Cat Dingy

F

FWTMD

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 15, 2020
Messages
283
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
I stumbled onto something that makes so much sense, I am left wondering why we don't see more of this.

A dingy with a cat hull.

https://www.lightningmarine.co.nz/mouse

That's the link to the dingy version. Go up to the 4000 size, next size up and there are pictures showing how stable it is.

It looks to be a stable workhorse.

A quick search did not reveal anything similar of any real interest. Does anyone know of other good options?

This one is made in New Zealand. Shipping alone would make it impractical. Not cheap, either. With the foreign exchange conversion I estimate $3500 for the dingy. That's a bit more than the Portland Pudgey, that goes for $3000.

Know of alternatives?
 
my takacat is very stable.
 
We are very pleased with our takacat. Glad to be rid of the factory RIB. The takacat is more stable--by far--self draining, easy to deflate and store, takes 15 minutes to assemble and best of all doesn't throw out my back when pulling it up on the davits. The downside is that you have to be careful about the inflatable floor, although it is made of that tough stuff they use for inflatable SUPs.

We have the closed front, where the tube wraps around the front. I think, but can't prove, that it makes it a bit drier. But as far as I can tell, they are not making that version anymore.

This site is all about the stuff we like and don't like and how to fix everything else. Hope that helps.

Jeff
 
Somewhat heavy, about 110 pounds. About double my inflatable. They show it on top of a car, but no video on how it got up there. 😀 Not bad if you plan on keeping it on the swim step. Probably a winch or pully system required to lift it if it is on davits. Looks very stable though.
 
Have heard good things about takacat

But I'm more interested in a hard dingy, knowing the weight tradeoffs
 
There are lots of Livingston Dinghies on the market. First boat John Livingston designed.

Do a search for Livingston Dinghy on google and look at the images.

Cheers,

Bruce
 
I read this post, looked at the Takacat, liked it, bought the 300.
 
I've owned a Livingston, but had it on a trailer. They're stout, very stable but pretty heavy. I am not sure I'd want to use it as a dinghy and have rarely seen one used that way at least in the Northwest.

I checked with a couple of Takacat owners here on Tugnuts, did a fair amount of research and also decided to buy a 300. It should be here next week.
 
linedoctor":2cqrqmsp said:
I've owned a Livingston, but had it on a trailer. They're stout, very stable but pretty heavy. I am not sure I'd want to use it as a dinghy and have rarely seen one used that way at least in the Northwest.

I checked with a couple of Takacat owners here on Tugnuts, did a fair amount of research and also decided to buy a 300. It should be here next week.
Click to expand...


Would you mind telling where you ordered your Takacat from? I've been looking at them for a while and will likely make the purchase soon-ish. Thanks!
 
We have the Takacat open bow and love it. It’s like a min landing craft when taking our dog ashore. It is a surprising dry ride and as mentioned any water that comes it goes right off the back. We use it for swimming off of as well. Super easy to get back into from the water. We bought ours direct from the dealer in NZ. It weighs 53 lbs with no suction when tipping up on davits. Watch exchange rates and you can save some bucks.
 
I bought my takacat direct from New Zealand. Good exchange rate deal. Drop shipped from the factory direct. Included wheels, oars, cover and inflatable seat as part of the deal. Just email the company direct.
 
Bruce:

Some bad reviews out there on the Livingston, and it appears the company is no longer in business. At least, their website is now inoperable. Comments are poorly made, heavier than necessary due to the construction method, etc.

I have to believe a better hard cat can be built. And maybe is ... out there somewhere.
 
For those that bought directly from NZ... did your shipping cost negate any savings from the exchange rate? I thought I saw (maybe another thread) where someone decided against going that route due to the astronomical shipping cost.

We've decided on the 300, so just figuring out the best option for purchasing. 😀
 
Mind you at the time I bought mine it was about 3 years ago and I caught it when exchange rates were very favorable. The shipping costs were a fraction compared to my savings.
 
yes i bought in Feb 2016 and negotiated direct with the CEO. I had no shipping costs 🙂
 
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