What's Crackin' - Cracker Bay Thundercats

December 12, 2023December 12, 2023

2024 USA Thundercat Season – What’s to come and year in review

Pickle Rick Ceasar thundercat at Shell Island — Pickle RIck Ceasar

Marshmallow Pop Infanta in the surf — Pickle RIck Ceasar

2023 Thundercat Season in Review

2023 was a great year for thundercats in the United States. We’ve seen more people get into the sport this year than the previous 2 years combined and at this pace, we should have regular thundercat races in the US in no time. There are already large groups of thundercats forming in southern California at the border of Arizona as well as Florida.

We launched some new hat merch that sold out for the first 2 batches thanks to the support of our killer customers all over the United States. Shout out to everyone that’s spreading the good word of thundercat racing.

The first of many race prep Tohatsu 50’s came in and was paired beautifully on a new Ceasar. The motor was built by wildly successful standard class racer Nikki DuBois of the S29 race number fame.

Possibly the lightest Ceasar Inflatable Thundercat in history, the 2022 teal S29 pictured above, is now in Florida at Cracker Bay Thundercats. The custom built carbon fiber nose cone and floorboards were one off’s just for the project and it made an absolute rocket. This hull will get a race prep Tohatsu 50 2 stroke and stay in Panama City.

The Pickle Rick hull came out beautifully thanks to Ceasar and Sky Rocket Design working hard to make my imagination a reality. Sad to see it go to New York but the new owner is having the time of his life. My second favorite hull graphic was the Marshmallow Pop hull that ended up shipping to a lady in the Virgin Islands.

Where will 2024 take us?

The availability of new and used thundercat hulls keeps growing as racing in South Africa thrives. Used thundercat hulls are a great way for budget minded folks to get into the sport or people that don’t have enough time in the season to get a custom built hull last minute. Check with Cracker Bay Thundercats for new and used hulls, new Tohatsu and Yamaha 2 strokes and race prep motors.

What’s the difference between a stock motor and a race prep? It depends on the builder but in general, the idea is to modify the motor so that it survives the rigors of thundercat racing. For a Tohatsu, that means welding the crank, lengthening the tiller handle and strengthening the clamp among a few other tricks. Yamahas only need their cranks welded in severe applications and the tiller handles are plenty long from the factory but both manufacturers benefit from extra cowling retention and steering dampers.

Speaking of new thundercat hulls, we’re excited to see the new Mako Evolution hulls due at our door early 2024. It’s been fun seeing Mako bring their thundercat lineup back into production. After countless hours of testing and revisioning, they feel they have a recipe that will be very competitive in this year’s Trans Agulhas.

We’re also looking at bringing in some 10 foot (2.8m) thundercats from Ceasar. They’d pair well with 20 hp motors for a youth race class and make the fastest yacht tender in the harbor.

January 22, 2021January 22, 2021

New Year, New Motors!

The first batch of Ceasar Hulls and 2020 Yamahas has arrived! That’s right, brand new Yamaha 2 strokes in the US.

Arguably, the hardest part of getting into thundercats in the US, is finding a suitable motor. Of course getting a hull takes forever but there’s no scarcity if you’re patient. Short shaft, pull start, tiller, carbureted 2 strokes are the perfect power for thundercats and they haven’t been available new in the US since the 2006 EPA Regulation took effect. Fortunately, it allows for import of non compliant technology under a waiver for competition use. 20 year old pontoon boat motors are no longer the only option.

Crate of inflatable boats and outboards — Hulls and motors fresh off of the boat from South Africa.

Those aren’t giant bales of marijuana, but they are a blast. Thundercat hulls arrive deflated and folded up to minimize their shipping footprint. Once you get your black bag of boat, you unfold, inflate, deflate a little, install the floorboards, reinflate, mount a motor and you’re off to the races. Since they aren’t made in the US, a title must be applied for using the MCO (Manufacturer Certificate of Origin). In Florida, a form filled out by an FWC officer must accompany the MCO for registration and titling.

August 21, 2020August 21, 2020

Double the Storms, Double the Fun!

