One of the several cats were are considering to replace a 28 foot V hull (weight about 8000 lbs, 18 degrees dead rise, 300 hp, I/O) is the Glacier Bay 2690. We viewed a 2680 which does not have the galley, but does have a slightly shorter hard top, and the same layout foreward--head and shower in the port hull, and large queen berth over the bridge deck and Stb hull. We sea trailed a 2670, which has the short hardtop, a bait well and lounge seat, instead of the galley and dinete, and a lower windshied--front and side curtains instead of full windshield, side glass windows and aft full bulkhead--weight about 600 lbs less than the 2690. We had 500 lbs of crew, 1/2 fuel (holds 180 gal) and otherwise no cruising gear. The boat had twin Yahama 150's counter rotating. Top speed was 38 mph (measured on the Yahama speedo--not gps, but I have a Yahama, on another boat, and the speedo, is almost exactly the same as a GPS at planing speeds. Top speed was 38 mph, with a fuel burn giving 1.4 mpg. At 30 mph fuel burrn was l.7 mpg and at 24 mph fuel burn was 2.2 mpg. These were exactly in line with the factory prediction and would give the 2690 (heavier boat) a range of 270 miles with adequate reserve. This fuel consumption and range is about 30% better than the V hull I own currently. Tracking was excellent--even with chop ahead, or at 45 degrees off the bow, or even astern the boat held its course. There was none of the wondering of a deep V--and steering was at a minimum. We had about a 1 to 2 foot surface chop in the Gulf, and hit some 3 to 4 foot wakes. At cruising speed there was no slamming or pounding, but at slow speed there was some "thumping" The ride was not quite as smooth as I had anticipated, but certainly much better than the V hull. There was a little "sneeze"--which might have been eliminated by trimming up slightly. There was some quickness to the motion which took a little to get used to. Although the boat is touted as a semi displacement hull, they have added running "shoe" which is about 1 1/2" wide under the bows and broadens to about 4 to 5" at the stern. There are strakes at the chine, and asymetrical rounded bilges. I suspect the running shoe gives a bit more lift than the origional boat which was fully round bottom. We are considering a "trailerable, power cat" which has facilities for staying aboard for several weeks. The requirements are good bunk, enclosed head, with shower, galley and dinette, which can be easily towed by a 3/4 ton truck. The Glacier Bay had a dinette which does convert into a bunk, but it is only 5' 5" long, compared to the Tom Cat 255 which has a dinette 6' 4" long. Also the Tom cat allows the foreward passanger to face foreward, the GB, faces the foreward person facing aft. The galley is considerably smaller in the Glacier Bay, with a one burner alcohol /electric stove and a small sink. The Tom Cat has a much larger diesel two burner stove/heater available. Also the Glacier Bay does not have a foreward opening windshield, so the pilot house area is much hotter than the Tom Cat, where a 2 x 2 foot section of the windshield opens. The lack of ventillation (although the 2690 does have two small opening hatches on the cabin top) is a real negitive for us in the Florida heat. We would consider putting in larger opening hatches on the pilot house top--or a marinized RV airconditioner on the pilot house top. The fiberglass work on the Glacier Bay was very well done, but some one had hit the anchor pulpit and cracked both sides--so that certianly needed to be beefed up. Finish work was good. All systems were accessiable and all tanks could be removed without cutting any of the flooring. The generator was a Honda EU 2000, in a fiberglass case, with an exhaust port and SS louvers, which sat on the middle swim step. It was difficult to step over. The air conditioning had one duct to the foreward stateroom/head/bunk area, and another to the pilot house--I don't think that 7000 BTU would be adequate to cool the pilot house, except perhaps after dark. We hope to run a 24 foot Tom Cat in the next week or so--and the Tom Cat 255 in the next few months. The 26 foot Glacier Bays have made some very impressive trips--to New York to Bermuda, Seattle to Alaska (Kenai) , and Hawaii to Midway, with only one refuel stop! These are very much outfitted as sport fishing boats, with livewells, and fish boxes. I suspect that the Tomcat will be a little better with the cruising amenities. Bob Austin

>We are considering a "trailerable, power cat" which has facilities >for staying aboard for several weeks. The requirements are good >bunk, enclosed head, with shower, galley and dinette, which can be >easily towed by a 3/4 ton truck. Thanks a lot, Bob, for the excellent report on the Glacier Bay! >We hope to run a 24 foot Tom Cat in the next week or so--and the Tom >Cat 255 in the next few months. I know there are more than a few of us on the List who look forward to hearing further reports from you in your search for a trailerable power cat. --Georgs