Home › Forums › Bass Cat Boats › 2000 Cougar vs. Jaguar
rlb8s.
What are the major differences between the two? I know the Cougar is a little lighter and faster, but is there a major difference in lay out and fishability of the two?
I am the proud owner of a 2000 Jag with a single console and although I have never riden in a Cougar I am very impressed with my Jag. It has more storage than I am used to and includes a rod locker on the rear deck for a co-angler as well as two huge livewells and dry storage. There is dry storage under both seats plus a cooler between the seats. Port side on the front deck offeres a large lit rod box with tubes and rubber rod handle brackets with enough room below the rods for a spare trolling motor, more rods or storage for butt seats. Starboard side has a large lit storage locker that will hold many large tackle boxes in a carpeted area. Center deck has one larger locker which extends forward that would hold me and Im a pretty big guy, this locker is also lit. To the left of that is a small day box which has two holders for spray attractants and other items that you need to get at quickly while fishing. When you step up onto the deck you step on a second cooler that can either be used for a cooler or for storage. If you are looking at a single console you will also find a vertical storage door on the port side. This area is large enough for a tool kit, first aid kit, flares, small bag with extra clothes and several other items. The rear deck is very large with plenty of room for movement, the front deck has the forward mounted foot peddle for the trolling motor which allows you to have an excelent view of what you are doing while giving plenty of useable space. There is also an optional deck extension available through BCB which turns the front deck into something the size of an Aircraft Carrier. The decks are solid under foot and with the wide beam the boat is very stable with two fishermen. I have hit 70 with two large men, two full fuel tanks (52 gal) and all of our gear while running in 2 waves, this was with a 225 Optimax and a 25 pitch Trophy Plus and it was the first time I had driven the boat. Hope this was of some help, there are photos of my Jag if you click on my profile.
I also have a 2000 Jaguar. I like the size of the boat for rough water. I have the deck extension, so thats nice too, as it gives you a huge front deck. Livewells are big and nice. Some things I do not like……The Jaguar is a little hard to load on the trailer….if the angle is not perfect, its tough. The back deck has only one very small storage locker (besides the rod locker). The boat is heavy, so dragging it up and down the road is tougher than it would be for a smaller boat. The Jaguar is a big boat…..so if you fish tight places, its not the best…..but if you fish offshore…..deep cranking, c-rigging, football jigging….the boat is perfect, because it takes ALOT of wind to move the boat. Overall, its a very nice platform.
Thanks for the input guys! Does anyone have any perspective on the ride differences between the two? It appears as if the Cougar has fewer storage compartments, but the ones they do have are larger? Also arent they pretty much the same length, but the Cougar is a little lighter?
I have a 2000 cougar, I believe the hulls were the same just different layouts. I have the flippin deck compartment and have more than enough storage. I would think that the Jags ride might be slightly better since its heavier but dont know if its that noticable.
Im lookin at a 2000 Jag and would also like to know as much as I can. The seller said it only hits high 60s with a light load when hes by himself and low 60s with 2 people and a full load. This is with a 2000 225 optimax. Not sure what prop tho.
I have the 02 Jag with a 225, mine runs 68 mph with two guys, a tournament load, and full livewell at 3200 feet altitude. If his his running that slow there is something going on holding it back, tell him to pull up the trolling motor. Mike
ya know the first time I ever took my first boat out, I forgot to pull up the trolling motor before I took off. I felt something wasnt right, then I looked and realized what an idiot I was. Wont ever happen again tho. Ill find out what prop hes running tommorow. Im much more worried bout the motor blowing up then anything else.
Rough Stuff Rider, I had a 1997 Jaguar with a 1997 Mariner 225 EFI. I ran a Trophy 26 and a Tempest 25. On Sam Rayburn in 100 degree weather it would run 72.0 to 72.4 mph with two guys 40+ gallons of gas and a tournament load with a flipping deck in it. I carried a second trolling motor in the right side front storage. I saw the boat hit 75.2 mph in February with only me in the boat but that was a very rare occurrence. I was running an EFI not an Optimax so I do not know how an Optimax runs in comparison but I would think you should be able to get at least to the 70 mph mark. I would say this I am fanatical about having a prop tuned by someone who knows what they are doing. If the rake and cup on all the blades do not match you will never get all that you can from the boat. Hope the info helps. Mike Coffee Nacogdoches, Texas
I see 73 w/ my 00 Jag. I even saw it once w/ 3 in the boat last Feb on Kissimmee, but that was w/ a new Fury prop. My prop is no longer new. I usually cruise in mid to high 60s but can still touch 73 w/ a full tournament load when desired. My trophy could hit those numbers when the prop was new. I also have an EFI. Ive had my jag since new. If interested you can PM me w/ your phone number and Ill be happy to answer all your jaguar questions. The Jag was BCBs top of the line model back in the day.
© 2026 Bass Cat Boats
