Considering a Bass Cat Boat

Started by flutterspoon, April 23, 2009, 09:41:20 AM

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flutterspoon

I am hoping to purchase a new bass boat within the next year (hopefully sooner).  I was considering a Puma FTD or Cougar FTD since JD Power has picked Bass Cat the past 5 years.  I looked at a Puma FTD yesterday at a local dealership.  The trailer was the best made I have seen.  The boat looks very well made too!  I loved the console and seats.  The only dislike was the storage for tackle (the double bowl Kitchen sink look).  I keep reading online that some people say the bass cats are hard to control at high speeds and Chine walk (this was mentioned in JD Power article).  Online posts also say they are hard to put on the trailer and some mention they are hard to troll and fish from.  I have driven a saltwater cuddy 20ft and have a 17ft aluminum Xpress for stump jumping  ;D but I have no experience with high performance Bass boat.  Will this be difficult for me to learn to drive, put on the trailer and fish?  I also was consider a Champion Elite and Skeeter i-class.  Please let me know your thoughts!

Buzbait88

basscat makes a good boat and they have great customer service and I have thought about looking into them myself.  I can't comment on the way they handle since I've never fished out of one or driven one, but I haven't heard they are hard to handle or anythiing like that.  But I think if it were me, I'd go with the new champion 202 elite.  Alot of people talk about how champs are tippy and they draft to much water, but they are wrong.  The newer champs are wide beam champs and are a very stable hulls that ride and drive great.  I think champion would give basscat a run for their money with the JD power award if they actually participated.  Companies have to pay to get that done and champion chooses not to.
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Jared LeBlue

Most if not all high performance bass boats will chine walk. It all has to do with the set up. Learning to drive through the chine walk just takes experience. If you back off a hair or trim down a bit it will stop the chine walk but you will of course lose some speed. Now how important is speed to you? If you are one that will spend $2000 to set up your boat to go 3mph faster then you need to learn to drive through the chine walk. If a few miles per hour doesn't bother you then chine walking will not be an issue. I would say the most important thing to look at in a bass boat is what suits you. If storage is a big issue then find one that has plenty of storage, If a smooth dry ride is important then look at those boats that offer that. If speed is your game then there are several out there that will deliver on that. Basically find a boat that fits your needs and wants and you will be happy. Everybody has their favorites but that doesn't mean that it will be yours. Skeeter, Champion, Basscat, Legend, and Triton are all great boats and there are many other manufactures I didn't mention that have great rigs. Do some shopping around. Take a look at the hulls, the interior, the trailer, and all the options and you'll eventually find the one that is right for you.
Ardent Prostaff

coldfront

I have yet to meet a basscat owner who is less than ecstatic...

now, I don't get around that much...but owners of basscats seem to really, really love them...

BassBUFF

I wa a camera boat operator during the '09 Bassmaster Classic. My cameraman rode in several pro's boats including Ike's Basscat. I asked him what he thought was the best ride and he said mine and Kim Bain Moore's Legend! I looked at several models before choosing Legend including Basscat. Basscat is built right down the road from Legend. They are a well built boat and I've never heard of any customer service issues not being handled well. I personally didn't like the deck layout nor the consoles.

Buzbait88 is right on the JD Powers issue so don't rule out other brands based on that. Please take the time to test drive each of the boats you're interested in. And take a look at Legend! Give them a call, they will be more than happy to have you come by and take a tour of the factory!!

Basscat7

Quote from: Buzbait88 on April 23, 2009, 09:50:23 AM
basscat makes a good boat and they have great customer service and I have thought about looking into them myself.  I can't comment on the way they handle since I've never fished out of one or driven one, but I haven't heard they are hard to handle or anythiing like that.  But I think if it were me, I'd go with the new champion 202 elite.  Alot of people talk about how champs are tippy and they draft to much water, but they are wrong.  The newer champs are wide beam champs and are a very stable hulls that ride and drive great.  I think champion would give basscat a run for their money with the JD power award if they actually participated.  Companies have to pay to get that done and champion chooses not to.

Champion chose to participate a couple of years ago and finished third ...Bass Cat was 1 and Ranger 2.
Golf is for guys whose wife's won't let them buy a bass boat

Basscat7

Quote from: BassBUFF on April 23, 2009, 10:12:44 AM
I wa a camera boat operator during the '09 Bassmaster Classic. My cameraman rode in several pro's boats including Ike's Basscat. I asked him what he thought was the best ride and he said mine and Kim Bain Moore's Legend! I looked at several models before choosing Legend including Basscat. Basscat is built right down the road from Legend. They are a well built boat and I've never heard of any customer service issues not being handled well. I personally didn't like the deck layout nor the consoles.

Buzbait88 is right on the JD Powers issue so don't rule out other brands based on that. Please take the time to test drive each of the boats you're interested in. And take a look at Legend! Give them a call, they will be more than happy to have you come by and take a tour of the factory!!

