat owners in the North West Pan handle of Florida was held at "Camp Thataway" on Friday night. Two Tom Cat 24's and two Tom Cat 255 s were represented. Saturday, Thataway served as a demo/training vessel for a new Tom Cat 255 owner. We found out that with the Suzi's 150 go from idle to 30 mph in 6.0 seconds. However the top speed was down to 43 mph (because of about 500 lbs more weight, when we had a top speed of 47 in previous trial runs. Anyway--fast enough to outrun a thunderstorm. We found that definately the boat pivots faster with using the outboard engine in foreward, with the engine steering into the direction of the turn, and the inboard (of the turn) engine in reverse, vs with the helm straight ahead, and attempting to maneuver as a typical twin screw vessel.

Definately agree the boat handles much better trimmed all of the way down by the bow--in 90% of the conditions.

One question brought up at the gathering--if there are over 40 Tom Cat 255's which have been produced (I have #39, and the new owner will be getting # 48 in Sept)--Where are the other 35 boats--since only about a dozen Tom Cat 255 owners are active posters on the list?

Regards to all
 
I think there may be at least one more 24 in the Pcola area based on conversations with the dealer we purchased our boat from. I don't think it was your neighbor, but I'm not sure.
It'd be nice to know where folks are. Post on "The Brat Map" at the top of the page if you get time. :thup As long as your profile is complete it should be a snap.



Gordon
 
Based on Dive Cat's comments on the slap of water under the bow, we did some experiments today with Thataway. We backdown hard in 1 to 2 foot chop. No water came over the transom or caused a problem with the engine bracket. Although I normally don't suggest that a boat be anchored stern to a swell, or chop, it seems as if the Tom Cat may be a good candidate if the noise from the chop under the hulls is disturbing in the foreward bunk. By putting the boat stern too, the noise of water slapping under the hulls, was greatly deminished. So if I was in an anchorage, with a small swell (often in Calif) I would try anchoring stern to the chop.--again with caution. I would not do this in a non self bailing boat, in a euro transom boat or an open transom.
 
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