Home › Forums › Bass Cat Boats › Bass Cat Puma compared to Ranger Z-521C
MikeP.
I currently own a Ranger 2012 Z-521 and was going to sell it last year but did not due to a transfer of employment. My favorite boat that I have ever owned was a 2009 Bass Cat Puma FTD. I am wanting to trade on a new boat in January or February this year during boat show season, and the two boats that seem to suit me best are the Bass Cat Puma FTD and Ranger Z-521-C. I am interested in any comments from those that have gone from a Ranger Z-521 to a Bass Cat Puma as to whether they would do it again and any quality differences you noticed between the two boats. I appreciate any feedback that you may have.Thank you,Corky
I think you answered your own question. Whats the best boat you ever owned???
I personally think you would like caracal best. Wont be giving up the width you probably liked on the 521. Will improve the rough ride vs a 2012 521 c in the basscat. Wont be quite as fast as your 09 puma but I personally feel that hull makes the most sense for a fusion of those two boats.C.O.D. Jr. III
I do like the width of the Z-521-C, but it can be a wet ride in rough water. My 09 Puma was a dry ride even in very rough conditions, but I had to be careful when leaving the trolling motor if I had rods on both sides of the deck, which is the only thing I disliked about my 09 Bass Cat. I have grown accustomed to the 12 Z-521 and actually really like the boat except for when I get wet in rough water. I am struggling to decide which boat I want to purchase. I have such fond memories of my Bass Cat and how much I loved the boat. I guess I just wish to purchase the best quality boat that I can purchase, and the Bass Cat Puma and Ranger Z-521-C seem to both be of great quality. Ranger says the boats after 2010 no longer have trouble with blisters on the hull, and with Bass Cat returning to the Vinyl ester (sp?) resins I am confident that they wont have problems in this area either. I know customer service with Bass Cat can not be beat. Thank you for your feed back Ward.Corky
I too think the Caracal probably fits you well.
Corky wrote: Ranger says the boats after 2010 no longer have trouble with blisters on the hull, and with Bass Cat returning to the Vinyl ester (sp?) resins I am confident that they wont have problems in this area either. I know customer service with Bass Cat can not be beat. Corky – To me, the dry ride would make all the difference in the world. When youre fishing, you can change your on-deck habits to suit the platform, but there isnt much you can do about a hull that gets you wet. I had a chance to fish and drive some a few years ago in a 2010 Puma FTD, and it was a glorious experience. The Puma FTD now has the newer striping, the hull was tweaked a bit, and the console is redesigned, but isnt otherwise much different than your 2009 model. I think its great that youre considering making the purchase during boat show season, because this is the easiest time to compare build quality between boats (at least as far as a visual inspection can go). I dont get to fish out of brand new Bass Cats like I used to, but every year at the Winter boat show I can scrutinize every detail of every new boat on the market, and the few Bass Cats that are ever at the show up here in KC still show up every other bass boat there, hands down. Rangers are nice boats — no question. But touch, push, lift, open, feel, and scrutinize everything on both models. Feel the thickness and knap of the carpet on both. Run your fingers behind the finished edges of fiberglass areas, look at the depth of the gelcoat and the cleanness of the trim lines, feel the step and strakes on the hull — too round at the edges often means poorly laid and badly maintained molds, look at the quality of the hardware used, and of course consider the ergonomics of both models. Also, if you havent seen it, watch Bass Cats Factory Tour Series of videos on YouTube that covers, in detail, the construction of their boats: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P … IHv3NE_l1R Put your mind at ease about blistering — VE resin or not — I have literally never seen blistering on a Bass Cat boat. Surely one must have somewhere along the line, but never in 32 years of being around Bass Cats have I ever seen one blister, so theres no need to worry there. And, of course, Bass Cats have got the best warranty in the market.I envy your boat shopping task, Corky. I wish I was shopping for one right now, too. Much luck with it. Hope you find the model thats right for you.Cheers,ScottLast edited by Scott Crumpler on August 26th, 2014, 5:17 am, edited 2 times in total.
Last fall when I started shopping for my first glass Bass Boat I went to visit Ranger, Skeeter, & Bass Cat dealers to look the boats over. I also went to AR to go through the Ranger & Bass Cat plants. I will admit once that was done my decision was made. Ranger is a nice boat but there is only one Bass Cat! Dan
Todays Puma FTD is 2″ wider up front than your 09 model.Or is it 4″ wider – 2″ on each side?
Corky, what state are you in? Im sure someone has a newer Puma FTD fairly close to you that you could look at and ride in. Im in central AR and own a 14 model. You are welcome to come spend a day with me in it.
My 06 cougar had blisters in first 6 mos. Under bunks. Ran it for 6 yrs and sold it.
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