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hey guys im am looking at buying my first BassCat. I only fish the great lakes, and it can get a little wild out there. i have been in a cougar ftd in 3 footers and it was an amazing ride. i was impressed. it was a dry ride compared to my ranger. my question is, are the pumas or jags just as good? or or is the cougar the way to go? i do not care about speed. all i want is a dry ride and a boat that isnt going to break apart in big water.thanks,chris
My first boat was a Pantera Classic and it handled KY lake as well as any BIG boat I fished against. My current rig is a Puma FTD and all I can say is WOW,,the thing rides like a dream. Considering you dont give a hoot about speed, you fish the Great Lakes and if money is not a issue I would buy a new Jag just because its a bigger boat and I have seen how rough it can get up there. But to be honest you really cant go wrong with any of the three in my opinion.
Yep, if you got the coin get the Jaguar. If you see one you will want one.
I only have experience with the Older Jag and a new Puma FTD…I fish LSC alot, Saginaw bay and Erie a few times a year…My Jag rode great but I think this Puma is a notch better….I am sure the bigger ,Newer Jag would be the ultimate……
jag id the wAy to go if money is no object, puma and cougar will fit inside comfortably!!
Only other factor is how long youre gonna keep boat. Puma cougar eyra markets are larger for resale. If youre gonna keep one Id do a jag for sure. Gonna sell in 1-2 years id do cougar ftdC.O.D. Jr. III
Jag should fit the bill for that lake. EYRA is the bomb and one bad motor scooter in.my book.
Just came back from the Canadian Open on Lake Ontario, my Puma kept me dryish as I had to buck 6fters for 10 miles to come out of South Bay in a 20kt east wind. This is my second Puma, 2012 ftd, its good in the rough but I kept taking the tops off the waves and getting my hair wet! My old puma, 2005 was better, had not stuffed in 4 years, I think because of the large fuel tank under the seats, but it was slower. My buddy has a cougar and has never had any problems of getting wet. JP was on the same water as me and made the same ride in his Jag, Ill try to have him respond his thoughts, but he did call his ride in the morning SPORTING! He just sold his Eyra and would have good thoughts on this hull as well.I think that there is no bad choice for a BassCat hull but I will stick to my Puma, I believe the Jag is to big to dance when running troughs, but it is faster in 3fters as it can stay on top. and I dont want the added speed of the Eyra. Big water is learning how to Drive, Tack, and Avoid the waves. A BASS CAT makes it EASY!The right prop is also a must as must be able to climb 6+ fters or you will have problems. Doug Brownridge
There is no difference in the Puma and Cougar hulls and little on the balance. We would look elsewhere as to the difference.
As Doug mentioned I currently run the Jag but now have 3 years running 3 different models on the great lakes… Erie, Ontario, LSC and Huron. The Jag is a beast, great in rollers, cross chop, troughing and taking them on head on. Prop will make all the difference in the world. I run a 250 SHO with a 25 Fury and the boat easily handled the 6s Lake O was throwing at us. Dry is an understatement with this rig just like all Cats but with the bigger boat you will give up a bit of fuel economy, but gain storage, deck space and comfort. The Puma was a bit better than the Eyra and both were great but day in day out the Jag is the deal for big water. I am running 69 to 70 loaded, full of fuel with 2 guys and 74 to 75 alone… It rarely gets passed unless by Doug or one of my old Cats so speed isnt an issue and since we can rarely open them up on the big water it seldom matters. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask, I will be around a bit more since I am back from 2 weeks on the road. JP
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