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ArkansasFisherman.
All,I am looking for some advice on a new boat purchase. I grew up on the tennesse river fishing but stopped past 8 to ten years due to hunting (manage land), kids (18 mo and 5yo), etc. I recently have got back into fishing and my wife and 5 yo also love it. I have been researching boats for about a year and keep coming back to Bass Cat, more specifically, the Eyra. I have a lot of friends who fish Bullets, Tritons, and Rangers. I have consider them all, and Allison (i know they are much different boats), but again, I keep coming back here. I am now getting serious about buying. So I would like some input… I would be lying if i said that speed and looks do not matter. I think you can see that from my primary considerations, but with young boys and fishing the Tennessee River, stability is also important. For those reasons I have narrowed it down to the Z520C and Eyra. I do plan on driving all boats before purchase, but I also realize it may take weeks before you can identify the small differences. So I would like advice based on your experience…Is there truly that much difference in the stability of the two boats? The Ranger guys argue this is a major factor when moving from side to side.How is the ride of the Eyra?I see people posting 80mph speeds, is that whith special setups and does the setup vary per boat?Who would you suggest as a dealer in NW Alabama area? This is the biggest dilema that I have. The is a very reputable Ranger dealer, within10 miles of my home, I know the owner and sales guys personally and they are TOP NOTCH. I can get a really good deal there, but am afraid I will regret my purchase a year from now. With all that said, I realize that service availability is very important.I know I am on a Bass Cat forum, but I am here because I have read this forum for some time. People here seem to be honest and give realistic feedback versus just nocking other boats. Thanks in advance. Last edited by bama811 on June 10th, 2015, 11:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
As far as a dealer, it would be a tiny bit of a drive, but you cant go wrong w/ the People at Hideaway Harbor in Tuscaloosa.13 PIV w/ 200 MercIG: WarriorRiverCustomRods
I will do my best to give a little advice, but I am no expert. I have twins 10 years old and they fish alot with me. Safety is number one. So my first suggestion is to recommend a duel console. I am also in the market to buy a boat. I do think that anyone would deny that the rangers are the plushest, and smoothest riding boats. But a ranger will not be at the front of the pack at blast off. The bass cats in my opinion are very well laid out and move a little quicker. As far as my thoughts a bullet and allision is out of the question. I look at them more as a Lamborgni. They are just a little impractical. The top boats (Ranger,Bass Cat, Triton, Stratos) are all good boats. Its like Ford and Chevy. They are both have there good and bad points. I would give an extra credit if you know (personally) someone at a Ranger dealership. That could prove to be invaluable. Well thats my 2 cents. I hope nobody gets POed for talking about Rangers, but My next boat will be a Ranger or a Bass Cat. Good luck and keep the kids fishing, there is nothing better than watching kids fishing.
My brother in law has a ranger. I have a cat . We both like each others. They each have pluses. They each have bads. Hey I like CAT. he likes ranger . They both ride good. They both fish good. Each has plenty of room. At the end of the day it is a preference thing. I do agree on a dual console. Mine doesnt have one. But am seriously considering installing one.as I have my wife to think about also. Each to his own as for me its BASSCAT ALL THE WAY.2013 PANTERA 2MERCURY 200 PRO XSMINNKOTA 80LB FORTREX25 fury
In 2013 I did the same as you. I had been in Rangers then went to BassCat in 1999. When I went to replace my 1999 BassCat I seriously considered a Z520c and spent a few hours looking through Z520cs at a couple of different dealers. To me there was no comparison in the quality of fit and finish between a BassCat and a “R” boat. In my observations I could get a better quality product for a little less money so I bought an Eyra and have not once regretted doing it.Robert Guest2013 EyraMercury 250 Pro XS
Thank you! This has helped!
I have owned both, 2007 Pantera II and a 2009 Ranger Z21. Im now looking to purchase the EYRA. Both are great boats but , to me, the ranger is just to heavy and slow, I love the comfort of I fishing out of both but darn it I truly love the way a BassCat will get up on its butt a RUN. Its part of the thrill
I am a former Ranger owner (19 years), switched to a Cat in 2013. I have owned a Puma FTD and currently running my 2nd Eyra with a 250 ProXS. BCB lifer now. You are welcome to call me for advice or come run my Eyra anytime.Steve Doty 870-897-1300
If you have a family, and possibly will have 4 of ya sometime in the next few years, you probably cannot go wrong with the Caracal. Very wide. I have not ridden in one yet, but hear mid 70s is possible out of the 225. I also hear that there is very little to no side to side motion when your partner moves from one side to the other. Also, I dont see it mentioned much, but on the bass cat, at least my 06 classic, I am way up on the front of the bow when fishing since the seat position is so far forwards. My 2005 ranger and the stratos before that had the seat position farther back. Make sure you fish off the front of the cat because it is taking me time to adjust. Also, I have to use the seat and not the pro pole which makes lifting the trolling motor a pain and I kicked the cover off my bow Nav switch as it is right beside where my left foot is.Dont get me wrong, I love my cat and have zero regrets and will own a Caracal one day. Just make sure you really spend some time up front on the water.My 2 cents…
The forward position trolling took me a couple weeks to get used to and that was the first thing I noticed going from a ranger 185 to the Sabre. I am assuming these are or were in the same class with each other (185vs & Sabre). Here are the pros and cons for me anyway. Ranger A few little options on BCB were standard or at least included in the package I had on my ranger that were not included on a BCB 11 model years newer. Hour meter, radio, and livewell pump out most notably. Ranger fished well, probably a little more “comfortable” room wise with the wider deck but I am starting to love the narrower deck and frontal positioning of the BCB. Bcb cb drives like a bmw while ranger was like driving a truck or suv maybe. Both were comfortable, but one is truly fun. Bcb customer service, and Ive said it many times, is the main reason I chose BCB. Theres not another manufacturer that can even come close that I have read about. Lets face it, boats will have troubles. Theyre boats and eventually they will have troubles. It may not be the boat, maybe the outboard, or something else that is 3rd party but at least BCB will help you out when dealing with those issues too. Just go to google and type in bass cat customer service. Youll see problems that may or may not have been even the fault of BCB but they will help you out. another reason I chose BCB is because I wasnt looking at their top of the line models and I felt like BCB paid the same amount, or as close as possible anyway, to their 18 & 19 customers as they do their 20-22 custkmers. The construction seems to be on par with their big brothers as well. This wont affect you looking at the rigs youre looking at but it did influence my decision and says a lot about a company that takes the time to talk to and listen to their “limited customers” I would say like myself. Just my thoughts as I just went through what youre doing a short time ago. The pros and cons were much easier to see on one side. Purchased new 5/4/15Bass Cat Sabre Vision EliteMercury Pro XS 150MotorGuide 75lb Tour EditionHumminbird – Stock (will be changing soon I hope)
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