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BassCatSC.
Hey Guys,Im new to the board and going through the process of ordering my first Cat! Ive done a lot of reading on the board prior to joining, trying to learn more about these boats. I feel like Im about 95% sold on the Cougar FTD, but part of me wants the Eyra, too. Its a realy difficult decision because every one of these boats are awesome! Below I am posting a series of questions in which I would be greatly appreciative of any and all insight, to help me make an educated decision. -Cougar FTD vs. Eyra: I know this is a worm out topic, and Ive read a couple posts on this, but I would like to get some feedback from someone whose owned both.-Trolling Motor: How well does the 24V pull these 20 hulls? I realize all boats are different, and I normally dont fish big waters or swift current. Will a 24V hurt the resale very much or deter many potential buyers? Im wanting to shed all the weight at the stern that I can, but Im willing to go 36V if most think that its necessary.-Carpet Color: I like the storm better and feel that it should be cooler in the summer sun, but does anyone here wish theyd gone with ash due to stains?-Windshield style: I really like the look of the cafe style windhield much better than the full. Is there a major difference in amount of deflection between the two?-Options: Are there any options that buyers all seem to be looking for in a premium cat (these boats come with so much standard, its hard to want for much else), or any options that get overlooked or maybe people feel that they couldve done without?-Colors: I will post the list of the color scheme that I think Im going with, so anyone feel free to add input as to whether these colors will contrast well or not. Hull: White Boot: Black Bolt: Malibu Silver Trim Stripe: Raspberry (no mini bolt) Cap: Gunmetal Nose cap: Charcoal Mist Cap Insert: Malibu SilverCap Insert 2: Charcoal MistConsole: Raspberry???Fenders: Raspberry, Gunmetal, or Charcoal???Carpet: Ash or Storm???
loaded questions as you make it seem like youre buying the boat to resale. if that is the case then you should see what most people are already ordering.cougar ftd, small windshield, darker colors, 36 volt trollers w/ 4 batteries, big electronics, dual power poles, hydraulic jack platesif youre buying it for your preferences, then……..figure out which boat fits you better. top end speed, quickness, manuervability in rough water (Eyra) vs. cougar ftds, longer boat, higher seating, wider deck, etc.smaller windshield doesnt protect as well as the larger screen, but theres not much loss with smaller24 v troller vs. 36 volt troller – you can run 36 volt troller off 3 battery set up. personally i would never go back to a 24 volt troller regardless of current, etc. I just like the extra thrust and I dont worry about battery loss over the day. And I run a 4 battery system for the same reason.other options – personal preference. I could do with a troller and flasher, but all the other stuff is part of the fun,Carpet color – ash all the way. storm shows too much dirt for me. temperature difference is negligibleThe best advice that I can give you is get the boat exactly the way you want it because in the end it is your boat.
If you go with the Eyra get the hydraulic Jack plate and dont let anyone tell you otherwise. I like both of the boats you are looking at very well. I went with the Eyra and never regretted it. I like the lower seating in it when in the rough stuff. It gives you a sense of security and I think a better feel for what the boat is doing. The Eyra has always been termed as the sports car of the breed. I may be 53 but I aint old and I like the sportier feel and aesthetics of the Eyra. I will never take anything away from the Cougar FTD though, it is just as nice a boat as the Eyra is and I would be just as happy with it. For me it came down to the looks and the feel.BrianBrianHAWG Hunter2013 BassCat Eyra2013 Mercury 250 Pro XS Gen2 L/U
Brian and Phil, you guys both make great points. Im a very indecisive person in my daily life, nevermind picking out a boat. It honestly makes it more difficult when you like every boat in the lineup. I probably need to just go ahead with it. The longer I wait, the more times Ill change the color scheme, or add/remove options on the boat. Keep the ideas rollin in fellas!
