255 Tomcat Differences by year?

C

Captain Starbucks

Member
Hi again,

I'm back in the hunt. We just sold our last boat expecting to move up in size to something not trailerable due to growing family but really all I need is sleeping for 4, two bigs and two littles.

I've almost bought a Tomcat the last two boats, but did not. Now I'm considering them once more.

Can someone please tell me what the year changes were? I'm reading about better flotation on some of the later models? If so, when did this occur and what was the difference? Family camping would be running fairly light, but I do tuna fish, and most of my salmon/halibut weekends are now 100% on the water due to the boat launch and campground chaos. Those trips are heavy.
 
san juanderer":2mtzmldc said:
Hello Captain Starbucks,

I am interested to hear your own story of choices, likes and dislikes of your recent Ranger Tug 25 then the Shamrock 27.
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Sure. The Ranger was my attempt to get my non-boating wife into boating. They're cute and she liked the boat. But she never really got the big picture of gunkholing, exploring, etc. She just viewed the boat as a water taxi. Then one day I went to install a new autopilot I'd purchased. I removed most of the interior sections to gain access to run hydraulic lines. Yikes. It looked like it was poorly built, misaligned, water leaks, blown out holes, shredded fiberglass, etc. I could go on. Oh, and when I went to sell it, the HIN on the top deck didn't match the HIN on the hull. That was a major legal nightmare. I'm a professional mechanic and have been for 30 years (airplanes, spaceships). I don't expect a boat to be built like an airplane but I was not impressed. Granted, I'm what most consider a "hard core" type of fisherman and need a boat that won't let me down. I'm sure they are fine for the Sound. My wife really wants a Cutwater 30, but they are built by the same company that builds Ranger. Could be better, but I have my doubts.

Next, the Shamrock 270. I loved that boat and if it slept one more, I would never have sold it. Great boat, very solid, sturdy build. I have a lengthy review I wrote on 5 year ownership on that boat on the Shamrock forum. It just went to Dutch Harbor, AK via barge.

We are also considering Whaler 285 and 315, Aspen C90 (if one ever comes for sale), Glacier Bay 3480/90, Riviera 34-37. I don't like trailering, but it opens up a lot of options. Still trying to decide which way to go. Moorage for mid 30 footers in Washington is impossible to get.
 
Captain Starbucks":1z89dad0 said:
Can someone please tell me what the year changes were? I'm reading about better flotation on some of the later models? If so, when did this occur and what was the difference?
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I'm not aware of any "better flotation" on TC255's from the 2006 debut to today. Some builders may have chosen core of balsa vs closed cell foam in cored areas such as the transom, but that doesn't affect "flotation". Each has pros and cons but can be fine as long as water intrusion from improper drilling doesn't compromise the core. When that happens esp in boats stored outside in freeze/thaw climates it can cause damage that needs to be, and can be repaired. I still wouldn't consider that to affect floatation. I read about one TC255 that sank at the dock, but the others including mine float really good.

Hope this is helpful, but perhaps I don't understand your question. It's a perfect cruising boat for a couple. For a growing family maybe not so much.

I read about a Ranger 30 that capsized due to a design issue. The Aspen or GB 3480 should fill the need.

Happy Hunting!
John
 
I agree with John that there is no change in floatation. My Tom Cat (2006) did not have any foam floatation, as required in smaller boats.

The changes were minimal, and mostly involved the interior cosmetics--such as the foam backed vinyl liner. I consider this a negative, in that in the South mold can grow in the foam, if it gets wet, modifications are more difficult, the foam and liner delaminate, and delimitation of the foam from the hull inner surface.

Sleeping for 4 is possible, and this would be accomplished by three different ways:
1, couple on forward "queen" size berth. 2 children on the table conversion.
2. wife and 2 children on the forward berth, and husband on the table.
3. Husband sleeping fore and aft on the far port side of the berth--with his head on an accessory cushion on the footwell of the forward facing "Navigator seat". The wife and two children sleeping athwart ships toward the Starboard side. I used this method, when my daughter and her two children (about 6 to age 12). If my wife had been with us, I would have slept on the table, and my wife slept fore and aft.

The Tom Cat is not really a 4 person sleeping boat.

The boat is a great fish slayer--there are a number of our members who do fish for Tuna, and other offshore pelagic species.

The Glacier Bay and Aspen Cats will ride better into chop--the Tom Cat better down seas and waves.

The Whaler will not have as good a ride into chop. The Aspen Proa or the Glacer Bay 3480/90 is a whole different level of boat (which are the Whalers at a number of levels.). The GB and Aspen Proa are different level of boats, and would serve you well....but trailering might be a push.

With the smaller Whaler, you are back into an express cruiser "Cave"--but in a "walk around fishing boat. It sounds as if you wife prefers the pilot house type of boat where she can have visuals much of the time.

Good luck with the search.
 
gulfcoast john":3uj3v7xd said:
I don't understand your question.

I read about a Ranger 30 that capsized due to a design issue. The Aspen or GB 3480 should fill the need.

Happy Hunting!
John
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Hi GC John,

I wasn't very clear on my question. My apologies. I should have worded it something more like hull configuration changes instead of floatation differences. Sounds like the hull #1 is pretty much identical to a brand new boat made today. I've been reading about these boats for 10 + years and realize the wing deck clearance issues and wasn't sure if the 255 finally got some big-boy sponsons.

Regarding the Aspen, I'd buy in a second if we could find one that isn't insanely priced. Used ones sell for $50k more than they did new now.

RE: GB 3480/90. Yep, strongly considering that as well. With only about 140 made and global distribution, I don't have high hopes but actively searching for one as well.
 
Bob,

Thank you for chiming in. I've read a lot of what you've written here and on THT for years and years regarding your Tomcat adventures as well as your previous open water adventures in other boats. The knowledge you share is priceless, thank you.

Yes, the wife prefers, in fact REQUIRES a full pilot house so we are limited on boats.

The sleeping arrangements you recommend would all work. My kids are little (4 and 7) and my wife and I are not big people so not worried about the sleeping with family, it would just be trying to accommodate my fishing buddies. In my Shamrock 270, my Special Forces buddy would sleep in the cockpit rain or shine. Have you ever tried sneaking past a guy like that in the middle of the night in a confined space? HARD PASS!!

Anyway, I'm not taking any of the other boats off my list, but will certainly be placing the TC 255 at or near the top.

Thank you all for your comments.

Rob
 
If you are looking at cats look at the eastward horzion. People love them, they come out of an Australian developed mold with great handling characteristics. They are configured to each customer's specs, with no 2 boats the same layout/ price point. There's been a couple with pilot houses, some of which turned out not very appealing on the eyes though fitting the customer's budget and needs. Adding a 2 or 3 windshields instead of a single pane of glass, rounded instead of square corner windows, and angling the sides in 5 degrees would make for a good looking boat while still keeping them relatively budget friendly.
 
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