Bruce Harris and his legendary Shark Cats

The Captain tracks down Bruce Harris, father of the legendary Shark Cat. Bruce built his revolutionary cats for Harbours & Marine, the Water Police, Navy, Air Sea Rescue and Fisheries. He's crafted cats for drilling rigs, the Coast Guard and TV networks. His cats are used for passenger transport, commercial operators and the recreational market. He's even built a couple for drug smugglers! Unwittingly, of course. Not content with just building boats, Bruce also raced his cats, even winning a world title in one of his creations in 1980. Yep, it’s been a pretty busy life for the almighty Bruce.
Subscribe to The Captain here www.thecaptain...

[@waterbourne9282]

Great tribute to a man and his boats. Thanks for putting it together.

[@raeanker3078]

The man the legend ,another Australian icon that so few know of his story and contributions to our modern boating industry. Thanks for the great story .

[@mickedwards6693]

I worked with my father as professional fisherman out of one of these boats of the coast northern NSW for 20 years..Best ocean going boat I've ever had the pleasure to ride in..Your a legend Bruce Harris.

[@plopties]

one of your best Captain

[@Jive86]

plopties 2nd that

[@danielthornton3277]

This guy is a dead set legend, I had the opportunity to work for him for a few years in school holidays as a teenager, at his house boat business in the early 90s. Good to see his experience getting some air time 🤙🤙

[@crouchingwombathiddenquoll5641]

What a great video, always admired these boats. Top bloke, and after 53 years of marriage his wife has not got one gray hair.... amazing.

[@darrylstem6426]

think she might put a colour through it

[@crouchingwombathiddenquoll5641]

@@darrylstem6426 I know, I was being a goose.

[@oldnick4707]

yeah, but the carpet!?

[@jimmymetcalfe9167]

@@crouchingwombathiddenquoll5641 lol - legend ...you were quolling him 😂👌 no trolls here!

[@saifsaif5218]

Wow I could sit & listen to Bruce forever.. an absolute legend, the boat bug never goes it just grows. I dream about building boats everyday.

[@turboconqueringmegaeagle9006]

What a bloke, what a story.

[@tristanmccauley2318]

Many years ago I drove down to mallacoota there are heaps of professional fisherman down there with shark cats. They are pretty hard to find for sale these days and attract a pretty penny even the ones that need a little tlc .

[@claytonbarrington89]

What a great story! Always loved watching these in the surf. Well done Bruce. Thank you

[@rodashford1151]

Absolutely brilliant story of a great man and his boats, many people would not be alive today if it wasn't for his boats, i went to marine college with his son and would love to have one of his boats nowdays. I'm yet to find a boat that handles the sea as well as a bruce harris shark cat 😀😀😀

[@turbostyler]

When I hear the term Aussie legend I can't help but think of Bruce Harris. This is my favourite video out of the lot.

[@bevantweedie5129]

Great video.Bruce Harris is one of the most genuine and modest people I know.Every thing I know about fiberglassing and boat repair I learnt from him.A great teacher and boss.

[@danielthornton3277]

I think we may have crossed paths Beven, I used to work for him in the school holidays and seem to remember in the 90's someone with your name kicking around his boat yard in Coomera, sound familiar?

[@mjp5546]

These videos about the heritage of our boating industry are excellent, thanks for making them.

[@AlsAllAussieAdventures]

what an absolute legend!

[@martysteel1699]

I like the way he was so humble about the Noosa cat, I hope one day the pure Harris design comes back into production without interference

[@lukeb2526]

Legend

[@villiersman951]

dead right

[@scottmoore9215]

What a great story great man.

[@kiwiwifi]

Boating need not be unaffordable. A hull, a used outboard, a trailer and a steering kit gets you boating. Compare these beasts with most of the boats featured on the Captain. It seems that buyers expectations for bling have been raised over the years.

[@Will-yr9bz]

What a legend boat and bloke , great vid guys

[@justinsmith4897]

Great story, Bruce Harris is a legend. I spend at least one day a month on one of his 18 foot cats.

[@josephkayes5964]

Awesome story, what a man

[@bradwylie9732]

When I was 10years old I used to holiday in Merimbula in the 80's and these Shark cats were the doing rescues in crazy seas awesome boats to watch!!! Great story guys well done:)

[@mikszekely1224]

Great documentary! Love learning about the manufacturing industry

[@mulishapatrol]

What an absolute awesome video, this bloke is an Australian legend!!

[@64nine]

How's every vid better than the last??

[@grantm1891]

Good on ya Bruce. Dead set legend.

[@bruceharrison7859]

Absolute legend

[@TheTorkerman]

Thank you Bruce

[@jordiestronghood7290]

Very likeable humble fella, much respect and an unmatched product even today. story well told.

[@sfcarp9418]

What a great guy , so knowlegeable and a real " can do man " as well as being typically Aussie in coming across so humble . He is from an era that I hope is not lost . Thumbs up to him 👍 Awesome .....

[@rogermace4516]

Amazing man, I remember him well walking around his Southport factory in bare feet

[@stuc8517]

Legendary 💯

[@seabelle35sc98]

Great video, awesome story and boat builder. 👍👍

[@potentpudz9311]

Good work captain being a 32yr old looking at these boats as a kid it's great to finally find out there stories .the shark cats and the Haines hunters

[@norlanlamb1521]

Shark cats are great

[@gregghatfield9946]

A man that put his foot print in stone ,,, awesome

[@AdrianoCisternino]

Great story, as usual! Having only owned Cats since the early 90s, I can relate so much to this legendary man and his stories! Would love to know his thoughts on what I think is the best Cat out there, the Kevlacat 2800, certainly inspired from his work.

