Top Cat(Conquest) or Party Cat(Advantage)?

[my21advantage]

Just doing a little research for my future endeavor... what do you think? Suggestions for engines are welcome.

[Mandelon]

That Top Cat sure looks sweet. I heard its a windy ride........

[Havasu_Dreamin]

Personally I think the Conquest is better in terms of looks. Talk to Keith Sayre and take a test ride.

[Havasu Hangin']

I know a guy who's selling his 2002 Top Cat (Merc 575SC)...
Watch out for the bugs!

[Catmando]

You already own an Advantage, how tough would it be to change? I love the Boss Cat's styling, and every article I've read raves about its handling and performance. If it's windy, just put deflectors on it.

[Keith E. Sayre]

The Advantage Party Cat is a great boat, so is ours. Come drive them one right after the other
and you'll like them both but love one of them.
Good luck!
Keith Sayre
Conquest Boats
Lake Havasu City
928-680-1400
As for speed, our boat will run 60 mph with 496Mag
65 mph with 496HO, 70+ with HP500EFI, 75 with
525EFI, mid 80's with 575. Those are real #'s.

[Havasu Hangin']

Keith E. Sayre:
...mid 80's with 575. Those are real #'s. Yep...we were bumpin' the rev limiter (5,300RPMs) with a 28" prop and three people on board...that's mid-80's by my calculations.
Great boat...very solid.

[my21advantage]

Keith E. Sayre:
The Advantage Party Cat is a great boat, so is ours. Come drive them one right after the other
and you'll like them both but love one of them.
Good luck!
Keith Sayre
Conquest Boats
Lake Havasu City
928-680-1400
As for speed, our boat will run 60 mph with 496Mag
65 mph with 496HO, 70+ with HP500EFI, 75 with
525EFI, mid 80's with 575. Those are real #'s. I like the sleek look of the top cat, and definitely leaning that way, but like you said, we should test both. Checked you guys out at the show an addition to visiting out in Havasu. Definitely looking at a performance engine...what your take on a Keith Eickert (540 c.i.)? http://www.keith-eickert.com/eng_675.jpg

[Catmando]

The Eickert motor is a fine piece of machinery for sure, but it's pricey. Try this link; www.beckracingengines.com (http://www.beckracingengines.com) Your jaw will drop at the low prices! jawdrop Like that. :D The Beck 622/1025HP motor is less than $25,000! His site doesn't show all 16 of his Marine engines, so call Frank and discuss what you're looking for.
[ May 06, 2003, 10:31 PM: Message edited by: Catmando ]

[Catmando]

RD,
Frank sent me a list of parts, and they're all big-time names; Fel-Pro, Childs and Albert, Manley, Crower, etc. Are you saying he doesn't actually USE those parts, substituting lower-quality parts?? What about his build quality?
I'm considering a Beck motor for racing next year, so please PM me your concerns.

[Essex502]

I don't know BRE from nothing but parts is parts and machining and assembly are other things. The care to fit those parts together and assemble the motor correctly is paramount. Just having fancy list of parts isn't the assurance that it's a great motor.

[Essex502]

To answer the original question - from looks point of view...the Conquest all the way. I personally gag at the bulky look of the Advantage.

[Reaper1]

Conquest = Sweet Deck! Keith Sayre = Great Salesmen.

[HavasuDreamin']

Lets just say there have been a few people that have had issues with BRE and their motors. devil

[beer hunter]

LOL yes but you truly do get what you pay for, and in BRE's case it aint much in either regard.
RD
I have to agree. I have heard of some reliability issues with these motors. I doubt they are in the same league as the Phaff's , Teague's ect... :)

[roln 20s]

Conquest Top Cat gets my vote. It looks bad ass, performs great, looks killer on the triple axle trailer going down the road and can handle any power. I know there are a couple 100mph Top Cats out there.
Lets just say there have been a few people that have had issues with BRE and their motors. From my memories on these boards, a "few" may be a little nice. And the problems were more than just minor.
Speaking of high perf engines. I love the Eickert Engine, but damn expensive it is. Depending on the HP range, check out the Pfaff 600 and 700. They look identical to the HP 500's and run basically the same parts that Merc does (purchased from AZ Speed and marine). And the plus- the 600 is only like 5-8K more than the HP 500 with the Imco Extreme SC Drive. What a combo!
This motor was featured in the Howard 26 Cat at the LA Boat Show. Heres a pic and the link to Pfaff:
www.pfaffengines.com (http://www.pfaffengines.com)
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/28HowardCat003-med.jpg
This boat should be in an upcoming ***boat Mag, I think.
Beautiful package and Pfaff is a top notch builder.
Good luck with the search.
Roln 20s

[mbrown2]

You cannot even compare the BRE's to KE's....the really top notch builders utilize EFI, KE, PFAFF, GT; not saying anything against carbs but it just goes to show you those guys are years ahead in technology, machining, and dialing in their engines, and that is what you are paying for.

[roln 20s]

As I was saying "looking bad ass going down the road." This is just freakin sweet-
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/510/559Picture1-med.jpg
Congrats to whoever owns this boat- its beautiful.
Roln 20s

[Havasu Cig]

I like the Conquest with the Magic a close second.
As far as Motors, I would lean toward Pfaff at this point because of the EFI motors he is building at the moment. I know quite a few people that have had good luck with his stuff.

[my21advantage]

Havasu Cig:
I like the Conquest with the Magic a close second.
As far as Motors, I would lean toward Pfaff at this point because of the EFI motors he is building at the moment. I know quite a few people that have had good luck with his stuff. I was also considering Pfaff in addition to Eickert... thanks for the info.

[HavasuDreamin']

One more engine builder to throw into the mix........Larry Peto.

[shockwavebd]

Conquest all the way.........go keith

[Keith E. Sayre]

I would agree with the above mentioned names and
would add Carson Brummett and Norm Grimes. Both
have smaller businesses but build outstanding race
engines. We've also had good luck with KE, Pfaff,
GT Teague Marine and Chief.
Keith Sayre
Conquest Boats
Lake Havasu City
928-680-1400
[ May 08, 2003, 01:39 PM: Message edited by: Keith E. Sayre ]

[rivercrazy]

CONQUEST..... Performance and looks wise