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catdude28.
I’ve searched the BCB forums under several titles but I have not found any strings talking about the construction of the Classic. I saw on the BBC board where some folks were talking about the Classic construction being different than other BCBs
Can someone at the factory speak to that?
I know the deck layouts are different, the carpet is different, the livewell operation is different, and from the literature, the resins used are different than other BCBs. I’ve also read that the top of the compartments are “closed off” to the top cap differently.
What I’m interested in is the construction. How different is the resin used vs a Puma/Cougar/Caracal? Is the construction technique different as well? Are the transoms built differently? I’ve read that the compartment tops are caulked instead of finished to the top cap in some other manner and that might lead to more water getting into the compartments?
I’d like to know the technical construction difference. The reason is that I’m trying to figure out what BCB to buy. For many years back in the day, I had a Jaguar (great boat…..loved it). I sold it after having it for several years and moved to a PIV (great boat….loved it too). I had the PIV for several years also. I sold the PIV and have knocked around a few years…and am thinking of purchasing again.
I’m older now (53)…..and I know the things that get on my nerves after 40 yrs of bass fishing. Water in the compartments is big for me. Also, I like a good quality hull. Those are my two biggest things.
Thank you BCB, in advance, for the answers.
I promise, any bass cat you buy from a Bob Cat to a Jaguar is top quality. Only the best materials, engineering and construction methods are used.
Touring the factory, very thing I saw them building was built with the same concerns for quality and customer satisfaction. I looked at an original PII the other day. First year the boat came out. It had not been loved on, gel coat needs to be redone, the boat was totaly neglected. Yet everything I looked at in the boat was as sound as the day it was made. (construction wise)
Your question regarding construction technique is one that I have brought up over on the Bass Cat forum on BBC and never really received an answer either. I recall reading several years ago, before buying my 2019 Classic, a post by BCB that construction techniques in the new Classic and Margay were different than other models. The post also mentioned that the technique had such a low failure rate that they were considering moving the technique to other models. I never heard another thing about that, and never got any more info on the actual technique.
You are correct in that the storage compartments are caulked instead of glassed in to the top cap. In fact, in my 2019, the only issue I have had is water in a heavy rain in the underseat storage area of the starboard side. I had to solve it myself by applying a thick bead of caulking inside that compartment. I believe that it was an issue in the first year or two of the new Classic, and, with BCB being aware of the issue, hope that it has been resolved since.
I do believe the resins are the same as the other non-premium models, with the VE resin as an option
The Pantera Classic was debuted at Houston’s 2017 Bassmaster Classic and hit market in 2018 consistently and hundreds now exist in that style.
The poster above is accurate on the Vision model. The materials in the construction are still the proprietary Iso resin, Owens Corning glass, gelcoats and all. The carpet is 16 ounce now, while the seat vinyls are the same as 2021 on Premium models. You can get Vinyl Ester AME-6001 resin if you prefer. The trailer comes 3” frame and black only with 14” wheels, while the center interior is gelcoat in white only, with a stripe on the sides. Transom is a little lighter as it doesn’t carry the big 225 and larger horsepower.
The interior construction integrates the boxes in the floor design, as was started on the Margay and carried over to the Bobcat. The system was designed to reduce labor and improve small boat quality with finished boxes, and it is not glassed though is adhered with urethane.
The process started in 2010 model year and has proven excellent with absolutely zero structural issues to this point. We replaced one deck on a Pantera Classic due to impact, which required repairs to the rear interior grillage also. There was damage inside on that boat at all rear flex points from the impact. Removal of the deck impressed the floor staf in how well it was adhered and how hard it was to take apart.
Covering a comment: We know the consumer may read this and comment as there is only one we’ve worked on for damage. Though skeg, gearcase impact and interior damage definitely existed.
What was the carpet weight previously? When did it change?
It changed in 2022 model year.
Looks like the P2 and Sabre FTD are also now only 16 ounce. Sorry to see that downgrade.
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