With the chance of two storms in Cracker Bay at the same time, we’re all but guaranteed to have some good thundercat surf!

New Ceasar Race Bullet hulls will be here soon and a second batch on their way. Thundercats are definitely picking up steam in the US. It’s an exciting time to be alive. All three of the 2020 Yamaha 50 2 strokes have been claimed but we’ll likely get more in the future, maybe Tohatsu too.

It’s amazing how much more fun people have with genuine South African hulls versus the garbage from US and Chinese manufacturers. I’ve said it many times before, thundercats would have been popular in the US a long time ago if it weren’t for DUX and Seawolf. Many of us have been burned by the quality and customer service of US based Thundercat manufacturers. It’s not every day that an imported product is better but Thudercat inflatable boats are definitely the exception. The only disadvantage in going with South African hulls is the wait to get one.

Fortunately, Cracker Bay Thundercats and Inflatable Boat Racing are making Thundercats great again in the US.

Check out this user submitted link to a YouTube video of Baywatch when Thundercats were first introduced to mainstream USA.

Thundercats aka Rubber Ducks in super boob slow-mo.

If you haven’t been on a thundercat, you owe it to yourself to find someone with one and go for a ride. We’ve sold hulls all over the US so even if you aren’t in Panama City Beach Florida, we can usually point you in the direction of a nearby thundercat.

The interesting history of Thundercats can be found in Jim Russell’s book ‘Secrets of Tunnel Boat Design‘. Also a fantastic book if you’re interested in designing, modifying or just setting up a tunnel hull boat.

Everyone dies, few people really live life! Get livin!

June 29, 2020June 29, 2020

New Yamahas and Caesar Inflatables – Oh My!

thundercat in shallow water — Buzzing the shoreline in shin deep water off of Shell Island in Panama City Beach.

Big news for Cracker Bay Thundercats: We’re now a direct dealer for Caesar Inflatable race boats. Partnering with Caesar not only allows us to provide premium thundercat hulls at a amazing price, we also have access to new Yamaha 2 strokes! Our first batch of both are due to arrive late August. Inquire within for details. The Caesar hulls are listed for sale at $3500, considerably less than what we’ve been able to sell hulls for in the past. Four hulls are on order and currently two have been spoken for. The 2020 Yamaha 2 stroke 50’s are for sale at $5500, two of the three are still available. Get your deposit in today to guarantee availability.

The second attempt at the BayLoosa Challenge will be July 11th 2020. Last year’s attempt was blocked by Hurricane Barry. Although Barry brought some fun wave action, a 130 mile race was a non starter. We expect the weather to be the typical north in the morning and south wind in the afternoon. If the wind is considerably different, the course may be reversed to make the race possible.

The picture for today’s What’s Crackin’ is an Aquarius Aquacat with a 59″ Mercury buzzing along the shallow water off of Shell Island in Panama City Beach. When only half of your prop is in the water, you don’t need much depth to play in! The family piled into the thundercat for a trip to Shell Island for exploration during the sunset. In the late afternoon, the beach is all yours with most of the traffic already heading home. Cruising at 50 mph makes for a quick trip and the cushion of air trapped in the tunnel makes for a smooth ride.

February 20, 2019March 16, 2019

BayLoosa Challenge – West Florida Boat Racing

A date has been set for the BayLoosa Challenge! West Florida Boat Racing (WFBR), via Facebook, has set July 13th as the date of the inaugural event. A captain’s meeting will kick off the event Friday the 12th. The race start time is 10 AM the next morning.

The guaranteed $500 challenge payout is for boats 14 feet and under. Any motor, any hull. Other classes will be added as interest arises. Possible classes include: jet ski, under 21′ and under 30′. The more the merrier.

Racers are encouraged to log their race times with the Race Chrono phone app. The app recognizes predetermined start and finish lines and automatically starts and stops upon crossing.

After crossing the finish line of the first leg in Destin, racers have 30 minutes to cross the start line on the north end of Crab Island. This intermission gives time for safe and courteous passage through the no wake zone and allows for refueling if necessary.

To sign up for the race, contact Cracker Bay Thundercats or join the event set by West Florida Boat Racing on Facebook.

