zapcat

woz72 · 29 May 2013, 23:45

Hi...iv done the fast car/bike thing and am looking for a buzz again..iv watched a.few video clips of zapcats and they look fun...what are they like to live with? Would I be better going for a modern sib with a beefy engine....budget is small in boat terms about 3k...

ian parkes · 30 May 2013, 01:13

have owned a few sibs inc a futura and a cat similar to a zapcat . They were all horrible and very impractical in one way or another but the cat is going to be the fastest wetest and most thrills compared to the sib .
The big sibs are really just very uncomfotable in anything but flat water and i grew to hate them very quickly .
A small rib with tiller steer is what has proved by far the best for me

lukewhiting · 30 May 2013, 02:06

Nothing will ever compare to a zapcat or thundercat so don't even bother looking at cheaper makes....cause their sh*t!! I've owned my thundercat for nearly 3 years & nothing has ever given me so much fun!!! They don't seem to be the most practical boat but If I want to bring gear I have 2 30ltr dry bags I put in the front which are perfect! They are unbelievably fast for a small boat, turns of upto 3G & 0-50 in around 3 seconds!! They will quiet easily take flight if you want it too but are so incredibly stable!
Have a look at my YouTube channel: lukewhiting1994. It has loads of videos of mine on there.

It all depends what you want the boat for. If you want a toy this is perfect but practicalliy defiantly not! It'll tow a ringo easy enough too.

It get so many people looking at it too, it's a real head turner!
I will say though its more of a young mans sport as it can be pretty painful & you do ache after because of how tiring it is. But it's all worth it!!

Anything inpiticular you want to know let me know & ill try help

Overall though...amazing boats!

lukewhiting · 30 May 2013, 02:08

Ohh & mine 2005 hull 2007 engine (race ready) cost £3400.... To give you an idea of price

JoeF1974 · 30 May 2013, 08:32

If you want zapcat speed (which is addictive) but a bit more practicality, have a look at http://www.rib.net/forum/f21/caesar-surfcat-51107.html as these boars are a better compromise. You feel as though you are sitting in them rather than on them. Serious fun. A go-kart of the sea.

ian parkes · 30 May 2013, 19:08

very true that iam too old for the zapcat but the one thing you need is a tohatsu 50 as its about the only engine still made thats any good for the small fun boats .

lukewhiting · 30 May 2013, 22:26

The engines great! Loads of grunt! Plus what other boat can you do this with?!

woz72 · 31 May 2013, 00:43

They do look a real laugh...my landy is on eBay and doing fine so it will be a case of finding something fast and reliable..there's been a few on eBay recently ..what problems do I need to watch out for ie engine/hull....

matthew · 13 June 2013, 09:52

Mate zapcats rule, I have a one for sale within your budget if interested

woz72 · 13 June 2013, 12:52

Iv bought a sib mate...

lump1066 · 15 August 2013, 16:36

I looked at the Zapcat Racing website - talks about 2 different models - Z10 and EVO. Have the EVO's caught on, or are folks still using the Z10's mainly?

rik_elliott · 18 August 2013, 13:57

I used to have a zap cat, with a yammie 40hp on it. The thing was an absolute space ship, it flew around, getting air on even small waves. I have never had so much fun in a boat. BUT it was entirely impractical, I got fed up with having to wear a wetsuit and visor (the spray was terrible!), and friends didnt want to come out on it once they had put their back out for the second or third time.

If it was more like a SIB (like the caesar surfcat) im sure i would still own it now. A zodiac futura might fit the bill for you, if you want a huge motor on an inflatable as they have speed tubes that lift it out of the water and give some of the benefits that zap cats have, whilst being all together more manageable.