Tomcats, Young and Old

G

Gumbo Blue

New member
Hello Everyone,

I'm brand new to C-Brats and am searching for a used Tomcat. I'm curious about performance, gas mileage, etc. on the old versus new models.

I've been told by some owners that the smaller Tomcat 24 is much more fuel efficient than the new ones. I'm not sure when the new longer design came out but the claim is that the heavier new kid is a bit of a gas hog. I really like the longer one for the cabin room, but these days fuel consumption is an issue. I live along Puget Sound so destinations can be "far away".

I currently own a 30-ft Sundowner Tug and the Tomcat seems to be calling me. I "feel the need for speed". Since the Tomcat can easily cruise at 4 to 5 times my current 6 knots, we can make it up to the San Juans or further north in short order.

Also, the Admiral is quite sensitive to the smell of diesel. She rarely steps foot on the "Tug".

Any and all comments would be very welcome.

Thanks,
Gumbo
 
We average about 2.3 miles per gallon at 25 mph, with a fairly well loaded TC 255. I would not buy a TC 24 based on a few tenths of a gallon of fuel per hour difference. If you go to the origional Tom Cat page, it shows that at 25 miles per hour, the boat gets 2.46 miles per gallon. (twin Honda 90's) The cost of fuel, is significant--but only a small fraction of the total cost of ownership. The hulls are identical. The increased length is the engine bracket (and that opens up the cockpit, and allows a slightly longer cabin and cockpit) The only operational difference is that the aft tunnel is more likely to be "open" in the lighter Tom Cat 24. The typical 24 has 90 to 115 hp engines, vs the 115 to 150 hp (the latter most comon), The difference is more in top speed, vs the cruising speed. The ride is similar.

We went with the 255 because of the ease of getting into the head, and the larger cockpit (plus we like the "traditional" look). Some feel that the head is not an issue and they like the asthetics of the TC 24.

My suspician is that your wife would be happier with the 255, since you are down sizing from the "trawler", and that will be based on the interior layout.
 
We have owned both TomCats. From the cruising aspect there is no comparison. The TC255 is really a three foot bigger boat. The cabin is 18" longer, and with the motors on the Armstrong brackets, the cockpit is also 18" longer. The head is much nicer on the TC255, on the main level, and with a shower. Not down in a hole, and no shower. I'm 6' 4" and it was difficult for me to get into, and out of the head on the TC24. Forget it if the seas were rough, also no privacy door, only a fabric drop cloth. The sloped windshield on the TC24 was a problem. Too much sun in the summer, and with the slope, we were always bumping our heads on it. Add rough seas, and the problem was worse.

Our TC24 had twin Johnson, 4 stroke 140's. The TC255 has twin Honda, 135's. I don't know for sure what the mileage was on the TC24, but we get about 2.3 mpg with the TC255. We often just cruise on one motor with the TC255, and at less than 2000 rpm we use 1.5 gal/hr at about 5 mph. The way we use the boat, I don't think that there is a significant difference in the fuel economy between the two boats.

Over all the TC255 is just a more comfortable boat to use. With the TC24, we were always seeing the things we wish we could change. We made several recommendations to the factory on our design wishes for a bigger TomCat. I don't know what our input had on the final design, but when we saw the TC255, and water tested the #1 boat, we were sold on it. We own the fifth TC255 that was built.
 
The performance and appearance of the TomCat attracted us to the original 24 several years before the 255 was introduced.

You can find more info on the TomCat 24 on our site below as well as a link to the original factory site.

There is no question the 255 is an improvement on the 24 as has been cited by others; nevertheless, when it came time for us to purchase a TomCat, we bought a 24 without hesitation.

Here are the two reasons we chose a TomCat 24:

1) We simply do not like the monohull C-Dory look on a powercat.
2) A used TomCat 24 is a lot less money for just a tad less boat.

We've only owned At Last for a short while but love her madly.

--Georgs
 
We don't have a basis to compare to the TC 24 - but we sure like our TC255. Our gas mileage is similar to Dr. Bob - perhaps a little better but that's probably due to the time spent trolling for salmon. Its a great boat!
 
What is the weight on a trailer difference between a 24 and 25TC?? Enough to require a bigger tow vehicle?? Enough to be part of the equation??
 