*The WFBR group was created as a platform for area boat racers to announce upcoming events and promote fellowship amongst neighboring enthusiasts. First on the event list is the BayLoosa Challenge.

December 23, 2018December 23, 2018

Inaugural BayLoosa Challenge of 2019

Satellite Image BayLoosa Challenge Course — 113 miles of high speed, shallow water racing.

A Race Was Born.

Nothing fosters the competitive spirit like a good ol’ fashioned challenge. We figured the best way to publicize thundercat performance was to bet the general public they couldn’t outdo us. For their size, thundercats are excellent at running in rough water at high speed. They’re practically born to race in the surf and we’re so confident nothing can beat us, we’re putting our cold hard cash down to draw out the competition.

500 BUCKS oughta make it worth your time.

Run whatcha brung and hope you brought enough… as long as it’s a boat that’s 13 feet 11 inches (excluding motor and non flotation brackets) or shorter. Any motor size any hull type. Potentially, larger boat classes will be opened as interest necessitates.

The first leg of the BayLoosa Challenge is 53 miles and begins near St. Andrews State Park. The course exits the St. Andrews Bay Pass into the Gulf of Mexico and ends at the Destin Pass east jetty. Upon completing the first leg, the vessel will have 30 minutes to cross the start line of the second leg on the north end of Crab Island. The time is to allow for refueling and safe passage through the Destin Bridge no wake zone. The second leg is 60 miles through the Choctawhatchee Bay, Intercoastal Waterway, and West Bay to conclude near St. Andrews State Park.

Date and details to follow.

October 17, 2018

Rough Water in Cracker Bay

Although the eye wall passed right over us, we at Cracker Bay Thundercats are safe and sound. Now that we’re wind and water tight, we are focusing on aiding those that didn’t fare as well. Consequently, we have yet to get new Aquarius Inflatable inventory on the website or update pictures. Our hearts go out to those that lost their family and homes. We look forward to the good times in our community’s future when everyone is back on the water and having fun in the sun.

Sunstet over bay county — The sunset before Michael made landfall in Bay County Florida.

The image is of the clouds from hurricane Michael as they moved from the east overtaking the very last sunset some residents would witness. Few knew what lied ahead in the following 24 hours. We’re rebuilding, stronger and wiser than ever. #850Strong

We’d like to extend our gratitude to the lineman, emergency responders and countless volunteers that have and continue to put forth effort to return our community safety. Free thundercat rides for them, any time, open invitation.

May 4, 2018September 10, 2018

APBA SLT race class now labeled ThunderCat

Once dubbed SLT or Superlight Tunnel, inflatable catamarans now have a more recognizable name under the American Power Boat Association. Joining with the rest of the world, the APBA calls a twin hull RIB a thundercat.

APBA ThunderCat Racing USA

At the link above, they have a breakdown of the different classes within ThunderCat for the different motors allowed. Bandit, Outlaw, Experimental (slowest to fastest) allowing tiller outboard motors from 44 to 62 cubic inches.

New To ThunderCat Racing – Has good information on startup costs and other helpful links.

Currently, there are only APBA ThunderCat events north of the Mason-Dixon line but Cracker Bay Thundercats intends to bring the sport to the southern spotlight in the immediate future.

APBA SLT Logo

March 18, 2018September 10, 2018

Dust off the gear, Thundercat season is around the corner.

Water temps are on the rise and it’ll be sweaty before you know it! Now’s the time to check over your race gear over and install a fresh impeller. Is your Dux/Predator/Cheap Chinese Knock Off in bad shape and refusing to hold air? Cracker Bay Thundercats is pleased to announce we are now offering Aquarius Inflatable race hulls for the first time ever on the Gulf Coast. First orders are set to go out at the end of March so hurry up and get a spot. The hulls are fast but delivery is 12 weeks so order now to ensure you’re set to play once the water warms.

Gone are the days of repairing old glue seams, modern RIB technology uses welded seams which means less down time and more race time. Thundercat racing already has the lowest startup costs of any boat racing classout there, longer hull life makes it that much better.