TomCat 9.7 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The 9.7's hull form is built around efficiency. At 31.5 feet on the waterline with a 16-foot beam, she carries a 12:1 fineness ratio that makes her slippery for a cruising cat. Semi-circular midsections deliver maximum displacement with minimum drag, while a relatively full bow entry counters pitching and U-shaped aftersections reduce wetted area. The prismatic coefficient sits at about 0.58, squarely in the ideal range for hulls of her type. Practical Sailor credited the boat with quality construction, and noted clever engineering in the rudder and centerboard assemblies that expands her capabilities.

Rig and Handling

A single pivoting centerboard with a thin NACA-foil section lives beneath the bridgedeck and will kick up rather than fracture or hole the hull. With the board raised, an 8-foot fin still draws 16 inches, letting the boat sail on all points in 30 inches of water; rudders draw 3 feet down but kick up to under 2 feet with steering retained. The mast steps well forward to avoid a saloon compression post, raked aft two feet to keep the center of effort low, with a full-roach main cut to lift the boom 8.5 degrees for cockpit clearance. Shrouds lead to the quarter, removing the backstay but risking mainsail chafe when eased. Test sailors found positive, precise steering with just enough weather helm to feel alive, and easy tacking under 10 knots. The 9.7 is a performance cat rather than a high-performance one, and makes shoal-water sailing safer and more relaxing than most rivals.

Accommodations

Strain began with ergonomics: headroom throughout and clear sightlines for occupants from 5-foot-2 to 6-foot-3. Side windows in each hull give a view from anywhere you stand, and the saloon offers seated water views plus 360-degree and cross-hull outlooks through dual companionways. The standard layout provides three generous private double berths. The helm station opens to either side and into the saloon, with an opening hatch forward for wind-in-the-face sailing. Ventilation through hull ports and overhead hatches is admirable, galley lockers use clear-acrylic closers for eyeball inventory, and the absence of an interior liner with brushed-white gelcoat and veneers avoids an ice-box feel.

Known Issues

Sidedecks are perilously skinny, demanding care when working forward. The outboard engines burn gasoline, which is more flammable than diesel and they have shorter service lives, plus they make no hot water so many owners fit propane heaters. The rig is shorter and smaller than average, and the boat lacks sail area for drifting conditions while propulsion is not a strong suit.

Refits and Ownership

Owners have a great deal of input from resin type through layout, décor, and outfitting, so individual boats vary widely. Hull No. 8 reached a Miami owner with a faux-teak sole, upgraded Isotherm refrigerator, Sunbrella fabric, custom-mounted TV, air conditioning, a 5-kw generator, Imtra lighting, Caframo fans, and a Freedom Atlantis Raritan head. Base weight is 4,800 pounds, but boats have been built up to 800 pounds lighter or heavier per owner wishes, and cruise around 8,000 pounds in trim.

The Verdict

The TomCat 9.7 is a thoughtfully engineered small cruising cat that trades outright speed for shoal draft, visibility, and owner involvement. Her centerboard and rudder systems are genuinely clever, and the accommodations make good use of a compact platform. The skinny sidedecks and gasoline outboards are the main caveats.

Pros