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Good Morning, Yesterday I was able to fish my first tournament with my Cougar/225HO ETEC combo. With full tournament load I was able to hit a consistent 75mph. Once during the day, I looked over my shoulder when I was crusing comfortable at 60mph and saw a bass boat running high. I thought that I would summarily dismiss him so that he wouldnt be on my tail much longer. I gave it the sauce and was running 75 for a while when all of a sudden I hear a speeding BULLET passing along side. This animal had a 300 OPTI on th transom and passed me up like I was sitting still. My partner and I had a good laugh and realized just how fast he must have been going in that BEAST!!! 75 is blazing speed for me and I am not sure if I would want to ride in that BULLET or not. Take Care, Dan
Yeah Dan, 75 is cooking on the water. Some rigs are just out of reach though and we have to accept it. I fished last weekend out of Bayou Black and there was a Stroker with a 300 HPDI on it that had to be running in the 90s. I was running right at 72 when he blew my doors off. I have been in several boats that run in the 90s and it is exciting to say the least. Its amazing the difference when going from 70 to 80 mph. I found that after about 85 its all just a blurr and if your driving you must be paying the utmost attention. I would love to have one of those rockets. I love my cat and will keep it a while longer. But, My next cat will be the fastest cat I can get my hands on for sure. Ive been trying to get My Classic to break 80 mph for 7 years now and have decided it just wont do it. Atleast not with my 2.5 liter 200 on it. With the 3.0 liter efi 200 and the rev limiter removed it is possible but I havent seen anyone break 80 with it yet. Im glad to hear that your new E-tec is getting the job done so nicely for you. Take care and talk to you later. Chris Coupel Paulina, La.Chris CoupelPaulina, La.
Ive got the exact same set up, and was wondering what youre running to get 75. Thanks! Rod Rinta
there is one rule of thumb that is _always_ true, except for one person on the planet. No matter who you are, how much money you have, what kind of boat/motor you run, there is _always_ one out there that is faster. We used to have a 100+ mph allison running up and down Lay. Ive seen 100mph+ bullets and allisons on Guntersville. Ive been passed by more than one… The 300 mercs are mild compared to the 2.5 280 racing motors…2008 Pantera Classic2014 Mercury Pro XS 200
I am turning a 28 RakerII at 5800RPM. I have a hydraulic JP, so the engine height is pretty much about 3/4 up. I have done this trial and error on the JP until I get it to run out the faster. I trim out and just watch the tach-water pressure- and gps and see what it will do. Fastest I have seen is 77 (light load). Hole shot is excellent, lift is great. I am able to jack down to take off and the acceleration is incredible. Looks like I am averaging 4mpg too. Bear in mind that this is NOT the Cougar FTD…my hull is the standard Cougar (99 edition). Its CAT quick and a little lighter I would suspect. I was honestly quite surprised when I saw the tach hit right on at 5800 RPM with that 28p RakerII. I have heard that the RakerII isnt the best prop either. I was considering a 27p Tempest, but looks like it wouldnt be enough pitch. WOW!!! I havent tried my 27 Renegade yet, but the dealer said it was blowing out on take off. I bought a blow-out ring and will try that when I have spare time. Shap, I can imagine itll be difficult to hit 80 with a 200! However, that 3.0 might sling it. I would prefer to run an OPTI to try to get there though, since you have all the benefits of the green machines and the kick to go with it. If Merc should decide to come out with a PRO XS or a Mercury Racing edition XS, then I would be youre gonna be there at 80! Good luck! Dan
It is looking like the Cougar with a 250proxs will be a right at 80 boat with small load. I played with a puma with 250proxs the other day and hit 79.1 alone and not much gear and it was a great ride. These speeds were in a good chop also!
That is a cruising Cougar. My Cougar has seen 77 with the Raker and that ETEC. It might do a little faster with a Tempest wheel. I hit 5800 with the 28 pitch, so I would likely have to opt for a 28 Tempest, if they make one. However, I am very happy with my speed. Maybe the tempest would get better holeshot though. Honestly, this speed is indeed scary fast. It takes a special talent to master. Good luck, dan
Dan, your post on BFHP was friendly and simply stated it as you saw it. It took a turn when others jumped on that post. The lower comment about the previous post here was uncalled for as that individual did post here, and the reply made from our company was that he has a right to share his opinion. We asked that others respect it as his opinion and not accost him for sharing that. We did not strike that post, and the reference to locking it was made to prevent others from piling on against the individual. He obviously has some ill feelings and it is not for us to alter. We all need to live within our own boundaries and just try to accept those views of others, even though sometimes we object to those. You made a good post, and the radicals piled on it. It was not necessary for you to close it, though it was classy that you did. BCB
Thanks Guys! I would like to thank you for your dedication to your customers and for being there for us. I appreciate your input and I am going to be careful how I post on those other boards. I was for the most part in awe of that Bullets speed, as I had never seen anything like it before. However, I am in awe of my BassCat every time I take it out. The only complaint I have about my CAT is that I didnt have one sooner. Those who work for a living and wish that they fished for a living are not a lot different than those who fish for a living and wish that they had a day job! My dream job when I was a kid was to be a professional fisherman. After fishing enough tough tournaments when I wasnt on top of my game, it made me realize that I dont have the metal to be a BassMaster. Now, I have a new dream job. When I get enough money stored up for the winter (20+ years from now =retirement), I want to work at a marina and sell boats (BassCats included), engines, baits, and rods and talk to people about fishing and the wonderful wares that I am selling. I want to be that guy who will go 100 miles out of his way to help a customer and them remember me for years and tell their kids/grandkids stories about how “we” helped them. That is what you guys do for us!!!!! You company is a gem amongst tons of rocks. Take care, Dan
Dan, I too, echo BCB comments about the way you handled that board post. A very Class act on your part. You simply commented about the “speeding Bullett” and how fast it was, and that was good. I have seen those boats run, and give them their dues. All boats have loyal followers, and that is fine. I prefer to run BassCat. And the awards/innovations speak for themselves. Yes, I too would like to have an outdoors/fishing type occupation when I retire. Just the simple things in life-get up, get breakfast/coffee, and go out on the water. Come in when you want…….Someday……..Someday.96 Eyra/12 Mercury 175 Pro XS with 2015 single axle trailer2017 Victory Gunner
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