Caesar Surfcat / Gemini GRX420 / Zapcat / Thundercat - Page 2

two stroke mick · 28 April 2017, 17:35

Very Very nice boat

fel2 · 28 April 2017, 19:26

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RickW · 02 May 2017, 13:17

What engine is going on that and how much was the shipping delivered cost

Gemini Marine UK · 23 May 2017, 14:12

Hi there we are the Gemini Dealer for UK & Ireland, based in Lymington.

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Please email Sales@gemini-marine.co.uk
We have a GRX420 operational as an Independent Lifeboat in Runswick Bay and we are delivering one to a Kite Surfing Centre next month.

Gemini Marine UK · 23 May 2017, 14:14

These are not Gemini Marine FF-15s or ZX11. They are copy, the company have been told to take down any reference to Gemini.

RickW · 23 May 2017, 16:31

Hi chaps from Gemini - already in touch with you

GI-SYD · 27 November 2017, 11:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by fel2

Ceasar can ship worldwide. I only have good word (yet) for jacques at ceasar, i just bought a surfcat and can't wait to try it. It is ready to get shipped out. I hope everything will be allright once i uncrate the boat. They sold alot and i could not find any bad comment or complaint on the boat they make or any horror story. That why i went with them.

I was really in between the surfcat and zapcat style and what made me go with the surfcat is i just won't race anytime soon.

Attachment 119246

Hi Fel2, how is your Surfcat working out for you? I am looking for a fast SIB, I won't be racing, I will use it as a chase boat and for scuba diving, spearfishing etc. Any real world experience would be appreciated, thanks!

Roflhat · 03 December 2017, 09:43

Surfcat is a great boat, but the tubes will be prone to fading if it’s hot. Not a problem if you can store it indoors. Very able boats, can take more weight than a thundercat but still very fast and really good in the waves. 50hp is ideal for them, 30hp will work but boat balance feels better with a 50hp and the ride is dryer

SixtyNorth · 29 July 2020, 09:23

How do these various cat hulled SIBs perform compared to the Zodiac Futura with it's speed tubes or even a similar sized RIB? I have understood that the cat hulled boats are more comfortable in a chop than traditional SIBs with single inflatable keels.

Any particular downsides? For example, are they easier to flip? Less load carrying capacity?

RickW · 29 July 2020, 20:03

What a thread revive - still a good choice and if I was launching of my local beach would still go this route

Ended up with a Ribcraft 6.8m delivered just after lockdown ended so a bit of drift!

Allye · 29 July 2020, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by SixtyNorth

How do these various cat hulled SIBs perform compared to the Zodiac Futura with it's speed tubes or even a similar sized RIB? I have understood that the cat hulled boats are more comfortable in a chop than traditional SIBs with single inflatable keels.

Any particular downsides? For example, are they easier to flip? Less load carrying capacity?

Reference the chop yes they completely outclass sibs of equivalent size as the floor sits out of the water, the down side to this is you sit on a zapcat not in! They go upside down much easier than a sib or small rib 100%! But then again they are designed too. Other consideration are they are wet rides (waheey) 4 POB max really, 3 comfortable and nearly impossible to helm solo into a decent headwind.

It’s also tricky to find boats in decent nick, when I looked most are raced to death or owned by traditionally non boaters and have been neglected.

SixtyNorth · 30 July 2020, 19:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickW

What a thread revive - still a good choice and if I was launching of my local beach would still go this route

Ended up with a Ribcraft 6.8m delivered just after lockdown ended so a bit of drift!

I always try to search back as there is often a lot of useful information in the old threads. You must be happy with the Ribcraft 6.8!

Thanks Allye. They seem as I expected. The closest thing I have experienced is a Zodiac with small speed tubes. A mates son is looking to buy a Thundercat. He is in his early twenties so will no-doubt enjoy the ride. I have reached an age where I am starting to consider a boat with a bit more shelter. I will certainly pass on the information, especially the issue of needing a crew member for ballast.

RickW · 30 July 2020, 23:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by SixtyNorth

I always try to search back as there is often a lot of useful information in the old threads. You must be happy with the Ribcraft 6.8!