[@adambamf9365]

Self taught with help from others a true Captain now that is truly inspirational

[@ohwhye]

Where did he watch the cats going out through the surf? At 2:50 Great vid. What a legend.

[@desmondmarais6895]

Wonderful life story and amazing boat.

[@fatduc996]

superb. what a great video. great guy, outstanding boats & performance. top stuff captain

[@stevepierce3509]

Thank You Bruce Harris, You are the True Pioneer of Cats and everyone in the game now has or is an extension of you. Thank you to The Captain for interviewing Bruce and showcasing this Mans Knowledge of not only Boat building but the the True Originator / Captain of the Cat Hull. Thank you again Bruce Harris aswell as The Captain for this amazing insight and informative history of Bruce Harris and The Legendary SHARK CAT.

[@darrencookfishing7961]

Such a great story.

[@josephsymonds3432]

What an awesome video! One of the best no doubt

[@hardliquor4x493]

What a great man and great boats my 18 footer is 37 yrs young and still going strong thanks for the story The Captain

[@timothyehook4883]

Awwww an 18...I bet itd be just right around here for fishing...we're getting blown off the great lakes a lot around here..but its not a huge boat either.

[@bigbopper9627]

Absolute Icon

[@markuswilmes3694]

As a 12 year old kid my dads mate owned an 18 foot Bruce Harris shark cat called hook up which I think is still being used in the Narooma area i thought too myself then I’d love one of these one day now I’m 52 years old and have a 570 abcat which was created off tye original 560 sportsman Harris built cat and I will never sell it amazing boat in all types of seas Aussie legend is an understatement too describe this boat creating genius

[@Wyntar]

We recently bought a Bruce Harris built and designed Cuddles Resort 35, just amazed at how much boat they managed to fit into 35 feet. I have been looking for more info on this series of boats but sadly there is not a lot of information around these days .

[@thomasedinger8152]

Epic story

[@Evenstephenss]

Great content Capt

[@davidwarren4569]

‘I never see you’. I’m sure that’s a common refrain around the country for people who love their work!

[@andrewgolding3497]

Great story. Good to find out where the sharkcat name came from

[@HasbaraBuster]

Great story and a great guy, thanks for sharing

[@dennissymergelis7890]

Awesome story!

[@michaelhawkins1173]

Many congratulations to you and your wife. Great video with a great boat?

[@adriancoyne851]

i owned 1 of his boats 23ft wish i hadn't sold it

[@Tony-qx5mt]

Awesome video! Straya

[@dozer1642]

This man nose what he’s talking about.

[@oldnick4707]

I wonder how many made of each model. I'd like to get an older one and restore it!

[@tomandwillmx7487]

Loved the old surf rescue ones as a nipper I dreamt of driving one

[@craigobey]

Thanks Captain, great story. My father Ray Newlyn RIP was skippering the Coast Guard 23ft and 27ft Cats in some of the shots used. He always spoke very highly of Bruce, and as a young boy the Shark Cat was always my favourite boat. Spent plenty of hours in many different cats over the years. They are amazing rough weather boats !!!

[@cappywa]

What an Aussie Legend

[@mulishapatrol]

An Aussie legend!

[@montz6743]

The Original Shark Catcher

[@BrettCason-z1y]

Best job I have ever had and he was the best boss a real legend

[@dennisthemenace57]

They don't make em like him any more

[@ExploringCabinsandMines]

Fascinating!

[@baddazzgarage2953]

FANTASTIC!!!!!🤗👍

[@kiwiwifi]

The action boat of the 80s

[@scottmacpherson1916]

Pretty cool story

[@Daniel-qj3tp]

Great video

[@richardwalsh5570]

Legend 😊❤

[@BlackshacksBushcraft]

Brilliant. 😃

[@mrcrankyank]

Thanks for covering such a legend of the Aussie industry. Makes me want to own a shark cat one day

[@mitchjackson5475]

Where is Sharkies Cat now? (The 411 race boat)

[@darrylstem6426]

Not a good idea permantley glassing the fuel tanks under the floor

[@nigelmorgan3449]

I’ve got one made by trail easy Canning Hwy I call it the Pig

[@MrDavidelliottjr]

Wow. Great video. Never heard of this boat. Now I want one asap

[@brockstar2171]

Great vid, I have a 28 Kevlacat, love cats.

[@raddeal1]

Best boating content on yt

[@johnathanas6202]

Great engineering

[@NickoOutBush]

Great Aussie

[@Dan-hn1lx]

Beast sea dog

[@petergrundy8081]

Fantastic

[@roberthoard639]

Hickmann sea sled

[@DickinsonLivingInDickinsonNort]

I never could understand why people wanted catamarans for offshore, once they reach their side tipping point, it's over, it flips, whereas monohull boats with a deep V hull resist flipping so much better.

[@gypana]

No they don't, who told you that rubbish.

[@jesseblackwell5733]

Bullshit

[@Rexy888]

Internet guru right here

[@wolfvolke7058]

can sit 4 kitted out divers on the gunnel of my 23ft cat without it moving-try that with a deep vee,have had 5different sharkcats all brilliant.the one i have now is 40 years old and i rekon ive had it out in seas that would make your eyes bug out with no drama!!

[@2secondslater]

The OP on this comment knows sweet fuck all