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View Full Version : Profile, Eliminator, Firehawk - have any news for me?



kevinb
02-05-2002, 10:45 PM
Hello everyone..
I'm looking for my first boat... a 25-28' cat. I'm looking for a boat that will cost less than $80K and I'm looking for the best boat out there.
So far my favorites are the Firehawk firehawkboats.com and the profile profilecustom.com
Does anyone have any positive or negative (or neutral) info to give me on these boats?

boatnam2
02-06-2002, 01:01 AM
what about american offshore?why not talk to the owner fastcat.

roln 20s
02-06-2002, 02:23 AM
Not too familiar with those, except eliminator which is definately a well made boat. They are supposably having a huge sale right now!! The 25 daytona is a classic- and for 80K you can probably get one with the HP 500 EFI, or a 496HO and procharge it. Two other great boats to check out are:
Dave's Custom Marine (DCB)- their MACH 26 is one of the best west coast cats in my opinion
Howard Custom Boats- their 26 cat is awesome also and their service and friendliness is top class- not to mention their great boats.
Best of luck with your search-
roln20s

MIKEHTMSR24
02-06-2002, 04:39 AM
Don't forget about HTM
They have a 24 SS under 80k and 100 mph promise with warranty.
If you want room look into the SR.
Starting my 4th season and 300+ hrs and love it.

catnaround
02-06-2002, 04:55 AM
Take a look at the new Magic 28. We got ours for under 80K with a HP500 and pretty well loaded.

Unchained
02-06-2002, 05:11 AM
I have a friend here in Mi. who has a 1996 21'Firehawk tunnel for sale. It has a blown small block with an outdrive and runs 92mph.
The boat is just like new. If interested Email.

carreraboat
02-06-2002, 06:34 AM
dont forget about carrera. they make a beautiful 25! i can give you a quote just call me on my cell 505-660-4215
bo

Force Offshore
02-06-2002, 11:23 AM
Give us a call,FORCE makes a 26& 29 cat for under 80K

hcb26
02-06-2002, 06:32 PM
kevinb, for 80k you can most likley pick up any cat in the 24-26ft range its the workmanship and performance that should make your desision.My opinion the three top cats in the industry in that size range are Howard,DCB,and eliminator, all have excellent rigging,unbelivible performance, and sleek looks. Check out magic i heard that cat is getting great reviews. Good luck boating season is just around the cornor.

Whipple Charged
02-06-2002, 09:48 PM
There's so many to choose from, I've always been an Eliminator fan and love the boats, the 25 is an ultimate classic that will be very dependable and looks awesome, will always hold it's value. Carrera makes a nice boat as well, fast, pretty equal to the Eliminator in speed, slightly smaller, they do excellent work, talk to Joss or Dennis. Profile makes a great boat, the 28 is big, safe and fast for it's size. Magic came out with their new cat, its also fast, I know they did a Whippled 500 that went right around 96-98 range, great gel coat, awesome paint designs, great pricing, talk to Steve there. Howard boats offer more convential paint, also very fast, stable hull and great to work with. DCB has the most incredible rigging that I've ever seen, just perfect boats, no blems, unbelievable. I think these are a bit more money, but man oh man, if your anal (no offense), then that's your boat, flawless work.
I know I'm not giving you much to go on, but their all nice boats, I would really recommend arranging a ride in each of them and seeing them in the factory so you can see which one really gets you going. Try to test each one with equal power to get the best and most even results. Each one has it's own look, my personal favorite for looks is the Magic and Eliminator, but just my personal preference. Just remember, the bigger you go, the more power it takes to go fast and you lose some acceleration while gaining a more stable ride and better for rough water (in general).
Thanks,
Dustin
[This message has been edited by Whipple Charged (edited February 06, 2002).]

FastCats
02-07-2002, 06:14 AM
Hi KevinB,
I'll go ahead and Throw American Offshore into the hat for you as well. We offer excellent boats, excellent rigging, four color gel if you want, and excellent value. You can get a 26 w/ an HP500 for way under 80k! Throw a whipple on it and you've got a rocket on your hands! and still be under 80k!
As our name implies our boats are built tough. We pay attention to details and build it the way that you want it! And we're just good people to work with!
I would enjoy visiting with you about this, I can be reached at 866-272-2287 (toll free)
Scott

boatnam2
02-07-2002, 08:51 AM
i second what fastcat has to say i had one and there awesome.it would fly with the hp whippled up.

Tom Slick
02-07-2002, 02:23 PM
If your are interested in brand new Eliminator 25 Daytonas with either 500HP or 500EFI power for between $60K-$70K, send be an e-mail at jmracing@jmracing.com

Charley
02-07-2002, 04:57 PM
I agree with Dustin, it's a big investment and it sort of boils down to you and what you need in a boat. Pick 3 you like the looks of and call for a water test.....Good luck and happy water testing

ITLLFLI
02-08-2002, 07:03 AM
I bought my 2600 American Offshore last year from Fastcats. They build great boats and he is a great guy to work with!! I would give him a call!!

HavasuDreamin'
02-08-2002, 07:15 AM
I don't think you could go wrong with A.O., Eliminator, Howard, DCB, or HTM. All build excellent boats and all are fast. I don't know much about Firehawk? In the water test would be crucial to my decision making process if I was spending that kind of $$$. Good Luck!

sofaking
02-08-2002, 09:13 AM
Give me a call, I have a 2001 28 Daytona with a Whipplecharged 502. Todd 800-771-2854 x102

Brad Zastrow
02-10-2002, 03:51 PM
The Firehawks I have looked at are not very good in quality, fit and finish. Resale value would be suspect as well. The HTM's are not a very attractive boat to me at all. Kind of like a fat girl with a pretty face. I would also wonder about the future of HTM at this moment. Isn't the AO an old Chris Cat design, looks dated to me. Howard, Eliminator, DCB are all great boats. But if you want to go fast get a Motion, Skater or a Spectre.

