PDA

View Full Version : What is Howard Boats working on now?



bigq
03-01-2004, 02:06 PM
Just curious if they are working on a smaller or bigger Bullet? Anyone know?

roln 20s
03-01-2004, 02:24 PM
Well, rumor on the street is that they are working on a BIGGER Bullet. After that, the initial plans are for a 30 foot (ish) cat with similar lines to the Bullet...and after that they will retool the 26 Cat to match the new lines of the big Cat. Sounds good huh? Again, this is just the rumor on the street :D
Roln 20s

little rowe boat
03-01-2004, 02:47 PM
Wow I had not heard any of that.I can't wait to see them.:cool:

roln 20s
03-01-2004, 04:00 PM
This stems from a recent conversation with Mike--based on what I know when they start a project (assuming they don't change their minds- which is highly possible), I would estimate a Bigger Bullet by year end or next LA Show, the big cat the year after that, and maybe the new retooled 26 cat midseason after that. They take their time and tool some killer boats, I don't expect for this to be a quick process. I look forward to any new projects out of there- and look forward to buying myself a Howard this year :D
Roln 20s

little rowe boat
03-01-2004, 05:16 PM
Which HCB are you going to buy?:cool:

sandblasted
03-01-2004, 07:12 PM
Originally posted by roln 20s
Well, rumor on the street is that they are working on a BIGGER Bullet. After that, the initial plans are for a 30 foot (ish) cat with similar lines to the Bullet...and after that they will retool the 26 Cat to match the new lines of the big Cat. Sounds good huh? Again, this is just the rumor on the street :D
Roln 20s
Howard's 26 cat is almost universally recognized as one of the best cats out on the market....Why mess with it? I mean it hauls ass and handles great, why would you want to mess with something that works so good?

roln 20s
03-01-2004, 09:16 PM
Which HCB are you going to buy?
If all works out well- I'll be ordering a 25 Bullet at the end of the season.
Howard's 26 cat is almost universally recognized as one of the best cats out on the market....Why mess with it? I mean it hauls ass and handles great, why would you want to mess with something that works so good?
Great point, and too clearify- the last I heard they are going to maintain the same bottom (it works great- don't mess with a good thing- I agree) but just redesign the deck of the boat- make it a little more like the bullet line.
Roln 20s

SDLifesaver
03-02-2004, 07:17 AM
Mike is working on some new floor designs and has new ideas for the top side of the cat. I talked to him at the boat show and he has alot of ideas. He is a Mad Scientist. I think they will need a bigger facility if they start making bigger boats because they are a little cramped now. We will see.

dr. margarita
03-02-2004, 08:17 AM
Originally posted by SDLifesaver
I think they will need a bigger facility if they start making bigger boats because they are a little cramped now. We will see.
My guess is that they're working on that as we speak.

TPI
03-03-2004, 06:34 AM
All of the above statements sound pretty accurate. The 25 is still pretty new, and they are taking orders for them more and more as the public becomes more familiar. They are getting a surge in East Coast business recently, it seems to me that news travels a little slower across the US, and the East Coast guys seem really fired up about the "Bullets".

mud duck
03-04-2004, 11:46 AM
What does a new Howard 26' Open Bow Cat cost these days with a mild engine & outdrive? I have never seen a used one for sale on Trader Online site. And I have never heard any bad opinions of them on this board or other boards. People who have got them sure must like them and want to hang on to them.
So, what is the ball park figure these days? :(

roln 20s
03-04-2004, 12:49 PM
What does a new Howard 26' Open Bow Cat cost these days with a mild engine & outdrive?
Its right around 80K with a 496HO, bump up to the HP500 or HP525 and you can probably expect 90-95K. Again, these are estimates, but probably definately in the ballpark.
I love the 26 Howard Cat Open Bow, so much room, great amenities and still their fit and finish is among the best. Truely a great performing on a proven hull- there are very few ever forsale, I do know of one right now- great deal- PM hcb26. Here's his boat:
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/135howard_cat-med.jpg
http://www.howardboats.com/images/showroom/26_cat-open-bow8.jpg
Here is one I took a pic of at the 2004 LA Show-
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/508/141926_Howard_Cat_2-med.jpg
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/508/141926_Howard_Cat_3-med.jpg
From the 2003 Show:
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/28HowardCat002-med.jpg
Definately can't go wrong with a Howard Cat.
Roln 20s

phebus
03-04-2004, 01:41 PM
There is a nice closed bow in the classifieds of this site