Basscat Puma STS Set up.

This topic has 7 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 9 months ago by Bass Cat Boats.

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August 1, 2022 at 1:19 pm #706454

magicmike
Participant

My Puma STS is finally on its way so I would like to get opinions on your set up. I’m mostly concerned about what prop is the best for that set up. What trim level do I need to be at for maximum performance and last jack plate height. All opinions would be greatly appreciated.

August 1, 2022 at 5:40 pm #706459

PhilAddison
Participant

Bass Cat will put a prop on the boat that best gives all around performance. There is no one size that fits all when it comes to performance. So opinions will greatly vary. Some may like a quick holeshot and some may favor top end speed. A Puma STS is a big boat and can be stuffed with a lot of weight. That alone can mean alot. Try it out first, get the feel for everything for 10-20 engine hours and then ask questions! Good luck fishing!

August 2, 2022 at 7:12 am #706468

JKelley
Participant

When ordering a new 2023 Puma STS do I need a hydraulic jackplate or is the standard manual jackplate Basscat uses is all that’s needed.
do want to have regrets or buy something that’s not needed.

thanks for your comment!

August 2, 2022 at 2:43 pm #706474

DennisKM
Participant

Mine came with a 24 Fury. I have a 250 Mercury and it came in back in April. I have ran it in cold weather (50 degree water) and our recent hot temperatures (84 plus). I am not a tackle junky but I have it fully loaded (tackle, gas and livewells) and found it to be pretty responsive. The hole shot and acceleration is good. I have a hydraulic jackplate but have not had to move it much (the boat likes it pretty low at 4-6). I would still recommend one since it will help re-sale and running in rough water. My top end has not been great (72-74 mph at 6K rpms) but it is easy to drive (no walking) and I think the motor has more in it. Will probably send the prop off for work this winter and think I can get another 2-4 mph pretty easy without sacrificing anything else. This is my 3rd new BCB after a Cougar and Eyra, love the way the Puma STS rides and well worth sacrificing a little speed IMO.

August 2, 2022 at 3:54 pm #706477

Kevin Short
Keymaster

Have @ 170 hours on my personal STS doing demo rides, tournaments, and just fishing. 250 Pro XS, Bob’s plate, 8′ Blades, (1) AGM 7 (3) Pro Guide Lithiums. 24 Fury is day in, day out the best all around for me. Tried Tempest and Bravo XS and wasn’t impressed with either. Tempest was just slower to plane and slower on top, which I expected. Bravo has too much blade surface and picks up the transom, which is not needed on this hull. Just the opposite is what I’ve seen from all I have driven. Forget about a Fury 4. Not worth the metal they’re cast out of in comparison to the correct 3 blade or Bravo.

Have run others doing demo rides with AGM/ lead acid batteries, 250 & 300, 24 Fury and both those were faster on top but slower to plane. Hull seems to like weight at the transom, which makes sense to help balance out the wide deck and all the crap we put in the front. Trying to move the weight behind the seats won’t help, just live with it. Absolute best on top was with 60 gallons of gas, so don’t be afraid to keep gas in the boat. LOL.

Like all of our other hulls, the STS likes the engine deep. I have yet to run one with a manual plate, but I’m sure it would be fine. The Eyra is the only hull I recommend a hydraulic plate for because it needs the engine as low as possible for planing and it is one of the few that does benefit on top from raising the engine. Most of our other hulls, you’re just raising your rudder out of the water and making the engine spin faster, not necessarily gaining that much speed by raising the engine.

Trim will totally depend on how much you have in the front. There is no magic number on the gauge to shoot for. Same with engine height – no magic number. Whatever gets you the best ride (plate all the way down, nose tucked down) or fastest top end (totally depends on load and driver ability) is where the trim and height need to be set. What works for one rig and driver may not translate to another rig. Time in the seat is the only way to know what works for you in that boat.

Enjoy. It’s an awesome boat.

August 3, 2022 at 7:10 am #706481

JKelley
Participant

Thank you guys very much. I appreciate the feedback!!

August 21, 2022 at 7:35 am #706808

ssurles269
Participant

Kevin

Has BCB tried this boat with a 10 or 12 inch jack plate?

August 21, 2022 at 5:09 pm #706826

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

BCB does not like extended jackplates because the water is cleaner closer to the boat. You simply need the cleanest water on a heavy bass boat

Extended jackplates are more useful on boats reaching upper speeds with surfacing gearcases.
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