Cheetah Shop tour and 22 / 26 wildcat photo shoots!

[RiverDave]

There has been a ton of cheetah talk on here lately so I got together with Kevin and the guys and went down to take a factory tour and we took 2 26 wildcats out and the new 22. These are the pics and the stories / reviews of the day.

I haven’t been in the main office in years but they have a nice front office / store with boating supplies

the boat on the wall was a nice touch

customer lounge.. don’t quote me on it but I’d get there are beers available

small store

swag (believe it or not most mfg’s don’t have swag readily available)

now you got the shop mascots

 

[RiverDave]

Walking out into the warehouse. The first thing I saw was this green wraith. Wraith is sharing space with Cheetah, but they are two separate mfg’s.

Went up top in the Mezanine to get an overview. As you can see the shop is STACKED! It is waaayyyy cleaner than when cheetah bob ran the place and very organized. I was pretty impressed.

Bulkhead patterns hanging on the wall.

The new 22 Deck

26 getting ready to be rigged

26 in Rigging

this is one bad ass wildcat. It’s got a Merc 600 and hauls ass

they Jist got these new swim steps in. It’s a new manufacturer right here in Havasu. I believe they are called Havasu swim steps? I need to confirm with Kevin on that.

 

[RiverDave]

This is a brand new Scorpion with an outboard. I think this is the first scorpion they have built in a decade. Actually looks pretty nice with an outboard!

The first thing that is patently obvious is this isn’t the Cheetah of ole. They have completely revamped how they are building boats and it is a MUCH NICER product then it was before.

You can already see they are paying a lot more attention to detail in their interior work and in the gunnels.

 

[RiverDave]

If I was gonna own a wildcat I think it would be this one. I love the light blues and the soflo gel scheme!

this thing looked pretty bitches inside and out.

 

[RiverDave]

Jumping in a 26 wildcat and taking some pics..

You can see they have spent some time on the flooring and making it look nice as opposed to Jist diamonds. Right off the bat you can see how they pulled the grab handles off the deck and recessed them in the back seat cushions. I haven’t tried them so I don’t know how ergonomic that is.. but at least it keeps the deck lines clean.

Their interiors are a lot better than they used to be.

Kind of hard to make this out but it’s the storage under the seat.

pic is upside down but it’s the funnel and cup holders.

This locker is huge.

The other side is a built in cooler which I thought was nice.

Stereo controls on the wheel were a nice touch. Pretty typical dash layout.

The actual engine bay was surprisingly sano!

Again these aren’t the same boats from
Even a few years ago.

I am sure there is a reason for that blower tube to be like that but I couldn’t tell ya what it is. Personally I have never liked splatter paint in the bilge, but we have to keep in mind this is an actual affordable boat. With this motor you are looking at about 100k. That might sound like a lot to some but go price the competition. .

Nice stereo with back lit speakers

This is a lot of boat for 100k brand new.

 

[RiverDave]

Jumping in the 22 and taking some pictures. This is the first 22 they built and they are making a lot of little changes. Two things I liked is this boat has a ton of freeboard for a 22.. meaning you can take it out in larger water and not worry about sinking it. It doesn’t draft much on plane though so it makes it a great option for lower river and other shallow water areas! Nice combo.

To put it plainly… You aren’t going to find another 22 deck boat that offers deep back seats, this sized entry with steps down.. this is a bad ass little boat. (I habe no idea how it runs I haven’t been in it yet)

I am Loving the monster sized bow and room in this thing though!

Two symmetrical helms (unlike the 26) is nice. It already feels like a much larger boat than it is.

Stair case leading down to the bow from the front.

Passenger side helm is looking bare but again this is the first boat. They cab out a glove box / go’s / stereo etc in this area.

Cup holders for the driver.. passenger side has the same.

The bottom of the backseat is small on this one and will be extended here pretty soon.

this boat has a ton of storage for a 22. The freeboard really helps with that.

Recessed grab handles

another pretty sanitary engine bay! This boat has a little 350 and runs about 57-58 mph or so I was told!

if memory serves me correct I believe this boat starts at 85k with a big block!

 

[RiverDave]

Group pic with the guys.

 

[RiverDave]

Pretty cool litttle jet boat one of the guys restored and runs..

