'85 Cigarette Cat

[Steve 1]

Ross Focht and what is now Ocean Express is who you guys are thinking of.

I think GlassDave would know some history here.

[catman]

I think I gave you the "real" story on this boat in my earlier post. As far as when it first came out for Government use...it was never taken seriously as a "high speed interdiction craft" ...simply because it couldn't successfully "interdict". The meer fact that a hull has no stress cracks means solid construction and, in this case, little else. In actuality after the government backed out of the deal.....nobody else wanted any....

To me it is sort of the "Edsel" of performance boats...it attracts a certain group based on it's "quirkiness".....but has little real appeal. There were some similar sized cats built in Michigan over the years (I'm having a senior moment on the manufacturer's name, but one model was licensed by Baja) that were equally "stable" and performed better IMHO..... Buy one of them.

T2x

Here ya go. http://www.oceanexpress.com/ They are still in buisness.

[smokin' joe]

Ross Focht and what is now Ocean Express is who you guys are thinking of.

Ocean Express in Algonac, MI built some of the earliest fast cats. Actually won some national titles...

[h2oMag]

Ocean Express in Algonac, MI built some of the earliest fast cats. Actually won some national titles...

In 1983 Bob Kehrig won the Key West Worlds in the Active cat named Cougar, & later called the Motor City MAGIC. We later made a pleasure cat out of her for Bob in 1986. Also In 1986 Bob had a new MAGIC 33' Image built, that I helped set up & race.

[OneBadInjun]

Two "Image" cat builders back then. Image in Algonac began in the 70's. Then came Image/Shadow.

[DonMan]

I saw one tied up at Highport, on Texoma, about 3 years ago. The cockpit was bigger than my living room.

[h2oMag]

Two "Image" cat builders back then. Image in Algonac began in the 70's. Then came Image/Shadow.

Active became Image around 1985, than later Ocean Express, all by Ross from Algonac Mi. The East Coast Image 30' Shadow cat was first around 1980..

[BUTCH RYAN]

And 2 world titles in 83'

[h2oMag]

And 2 world titles in 83'

Butch I was hoping you would chime in, I didnt want to take your thunder on your 1983 world title In your Active cat...

[baddogz28]

Having seen the 'b.itchin' cat in person, I think it's a cool old boat despite its lack of innovative engineering.

[Brownie]

I posted this before, but it is worth repeating. When Aronow built the USA cat, it was in the old Scottiecraft/Signature/Pantera building. I was up the street at Cougar. He came roaring up the street in his 560SL with the top down, and said "Jump in"! He drove wide open down the street, and slid into the parking lot, facing the building. When he beeped his horn, the employees opened the door, and there was this weird boat. "What do you think"? he asked. "Damn, Don, this may be a real breakthrough boat. It may be the first one to have all of the bad habits of a cat AND a vee". "Good! If you don't like it, it is gonna be a good boat".

[Ted]

In 1983 Bob Kehrig won the Key West Worlds in the Active cat named Cougar, & later called the Motor City MAGIC. We later made a pleasure cat out of her for Bob in 1986. Also In 1986 Bob had a new MAGIC 33' Image built, that I helped set up & race.

Brownie will correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that Cougar is actually a Cougar, not an Active. He probably made it.

[FastDonzi]

Brownie will correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that Cougar is actually a Cougar, not an Active. He probably made it.

Nope, That Black cat that has Cougar painted on it a few posts up is an active, Is that the one your refering too?

[h2oMag]

Brownie will correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that Cougar is actually a Cougar, not an Active. He probably made it.

It is a 33' Active cat, Ross made two sizes back then, a 33' & 37'. I also had a 33' Active with KAAMA drives that I bought from Pete Smith [WOLVERINE]. Pete had Ross build him a pleasure 33' cat also, & Betty Cook set him up with her new KAAMA drives, back in the day...

[T2x]

I recall being told that Ross was licensed by Cougar to build his original cats with their designs.

T2x

[T2x]

Active became Image around 1985, than later Ocean Express, all by Ross from Algonac Mi. The East Coast Image 30' Shadow cat was first around 1980..

We started Image Boat Co of New Jersey, the creator of the Shadow Cats in 1978........ The Shadow Cat debuted in 1980.

T2x

[dykstra]

Interesting info!