FastCats
02-10-2002, 05:42 PM
Hi Brad,
No, A 26 NSX AO is just a old AO, The original owner bought the molds from python boats, when he still owned Commander. Dated is sometimes good as it shows age and experience in what works and what doesn't, that way we don't use our customers as test. We're Proven, year after year! You can own a 1992 model and it is still current in looks. Our balance has changed, which leaves the others chasing us, ...still. Our 31 is of the Chris Cats Fame. Sometimes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Our boats are one of the fastest and most stable in the market today, power for power! And we stand behind them, come see us! We'll be happy to show you what we mean.
Scott
[This message has been edited by FastCats (edited February 10, 2002).]

Brad Zastrow
02-11-2002, 08:57 PM
FastCats
A neighbor just bought a 31 American Offshore. Barrington, IL..... Rather odd looking boat is being nice. Where did you get that canopy from? MACK TRUCK?

Skaterfast
02-12-2002, 04:26 PM
The best boat out there is more than 80K,but if you want to be King of the hill go check out the used 28 footers at skaterpowerboats.com.

FastCats
02-12-2002, 07:59 PM
I can't believe that someone actually saw that boat. This customer wanted a 31 cat of ours but his wife needed a hard top and wanted it to look like a cruiser so we built it that way, per his specifications and drawings. We actually made a mold for the hard top, complete with hand made sunroofs, and fashioned it onto the deck. What a night mare to build. It has a full pump out potty, microwave,... the works.
We are a custom builder and will do whatever the customer wants!
Scott
[This message has been edited by FastCats (edited February 13, 2002).]

Brad Zastrow
02-13-2002, 08:27 AM
Well, I would not save the mold for the hard top. Not a bad looking boat if you cut the top off. A potty???? I have one in my pontoon boat, but in my cat they just pee their pants at 100+

Sandbar Mike
02-13-2002, 04:15 PM
KevinB,
I've been lookin for the hotest cat/tunnel out,Of course eliminator is the hottest per say,I like Spectre out of Florida, They build a sweet 30ft cat that is as stable as can be at speed excess of 110mph, Just Beautiful rides. I have found a few used 1998 and 99's for sale for around your range of 80K. Check them out on boat trader. Spectre will definitley be my next Cat.
Happy Hunting
Mike

kevinb
02-26-2002, 10:03 PM
thanks for all the help guys
I really appreciate it!

kevinb
02-26-2002, 10:08 PM
I'm now looking at a used firehawk.
I'm wondering your guy's opinion on it's value:
It's a 1998 with a 454 Mag putting out about 450 HP. The Firehawk is of course the 26' boat and it comes with the trailer.
The price of the boat is $35,000
A new one is going to be $55,000 to $65,000 depending on motor options.
here's a page showing some pics of the boat I'm looking at: http://www.netprofitservices.com/firehawk
I looked up NADA and the boat booked at $34,000 with no mention of if that included a trailer in the estimate.
The boat is literally perfect in every way.
For those of you who know firehawks - is this a good price if the boat is perfect?
I'm going to test the boat on water the first warm day available - and at that time I'll need to make my decision.
Does this sound like an ok deal?

Catatonic
02-27-2002, 03:12 PM
Hot Boat did a performance review on the Firehawk not long ago and I remember that the feedback was not very positive. They were very critical of Firehawk's attention to detail and cabin design. Good luck on your research.

Bill in Las Vegas
02-27-2002, 03:31 PM
I have a super clean 1999 HTM SR24 with a 454 Mag and a Whipple. It is in great shape with many upgrades. I would take $48k and I am sure of no dissapointments. Call me at 702-493-5984

Badseed
02-27-2002, 05:03 PM
www.dcbracing.com (http://www.dcbracing.com) ---check out used boats.

Maverick
02-27-2002, 05:10 PM
For what it's worth, a friend of mine, looked for a couple of years of a tunnel and finally bought a 25 or 26 Eliminator --- runs 80 or 90 mph with a hand built single BBC. He loves it!!! I've driven it, and there in nothing to complain about. It is fast, tight, beautiful and stable,,, and FAST. If you need more infor touch base and I'll get him in touch with you. He's out of Indiana.
MAV

Charley
02-28-2002, 11:57 PM
3 words for ya hehehe
DEE
SEE
BEE
sorry im biased! http://free.***boat.net/ubb/wink.gif

wavejumppin
03-01-2002, 09:34 AM
All of the above mentioned are nice boats. I just think the Firehawk is way too small, but that's the way I feel about most of the cabins in cats 24-28ft even '30 in length. I own a SR-24 HTM and WOW! the room is emazing, you even have stand-up bolsters. I wish that a reputable builder would tool a cat in the 28-30ft. range with a quality sized cabin. HTM was working on this but I don't know what will come of it. I would love to trade up to something like that.

hulshot
03-01-2002, 07:03 PM
hcb26, What kind of boat do you have?? Is it a 26 Howard Cat??

hulshot
03-01-2002, 07:05 PM
kevinb, Howards are very well built, and like all others will run in the 80's with an HP500