 

[RiverDave]

Wraith “Game Changer” This is the boat that ran 120+ in the Desert Storm shoot out. In short it hauls ass

 

[RiverDave]

Let’s go have some fun and do a shoot / interviews etc

One bad ass cheetah!

22 on the water

26 passing us like we are standing still

They said this boat runs in the 90’s..

 

[Cheetah Kev]

Very special day for us at Cheetah and Wraith. We had a blast sharing our stories and product with you Dave. Can't wait for the videos, was a beautiful day on the water.

 

[riverroyal]

Nice job dave and cheetah

Coworker is ordering a 22. He has been showing me artist versions for schemes. Should be very nice...

That 22 is huge when you consider '22'

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

That 22 looks awesome!! Great job guys!

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[JFMFG]

Cheetah has come a long way. Dave will you be doing a write up on wraith also?

 

[TCHB]

It has been a while since I was in the shop. Good people!

 

[Loo Dog]

That new 22 is fire

 

[Bpracing1127]

That black and red and grey wraith has a ls in it too

 

[attitude]

That 23 with the 300 is cool, curious how it will run!

 

[AZmike]

I'm impressed with the space on the 22' deck. Looks like there pumping out quality boats and I hope they stick around!

 

[checkrdpast]

don't get me wrong on this question , but has the rigging in areas that can't be seen really improved as with the rest of their operation? Boats are sure looking good!

 

[BUDMAN]

Great job Dave & cheetah. The 26 wildcat is a nice boat. Wished they would change the helm and windscreen, but why would they when they are selling like hot cakes. Just need something a little more flowing or updated. Again selling boats like crazy so why change. I’m not sure if it’s their social media or not, but a see new boats being built and delivered more that any other mfg.
keep up the great work cheetah

 

[RiverDave]

Cheetah has come a long way. Dave will you be doing a write up on wraith also?

Yes I’m actually going to go back and take the 22 and 26 out and review them individually like I used too.

We ran the wraith back but it was having a bit of an issue so we took it slow. When they get it addressed I’ll go run it. I can tell you that at mid 80’s it was an extremely impressive hull.

 

[RiverDave]

don't get me wrong on this question , but has the rigging in areas that can't be seen really improved as with the rest of their operation? Boats are sure looking good!

im not sure I understand the question? If I can’t see it, I couldn’t tell you. I can just say that from what I could see it is a lot better than it used to be.

 

[Marios Metalworks]

What’s the beam on the 22? Looks wide and roomy!

 

[Jay Dub]

That 22 looks really nice. I also would redesign the back seat.

 

[That Guy]

Nice looking boats with much improved quality....thanks for the tour.

 

[Bigbore500r]

Did any of these require a throttle stop?

I like the wildcats, i'd love to have one

 

[RiverDave]

Did any of these require a throttle stop?

I like the wildcats, i'd love to have one

lol. The guys at cheetah Wouldn’t know what ya mean, but I do and appreciate the humor. Lol. If ya thought it was fast with a 525 you should see it with a 600!

 

[done]

That 23 with the 300 is cool, curious how it will run!

I called them the other day. Trying to buy a bare hull to throw my 300 opti max on, The Scorpion 23, Waiting for a reply . How much do you think a bare scorpion will cost ?

 

[attitude]

I called them the other day. Trying to buy a bare hull to throw my 300 opti max on, The Scorpion 23, Waiting for a reply . How much do you think a bare scorpion will cost ?

Somewhere in the 20s, if I had to guess that boat is a 60k ish boat fully rigged.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

Somewhere in the 20s, if I had to guess that boat is a 60k ish boat fully rigged.

Are you guessing or do you know? Cause I didn't think you could get any new custom boat complete for less than $85k right now.

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[attitude]

Are you guessing or do you know? Cause I didn't think you could get any new custom boat complete for less than $85k right now.

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I’m guessing, you can still go buy a 21 Tahiti for under 50k unless he changed his pricing since his last advertisement. Taking into account that the new 22 deck is 85k with a big block I would guess the 23 to be around 60k for the following reasons. It is being rigged with an outboard that takes less man hours, has a smaller interior, doesn’t have a waiting list, and doesn’t have money in RND and tooling to be made back. Now I could be completely wrong but that is just my guess.

 

[Roosky01]

If the 26' Wildcat had the same interior/dual helm layout as the brand new 22' does, I believe I would be standing outside their place with a bag of cash tomorrow afternoon!

