My move from a 97 Pll to a 2015 Caracal – Comparisons

After four outings in my new to me Caracal, I thought I would take a minute and write about my move from a ‘97 Pll to a 2015 Caracal. This was done in hopes it may help someone one day in their decision making process. Please don’t kill me ‘cause it is kinda long……….The ride. When I did 65 in my Pll I knew I was doing 65. In the Caracal, I was surprised when I looked down and saw 65, the ride was so smooth. The Caracal ride is kinda like when I was in high school in ’78 and I drove my Dad’s new Thunderbird (it was as big as a bus) for the first time-it just kinda floated down the road. The Pll may have been more fun to drive at speed, I always felt like I was in a rocket. The Caracal is just so smooth – you’re just cruising. Turning. While the Pll got into turns fine, the Caracal seems to take a little more bite. Deeper hull I guess. Not much slide felt in turns.Ice chest. The Pll had a huge front deck ice chest and I was a little worried when I first saw the size of the Caracal ice chest. I live in the heat of South Central Texas and carry a lot of ice and drinks. Not to worry. The Caracal ice chest is deeper than it looks and is long. I would imagine the volume of both ice chests are pretty close to being the same.Storage. Caracal has a ton of storage room on both decks. Love the extra storage space. Day box. Both have a day box on the front deck. I absolutely love them. Also, the Caracal has a second small storage box right beside the ice chest.Back deck compartments. Caracal has 2 large storage compartments, Pll had none. Access to the pump cartridges in the Pll was fairly easy but my Caracal, with the belly fuel tank under the seats, has all the room in the world back there. Changing batteries is a snap.Front deck. I love the extra width!! As I get older and fatter the extra width is appreciated. One thing I do miss from the Pll, with my Caracal, with my butt seat in the back position, my non-trolling motor foot cannot reach the side of the boat (I am 6’2”). I am used to having my foot up on the lip of boat. That was a little more comfortable. But, I will take the wider deck any day. Length. Pll was 19’6, Caracal is 19’8. The Caracal is deceiving. At my club tourney last Saturday had a few guys very surprised it was not a 20 or 21 foot boat. I think the boat’s width makes the boat seem longer. Towing. The Caracal trailer is wider than the Pll’s. It will give you a litter pucker factor when you are on the highway with concrete barriers on each side and tractor trailer beside you…LOLBreak-away tongue with steps and pole on the Caracal are very, very nice to have. Vault hubs are on the Caracal trailer- maintenance free for a few years-hopefully…. Center rod locker on the Caracal is a big plus.The Caracal has a mounted bow Nav light while the Pll does not.No difference in getting the boat on/off a trailer. Easy for both.Power steering on the Caracal, cable steering was on the Pll. I could not believe the difference. With a four bladed Fury, the Caracal jumps on plane which surprised me. Rear back up lights on Caracal work great and are a great idea.The Caracal is a lot deeper than the Pll between the front and back decks.Just one man’s observations on my move from a 97 Pll to a 2015 Caracal. Hope this helps someone.