Han Burgundy
Space Marshal
I had to think very long and very hard about whether or not I wanted to melt my StarFarer for a Cat last week. I didn't, and here's why: After 2.4 hit, I really realized how important fuel is going to be (even if they don't keep it at its current, rather steep, price point.) SO, the way I see it, ships like the CAT will require either combat success or seed money to be profitable (Pirating means surviving, trading means having the $$ to buy cargo in the first place) but the starfarer just needs to get out and refine fuel to sell if you find yourself in a pinch. So essentially you are trading straight across: Time for credits. No seed money, no playing at the mercy of the markets. Just simple profit. Pair that with the SF's ability to haul a good amount of cargo on top of that and you have a real money machine.
Buy cargo at point A
Take off and find a good spot to fuel scoop along the way to point B
Sell both cargo and Fuel at point B
My $0.02
Buy cargo at point A
Take off and find a good spot to fuel scoop along the way to point B
Sell both cargo and Fuel at point B
My $0.02