Home › Forums › Bass Cat Boats › Pantera Classic vs P2 or PIV repost, need help
Ricochet15.
Thanks to JigNPig, for helping direct old Flyswatter out. This post was accidentally posted in the wrong forum. BassCat, I am in the planning stages for another boat. Finally! Not factoring in motor how does the BassCat Classic ride through the entire throttle experience. FYI: Im not a hot foot fan so add this to your thoughts. Recently, Ive been solicited by a dealer and got some mixed reviews. Rather than take that person at their word (they sale multiple brands), I want your assessment to your driving experience on the Classic. Personally, felt like I was being steered toward another brand. No harm in that. I Gotta respect dealers who buy boats and need to make a living. Also, Is it true you cant oder anymore 2018 BassCat boats?How much different Is the classic in ride vs a P2 and P4? These are your 19 boats I have experience with. I dont count the Caracal. Much different class of boat and price out of my soon to be fixed income range. I need to have a better idea what to expect with the Classic. On its cover it the best boat Ive seen regarding size, front deck and even more impressive that does not get enough praise is the storage.Also, I understand your build strategies so Im good there.I need your boating experience driving this boat for the following: 1. How does the Pantera classic react coming out of the whole?2. Handling point to A to B ride experience: To me most bass boaters driving characteristics are linear. We are not out there doing figure 8s at 60 mph pulling a tubers. So its mostly direct line from point A to point B. At least for me. Plus, 80% of my time Im going to be in the 4500 rpm range. 3. How does the boat ride in 1-2 foot waves? Look, to me, 3-4 footers its all about driving ability.3. At what speed does chine start to develop?4. When pitching from the front deck and getting close to the gunnels (we all do it) how stable is the boat for the person in the back of the boat? Is there lots of movement? To me this is important but not critical.I look forward to your comments. Flyswatter
schodackbassmanPosts, 2,783, ||Registered Member14 Apr 2018 20:07 #5 Hey Fly, good to hear from you again. I tried to do a search in the forum section for the discussion on this last month but this new format is not user friendly so I couldnt find it again. I did a test ride at the Classic in the new Classic on Hartwell last month. I own the older design both with 200s. The test ride rig had the Pro XS with a 23 or 24P prop. Think it was a tempest I but I cant swear to it. This new one is a blast to ride in too! I went in with somewhat low expectations because of the extra weight and width, I figured it wasnt going to have the snap the old design and the P II had/has. I was wrong. This thing jump out of the hole and was to 70 in no time. This thing flies riding very high out of the water. Mid range was very good as was hole shot. With all the test rides going on plus other boat traffic, there was a pretty good chop mixed in with cross waves. Classic didnt blink and was very stable. We did stop and I crawled around in lockers again and boat seemed stable. Didnt have someone shift side to side while I stood on trolling motor so cant say how much it will lean. I know my 07 does and it can surprise you when you are used to fishing alone most of the time like I do. As far a performance, the boat is a lot of fun. I talked to a few of BCB young guys running the test rides including the young man who took me out, they all loved it. Two told me that when there was down time between test rides, they were taking turns going out driving the Classic because it was so much fun. Keep in mine they had access to the Lynx, Eyra, Caracal also but they kept taking the Classic out. It is true the boat was empty, no water in live wells, did have Fortex TM however, so its not likely to be quite as quick with a full load as when I rode in it but I dont think it will loose much. Has a nice wide fishing deck front and back. Comfortable seats and usual BCB finish. I had some misgivings about center rod locker rod storage and room for tackle but after thinking about it, I can see where it will work very well. There are rod tubes for 11 rods and room under tubes for a few more. There is room under the rods for tackle storage. My thoughts are Id keep rods I plan on using that day in the locker for over the road storage/organization. When at the lake, those rods go on the deck which then gives you access to tackle under rods. You have the two starboard side lockers too though they arent real deep plus the full rod locker on port side. BCB wanted to keep cost down so there are some compromises. Only can get white cap, the livewell doesnt have spray bars we are used too though well is plenty big. Trailer has 3″ C frame vs. normal 4″. There were only a couple cup holders too if I remember right. I think if you add options, you can get it close to say a PII or P IV of old. I have a feeling some of the features we are used to may show up in new Classic as options in future models but thats pure speculation on my part. If I was looking at new boats, Id have to seriously look at that model vs. the PII. Dont think you would go wrong with either. The P IIs performance and features are tried and true thus well documented. At the BM Classic I was told build out dates for models still available were 20 weeks. Some models like the Lynx are sold out for the year. To me that meant calendar year but may have been model year which makes more sense now that I think about it. Happy to help with anything else I can. Happy hunting and enjoy retirement. Ive been retired almost 8 years. It does not suck!