I have the TC255 and would not consider trading it to the 24 for any reason. The slanted windshield of the TC24 just bakes the interior and cuts out a lot of room for electronics, etc..

You might check out our photo album of our cruise to the San Juans over Christmas 2006 from Port of Edmonds, our launch spot. We spent a few night at Bell Harbor, went South from there exploring and ran up the the San Juans twice in just about 10 days with not sweat and plenty of time to explore the sights.

Personally, I love to go slow at hull speed with the auto pilot on when exploring new areas, or visiting with passengers, crew, etc.. Definitely less stress than dodging logs at 38K! But we needed all the horsepower possible when we got caught in a few winter storms up there.

I haven't checked it lately, but my memory is that you can get really good miles per gallon at 6-9 mph on a TC255. I like to cook, draw, photograph, plan routes, etc., while underway at a slow speed - very very relaxing.

We spent some time down by Galveson, TX, leaving out of Seabrook, TX which involved a 28 mile trip to the Gulf as well as 10-30 more miles out to sea and back daily. The guy at the gas dock said we were the fastest boat out and back and used less gas than any of the other comparable boats!

You have a wide range of operating choices in the TC255 that many other craft do not.

The TC255 is a very large, heavy boat, but the trailer, with electric over hydraulic brakes makes towing it a breeze. BUT you will need a 1 ton tow truck for long hauls and a 3/4 ton for short to moderate hauls. I have a Ford Super Duty 250.

As for the TC 24, I admired the hull for years, but just could not go for another raked windshield like I'd had on many older boats. It is a lighter built boat with a tad better fuel efficiency, but the TC255 has myriad improvements, even in the steering and engine controls, etc.. I got the electronically controlled hydraulic steering so it was easy to add an aft station. The 255 is much more stout. Many experienced salts have admired the quality and overbuilt strength of my TC255's hull and cabin.

If you get caught in a storm or competing tide/current/wind states up there with wave crashing over the cabin top, you will definitely be glad you chose the TC255.


John
 
drjohn71a":3hmc4azh said:
The TC255 is a very large, heavy boat, but the trailer, with electric over hydraulic brakes makes towing it a breeze. BUT you will need a 1 ton tow truck for long hauls and a 3/4 ton for short to moderate hauls. I have a Ford Super Duty 250.
Click to expand...

I'd like a 1-ton or even an 4500/5500 class truck but I towed my TC255 from WA to Lake Powell just fine with my '02 Dodge 2500 with Cummins and 6-speed. I could not go as fast up the mountains as Brent could with his F-550 but other than that I was fine. YMMV.

Warren
 
To help with perspective, what Warren relates is true. I've towed my TC255 thousands of miles without major performance problems other than slow going up big hills, but some ppl want to be able to power over them.

I don't regret getting a 3/4 ton, but many have related they like the 1 ton better, so the choice is yours.

John
 
A neighbor (who rarely posts, but does lurk--Wayne?)-- has a TC 24, and my recollection was that they towed it with a 1/2 ton, and felt that that was not enough truck. I think that the 255 is close to the limits of my diesel Excursion--but it does tow it well. I also would like to have a "hauler"--450 or 550--but for the small amount of towing doesn't make sense.
 
Gumbo,

Look at the C-Dories for sale column. A TC-255 for $78,000 in Houston! If you're serious, the search is over. You'll never get a deal like that again!

As far as Ford Powerstrokes are concerned, the only difference between an F-250 and a F-350 with single rear wheels, is an extra helper leaf above the rear springs to carry more weight in the bed. It doesn't affect the trailer towing capacity or capability. What make the difference is when the axle ratio goes to 4.10:1 or 4.88:1 as with the dual rear wheel models or up into the F-450 and F-550. BUT, that's when the mileage drops dramatically. I'm happy with the F-250 and the 19-20 mpg when not towing! It tows like a dream as is. I have a friend with a new F-450, he gets 12 mpg empty! Roger
 
We towed our TC24 with a 1/2 ton Ford F150 for over a year. It towed well except when climbing mountain passes, that was when I felt like I was a road hazard roaring up the mountain at 35mph in a 65 mph zone. We now tow with a F350, but if the 350 is down I won't hesitate to hook it up to the 1/2 ton again.
 
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