Thanks Allye. They seem as I expected. The closest thing I have experienced is a Zodiac with small speed tubes. A mates son is looking to buy a Thundercat. He is in his early twenties so will no-doubt enjoy the ride. I have reached an age where I am starting to consider a boat with a bit more shelter. I will certainly pass on the information, especially the issue of needing a crew member for ballast.

Very !

Local lads use em for potting, fishing and family fun

You don’t have to hoon em

Talking about the Zapcats never seen a Surfcat/GTX in the flesh

R

Roflhat · 31 July 2020, 06:39

Very comfortable in chop and rough, but as said with a headwind you want some weight up front, even moving the fuel tank forward helps.
They are easier to flip, but if you take your time and get a feel for them they're very manageable. I've had one over 10 years now and never put it upside down (touch wood)

SixtyNorth · 04 August 2020, 16:03

That sounds positive, 10 years is a long time! You must be doing something right. If I were younger I'd give them I try myself, they look like a lot of fun.

bobdyer77 · 19 August 2021, 22:05

After an absence of too long have got back on the water, have plenty of experience with 4.0 Searider and 5.8 Ribcraft and plenty of opportunity to mess around on Thundercats but never owned one. Must've lost the plot but at 56 and totally due to their versatility have just picked up a good condition second hand F8 with Tohatsu 50 for leisure use. But, having never actually owned before I'm not fully spammed up on and cannot remember the intricacies of the transom/engine setup. Engine runs great and the boat flies, not overly concerned with tweaking the prop/trim settings etc to get that extra knot or two but have a couple of q's for those that may know.

So far Have been running with the engine locked down with the mechanical locking mechanism on the leg, and as said she flies with no concerns. However, there was a bungee on the tiller arm which I thought was there as a damper, (doesn't have a hydraulic one). Then it struck me that the bungee could be the one used to hold the leg down when racing but which allows it to kick up when beaching or if an object in the water is struck?
I've tried it set up that way and it performed quite nicely with no issues and the steering was not noticeably harder to handle without?

My questions are, are thundercats intended to be used with the outboard leg locked down mechanically, or with a bungee, or either and which would be reccommended by experienced users? I can see that their are advantages to both depending on use.

Is the use of a bungee on the tiller arm a common mod in place of a hydraulic damper? Bit confused re this last as I can see that it would assist in one direction (against the bungee) but not in the other?

Roflhat · 20 August 2021, 10:24

I do like a good F8, great nose cone. Any photos? What prop is on it?
Know plenty of folk older than you with surfcats/thundercats!

For engine height you can run string across the bottom of the boat, you want the prop shaft around 10mm above the bottom of the hijackers.

The leg bungee is as you say, for if you hit submerged objects or if you're running up a beach. I ran one for years but don't any more, don't like having any movement there and I've never hit anything anyway.

Another good bungee use is if you're running a big cleaver, you can put one on the port aft of the engine attached to the boat to counter torque steer. With normal 14-16p props there's no need for the bungee.
I like having a steering damper personally, the mercedes one is a popular and cheap option, around £25 and it'll last a couple years. Can't mind which merc it comes from, 190E or something.

bobdyer77 · 21 August 2021, 16:34

Thanks for the info/comments, couple of pics attached. Steel Developments blueprinted prop fitted 2008 by previous owner. Tiny Tac fitted 2006 when initially purchased, hoping to establish total hours run from it but havn't got round to interrogating it yet! Also has a mod that allows the tell tale to be diverted to flood the nose cone, not something I'd seen before but could be useful if solo or get caught out in some dodgy weather, not sure would need or want to flood it any other time, looks like it would be a pain to drain down?

ThundercatRob · 22 August 2021, 08:15

Has it got another fuel filter in the engine?

bobdyer77 · 22 August 2021, 23:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThundercatRob

Has it got another fuel filter in the engine?

I was going to ask about that, all the engine servicing etc on previous ribs was taken care of by my brother so when it comes to the mechanicals my knowledge is limited. Guessing it's a modification added by one of the previous owners and presumably acts as a pre-filter? Doesn't appear to affect performance but then havn't run without it. Any thoughts?