Pantera vs. cougar/puma

This topic has 6 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 11 months ago by g2072.

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June 25, 2013 at 12:04 pm #321016

DCR
Participant

Gentlemen, how many of you have fished out the Panteras and also out of the cougars and/or pumas? I am wondering how much difference there is in ride, fish ability, etc… I have looked at the specs on BCBs website and there isnt much difference in width( about 1 inch) and of course there is a foot difference in length. I have been thinking about getting a pantera, but I would really like to hear what the guys who have fished out of both the 19 and 20 foot boats have to say. Would I be better off just stepping up to a puma or cougar or would the pantera be good? I fish all the main lakes around Arkansas.Thanks,

June 25, 2013 at 12:22 pm #321033

PRobbins
Participant

I had a 1999 P3 and a 2006 P4 before getting my 2010 Puma FTD.Now that I no longer fish tournaments, I frequently consider moving back to a 19 model when I order my next boat later this fall. Every time I get convinced thats the direction Im going to take, though, the Potomac decides to rear its head and get really ugly. Then I become convinced that Im too old to run anything but a 20 footer anymore. Im not a speed freak so the 200/250 difference doesnt matter to me, but once or twice a year that extra foot gives me a little bit of additional comfort.With that said, if there was a reason to go back to a 19 boat theres no “bassboatable” water that I wouldnt tackle. I know that my Panteras were better in the rough stuff than most of my friends 20 footers from other companies. The layout of the P4 was essentially identical to the Puma, too, so except when it gets really nasty its hard to tell the difference. Unless youre someone who frequently drives 75+, you will be ecstatic with any of the BCB 19s. The only real driving difference in calm water is that my Puma seems to get up to 60mph faster (a function of the engine size as well as the boat) and it seems to like the jackplate lower than the others did.Feel free to message me if you have specific questions about any of the three models Ive owned.

June 25, 2013 at 1:27 pm #321051

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

I had a 2009 PanteraII with a 200 E-Tech and now have a 2013 Eyra with a 250 Pro XS. I like both boats and other than top speed or in very rough water theres really not that much of a preference difference between them to me until I go by a gas pump. These 250s are hungry beasts compared to the 200, good God does this 250 Pro XS drink fuel when you run it. I would think the PanteraIV would be about a perfect compromise for someone unless speed is there thing, even then the PIV isnt a slouch in the high 60s low 70s. BrianBrianHAWG Hunter2013 BassCat Eyra2013 Mercury 250 Pro XS Gen2 L/U

June 25, 2013 at 1:54 pm #321085

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Your comparing rear beam widths and the hulls are quite different. There is little beam width difference on most any hull due to the eight foot standard for garage doors. Beams are different as they move forwards. The Margay is only 90″ though carries a wide beam forward and of course the Jagaur is a massive body.

June 26, 2013 at 3:20 am #321104

Bkametz
Participant

BCB can you give more details of the hull differences between the hulls of the Pantera II and the Pantera IV.

June 26, 2013 at 3:45 am #321127

jpost
Participant

You havent mentioned price. So if you have the space to store a bigger boat and you dont mind spending more money on gas, a Puma or a Cougar will be much more comfortable than the 19 footers. I owned a P-2 and have fished out of P-4 many times and theyre both great boats. But the Puma FTD I own now is better (but more costly). It has much more storage, rides better in choppy water, more powerful, and its much roomier.

June 26, 2013 at 5:59 pm #321145

g2072
Participant

I fished out of a 2006 PIV for several years before buying a Puma FTD this year. The main difference is power. My PIV was a 67-68 MPH boat loaded and my Puma is a 77-78 MPH rig loaded. Now, I dont run my boats hard but what I wanted was a boat that would cruise at 60-65. My Puma does that easily. To do that in my PIV I had to almost run it wide open. The PIV storage compartments are actually bigger but the Puma makes up by having storage under the seats. The Puma is a little more stable as far as a fishing platform is concerned but in reality there isnt much difference. As far as rough water goes the Puma is probably a little better but I can almost promise you one thing. If you get into trouble in a PIV there isnt going to be anybody in any 21 foot bassboat wanting to come out and help you regardless of brand. As stated above for me it all came back to power. My Puma leaves harder, loads better, cruises better, fishes better, is a little better in rough water and is a little bigger.
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