Looking for some opinions

[Spectre5922]

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I know it is an probably an abomination to post up about boats other than AS's but you guys own more than just Aquasports, so give me some input here.  
Sorry for the length of this post, but there is no way to get the information across that is needed otherwise.
Currently, I have a 1976 Aquasport 19-6 center console that I am beginning to start rebuilding. It does not have a motor. I am about to replace the floor, all hoses, wires, etc. I have a brand new 53 gal tank that I had fabricated. I also picked up a pretty cool leaning post. It has a few blisters on the transom, but they don't appear bad. There is some spider-webbing on the gelcoat in several areas and needs a lot of old screw holes filled on the inside, etc. Pretty basic stuff for a 36 year old boat. I have already started rebuilding the console getting it ready for the new teak doors. My trailer is an old galvanized tandem axle that needs tires, bearings, fenders, winch, jack, bunks, lights and hitch replaced on the tongue and probably new springs. The trailer was originally built for a longer boat, but had been modified by the PO to hold this boat. The tongue is probably 2' too long.

Last weekend, I happened across another boat that I became interested in (possibly). It is a 22-24' Power Cat. I went to look at it. It started it's life as a cuddy, but the guy that is selling it removed the cuddy and all flooring and has started in with new stringers and getting ready for a new floor. It has an old (mid to late 90's) VRO 225 on it. I have not heard it run yet or done a compression check. The guy said that it ran and the tilt/trim worked before he cut everything to rip out the floor. It has had some obvious fiberglass repairs done on the keel towards the front, so the bottom would require new gelcoat. The trailer that it is sitting on is a heavy duty tandem axle that would require a new winch (I hagte cable winches) and maybe some new bearings. He has a brand new set of lights and a harness for it still in the box. Besides that, it seems to be in pretty good shape.
I am looking from the financial side of things here.
It is going to cost me probably $500 just to get my trailer in decent shape for towing. My boat (less hardware, lights, etc) is going to run me around $500-$700 to be ready to install a motor. After that, I still have to come up with the money for the motor. I am looking at roughly $1000-$1200 to be ready for a motor, lights, and the rest of the rigging.
The Power Cat is going to cost more money in wood, hoses, wiring, etc because it is so much bigger, but if it has a good running motor on it, I save that amount. I can pick up the PowerCat for around $800-$1000.
IF IT WERE YOUR MONEY, would you restore the Power Cat or the 19-6? Is my 53 gal tank going to be large enough for the 225 if I decide to buy the Power Cat? If I buy it, I will use the console, tank and leaning post from my 19-6, so that is money I don't have to spend.
I don't mean to sound like I'm being cheap, but as a first time boat owner, I'm being cheap. I have a buddy that owns a boat repair business, so he has donated things like the helm, guages, bilge pump, teak doors, fiberglass cloth, stainless rub rail, etc. Here are a few pics of both boats for visual aids.

My 19-6 as it sits now.










Here are a few pics that I snapped of the Power Cat.











I have no experience with Power Cats or the old VRO motors. Please give me the pros and cons that you guys see from each.

Thanks for any input.........

[Blue Agave]

Not quite sure that is a power cat boat. A quick google search confirms that powercat boats makes catamarans, i.e. cat boats. That hull looks a lot like an old Mako 21, although the inner liner does not look like a Mako.  It be interesting to know what the title says.

As far as which is better for you that's a tuff call.  One point you make is that it comes with a motor, but until you fire it off or do a compression check there's no telling if that is a deal maker or a deal  breaker.  As far as the hulls go the Aqua will draft less water, and the other hull should handle bigger seas more comfortably as it has what appears to be a deep vee.

[wingtime]

That big metal doubler on the power cat transom has me worried a bit.  You may be looking at a transom rebuild on that boat.  Why not buy the Power Cat, switch trailers and pull the motor off and sell it and your old trailer?   The only thing is that 225 is a lot of motor both in terms of power and weight for that 19'6".

[Capt. Bob]

An internet search confirms BA's thoughts.
It appears to be a motor, trailer, and a "decal" attached to a hull.

