Home › Forums › Bass Cat Boats › Joining the Family…Any advice?
lreddmann.
Hey all, On Tuesday I hope to join the Bass Cat Family. Ill be making a 12 hour drive to pick up a 2007 Puma. I have owned Tritons(the most recent boat) and Champions, but as I stated, this will be my first Cat. Im very excited, the 12 hour drive there will be a long one for sure. My question is, besides the obvious that you would look for on any used boat, is there anything special I should look for on this model boat in a 2007. Ive been a long time reader of Bass Cat messg boards, and have always enjoyed how helpful everybody is here. I really look forward to being a part of the family feel, now if you could just get a dealer a little close to my home in MN.. LOL Also, best of luck to BCB on the release of the new line for 2009, I see that special day is very near!
Congrats on the Puma purchase ! The Puma should give you the best features of the Triton and Champ, combined in one boat. That would be great performance and excellent ride. As for what to look for, on a 2007, there shouldnt be many issues to concern yourself with, but I would do a lake test with the seller and have him point out all the features of the boat, motor and trailer. Make a list of things to ask about like jack plate settings, correct rpms/props, electronics, gauges, pumps, etc. I know those are “obvious” things but every boat is different. The feel and lift of the Bass Cat hull will be unlike the other 2 boats youve owned so try to get a little seat time in it and put the TM down to get a feel of the forward position. Have the seller explain loading procedures because I have found the BCB trailers take a little more time to learn the proper depth and loading technique. Hope the trip goes well and enjoy your Bass Cat. Brian
Angler557 had some great advice. It takes a few times loading to get a feel for the depth. On my 07 Puma, I found that a 3-blade pushed it up there perfect, but you sacrifice the control in rough water. The 4-blade does not have the low end to push the boat on the trailer so thats why the boat trailer needs to be right on! The advantage of the 4-blade is top end and rough water stability and control. I would definitely try both props; 4 blade Mercury trophy 27 and a 3-blade Tempest. You can do a search on the forum to get more feedback on props. Trust me, different props really change the performance of the boat. Definitely make sure you take the boat out for a test drive. You didnt mention what boat models you previously owned, but the Puma will take some skill to drive it on the top end. Its hard to explain how to “drive through it” by typing on the forum, but keep a few things in mind; trim the boat down and open her up, start trimming the motor up (youll be around 50 to 55 mph), DO NOT let off the pedal (common mistake of most new drivers), if you start to feel the boat getting away from you just trim down, concentrate on the nose of the boat and watch how the steering torque will pull the noise of the boat to the right, as the boat moves slightly to the right, you will slightly pull the nose back to the left, the key is feeling the nose moving slightly to the right and pulling the boat back to center, its not a quick motion, the common mistake is when the boat nose moves to the right and the driver does not correct it, the boat will move back on its own and this begins the chine walk, make sure youre practicing in calm water and in an area you can make long, safe runs!!! When you get the hang of it, it will become second nature!!! As angler557 stated, put down the TM and get a feel for the forward positioning of the foot control. Once you get use to it youll love how easy it is to cast around the front with roll casts and other low casts! The head of the trolling motor is out of the way! Pitching and flipping is really easy on the front deck! If the boat has a hydraulic jack plate, drive with it down and then experiment with very small adjustments. I have a lot of seat time and the top end only changes about 1 or 2 mph max with a raised jack plate. I dont think that top end is worth the reduction in boat control (theres been posts about this in the past). If its a fixed jack plate, youll want to check the height set up. A common question is, “what should I expect on top end?”. I had a hydraulic jack plate on my 07 Puma and it would run 77 to 79 mph with just me and a tournament load (250 PRO XS). With two people and tournament load you should get around 74 to 75 mph. Thats about it other than the obvious! Check latches, gel coat, climb under the boat and check for impacts, check batteries, etc. The beauty of this CAT is —–its under warranty and the hull has a transferable, lifetime warranty (the only one in the industry)!!! Enjoy and keep us posted on your new ride!!!
Thanks guys… Great Advice from both.. My first bass boat was a 19Champ with a 175 Merc.. my last boat(not really as I still have to sell it) IS a Triton 186PDC with a Johnson 150…. Neither had any chine walk as I dont think they were fast enough. Im sure it will freak me out a bit when it happens on the Cat… The good thing is, I live in MN, and to be honest, we have 10,000+ lakes here, but few of them are big enough to go crazy long runs… This Puma has a 250 XS Racing eng on it.. and I have to admit, thats the only thing that scares me a little. When I get her home Ill take a few picts. Thanks again for the advice… Making a list now of questions to ask the seller.
Great move on boat selection! It will be like going from a 4-banger truck to a Duramax Diesel! Tons of power and torque! The beauty is you dont use the power, but its nice to know its there when you do need it! In your water, youll keep the noise down most of the time and run between 30 to 50 mph! The most impressive thing about the Puma is the “DRY” ride. Unless you spear a wave, you will NOT get wet! I rode in a friends Ranger z21 several weeks ago and I was soaked. I couldnt believe how wet a got in 3 ft. waves. I kept thinking that if we were in my boat I would be totally dry! A few more questions to consider- how many hours on motor, extended warranty, any repairs on motor and documentation to back it, any repairs on hull, any warranty work performed, ask for all documentation for your records, any “throw ins” (oil, rods, reels, baits, BCB life jackets, etc- doesnt hurt to ask!!!)
DDittrich wrote: we have 10,000+ lakes here, but few of them are big enough to go crazy long runs… Seems to me Lake Vermillion would be plenty big for a long runFished for Musky up there, thought it was a beautiful lake!!
Jim- so true! Vermillion is one of my fave lakes… We do have a few lakes that have some water in them. Most of the lakes in my area are only a few thousand acers.
Get ready for the best feeling ever! Glynn
Well, got the boat home on Thursday, prefished Friday, and had 2 tournament this weekend.. Didnt win either of them.. but got some hardwear in one of them. LOVE the boat… LOVE IT!!!! Fishes like a dream.. I still need some schooling on how to drive the thing, she starts to walk like a crazy woman at WOT.. I have tried lowering the hydrol jack plate I have tried lowering the trim… but as it says above, its probably going to take a little seat time to get it. Feels pretty darn good to be in the bass cat family!
Glad you are part of the family. I am pretty new to bassboats and the chime walk sensation. My best advice is to get someone that knows how to handle it and go with you for a few hours. This seemed to do the trick for me, regardless of how many articles or videos I watched. I usually have buyers remorse to some degree when I make a large purchase, but not when I got my cat, 6 months later and I am still in love with it! -Lee
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