Home › Forums › Bass Cat Boats › PIV Owners and BCB, Little Help…..Lots of Questions
BassDad824.
Dose the PIV and the Puma FTD have the same size front deck? If not, what is the difference in size? Can I lay a 7’6″ rod flat on the deck without it touching a console? What is the maximum length rod the rod box can hold? What are the main differences between the PIV and a 20′ FTD boat? Are we just talking about a difference of about 10mph, 11 inches of length and 50hp? I was told that the PIV is wider that the FTD boats, is this true? What’s the room like behind the console? (I’m 6′ 2″). Is the PIV a little cramped with a duel console? I have seen only one…. but how can you get lighted hand rails on a PIV(They look so sweet at take-off)? Where can I view some good pictures of a new PIV? There are some great pictures of the Jag , Eyra and FTD’s on the net but nothing with a new PIV.
Sorry for all the questions but I have been leaning towards a 20′ FTD and want to make sure I am not forgetting the PIV. I hear nothing but great things about the PIV and find myself wondering if that’s all I need. But that’s the thing… I hear nothing but great things about all Bass Cat models, which is fine but give me some constructive criticism if you could on this boat. What did you like, not like, boats strengths and weaknesses?
The width is a bit more on a Pantera IV model at the post area, though the length nod goes to the Cougar FTD. As for images there should be some in either the Owners Gallery or on the Facebook Bass Cat Boats by Serial Number site. They will all have the BASN serial number. IF not then there is an overhead on the web site also. We would be glad to help more, though the factory is closed and they may not have either a Pantera IV or a Cougar FTD now in production to get you those answers. BCB Admin.
I was at Sherms very early this year and did some measuring. What I found is that the carpet area was within an inch or two of the Puma on length. The P4 was wider as BCB stated. The differances from what I saw and felt was the day cooler/ step between the consoles. Speed differances was low 70s to low 80s, bigger motor, more gas. I can place a 76″ rod on the front deck with ease. Price wise the P4 will cost less but only the difference of the motor. With any boat length will give you a better ride. I had to hunt to find the extra boat length in the Puma.Lighted handrails would be sweet on the P4. Eric
I like my PIV, I moved from a 20 foot / 225 powered Cat. I lost 2-3 mph, but gained some maneuverability in the backwaters. I dont feel Ive lost anything fishing wise except a little speed.
I keep a 76″ Flippin Stick on my deck with plenty of room. I am 61″ and ALMOST have too much room behind the console. I litterally have to stretch my left foot out as far as I can to brace myself on the foot pad. With dual consoles, I still have plenty of room for anything I want to do. Overall I absolutely cant get enough of my PIV. The only downside to the whole boat is a tiny ice box. Maybe 2ft cubed, maybe. The bildge area is a little cramped with a 36v system, a cranking battery, and the saddle tanks, but I dont go down there too often so… I do like the deeper gunnels vs. the Puma, I have no worries about accidentally kicking over a rod even though they have been dragged off by trees (yes I jumped in to save them, $500 worth of rods and reels is worth swimming in 50* water). Overall, the small icebox isnt a huge deal to me, and the amount of room behind the console is awesome. The rod boxes are huge and will take about any rod you want to put in there. Lighted handrails would be the bomb on the PIV by the way, BCB. – Chaz
The PIV is a contender for the perfect bass boat. It is fast enough (true, it is not as fast as models pushed by a 250). The front deck is laid out the same as the Puma but carries the width further forward. The wider deck is ideal if you plan on fishing w/ your kids since you will have more room for side by side hands on instruction. The PIV will fit better in most garages, will be easier to tow, and less expensive to operate (insurance and gas should be less then the 20 ft models). I may be in the minority on this one, but I like the SS handrails on the PIV since they are truly maintenance free w/ no electrical connections or lights to go out. Have you ever seen a post complaining about their SS hand rails cracking, scratching, or going dim? The PIV is at the top of my short list on which boat will replace my beloved Jag when the time comes. Good fishing – Richardps – Jay Law should be along shortly to add his insights. He moved up from a PIV to a Puma and can provide first hand experience.
I have owned both.Regarding the 76″ rod fitting nicely there are two factors here- I assume we are talking passenger side? If driver side no problem in either. If passenger side 2 factors- Second console? and trolling motor? The p4 has a deck that isnt raised like a puma ftd and therefore there is more room beneath the head of the troller to fit rods all the way to the switches. The puma has a raised deck and therefore the head of a troller(esp minnkota) will be in the way of reels and a 76″ rod will likely hit the front of a second console. No second console no matter regardless.Max rod length in a box exceeds 8 which is max legal in an event of course- either modelDriver space is excellent in either boat.Passenger space as well. some folks think its narrow between consoles but when its 34 and raining its nice riding down the lake from either seat.Ride…Well I guess Ill get it started…The puma rides better in big water. Only because its longer. I however think that the p4 rides better than the cougar and just as well as the puma prior to the hull change in 07. The seats in my 09 puma are raised and softer than my 04 p4 and that is some of it but the hull is longer and in the 4+ plus stuff it rides 10% softer because the reach is longer.Now in less than 4 waves its a wash.Other things to notice- raised gunnels on p4 versus lower gunnels on puma. I probably like lower gunnels but raised ones sure are nice too- personal preference.Yeah the cooler is smaller but could always get enough gatorade in there-Overall if someone handed me a p4 with a 200 and said thats what you get Id be plenty happy but would shortterm miss 76 with 2 guys on tournament mornings and 80 when its me alone on the lake but gliding into that skinny water in south Arkansas in a p4 would be nice and Id soon forget about the speed Id lost as its somewhat overrated. Id still know I had an absolute rock solid ride in all waters and would not worry about how nasty those march winds got whereever I went-C.O.D. Jr. III
I was admiring your Jag photo when I noticed you are from Fredericksburg VA, I am right down the road in Spotsylvania. Potomac, Rapp and Anna….how lucky we are!
If u live in N W A area give me a reply and u can come over and look at my P VI to see if that will answer any of your questions.
Im in central Virginia.
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