Puma vs. PIV

Tough choice wareagle.

I would say it depends on the water you fish. If you don’t need the added length, storage (although not a whole lot of difference) and speed (depending on what motor you put on the Puma) then the PIV is the boat. It also comes down to price as the PIV will be cheaper and the majority of that cost is the difference between the 200HP and the 225+HP motor prices.

The lakes here in TX are bigger than a lot of places and combined with how the wind blows anytime it isn’t smoking hot is one of the reasons I went with the Puma. I really like the layout with the bigger cooler and daybox that the Puma provides as a step up to the front deck. I also prefer the smaller gunnels that are on the Puma.

With all that said, yes I own a Puma but I wouldn’t hesitate to own a PIV.

Good luck with your choice, I cannot see you being unhappy with either one.

Judd Lasiter

i own a puma, and i would take a hard look at the plv

I honestly think the only advantage the Puma has over the PIV is a little bit of room on the front deck and the availability of a bigger engine. If you get in water thats too rough for the PIV you arent going to want to be out there in a Puma either. I bought the PIV because thats what I found in the price range I was looking for. Unless you are ordering a new boat you might have to look around for a boat. You wont find many used PIV boats and when you do happen on one it brings a good price. There is a reason for this.

Patrick,

The cooler (as I mentioned is a little smaller but still very useful) is the step up on the PIV it is just back in between the consoles where the Puma has it out in front of the consoles. You loose the daybox the Puma has due to this also, while it is handy and I use it for my bouy’s, extra hooks, scents, extra pliers, nails and extra line I could easily put in in another bin.

The deck space is nearly identical but the PIV is just slightly wider and shorter (albeit not much in either direction) than the Puma.

No length issues with the PIV, my buddy places 7’6″ rods in his with absolutely no problems. That is one advantage to the two boats you have narrowed down too, the rod boxes are longer and provide a ton of room to put rods in the lockers without bending the fire out of your rod tips.

Judd

If you do go the PIV route (I have one), make sure you get the 2 10 gallon saddle tanks that are on option on the PIV. That’ll give it 52 gallons, which the Puma comes standard with. Even if you don’t think you’ll use it now, you’re likely to change your mind later and better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Plus I think it’s a pretty big selling point to have them if you ever go to sell the boat.

I’ve never been in a Puma but with the PIV saddle tank option making the two equal on gas capacity, I just can’t see much difference between the two beyond what’s already been mentioned. And speaking as an owner of one, there just ain’t a more perfect floating fishing platform made than the brilliantly designed PIV!