Home › Forums › Bass Cat Boats › Balzout or Ram Mounts for two Lowrance 12’s on the bow of a 2024 Puma STS?
Corky.
As probably everyone in the world knows, I am in the process of building a 2024 Puma STS. I have been struggling with the bow configuration with two Lowrance 12 inch graphs and worrying about safe access to the bow area using the pole and steps provided by BassCat. I was going to order Trick Steps for the boat, but I think if I obtained either a Balzout double graph mount or two Ram mounts for the two 12 inch Lowrance graphs on the bow that I would be able to temporarily loosen the graphs and turn them sideways to decrease having to climb over all of the stuff on the bow and decrease my chances of loosing my balance.
In addition, if mounted on the removable mounts I think the boat cover would fit tighter and better.
Does BassCat or any of you owners have any suggestions or think my thought processes are valid? Or, do you guys think I should decrease my perseveration over this boat and/or go back to the drawing board on my ideas?
As always, thank you in advance for any feedback and counsel that you may provide.
Corky
This is my setup, not 12” but 10” graphs on Balzout mounts. Very solid!!
That looks great. How easy is it for you to access the boat from the bow? Do you feel like entering from the front is a tripping hazard, or are you able to step across from the bow to the carpet with little difficulty?
Thanks
Corky
Doesnt the Puma have 2 levels for gimble mounts? If you want to be able to move the units, I think the big RAM mount would be your best bet. I have them on a Caracal
Honestly, I’ll be 75 years old a week from today. A guy or gal just needs to be careful and take your time. I’m not crazy about falling in the lake but I don’t want my ass falling on these not so cheap graphs. Was a lot easier in years past but that’s gone with the wind !!
I have a 23 puma with two 10 inch graphs on ram mounts.
Basscat has provided a very nice step and pole on the front of the trailer. Having said that, at 75 years old, do yourself a favor and get the trick step. Even with the factory steps, you really need to be pretty nimble……regardless of what graphs you have and how they’re mounted…..to use the steps and get up on and over the nose of the boat. It would be very easy to get tangled up and slip, and that’s a ride you don’t want to take.
You’re putting together one hell of a boat….. do whatever you can to stay healthy enough to use it.
You’ve earned that boat and you’ve earned those fancy steps. Figure out what graph mounts you prefer and get those……just don’t make climbing over them a part of your decision.
best of luck.
23PumaSTS: I think you are providing me with wise counsel. I am retired, 66 years old, and have a blood cancer. This Puma will probably be my last boat and I absolutely want to stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible to enjoy this boat for the rest of my life. I have been perseverating on how to option the boat out to make entry to the bow and exit from the bow as safe and easy as possible. I probably should get the Drotto Automatic Boat latching system for the boat as well as the Trick Steps to make everything easier and safer. I appreciate your assistance and guidance.
How do you like the Ram mounts for your front graphs? If you had it to do over, would you use the Ram mounts again?
Thank you,
Corky
Corky,
I just happened to have a Ram Mount from a previous set up and decided to use it…..because I had it. I have a Ram mounted on each “step” in the front graph area on the bow. I thought I was going to like being able to swivel the mounts to get different viewing angles, but honestly……I pretty much just lock them down and leave them alone. I think I will eventually use one of the longer arms available to put a graph up higher (closer) so I can see it better while dropshotting. But , honestly, I rarely dropshot.
I have friends that use forward facing sonar a lot, and they have a mount where the unit slides up and down a “pole” and that’s a pretty cool setup. They use it primarily for crappie fishing. If I was going to be fishing while seated, I’d give something like that strong consideration.
You could also just mount each unit straight to the built in steps without any mount at all. In hindsight, I think that would be a good way to do it. It would keep the graphs more flush with the front of the boat, and keep them out of the way of casting. If it didn’t mess up the placement of the cover, I’d seriously consider just doing that. (I haven’t moved my Ram mounts at all yet……so why even have them?)
All kinds of choices out there. I say, have fun with it (you’ve earned it)…..and choose what pleases you. Set it up knowing that you won’t need to worry about climbing over it (get the trick step or something similar).
With your health considerations, I would make things as easy/safe as possible and not look back. I provide anesthesia at a trauma center here in the Midwest, and I see cases all the time where someone gets their feet tangled up and falls……needs surgery for broken bones or worse, and pretty much changes things for the rest of their life. Don’t be that guy if you can help it.
Enjoy the process.
Good luck, Tim
Thanks Tim.
Corky, sounds like you are having fun and getting good info from folks. I’m 70+ and needing hip surgery and enjoying the heck out of my 23 Puma. As Tim wrote about, I gimble mounted my Helix 12 and Garmin 1022 to the steps built into the bow as I assume Rick engineered it to work. This works very well for me. The installation is clean, uncomplicated, and low enough for flipping and clearance for the cover. It also makes it easier to step over. I added some grip tape to the nose.
I also contemplated the Trick Steps but so far have held off as I have a few questions. They look amazing and my friends who have them really like them. Do they interfere with hooking and unhooking the bow strap? For me it is already a death-defying gymnastical (word?) feat to get under that bow swell to unhook the strap. Also, as the boat floats back when launching, doesn’t that place the top step further forward so one has to still step over all the graphs anyway? Lowered mounts come in handy here. Just my thoughts, and hopefully we all get to enjoy these great boats for many years!
Have fun and be safe! Tom
TomFox: I sure appreciate the input. People on this site as well as Bassboat Central have all been extremely helpful in assisting me with this boat order. I considered and test drove the Caymas, Vexus, and the Puma STS. I liked them all and initially was making my decision between a Caymas and Vexus. I liked the Caymas, but loved the Vexus and initially decided I was going to buy a 21 foot Vexus. After test driving the Vexus, which was absolutely a great boat, I decided that I needed more top end speed and performance for this retirement boat. I ultimately made the decision to get back into a BassCat due to my love for the company, the trust I have in Rick Pierce, and the fact that my friend’s family just last week became a BassCat dealer again. I am very pleased with my decision and can not wait for my boat to come in. I am just so excited! I am an old retired guy, but this boat order has made me feel young again.
My boat will be rigged with a Mercury 300 Pro XS, though many of my friends are trying to convince me to get the 250. I am also getting a hydraulic Bob’s jackplate with guage, two eight foot Power Poles, radio, Lowrance Pro 12 inch depth finder built into the console, two Lowrance Pro 12 inch depth finders for the bow with one being dedicated to Active Target, a Lowrance Ghost trolling motor, and a cover for the boat.
I owned a Puma in the past and it was my favorite boat of all I ever owned. I hope I like this New Puma STS as much.
Thank you very much for you feedback.
Corky
© 2026 Bass Cat Boats
