History of the Shark Cat

[blackcat]

I have recently purchased a 5.5 metre Shark Cat and have had trouble trying to establish its age or model number. I am guessing early eighties, but was wondering if there is any register or publications detailing Shark Cats of the 1970's & 1980's.

Any help would be greatly appreciated :)

[julian1]

do you have a pic, if we can see the shape of the sponson from th rear it may indicate whether its an early model or not, also the later top decks had the windscreen further aft, anyone else got ant other idea's ??

[peterbo3]

Blackcat,
There are a couple of people on the site who were involved in their construction & are very savvy as to build year, etc.
Some pics will help.

[seatime]

I'm definately not an expert on Sharkies, tho ride in a couple regularly, pics would help, e.g. the 560 Sportsman, in it's variations were distinctive. There was a couple on boatpoint that listed year and model, may be worth a look.

[steveg1100]

Definately need a picture to help with this one.

[blackcat]

Hopefully there is a photo attached to this message. If it works there will be more soon.

[seatime]

doesn't look like either of the 80's models I'm familiar with.

may have had mods on the hatch, anchor locker and screen?

better leave it to those with more intimate knowledge.

[blackcat]

This picture should be a better size.

[seatime]

does look like an early 80's, 560 Sportsman

[Grand_Marlin]

Early 80's Blackcat.
Has the same hull as the 560 Sportsman, which was launched in 85.

Front perspex hatch has been replaced

Windscreen is stock standard.

These models have huge deck space with a small lock up cabin with what you would call a storage area, rather than a berth.

This model is prone to dipping its nose, especially when trolling, as the helm / standing position is so far forward.

It looks like it is in pretty good condition for the age.

Cheers

Pete

[seatime]

Yeah Pete, the hull looked right, but the cuddy top looked odd.

looks like they tried to copy the hatch off the later podded model, less the shark moulding on the hatch.

[fishingrod]

Some models had flat bottoms on the sponsons at the transom?

The photo seems to have V bottoms.

Im not sure what model/MK/year had what. But this can be an identifying feature for those that know.

The brochure below is from approx 1987/1988.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c369/fishingbasket/SAVE0015.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c369/fishingbasket/SAVE0016.jpg

[Grand_Marlin]

G'day Again Guys,

This boat (as far as I am aware) is the pre-cursor to the 560 sportsman.

The hatch on this one I dont think is anything to do with the factory ... I think it is a custom made job.

The hull is definitely the 560 Hull, but the deck wasnt modified until the release of the Sportsman model in 1985.

I think the deck modification co-incided with a change of ownership at the time as well.

The history / makers of the Sharkcat is so vague, as the company changed hands so many times.

I even asked Noosacat about the history, to which they really didnt know (or didnt care) ... but I would be interested to establish a time line of the history and when the models changed etc etc etc

Jimbo59 on here has contact with Bruce Harris, and Crestcutter's Mum used to work on the original Bruce Harris Sharkcats, so maybe between us all we can put something together....

Cheers

Pete

[Darryl]

I will get some dates/years that mum first started with Bruce at Labrador. I will see what i can dig up model wise around those times and hopefully it helps.

Darryl.

[Noelm]

that model you have with the much higher screen was made with one side of the cab cut away to make a lock up on the drivers side and an open (kind of like an older vSea) on the passengers side (I had one in that config) very good space for fishing, and the deck and hatch is definately a mod to original, the podded model was the last one of the series and was made after Noosa took them over, the VERY early ones had a fully moulded liner and floor setup, pretty good for its day.

[blackcat]

Thanks so much for your feedback :) Here are some more photos that may help.

[blackcat]

photo 2

[blackcat]

photo3

[blackcat]

photo4

[blackcat]

photo5

[Noelm]

hhmmm, it does have the later (about 88 and later) moulded side pockets and battery boxes, the earlier ones had plain glassed and "speckled" side pockets, the seat boxes I would think are added later as they never had them like that, the later models had molded boxes with doors in them, it may have had a new floor put in and the seat setup was done then, MAYBE!

[Grand_Marlin]

G'day Noelm,

I would doubt that it is as late as 88.

The 560 Sportsman was born in 85 ... the one I had was made for the 85 Gold Coast Boat Show.

There were a lot of this (blackcat's) model used by ab divers in Tassie.

If I had to take a guess, I would say 82 - 84 Model.

This style (as far as I know) didnt have pods, it was the later 560 series that had that option.

It was also at this time when they experimented with the Kevlar layup as well.

The Kevlar with the pods was not a brilliant boat.

Two ab diver friends of mine regularly used to put a 560 standard with engine wells, up against a 560 kevlar with pods, and the standard boat would eat the Kevlar boat every time, in any conditions.

By the way - I am not trying to confess to being an expert on all Sharkcats. I do know a fair bit about them 'cos I love them to death ... but I am very interested to find out a time line of all models.

Cheers

Pete