I am looking to buy a second hand microcat
What is the difference between mk2 and mk3
Thanks in advance
What is the difference between mk2 and mk3
Thanks in advance
In reply to Post #1
Sorry to hijack your thread but why a microcat specifically? Other than the long length hoppers they are massive / heavy / old tech boats - better out there for less these days IMO
Sorry to hijack your thread but why a microcat specifically? Other than the long length hoppers they are massive / heavy / old tech boats - better out there for less these days IMO
In reply to Post #2
I completely agree
I completely agree
I lent my mk1 microcat to a mate and its been stolen
I am looking for a replacement it's an ideal boat when I go deadbaiting for pike
I have seen a couple for sale I just want to know if the mk3 is any better than the mk2
And what the differences are
I am looking for a replacement it's an ideal boat when I go deadbaiting for pike
I have seen a couple for sale I just want to know if the mk3 is any better than the mk2
And what the differences are
In reply to Post #4
Don't know exactly but I'd imagine HD batteries mean better run time and an updated processor for the lighting controls etc Didn't the older models have an external aerial? The mk3 does not . . .
For deadbaiting the Actor Plus Compass will do what you need at a fraction of the £ - plus its lighter and probably more stable (deeper cat hulls) . . the battery will def last way longer than 70mins between recharges! Unless your dead baiting small sharks the dual hopper (with the divide removed) should be more than big enough for your needs . . .
Don't know exactly but I'd imagine HD batteries mean better run time and an updated processor for the lighting controls etc Didn't the older models have an external aerial? The mk3 does not . . .
For deadbaiting the Actor Plus Compass will do what you need at a fraction of the £ - plus its lighter and probably more stable (deeper cat hulls) . . the battery will def last way longer than 70mins between recharges! Unless your dead baiting small sharks the dual hopper (with the divide removed) should be more than big enough for your needs . . .
In reply to Post #5
I can't get on with those controllers that all the new boats seem to have.
I can't get on with those controllers that all the new boats seem to have.
In reply to Post #1
The MK2 is the same as the original MK1 but has self priming pumps and slightly improved?? LED lights.
The MK3 is the same hull but has 2.4 ghz operating system and internal antenna.
The MK3 HD is the same but prop driven, deeper hull and uses HD batteries.
As has been mentioned there are far better boats around. The original AT Baitboat was the first commercially sold boat around the time when people were making their own handmade Broadlands style boats and the Microcat followed it when there was no other comparable boats. Times have changed though.
As you are looking to use it as a basic boat without sonar,GPS etc for piking so let's look at what you get -
1980-1990's technology housed in a fragile body and driven by 2 large, heavy lead acid batteries originally designed for burglar alarms when Ford Cortina's were popular. It has no headlights (HD does) so requires any lights stuck on by Velcro to the front which can't be controlled on or off. The battery compartments are just holes cut in the top of the hull with an ill fitting battery box dropped in which enables water to flood in when it rains or in adverse conditions. Angling Technics solution to this is to charge extra for Velcro on bits of plastic to seal the holes
Very professional. Lots of fun trying to get the batteries out with cold wet hands on the bank, but at least the HD version does have a couple of cupboard drawer knobs that they got off Antiques Roadshow to help a bit. The boat comes with two drain holes to vent out the water in the hull after use - you will need to use them. The boat is built in two halves then glued together with silicone sealant. If you buy used you can't be sure it's never been opened and a lot of amateur repairers damage the hull by cutting the bottom hull strengthening strip when trying to get the silicone out. If you post it back to AT you need a box the size of a medium sized coffin and get to experience Mr Fry's customer care.
Although the design and technology is 80's/90's the price point is pure 2023 with the basic boats with no extras coming in at £1,020.00 and £1,025.00 respectively. As the OP is looking at a used boat this is the only good news as they plummet in price once the box is opened and between £400-500 for a virtually new one is the norm.
A brand new modern boat can be had for that.
So as has been already said - Why the **** would you buy a Microcat today
The MK2 is the same as the original MK1 but has self priming pumps and slightly improved?? LED lights.
The MK3 is the same hull but has 2.4 ghz operating system and internal antenna.
The MK3 HD is the same but prop driven, deeper hull and uses HD batteries.
As has been mentioned there are far better boats around. The original AT Baitboat was the first commercially sold boat around the time when people were making their own handmade Broadlands style boats and the Microcat followed it when there was no other comparable boats. Times have changed though.
As you are looking to use it as a basic boat without sonar,GPS etc for piking so let's look at what you get -
1980-1990's technology housed in a fragile body and driven by 2 large, heavy lead acid batteries originally designed for burglar alarms when Ford Cortina's were popular. It has no headlights (HD does) so requires any lights stuck on by Velcro to the front which can't be controlled on or off. The battery compartments are just holes cut in the top of the hull with an ill fitting battery box dropped in which enables water to flood in when it rains or in adverse conditions. Angling Technics solution to this is to charge extra for Velcro on bits of plastic to seal the holes
Very professional. Lots of fun trying to get the batteries out with cold wet hands on the bank, but at least the HD version does have a couple of cupboard drawer knobs that they got off Antiques Roadshow to help a bit. The boat comes with two drain holes to vent out the water in the hull after use - you will need to use them. The boat is built in two halves then glued together with silicone sealant. If you buy used you can't be sure it's never been opened and a lot of amateur repairers damage the hull by cutting the bottom hull strengthening strip when trying to get the silicone out. If you post it back to AT you need a box the size of a medium sized coffin and get to experience Mr Fry's customer care.Although the design and technology is 80's/90's the price point is pure 2023 with the basic boats with no extras coming in at £1,020.00 and £1,025.00 respectively. As the OP is looking at a used boat this is the only good news as they plummet in price once the box is opened and between £400-500 for a virtually new one is the norm.
A brand new modern boat can be had for that.So as has been already said - Why the **** would you buy a Microcat today
In reply to Post #4
If ever a well written informative post should make your mind up Singlebleeps posts should.
If ever a well written informative post should make your mind up Singlebleeps posts should.
Thanks very much that is just what I was looking for
Very helpful and informative
Very helpful and informative
I used to have a microcat many years ago. I loved it, but as said left way behind by cheaper boats now
In reply to Post #9
MY mate went to france with a brand new microcat on the 3rd day it was around 150 yards out when some hig winds came out of nowhere wind before the storm it never made it back it sunk !! luckily the whole thing was filmed by his mate and insurance paid out gave him like for like that also sank the following year they refused to pay out this time its the most sunk boat ever absolute shyte the only good one they make is the Technicat MkII Bait Boat but thats over priced too IMO
MY mate went to france with a brand new microcat on the 3rd day it was around 150 yards out when some hig winds came out of nowhere wind before the storm it never made it back it sunk !! luckily the whole thing was filmed by his mate and insurance paid out gave him like for like that also sank the following year they refused to pay out this time its the most sunk boat ever absolute shyte the only good one they make is the Technicat MkII Bait Boat but thats over priced too IMO
I used to have a converted mk1 into a mk2. To be fair before that one I'd only owned the original AT baitboat which looking back now pre dates Noah's Ark. I thought it was good at the time, but the battery bag I had to lug around was something else, especially if you wanted to do a few days. Is Phil flogging these with lithium batteries nowadays? As others have said, there's far better options about now. I'd take your time if I were you and do the research.