Great comments and adding more confidence to my direction whereI want to go next. For me the only possible upgrades important to me are trailer step and pole and third bench seat for my young grandson to ride along his Pappa T. Oh, and a supply of bobbers for bream fishing.
Shodackbassman, As I’m sitting at my lake property garage port now on Lake Maritin, AL, waxing on and off on my deck boat preparing for boating season. I have some time letting it dry. I have read your excellent review. Thanks! I too have one minor issue on the Classic that you have Identifide. It’s the center rod box. I like it’s position but to my way of fishing I can’t imagine the lid not lifting vertical using two lid shocks. This gives best of bother worlds for lefties and righties to access this storage area. For me I could see using half the rod storage and section off the remaining area for tackle or clothes. Again my personal taste. Regardless, it’s not a deal breaker. Performance comments you have reported is reassuring and validates Rick’s creative engineering. He epitomizes the art and science that is unique to BassCat. Time to wax off! ))). FlyLast edited by Flyswatter on April 15th, 2018, 9:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Great information and I look forward to additional comments.I asked my most local dealer about a boat order and was told 2019 model year only, 18 – 20 weeks.BCB replied it could be less time.If the wait is into August – would it be reasonable to wait for the 2018 dealer meeting to see what is new?potential-delivery-time-t38169.html#p261691
The Classic front deck is much wider than my P2. Its obvious to the eye and standing on the front deck.The rod locker being hinged at the front and opening from the rear would seemed to be the easiest set up, BUT It would require you to step off the deck to access rods.On the P2, I dont step off the deck, I just open the rod locker and grab a rod. I think this is what BCB had in mind with the side open rod locker. I would not want any tackle below my rods,The new set up of the Classic allows opening of the side lockers without dumping your rods overboard.That is a genius design.Last edited by Cajunhunter67 on April 28th, 2018, 8:01 am, edited 1 time in total.
Cajunhunter67 wrote:The Classic front deck is much wider than my P2. Its obvious to the eye and standing on the front deck.The rod locker being hinged at the front and opening from the rear would seemed to be the easiest set up. It would require you to step off the deck to access rods.On the P2, I dont step off the deck, I just open the rod locker and grab a rod. I think this is what BCB had in mind with the side open rod locker. I would not want any tackle below my rods,The new set up of the Classic allows opening of the side lockers without dumping your rods overboard.That is a genius design.Advantages and disadvantages to both. Fly – I found to open center locker on new Classic I had to crawl up on decks starboard side to reach the front latch handle anyway so opening from side wasnt an issue for me. But Im short so someone with longer reach may be able to reach both latches from floor. Cajun – whats nice about center is you can access rods without moving ones already on deck like you have to on PII and old Classic. Also on new Classic Rick did leave room for a few rods on each side to stay in place and still be able to open the port and starboard lockers. Like I said, there are pluses/minuses to each design and its a matter of what you want. Good choices to have!Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
Harley88 wrote:Great information and I look forward to additional comments.I asked my most local dealer about a boat order and was told 2019 model year only, 18 – 20 weeks.BCB replied it could be less time.If the wait is into August – would it be reasonable to wait for the 2018 dealer meeting to see what is new?potential-delivery-time-t38169.html#p261691Your comments makes sense regarding new releases at the dealer meeting. Who knows, if Basscat comes out with a larger 18’ boat for 2019 that would get my serious consideration. Otherwise, i’m focused on the Classic..
Thanks to those who have PM me with your Pantera Classic experience. Seem like an outstanding boat. Now I have to wait till 2019 models unless there is a surprise larger 18 boat announced at the dealer meeting. Now that would get my attention. Doesnt hurt to wish.
Im curious on the classic is p2 as well. Any BCB thoughts?
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