Now I'm curious to the hull manufacturer.

[Spectre5922]

That big metal doubler on the power cat transom has me worried a bit.  You may be looking at a transom rebuild on that boat.  Why not buy the Power Cat, switch trailers and pull the motor off and sell it and your old trailer?   The only thing is that 225 is a lot of motor both in terms of power and weight for that 19'6".

I was kind of worried about the plate myself.  However, I have the ability to replace the transom if necessary.  It would only cost me around $100.  As far as switching the trailers, the trailer that the (supposed) Power Cat is on is even longer than the  one my boat sits on, and even IT was modified by the PO for my boat to fit it.  It is about 2' too long on the main part of the trailer and the tongue is probably almost 2' too long also.  This trailer is bigger than that.  I would not try to mount the 225 on my boat.  It is only rated for a 90-150.  If I remember, you guys have said that these boats sit low in the back anyway, so an extra heavy motor would only make things worse.  If I bought this boat, it would be to fix it up and run it.
As a side note, I found a trailer on Cl today that says it's for a 19-20' boat and is in fantastic shape.  I saw the pics.  It is a bunk-style trailer and looks to be pretty nice.  The guy wants $575 for it.  The only problem that I see is that it is (from what I see in the pics) a painted steel trailer.  Wouldn't that be a problem in salt water?  If not, I may look into it.  With times the way they are now, I might be able to get it for around $450.  It is located around 1 1/2 hours from me, so it's not real convenient to just run over and look at it.  If you don't mind, look at the Houston CL, put in trailer and the range of $500-$1000.  It is a black painted trailer that is listed for $575.  Tell me what you think.  The only thing that is worrying me in this whole deal is the expense of a motor.  I figured that if I got the Power Cat and the motor ran good, my overall expense would be minimized.  I am still worried about whether my 53 gallon tank would even come CLOSE to being sufficient for that 225 also.

[Blue Agave]

If it were me I'd stay away from the steel trailer, you still have some time away from the maiden voyage therefore you'll have time to keep looking for another trailer.

[Aswaff400]

im running basically the same motor but with smaller carb jets, i average roughly 2-3 mpg turning 3000 to 4000 rpm at 30 to 37 mph... the only thing i dont like is i mostly run in the upper end of the rpm range therefore she is a bit thirsty so my range is limited, but overal very cheap and easy motor to mantain...

she is quick though... heres a video before i added a bunch of weight...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9TseYzL ... 5vAVqVlo8n

i say get that outboard, rig your boat, use it, see how you like it then you can always trade in for a smaller omc 150 hp and the boat will already be rigged for it, or switch to a similar HP but newer technology and have better mileage

[saltfly]

Well I have maybe a different opinion.  First you have to say how you will be using the boat and where. If running off shore long distances. Or running back bays. Both boats are different and will do different jobs. I have a 222 ccp  that is used off shore. My 19-6 is used in Back bays and skinny water. Both are very good for how their used. But neither will replace the other. So decide how you will mostly use it. To me it looks like you will have the same amount of work and out lay of money. No matter which boat you rebuild. The
trailer tongue on the maybe sea cat  is to short. So you will still need to work on the trailer. So to me it come down to the motor. That gas tank you  have, will work, but it’s not going to take you far with that motor. I run a 1991 175 Johnson  60 degree vee on my 19-6. And all I get is 1 nautical mile per gal.. and at $3.50 a gal. It cost me way to much in gas to even go that far. I can’t see that motor really doing any better. To me, once you decide how the boat will be used. Then go with the boat that will do what you need it to do. But save you money and buy a new motor when you can. In the long run you will be happier.  If you decide to go with the bigger boat and test the motor. Use it till you can replace it. That’s where I’m at now. Saving for a new motor for my 19-6. I also think that boat is a Mako. Some one may have gotten a hold of a Mako mold and molded a few boat under the seacat name. A guy near me, did that and is now out of biss. He did that with a 20 foot seacraft mold.  He did it for years and sold them under his company name.