Bass Cat has been around 35 years.......still Family operated.  I have yet to ride or fish out of a Legend, Champ, Triton or Skeeter that encompasses everything  A Cat does, and the Customer Service is the Best, hands down , in the  bass boat industry.  Not  to mention, the only true Lifetime  Hull Warranty .
Make sure whatever boat you choose will be around in the future.
Golf is for guys whose wife's won't let them buy a bass boat

flutterspoon

Thanks so much everyone!  I am going to keep studying the brochures, websites and hopefully take some test rides!  Ya'll gave me lots of information to help me make a decision!

paxpress

I loved my 'Cat when I owned one.  I downsized to a tin boat to run skinny water or I would have kept my 'Cat.

flutterspoon

Hopefully I will have my Bass Cat Puma FTD test ride next week.  I should know tomorrow.  I had my i-class test ride yesterday and an Alpha Legend 211 test ride this coming Tuesday.  I can't wait.  After I ride in the Bass Cat and Legend I am going to make my decision!

I think the Cat is the best looking by far!!!

Basscat7

Quote from: flutterspoon on April 29, 2009, 02:03:53 PM
Hopefully I will have my Bass Cat Puma FTD test ride next week.  I should know tomorrow.  I had my i-class test ride yesterday and an Alpha Legend 211 test ride this coming Tuesday.  I can't wait.  After I ride in the Bass Cat and Legend I am going to make my decision!

I think the Cat is the best looking by far!!!

Good luck in the decision.  When looking over each boat, inspect the trailers also.  Your boat will spend more time on the trailer than in the water. 
Bass Cat builds each trailer at it's factory specifically for each boat.
You will not find a better built trailer than under a Cat.
Golf is for guys whose wife's won't let them buy a bass boat

flutterspoon

Had test ride today!  WOW!  WOW!!  The Puma FTD w/250 ProXS drives like a race car!  I thought the BassCat turned tighter and handled better than the Skeeter i-class.  Steering seemed more sensitive.  The I-class is a more stable fishing platform and takes wakes with just on bump but boy does the Cat look good!  Now I just have to decided which one... oh my goodness! ~sweat

BandedBait

I know a guy selling a 2008 Skeeter ZX225 with about all the options and extended warranty for around $34500. Let me know and I'll look up his contact information if you're interested.

As far as chine walk is concerned not all high performance boats chine walk. There are a lot of misconceptions about chine walking on the streets. Do what Champion says, Ride and Decide.

Quote from: flutterspoon on April 23, 2009, 09:41:20 AM
I am hoping to purchase a new bass boat within the next year (hopefully sooner).  I was considering a Puma FTD or Cougar FTD since JD Power has picked Bass Cat the past 5 years.  I looked at a Puma FTD yesterday at a local dealership.  The trailer was the best made I have seen.  The boat looks very well made too!  I loved the console and seats.  The only dislike was the storage for tackle (the double bowl Kitchen sink look).  I keep reading online that some people say the bass cats are hard to control at high speeds and Chine walk (this was mentioned in JD Power article).  Online posts also say they are hard to put on the trailer and some mention they are hard to troll and fish from.  I have driven a saltwater cuddy 20ft and have a 17ft aluminum Xpress for stump jumping  ;D but I have no experience with high performance Bass boat.  Will this be difficult for me to learn to drive, put on the trailer and fish?  I also was consider a Champion Elite and Skeeter i-class.  Please let me know your thoughts!

DAWAROB

 ~c~I've owned a 2007 Pantera Classic for two years now.  I had a few bugs in it from a hole in the gas tank because poor workmanship to faulty electronics.  My power steering also has gone out while on the lake, my fault because of over adjusting the jack plate and the hydraulic fittings hitting the transom leaking fluid.  But the local dealership did not set up the boat properly at purchase.  But! Bass Cat has covered everthing and I have not had any out of pocket expenses.  I've added a console and flipping deck.  The flipping deck gives me a little extra storage space to put something under. I've had it in rough water and it take it great.  Mine has the 200 OPTIMAX and I can do a about 69 before it wants to chine walk.   I regret not getting the PUMA which I really liked and had the storage I like but at the time $$ was a factor too.  Can't go wrong with a Bass Cat, I get comments every time I'm on the water from individuals about how good it looks.  Good luck

GA Puma

  I own a 08 Puma with a 250 Po XS. Zero complaints!!! Everyboat will chine walk if its not set up correctly. Like said before when you start pushing 75+ theres not much pad in the water and prop torque will start to effect.

  Had a buddy say his Ranger will not Chine, I called the BS flag on it. We went for a ride he hit 68 MPH and 5600 rpms on a 225 and said see it don't chine walk. I asked him to hit WOT and trim up to his max RPM and we almost came out of the boat!

   Like said before you have to control the chine walking with Jack Plate, Trim and steering Imputs. My boat needs a imput every 8-12 seconds at WOT and she will be very calm.

  For me, I did not care for the hull on the I class it looked like a Tri hull. Wide but shallow.