 

[done]

Somewhere in the 20s, if I had to guess that boat is a 60k ish boat fully rigged.

They did not seem real exited selling a bare hull, You would think the more out there the better. No worry of splashing an older mold i would think .

 

[Cheetah Kev]

What’s the beam on the 22? Looks wide and roomy!

8 foot beam

 

[Big Swiss]

Greg and Kevin at Cheetah are great guys. Greg kept my old Ultra serviced for a long time there. They have seriously turned that company around. TCB!!

 

[Cheetah Kev]

If the 26' Wildcat had the same interior/dual helm layout as the brand new 22' does, I believe I would be standing outside their place with a bag of cash tomorrow afternoon!

If we ever make any changes to the 26 Wildcat we will make sure the helms/windshields are symmetrical. It has been a request I've heard several times since joining Cheetah. Currently the 26 Wildcat is the flagship of our company and the line for a new build is 2 years out. As everyone can see we have spent the last year developing our brand new 22 Wildcat giving everyone a fresh option in boating.

 

[Cheetah Kev]

They did not seem real exited selling a bare hull, You would think the more out there the better. No worry of splashing an older mold i would think .

Sorry but we are not able/willing to sell bare hulls. I do appreciate you reaching out and giving us an opportunity to earn your business. As someone stated above it's almost impossible to get a new boat under 75k, especially one with a 300 outboard. Prices of raw materials, trailers, engines make it almost impossible. The green Scorpion we have in the shop and shown in the pictures above will be selling for roughly 75k, plus tax.

 

[Marios Metalworks]

8 foot beam

Wow I would of thought wider. Great job with the layout!

 

[westair]

Pretty cool to see the green updated Scorpion ....... Bob built me one years ago, had a lot of good times with my wife and kids in that boat .... kinda wish I still had it.

 

[Cheetah Kev]

Pretty cool to see the green updated Scorpion ....... Bob built me one years ago, had a lot of good times with my wife and kids in that boat .... kinda wish I still had it.

Yeah the Scorpion is one of the better performing smaller family boat's Bob made. I owned one myself and have a lot of great memories.

 

[Rajobigguy]

Wow, Cheetah sure has come a long way in a short time. It was just a couple of weeks ago that they were building crappy boats with subpar rigging and held together with drywall screws and now they are one of Havasu's premier boat builders that offers better bang for the buck than anyone. lol (sarcasm for those that don't get it).

I'm glad that Dave took the time to go and see the shop and dispel all the bad press that has surrounded this company. Cheetah has for the most part always built nice boats but "thanks to the internet" got a bad rap over a few little incidents many years ago.

 

[PaPaG]

I would have NEVER in my life have bought a Cheetah before the new owners took over, just like everyone else that has seen it I think their work on some of the areas of the build was really subpar and I ranked them a little lower than a bayliner (Just my Opinion). That said, if I was in the market, after seeing some of the new product and builds and their quality work I would not hesitate in buying one of their wildcats, that blue/black/white one is bad ass along with the multi color orange/yellow/gray one, even the red and white one is great looking, owners have done an amazing job with the turnaround of the brand that is for sure. Congrats to Cheetah's new owners, your boats and rigging look to be the quality that buyers can be proud of and are looking for now in a boat...

 

[RiverDave]

 

[Riverryder]

That 22 is badass! Only thing i see is the backs of the seats are straight up and down. Would just have them put more of a angle on the boat. Kids and lathe lady like to sit up.

 

[RiverDave]

That 22 is badass! Only thing i see is the backs of the seats are straight up and down. Would just have them put more of a angle on the boat. Kids and lathe lady like to sit up.

You can do that when you are building the boat. I agree with you btw.

 

[MooreMoney]

Pretty cool to see these guys buy the company and make it better! Best of luck to them.

 

[2FORCEFULL]

I can't help but think a set of tunnel tabs would really benefit this boat,..stoker, trick, schiada all used them,.. it would ride the ruff better and help carry the hull at cruise speed...I would put fixed ones and set them where they need to be,... I would pac air at a slower speed, great for the small block lower power..
I don't know how fast it was going in this pic but looks to be running heavy and wet..

 

[blueflaminhot]

Really liking that cheetah 22. Anyone know where I can find exact dimensions? It’s not on their site. Curious if it would fit in my (smaller) garage.

 

[RiverDave]

I think the boat just needed to be trimmed more.