2011 Puma FTD!!

Thanks to my two good friends Ward Gardner and Doug Swann, I was able to pick up my boat without having to drive all the way up the mountain. Those two are fantastic! Couldnt ask for better friends and I will never be able to repay you two for all the help that youve provided! I am truely blessed for the friends that I have around the country that Ive met through Bass Cat Boats! Both of them even showed me around Lake DeGray where I have a tournament in October.Met Ward in Arkadelphia around 11 PM Thursday night after he took the hand-off from Doug who ran the first leg down the mountain to Little Rock! Batteries in the boat, oil in the tank, and oil system primed/break-in mode set by 1 AM Friday morning. Pure excitement is getting to put the final touches on one and getting to see what all works and doesnt work. I can honestly say that after owning 9 Bass Cat Boats over the past 8 years, there is rarely anything that is rigged wrong or is not functioning as intended. Up at 5 AM and on the water by 6 AM. Fishing not great and spent a lot of time running around the lake getting the Pro XS broken end. Yes the rings are seated and it doesnt appear to be making oil! After 2 or 3 hours of running around between 4K and 5K rpms I told Ward it was time to see what wass hanging of the back other than a Power Pole. Up came the trim, up came the jack plate, up came the bow, and up came the GPS. The GPS quit coming up at 78.3 mph! This is very impressive for 98-100 air temps, two guys, and two guys tackle. This was 2-3 mph better than the 2010 Puma FTD/250 Pro XS that I had just sold in June. Difference……………….maybe the engine, but I have to say the hand built Mercury Torquemaster gear case that was offered exclusive to BCB. Last years Mercury 250 Pro XS used the Verado case! The Verado case looks very similar to the Torquemaster, but has the smaller prop shaft and is a tad longer.Dropped Ward off at the ramp and asked him to get the 28 “tuned” Trophy out of the truck. I took another run alone with the 26 Fury and it topped out at 79.3! RPMs were close to 6K and I figured the Trophy would get it to 80. Off came the Fury and on came the Trophy. Took another run at WOT and 80 on the dot! While the Trophy is the faster of the two props, the Fury will get the nod on most days. Better acceleration, carries a load a little better, and just a better overall prop! The Trophy is a little easier to drive and may be the prop to run on those 30-60 degree days! 82 will be attainable this winter and it just might be knocking on 83!The boat has some changes including the console and the gauges. The console is very nice. All gauges are viewable and no obstructions from the steering wheel. Moving the sonar/gps to above the steering wheel is nice as well. Again no obstructions from the steering wheel. The gauges are a step up when comparing to Smart Craft. There appears to be more information there and the gauges can be set up to show numerous different views. Ive just about got the set up down on these gauges and that info. will be passed along at a later time. The new stripes on the side make the boat even more awesome! Sorry GG………………the squiggly is fresh and you need to get you a new boat with one! Even the neighbor across the street who knows nothing about boats says the “squiggly” looks better! Appears there were a couple trailer mods done. The boat was raised on the trailer an inch or so, the spare tire was tilted a few degrees, and theres a bow in the axle to provide more clearance between the axle and the hull of the boat. All which will help in loading and off loading on steep ramps.The Puma FTD hull…………………….well it is what it is! Simply the best! No doubt the best performing boat that BCB has to offer and blows away all other manufacturers models. My opinion, but Ive been in quite a few and this is the one I choose everytime! Fast, great ride, fishes well, set up perfectly for the weekend or tournament angler, and the list goes on. After running around all summer in two borrowed boats from the dealer and friend, theres nothing better than being able to get back in a Puma FTD that has it all and has all the performance! Here are a few rough shots! More to follow soon!Ward Gardner wishing his Evinrude HO cap was black and all smiles after getting a taste of some real performance! No Ward, you cant have the bad azz gear case!