Both boats are fast….. faster than most…..either will haul bass.Get a 36 volt, 90% of the time your on the TM not the big motor. Dont second guess this one.Next boat for me will have a jack plate. If you can swing the dollars, do all in.Storm carpet is too light for me after seeing it in person. I have blue ash and it works well and cleans up nice.I prefer a stereo and as many lights as can fit. Just my style. But I fish ALOT at night, have the night fishion and will never have a boat without.YOU only get some many chances at a boat built for YOU. Take advantage and enjoy….. at the end of the day thats what its all about. There will always be a buyer, and a used boat is never 100% what someone else wants. PS: get the upgraded latches.
pops77s wrote:If you go with the Eyra get the hydraulic Jack plate and dont let anyone tell you otherwise. I like both of the boats you are looking at very well. I went with the Eyra and never regretted it. I like the lower seating in it when in the rough stuff. It gives you a sense of security and I think a better feel for what the boat is doing. The Eyra has always been termed as the sports car of the breed. I may be 53 but I aint old and I like the sportier feel and aesthetics of the Eyra. I will never take anything away from the Cougar FTD though, it is just as nice a boat as the Eyra is and I would be just as happy with it. For me it came down to the looks and the feel.BrianBrian,Why do feel the Eyra needs a hydraulic jackplate? I have a 2013 Eyra w/ Merc 250 Pro XS on a manual jackplate and you have me curious about what I might be missing with that set-up? Thank you.RobertBassCatSC
Robert,Theres a post I read on here the other day, written by BCB, interviewing their Elite pros, asking their opinion on what each hull offers and what makes them different. One pro did say the same thing about the Eyra, cant remember if it was a holeshot/load thing or if it was about handling in big water. I cant remember the title, but do a search. It was a great article!Sam
Not sure whether eventual resale is part of your consideration, but IMO sticking to some of the traditional color combinations of malibu silver, silver mist, malibu red, apple red and white seem to appeal to the masses. I in particular prefer the black boot as do many others. Greens, raspberry, blues just dont work for me but to each his own. Not much of a fan of white but in some combinations used judiciously I believe it looks really sharp. Good luck, fun process for sure!!!
BassCatSC, With my Eyra and the new gen2 gear case combo I needed to bury the prop to control the blow out on the holeshot. The 1st gen TM gear case did not have the issues that the gen2 does. The gen2 has been completely redesigned to compensate for the hp and subsequent speed loss when Mercury de-tuned them to meet the new EPA standards. Once the boat is on plane you can raise the JP to your optimal running level. I was one of the first with the Eyra and new (at the time) gen2 gear case. My Eyra came with the 8″ manual JP installed. I went through a LOT of growing pains, numerous different props, pitches, prop mods, $$$, etc, trying to get that combo to work with no satisfactory results. I swapped the 8″ manual JP out with the 8″ Atlas hydraulic JP and BAM, it worked! Brian BassCatSC wrote:pops77s wrote:If you go with the Eyra get the hydraulic Jack plate and dont let anyone tell you otherwise. I like both of the boats you are looking at very well. I went with the Eyra and never regretted it. I like the lower seating in it when in the rough stuff. It gives you a sense of security and I think a better feel for what the boat is doing. The Eyra has always been termed as the sports car of the breed. I may be 53 but I aint old and I like the sportier feel and aesthetics of the Eyra. I will never take anything away from the Cougar FTD though, it is just as nice a boat as the Eyra is and I would be just as happy with it. For me it came down to the looks and the feel.BrianBrian,Why do feel the Eyra needs a hydraulic jackplate? I have a 2013 Eyra w/ Merc 250 Pro XS on a manual jackplate and you have me curious about what I might be missing with that set-up? Thank you.RobertBassCatSC BrianHAWG Hunter2013 BassCat Eyra2013 Mercury 250 Pro XS Gen2 L/U
Interesting. I had an issue this summer where my Eyra would not plane off at all without feathering the throttle. I shifted weight around, moved kids to the bow, etc. Nothing worked. Never happened before, never came close to happening since Ive had it. Could not figure out what was wrong. Long story short, my 13 y/o son was in charge of prepping that morning. Did the checklist with him before backing in the water: 1) Plug in? Yes sir 2) Straps off? Yes sir 3) Motormate off? Yes sir. Come to find out the motormate was released (off to my son) from the rear of motor but was still in the motor support brackets preventing the motor from fully tucking under. Removed the motormate, planed off like it is supposed to. DuhRobert
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