  You are doing the best thing, get what you want and learn to drive it. See you on the water.
Fishing on the brain

flutterspoon

I have decided on the BassCat but now I am usure which motor to go with... Merc 250 ProXS or the Yamaha 300 HPDI...

I am looking for FAST take off with a top speed in the 70's.

I have driven the Kitty with a Merc and I am suppose to drive a Cougar this afternoon with a Yammie 250 HPDI.

Basscat7

Quote from: flutterspoon on May 15, 2009, 11:22:14 AM
I have decided on the BassCat but now I am usure which motor to go with... Merc 250 ProXS or the Yamaha 300 HPDI...

I am looking for FAST take off with a top speed in the 70's.

I have driven the Kitty with a Merc and I am suppose to drive a Cougar this afternoon with a Yammie 250 HPDI.

The Merc 250 XS will push the Puma/Cougar to high 70's to 80 with the right prop setup.
Longer warranty and a better resale than a 300 HP motor.
Almost all  tournaments will have a 250 HP maximum allowed.
Golf is for guys whose wife's won't let them buy a bass boat

GA Puma

 My 08 Puma w 250 pro xs cruses all day at 78 tournament load. I have only fished 3 times by myself, so I don't know what the light load speed would be. I've been told 80+.   
Fishing on the brain

Jared LeBlue

I'm glad you've made your decision and I would say any of the boats you tried would have probably made you happy. I am curious however, what made you chose the Bass Cat over the Skeeter and the Legend. You offer everyone here a unique out look. The reason I say this is because you were not and are not, at this time, the proud owner of any of these rigs. Owners of any boat, of course and rightfully so, are proud of their rigs and talk them up to the highest degree. Your opinion is an open one and I would like to hear what your likes and dislikes were on all the boats and what brought you to your final decision.
Ardent Prostaff

flutterspoon

To Address "RATTLE"

IMO my test rides....

Legend Alpha 211 w/Evinrude 250- Beautiful Finish work (best I saw), top quality parts and good ride.  Easy to drive at all speeds and has comfortable seats with gel insert.  Lots of storage and stable platform.  Trailers outsourced. Custom boat to the MAX if anyone orders one. Upper 70's top speed. Slow take-off but was loaded 62 gallons of gas and 3 adults. Small Company with great customer service!  Been in business 5 -7 years.

Skeeter 21 i-class w/Yamaha 250- Tons of storage and gadets.  Padded Carpet,  Most stable fishing platform of all boats and largest deck.  Boat doesn't move when 3 adults get on one side. Most comfortable seats of all boats.  Trailers outsourced. Best ride of all boats over wakes. Boat had medium take-off and top speed slowest at upper 60's.  Large company with customer service that I wasn't sure of and quality I wasn't sure of IMO.

Champion 210 Elite w/Mercury 250 ProXS- Best boat that compromises speed with stable fishing platform and lots of storage IMO.  Drives easily at any speed.  Quickest take off  for a 21 footer(just a little bit behind BassCat 20').  Top speed low 70's.  Trailer has oil hubs but quality looks so-so. Has Dual console than can be taken out and put back in with a few screws.  Comfortable seats with special suspension... good ride over wakes.  Large company with customer service I am not sure of IMO.  Quality appeared good but is it the same since Genmar bought them?

BassCat Puma FTD w/Mercury 250 ProXS - Fastest Boat of all boats.  Don't know top speed.  Test ride got into 77mph - 78mph but boat had some more left.  Quickest take off of all boats.  Drives tight like a sportscar.  IMO drove the best of all boats. Ride is good and has comfortable seats. Best Built Trailer of all Boats.  Great Quality built boat.  Full fiberglass with seat pedestal mounted to hull.  Unqiue appearance that I like IMO from all other bass boats.  Not as stable platform as others and less storage. All parts and finish work top quality. Great customer service and has been in business for many years. 

Jared LeBlue

Awesome review flutterspoon. I can imagine it was a hard decision as all the boats you tried are top notch. I'm sure your BassCat will give you many years of great memories. Make sure when you get it to post some pictures here so we can all be jealous. lo
Ardent Prostaff

flutterspoon

Finally decided....

Orded the BassCat Puma FTD with Mercury Pro XS 250 today.....

Should take 5 weeks..... ;D

Basscat7

Quote from: flutterspoon on May 26, 2009, 03:04:27 PM
Finally decided....

Orded the BassCat Puma FTD with Mercury Pro XS 250 today.....

Should take 5 weeks..... ;D

Very  nice, the Puma FTD is a reallly nice ride, yet still handles like a smaller sport boat.

Good luck with it.
Golf is for guys whose wife's won't let them buy a bass boat

BASSCAT07

 8) Welcome to the family you will not be disapointed.  I own a Pantara Classic and it drives like a dream.

tnbasscat

 ~c~Welcome to the family! I doubt you"ll be suffering from any buyers remorse with a cat. I have fished out of, and driven, most of the boats offered from top manufacturers and in my opinion, BassCat comes closest to being the complete package.
"If you can't fish with tha big dogs.....stay on tha dock"