Topic: Erya | Bass Cat

Participant

The Cougar, Puma, Eyra are all superb platforms that deserve a look from prospective buyers. You really need to try to spend time in each to make your decision. The differences in the Puma and Cougar are small and are pretty much layout based on the front deck. Everything else is the same. The Eyra is a completely different animal. Totally different hull and layout and handling characteristics. Lets get this out right now. The top speeds on these rigs are all to close to call and I havent seen a big difference between the three. Figure 78-82 mph depending on how hot your rig is with any of the 3. —Cougar has a slightly larger front deck with a little more traditional layout but the ice chest is smaller than the puma. The cougar has the separate compartment lid for the day box which I think is great. I prefer the layout of the cougar myself but everyone likes different things. Runs great and handles rough water exceptionally well! Puma has a slightly shorter front deck with a much bigger ice chest and the net storage in between the two front storage compartments. Very nice layout and is preferred by many. The net storage comes in handy for some but it does chop up the front deck. Runs great and handles rough water exceptionally well! Cornering is just fine and I consider both of these very driver friendly rigs. Both Cockpits are very large with all the room in the world and you sit more on top of the two than down in the cockpit. These are just all around great rigs that get it done from hole shot to top end to fishing ease to great looks with almost no negative points to them. Its just about layout preference. —The Eyra layout is totally different with the Coffin style lids on the front. I love this layout. I only wish the day box had its own lid like on the cougar. This would make it so much more convenient. The Coffin lids make it very easy to get in and out without having to move around on the front deck much and hold a ton of stuff you probably wont need. I mostly fish out of the day box. I do believe the coffin lids are a better design than the traditional forward opening boxes that require you to get off the troller and walk around to the box to get what you need. The rear compartments are slightly bigger than the Puma, Cougar rear compartments but the under seat storage is a good bit shallower so its a trade off. The Ice Chest is a sore spot for me with the Eyra. Its shallow and has a wide, useless divider in it and the “dry” side gets super hot and when it rains it fills up with water and cant drain out. I wish they would take the divider out and then the ice chest would be huge and the whole thing would drain. Not a deal breaker by any means but needs improvement. There is another ice chest under the center seat so theres plenty of room for drinks. I use the step up cooler and my partner uses the under seat cooler. The cockpit on the Eyra is tighter than the Cougar/Puma. Im 61″ tall with a 34″ inseam and am very comfortable behind the wheel. You sit down lower in the cockpit of the Eyra which is important to me. I feel more secure and in control. Handling is quite different with the Eyra. The Eyra has a sportier feel when cornering and will carve a river or bayou like nothing else Ive been in short of the mighty Allison hulls. I like the sportier feel!! On the trolling motor the Eyra maneuvers better and tracks better than any other boat Ive fished from. This thing just goes where you point it and thats it. For fishing tight quarters and dock fishing its just a better platform. I fish mostly small waters and bayous and I appreciate the way it handles with the troller down. If you fish mostly off shore big water I suggest a Puma or Cougar due to deck size and less water wash over the bow and rear. Hole shot is about the same as the Puma or Cougar but it does come out more bow high which can be an issue if fishing really skinny water and needing to get up. Ive fixed that by having a smaller prop for when I know Im going to be in those really shallow areas. Rough water performance is exceptional and Ive been most impressed with this aspect of the Eyras hull than anything. It makes a bad rough water driver like myself look good on a rough day. Last but not least to me for sure, The Eyra lines and design is just stunning in appearance. I am biased but I think its the sharpest hull on the market and this was very important to me when choosing. The Puma and Cougar are beautiful also but the Eyra just looks like its going 80 sitting still. Hope this helps. Ive spent considerable time in all 3. There are little things I like about all of them and for me its either the Eyra or Cougar. I am almost sure my next one will be another Eyra but the Cougar will get a good look. If I can special order an Eyra without the dang ice chest divider its a shoe in!! LOL!Chris CoupelPaulina, La.Chris CoupelPaulina, La.