Jet Boats.. Yea or Nay?

Cats are very intriguing to me. Paying $3.50/gal for gas makes one think of alternatives. The problem with planing hulls is that you're either running 7 knots or 23 knots, and nothing in between. 7 knots means you spend all day getting there, but 23 knots burns a lot of fuel. Cats seem to offer a full range of possible speeds, and efficiency is fairly linear. Add to that the comfort (try carrying on a conversation at 23 knots on a 28 foot boat in 2-3 foot chop), and deck space.

So far, the only downside I've seen on cats is the complexity of boatyard handling. Slips need to be wider and you can't use conventional forklift equipment.

Then can also be pricey, but I daydream about a TwinVee. Simple, inexpensive, outboard powered.
 
Instead of pairing your picnic boat with a PWC your Admiral may find a 14' jet boat more appealing. More stable, stylish, and you can still pull a 360 at full throttle. I'm not sure which way I would go having done and enjoyed both approaches. As you know, the most important thing is to get anything that keeps you both having fun on the water.
 
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