Home › Forums › Bass Cat Boats › hey guys please help need opinions on my next boat
Post this over on the owners page and youll get more responses. What state are you in, Im up here in Montana and we have a loyal group of BCB guys up here. I sold my Jaguar to a friend down in Wyoming so I know theres at least 1 down there. I know of a few running BCB over in Idaho, theres a lot more of us out west than you think. If your home lake is over 4000 feet above sea level I would definitely get the Merc. the Yamaha SHO doesnt seem to want to get on plane as easy at 5000 feet with the unvented props. Im running a SHO on my PIV, if I get back to a high lake Ill try a vented prop and I bet that takes care of it. If youre at 3000 feet or lower Id by the SHO. Look at the deck layout and buy whichever suits you best.
i need your opinions on motors and models,things to consider first i love speed used to race street cars and a turbo bike, second my home lake is basically an ocean in the second windiest state so it gets very rough and i could easily be 40 or 50 miles from my weigh in site, third im out west and there are zero basscats out here so i cant take a ride in each model so i really need your help.i am looking to spend up to 40,000 on a fully loaded cat and am considering either a puma ftd cougar ftd or now the eyra with a 250 either merc pro xs or yamaha sho.ive heard the eyra is the race car of basscat boats supossed to have a sportier feel and a touch faster but does it handle the big stuff just as well as the other two i mentioned,then the motor thing MERC has been around forever and has proven itself but im curious about the SHO i keep my boats for a long time so i need it to last.so tell me guys if you were me what boat motor combo would u buy,thx very much help the help
That is a terrible predicament you are in.I will just use three advice Ive heard a lot. Take what your budget can afford and beef it up.By that I mean take some time to ensure you get the extras that you will be thankful for later. The extra strong batteries. the largest rolling motor the next features on the electronics the extra breaks on the trailer and so on.As for the motor … well for the long haul I would recommend a four stroke with full synthetic fluids.Have fun shopping. I am definitely happy with my BassCatDwaynePractice Angling CPRCatchPictureRelease2010 PIV 200SHO
thx dwayne appreciate the input any thoughts on that eyra vs the other two
thx mike i like the puma ftd layout the best but that eyra is very different the seat pans are 4″ lower so u really sit in and not on the boat and i hear the cockpit is moved forward also to enhance driving experience
If you are truly undecided Id call and speak with support staff at BassCat. Heck, you are getting ready to spend 48-52k plus and that deserves your considerations. If you are comfortable with a local dealer more then likely theyll direct you to a dealer that supports both Merc and Yamaha. Your answers here from us knuckle heads will be induced with all types a mania but with good intentions. Good luck. Whatever you get its going to be dynamite.
i have talked with ivan and jason the customer service at basscat is truely second to none just like ive heard.im just trying to get the most input possible
What I would do is pack up the car and you and your wife start the shopping, Id find out who has a Cougar FTD, Puma FTD and Eyra instock that you can sit in. I love the Eyra but cannot drive one because im 6ft 5inches tall and theirs alot less leg room in that boat, the Puma or Cougar is like a Caddy…..All 3 will be pretty close runnin wise, all over 80 with a educated driver and setup right,maybe more with fine tuning and more $$…Pro XS is definitely the choice of motor simply because they sell best, fastest,most reliable if you ask most folks, easiest to run and maintain and priced to buy….Until Merc comes out with their 225,250 6cylinder Naturally Aspirated 4stroke thats probably your best choice of the 2, unless you have a Tech thats Yammie only, their fine motors just Premium fuel, Oil changes (very cheap and easy if you do it yourself which is legal),and lil less MPG but probably unnoticeable in the grand scheme of $200 gas fillups fishing….If you see on Bassboatcentrals site pics of Andy Greenes New Demo Eyra you will see how Perfect a bass boat can be when it comes to the Wet Your Pants Factor, that boats looks like Pure Evil…..as I told Andy a blue guy could easily sub in Blue Black and that boat would look just as awesome….Where are you located? You have Great dealers with vast experience…..
im 59″ 220 so i guess id fit just fine (i think)im in henderson nv basically vegas i was leaning towards the merc but just wanted to hear more from you guys.lake mead is about 1120 in elevation so im sure ill lose a little speed out here,my buddies think im full of sh// when i tell them what speeds basscats are capable of running,but theyll soon find out when i land that perfect cat and smoke them all”i hope”
goch702 wrote: i need your opinions on motors and models,things to consider first i love speed used to race street cars and a turbo bike, second my home lake is basically an ocean in the second windiest state so it gets very rough and i could easily be 40 or 50 miles from my weigh in site, third im out west and there are zero basscats out here so i cant take a ride in each model so i really need your help.i am looking to spend up to 40,000 on a fully loaded cat and am considering either a puma ftd cougar ftd or now the eyra with a 250 either merc pro xs or yamaha sho.ive heard the eyra is the race car of basscat boats supossed to have a sportier feel and a touch faster but does it handle the big stuff just as well as the other two i mentioned,then the motor thing MERC has been around forever and has proven itself but im curious about the SHO i keep my boats for a long time so i need it to last.so tell me guys if you were me what boat motor combo would u buy,thx very much help the helpBased on your dollar amount and your equipment desires “loaded out” from above you can wipe out an Eyra, Jaguar, and an Yamaha SHO. These should all be priced greater than 40K. The year model range that will be in you max price range should be 2010 mainly, but you might find a 2011. When you speak of “loaded out” are you referring to power poles, high end electronics, hydraulic jack plates? These options add about 3-5K. Engine choice………thats your choice, but I would look at the brand on the back of most Bass Cat Boats and choose that one as it seems to be the most popular choice! The Puma FTD, Cougar FTD, Puma, all ride about the same and all have about the same top end speed. Figure which floor plan fits you best and go from there. Good luck in your search.
thx phil i just talked with scott brech they had an eyra they just sold for 39.900 with the sho only had 25 hours i was a few days late contacting him sh//, anyway have u ridden in one im hearing guys loves these honestly the puma ftd has caught my eye
yes ive ridden and driven all of them. puma ftd is my favorite.
The Eyra fishes very similar to the Puma FTD, but has a sportier feel running. Feels smaller driving, although i really dont think theres a nickels difference in performance. Im a larger version than most, so i like the Puma FTD for the room, but younger/smaller guys i know love the Eyra !You cant go wrong with either.
© 2026 Bass Cat Boats

