One stone and a checkbook. Still 2 thingsSteamboat! I can swing in and visit my parents in Craig on my way. Two birds, one stone as they say
Arctic Cat in Trouble
- Thread starter GoBigParts
- Start date
This crap about what % of people needs a turbo is asinine. There isn't a single person on here that NEEDS a snowmobile of any kind! It is a want a desire, a guilty pleasure. Forum experts telling the consumer what they need is a shut the front door moment. IMHO ride on boys and Happy New Year. Do a snow dance and enjoy 
Even Burandt says the turbo has its time and place but typically is not his weapon of choice. But that dude can ride.This crap about what % of people needs a turbo is asinine. There isn't a single person on here that NEEDS a snowmobile of any kind! It is a want a desire, a guilty pleasure. Forum experts telling the consumer what they need is a shut the front door moment. IMHO ride on boys and Happy New Year. Do a snow dance and enjoy
The point is people want what they want. By your logic a want is irrelevant. I could save millions by living vicariously off information obtained from the internet 
This turbo thing is simple poo and doo offer one so cat needs to do the same. There is only so many buyers in order to gain buyers they need to take them from the other two. If you look at doo mountain sleds they sell way more turbos than na. Doesn’t matter why that’s how it is. Cat needs a light weight turbo option and that will even the playing field. Ibexx said that a Catalyst on 4 pounds of boost was beating a Doo on factory boost 7lbs. Weather we ever see one or not now that’s the question.
Edit Even if they offered a optional turbo package (speed werx) with one year warranty. The key is to keep the price in line with the other two. For those that say they don't need to offer one they tried that this year and that didn't work so good by the look of things. Personally I am not interested in one but they already have me as a customer they need to attract new customers.
Edit Even if they offered a optional turbo package (speed werx) with one year warranty. The key is to keep the price in line with the other two. For those that say they don't need to offer one they tried that this year and that didn't work so good by the look of things. Personally I am not interested in one but they already have me as a customer they need to attract new customers.
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Do you really think that there is so much profit built into the current price that they could sell at that amount and keep the company going?
I'm split on how much cat "needs" a turbo. Obviously, when we throw around "need," we're stretching the word, so let's say "need" means the rider is mostly lacking in power, not riding ability. That cuts out at least half of us - including me - except when it's pretty deep. And unfortunately, I don't see it that deep very much. Elevation factors in too, obviously. But all things considered, I'd say Cat makes a sled that's a perfect fit for at least half the mountain riders out there: I'd bet if you swapped 100 riders' sleds for a Catalyst, it'd be the minority who had a clear reason they wanted their old sled back, including the turbos.
That said, there's the bragging rights aspect, and the guys who use the turbos to mash meadows. Then there's the elite riders on social media who can take advantage of about as much power as you could throw at them, and they'll talk about days where they needed the turbo. Some buyers just imagine themselves into those boots, so they "need" a turbo. In theory, if Cat builds the best overall sled for most riders, they sell a ton, and you leave the saturated turbo market to Doo and Poo since it's small. In reality, if you're already spending $15k, $20k+ probably isn't a big stretch for that turbo gold. For the manufacturer there's probably more profit margin available, plus some coat-tail effects.
So, assuming Cat's future is assured, there's an argument either way. What would I do? I'd focus on the NA and spend a little money on marketing - almost entirely focused on social media. You pay a couple up-and-coming riders and a producer to churn out content; that probably does more good than a factory turbo anyway. Meanwhile, you let aftermarket companies absorb the risks and costs of selling a turbo (but help them out as much as you can) so there's a decent option for Cat guys who really want a turbo.
That said, there's the bragging rights aspect, and the guys who use the turbos to mash meadows. Then there's the elite riders on social media who can take advantage of about as much power as you could throw at them, and they'll talk about days where they needed the turbo. Some buyers just imagine themselves into those boots, so they "need" a turbo. In theory, if Cat builds the best overall sled for most riders, they sell a ton, and you leave the saturated turbo market to Doo and Poo since it's small. In reality, if you're already spending $15k, $20k+ probably isn't a big stretch for that turbo gold. For the manufacturer there's probably more profit margin available, plus some coat-tail effects.
So, assuming Cat's future is assured, there's an argument either way. What would I do? I'd focus on the NA and spend a little money on marketing - almost entirely focused on social media. You pay a couple up-and-coming riders and a producer to churn out content; that probably does more good than a factory turbo anyway. Meanwhile, you let aftermarket companies absorb the risks and costs of selling a turbo (but help them out as much as you can) so there's a decent option for Cat guys who really want a turbo.
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volcano buster
Well-known member
Didn't AC have a patent for a turbo a year or so before Doo hit the market with theirs? Curious if the internal funding just dried up to pursue that.
They also had a patent on an internal snowbike. Again, funding disappear?
Seems like there is some potential there, but warranty claims eat a hole in profits I hear.
They also had a patent on an internal snowbike. Again, funding disappear?
Seems like there is some potential there, but warranty claims eat a hole in profits I hear.
Well before cat gets a turbo it needs a owner who wants it to be the. Eat. Not the most profitable. The best. Then they can think about turbos . The revelstoke guys have allready decided the 858 can’t complete with their other sleds and have moved on. Only guy left is jamie and there must be money wnd r&d going on cause he can ride with the best. How about you island park guys? Your not hearing anything around the pub from the factory riders out there?
Tool for the right application, worthless when the conditions are not in favor.
Seriously been wondering why I don't pick up a current ditch banger over making road trips to get to snow.
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volcano buster
Well-known member
Would your drag gain any value buy having a roller after the drag to help compact the surface?, or maybe a pan of some sort? Use an electric ram to put down pressure on it?
One thing that I've learned over the past 45+ years of snowmobiling is that 160-170 HP seems to be the sweet spot for most riders, or at least it is for me. Not being critical of turbos and they certainly have a real advantage at 10,000 feet. But for me, I have no interest in a turbo sled because of how and where I ride. Since I typically wouldn't be using the additional power from a turbo sled, it just doesn't make sense for me due to the additional cost.
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i find it hard to believe they would shut down assembly lines and lay off people, apparently permanently, except they have made the decision to divest themselves of Cat.....disappointing to say the least, been riding mostly Cat for 30 years..
It's kind of in progress itt needs to also go behind a sled otherwise it would have sides and a bigger adjustable shoot/blade on the back.
I can load a sled or the Hawk on it the way it is for now. I appreciate the input though. That's how this version came about
There's a set of Cat wear bars on it from boondocker97
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volcano buster
Well-known member
Does the Argo do a decent job towing it, or is it just slow and thirsty?
Yeah, this I would do if in trying to sell IP and Brand/userbase to someone who already has manufacturing ability. So most likely they are looking for a buyer wanting the brand nothing more. I feel for Their River
Cash option = $516 million.
After taxes you keep $300 million.
Should be enough to buy Cat for $100 million and have enough leftover for a Plan B when it goes under again.
If 10,000 riders kicked in $10,000 each that would yield $100 million dollars. Should be enough to buy Cat.
