new 19' Shoalwater cat - questions and issues

**Naterator** · #1 12-31-2009, 01:41 PM

My good buddy has a new (purchased early in 2009) 19" Shoalwater cat w/ 130 E-tec. He has had several problems with the boat, nothing super major, and i won't go into all of them now. Of particular importance, however, are a couple issues I would like feedback on, from people with this boat or experience with this boat and similar HP motor.

1) He is only getting around 35 mph at WOT. I am reading on a recent post here that the 23" shoalwater is getting low 50s (albeit with much larger motors), nonetheless, I expected his boat to get low 40s at least...is this unrealistic? What are you guys getting in your 19' cats and if measurably different, can you tell me specifically what prop so i can get him to get one?

2) His hole shot is terrible. The boat needs like at least 15" to jump on a soft bottom with the donut manuever. He says that he has run into several other Shoalwater 19" owners who have complained of the same thing. Obviously, this also could be a prop problem. Please let me hear about your experience on this, Shoalwater owners, and recommend a prop if you can.

Lastly, the motor has periodically overheated when it shouldn't (5 feet of water, regardless of jack plate setting)...Acies just replaced the water pump and we have yet to see if that was the problem, but Acies also said that they think this hull may REQUIRE a low water pickup for the etec as they have seen this situation before....the hull creates a lot of aerated water...?

Thoughts?

**WestBay** · #2 12-31-2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naterator

My good buddy has a new (purchased early in 2009) 19" Shoalwater cat w/ 130 E-tec. He has had several problems with the boat, nothing super major, and i won't go into all of them now. Of particular importance, however, are a couple issues I would like feedback on, from people with this boat or experience with this boat and similar HP motor.

1) He is only getting around 35 mph at WOT. I am reading on a recent post here that the 23" shoalwater is getting low 50s (albeit with much larger motors), nonetheless, I expected his boat to get low 40s at least...is this unrealistic? What are you guys getting in your 19' cats and if measurably different, can you tell me specifically what prop so i can get him to get one?

2) His hole shot is terrible. The boat needs like at least 15" to jump on a soft bottom with the donut manuever. He says that he has run into several other Shoalwater 19" owners who have complained of the same thing. Obviously, this also could be a prop problem. Please let me hear about your experience on this, Shoalwater owners, and recommend a prop if you can.

Lastly, the motor has periodically overheated when it shouldn't (5 feet of water, regardless of jack plate setting)...Acies just replaced the water pump and we have yet to see if that was the problem, but Acies also said that they think this hull may REQUIRE a low water pickup for the etec as they have seen this situation before....the hull creates a lot of aerated water...?

Thoughts?

I have the 19 Cat with an ETEC 115

1) Speed - tops out just under 40mph with motor up high (I have a low water pickup)

2) Hole Shot - it sucks...if you figure out the best prop let me know

3) Overheating - had it happen a few times prior to installing the low water pickup...since then no problems at all...a lowe water pickup is a must and quite frankly they should not sell these boats with out them

Other then items 1 & 2 I love the boat

**WestBay** · #3 12-31-2009, 02:31 PM

If anyone has trim tabs on this boat I would be interested in your thoughts on hole shot.

**Rudefish** · #4 12-31-2009, 02:38 PM

I had a 19 Cat with a 130 E-TEC. I ran a BRP Rogue 17pitch prop and could run 43mph with a load and 45 light on fuel and light load. Cruised at 25-30mph around 3000-3500rpm and got around 5mpg.

Holeshot was great, but I never tried to get on plane in less that 18inches (approximately) of water since I didn't have a cavitation plate on it. The prop slipped if I was much over 4" on the jackplate but if I stayed in it and didn't overrev the engine, it would get on plane.

I added bigger water scoops from a V6 E-TEC and cooler thermostats which allowed me to run the jack plate at 6" all day without any overheat issues at any rpm. It would run around 175 degrees most of the time.

**Naterator** · #5 12-31-2009, 04:25 PM

Rudefish - this was the newer Shoalwater 19' cat, right? Did you sell it? Thanks for the info on the prop, if so, that sounds like the way to go. Yeah, in my experience with the cats (I have a babycat), you need to have some jack plate left to jump them...I can jump mine on 5 in deeper water w/ some slip and 4.5 in the shallow stuff, my JP is mounted as high as possible though...

Good info guys, pls keep it coming.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudefish

I had a 19 Cat with a 130 E-TEC. I ran a BRP Rogue 17pitch prop and could run 43mph with a load and 45 light on fuel and light load. Cruised at 25-30mph around 3000-3500rpm and got around 5mpg.

Holeshot was great, but I never tried to get on plane in less that 18inches (approximately) of water since I didn't have a cavitation plate on it. The prop slipped if I was much over 4" on the jackplate but if I stayed in it and didn't overrev the engine, it would get on plane.

I added bigger water scoops from a V6 E-TEC and cooler thermostats which allowed me to run the jack plate at 6" all day without any overheat issues at any rpm. It would run around 175 degrees most of the time.

**Rudefish** · #6 12-31-2009, 04:51 PM

It was the new 19. I sold it for a 23.

I thought it was a great boat, but wanted something bigger to go Cobia fishing in rougher waters but still be able to run shallow.

**mkk** · #7 12-31-2009, 05:57 PM

I own a 19 Stealth and am considering going to the 19 cat. How would the hulls compare powered equally in a head to head comparision. Anyone with experience on both hulls?

**katytkd** · #8 01-03-2010, 08:16 AM

I have had a 19cat with 150etec for 1 1/2 years now. I have had to do a few things to improve the hole shot. When I first got the boat it did not have the shoalwater cav. plate on it. It would blow out when ever I tried to get shallow water start, and it did not seem to hold rpms well between 3000-4000. The cav. plate made a huge improvement. After the cav. plate, I took my prop to Bauman's shop, and they added some cup to my prop. Now my boat comes firing out of the water. Shallow water starts are no problem at all. With my original prop I was able to get around 55mph, now with the changes I can get 44-46mph. Would like to be faster, but the hole shot is well worth it. Every now and then my motor will overheat. I do have the large intake scoops. It makes no sense at all. Somedays I can run shallow all day with jackplate all the up without problem. It overheated on Thursday in the cold water, 6 foot deep and jackplate down. I think I will try the Bob's Low Water pickup down the road. Overall I love my boat. The only other boat I even dream about getting is the 23cat.

**JimD** · #9 01-04-2010, 06:45 AM

Nate,

Have Richard talk with Louie Bauman.

You saw my post on what Tim and I did on the BC?

It is not your Baumann 4 blade prop but he did a nice conversion of the Power Tech to good HS and we had 39.4 in the weather Sunday while you were at the church.

Think it ran me about 100$ to convert the prop with rake change, 15 to 16 pitch and more cup added. Richard is single He might want a new prop and get this one reworked for a spare.

Worked for me till I need a new prop.

BTW which mounting hole on the Etec 90 is your motor mounted in?

Donny had mine in the top of 4 motor mount holes on the motor which is what he uses for demo boats so I will never be as high on the Bob's jp as yours.

Jim

**Pat Harkins** · #10 01-04-2010, 08:59 PM

If the boat doesn't have shims on the jack plate, I would start there[QUOTE][/QUO2) His hole shot is terrible. The boat needs like at least 15" to jump on a soft bottom with the donut manuever. He says that he has run into several other Shoalwater 19" owners who have complained of the same thing. Obviously, this also could be a prop problem. Please let me hear about your experience on this, Shoalwater owners, and recommend a prop if you can.
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