26' tigercat, 1998 w/2 - 200hp, any thoughts?

[jdr2]

I am looking at a 1998, 26' tigercat with 2 - 200 hp Yamaha's. Does anyone have any experience with one. Please let me know the pros and cons.

Thanks,
jdr2
631-283-2051
jdr@hamptons.com

 

[Charles Simmons]

I had a 98 Tigercat (cabin model) w/ twin yammies, I bought it new and traded it in 2006 for a GW 33. Loved it. Never any problem with the boat nor engines. Cruised at 1.5 MPG with the old style yammies.It rode the rough stuff great, but handled like a dead hog when conditions were silky smooth. I really liked it. 8)

 

[Fishtales]

I'd research this boat before going after it. It was not in production all that long and there are a lot of bashers out there regarding handling and ride. Never had one, never been on one - so I have no direct experience. Two things bother me: They stopped making them and the folks that bash them. There are others out there who like them, so just do your research.

 

[deltarome]

Rode one once. Great in head sea. Rear quarter sea was ugly with bow steer.
Better get it cheap as any boat with a questionable past is hard to resell, and take several test rides.

 

[mronzo]

Skip it! From here and other sites the majority of folks say
there are much better cat boats than this short lived Grady model.
If you're looking for used 26' Gradys why not consider a 265 Express?


No, mine is NOT for sale!

 

[wahoo33417]

My recollection is that the hull was modified in 1998 to address the slow speed and following seas handling issues. But, apparently it was too late. I believe last year for Grady cats was 1999? Grady web site will tell you. just look for the catalogs. Hull redesign came out the same year they added the X-26 center console cat.

The not very well publicized hull redesign might partially explain why some people disliked their Grady cats and some people were very happy with them.

Lots of people will offer lots of opinions based on what hey have heard, but I'd focus on those that owned them.

I personally really like the layout of the Grady cat and I might have given one a try if my in/out storage allowed cats.

Rob

 

[Reel Soon]

I love my 98 Tigercat. Comfortable boat, well laid out, 0-degree turn. The cat design really cushions out the slam that occurs with the monohull design, you are not as sore when you get back to the dock after a day offshore. Now that gas has come down I like it even more. Great boat for family (bay) or offshore fishing.