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wolfrvr.
Ive owned several boats over the years and I have a lot of experience loading and unloading them on a trailer. From what I understand, the design of the high performance hull has made BC boats more difficult to load than other brands. Im about to pull the trigger on a Cougar but Im worried sick about loading and unloading the boat and damaging either the boat or the trailer (spare wheel). The Cougar is a big purchase for me and I will suffer severe buyers remorse if I damage the boat on the first trip out. Im losing sleep over this so someone please help me get past this. Is there anything I can do to reduce the risk of damaging to boat while loading and unloading it? Thanks in advance!
http://basscatowners.yuku.com/topic/9210. this should help! http://basscatowners.yuku.com/topic/8818?page=1 This could too! Enjoy your boat, and feel free to ask questions. A lot of information can also be found in the FAQ section!Last edited by jignpig on September 4th, 2009, 8:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.96 Eyra/12 Mercury 175 Pro XS with 2015 single axle trailer2017 Victory Gunner
I have had my Cougar for a little over a year now I just load and unload it like any other boat. Just back her in and loading is easy. I usually back the trailer in with the water about over half or not quite half the fender then pull the boat on easily with a slight push at the end to get it all the way bumped up. I have never even touched my spare tire not once. You would have to back the trailer in way too far and hit it with too much speed to hit the spare tire.
Dont worry, most of the FEW issues that have been noted are on very steep ramps. It will take you a couple of times to get it right as far as depth to put trailer in, but most, if its a tandem, if you leave a couple of inches of the trailer fender above water you will be fine. Ease up to the trailer when loading it and as it settles in on bunks, then give it some throttle and run it up the rest of the way. When launching, just ease down to where you take the strap off the front and then back it in the rest of the way and it will float off. Best if you can have someone with you the first time. You can also have the dealer take you to the lake and he can show you the way. Have been in BCB for over 17 years and been all over the middle south and south and have never had any issues. I do know that some have had issues on particular lakes. Take your time and you will be fine. pant 2 Bob
I say go load one! Where you live?C.O.D. Jr. III
Thanks for all the comments! Im buying this boat blind based on the faith of everyone on this board. In fact, everything Ive learned about BCB has come from this forum and a trip to the factory. I met Rick, Fred and Dori in Mountain Home just after the dealer meeting and left the factory understanding why everyone is so loyal. Ive never ridden in a BassCat or seen one in my area so theres no way I can test the loading. I found the boat at a dealer who is a few hundred miles from me and we are meeting half way once the deal is done. Dont get me wrong, the dealer Im working with is highly respected and would give me a ride but with work and two sons in sports, I just cant find enough time for the long round trip. I trust you guys, the owners…the family. If you tell me it will be OK then I know it will. Ill just find a shallow ramp at first and then try the steeper ones as I get more comfortable. ward…I live in middle TN between Dale Hollow lake and Center Hill lake.
Did my ear surgery training at Baptist there in Nashville and my undergraduate in Nashville at the “Country Club” university there in town….Man I miss meat and three in Nashville at Rotiers! I cant imagine that there isnt someone in Centerville or closeby to run one. Call Mike Whitten in Memphis and run his! I have put a Cougar on a trailer a bunch of times(Dbasketmans boat)- its easy. Never had a problem ever to be quite honest. If you were here in AR Id let you run mine!Last edited by clownshoes on September 4th, 2009, 9:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.C.O.D. Jr. III
I youre buying the one i think you are you are doing WELL ! He can give you all the information, and it will make you a great boat. Where you meeting him (Mamphis)? Get him to go to the water, and run the boat and hell show you how to load. Good luck, D.
ward…Thanks for offering a ride! I wish I would have know that about a month ago. Me, the wife and kids took a vacation to AR (Little Rock, Eureka Springs and Mtn Home) about a month ago. Centerville, TN is about 2.5 hours away from me so I dont know anyone there. I actually live between Center Hill lake and Dale Hollow lake and I dont know of anyone with a BC here. Im on those lakes 2-3 times per week Jan-Dec so hopefully a few people will see the Cougar and look into BCB. I test drove a Ranger Z520 while shopping and wasnt impressed. Dont get me wrong, I loved the boat and could tell it was high quality. It just felt like it was missing something. Im feeling a lot more confident about the loading and unloading. Thanks for sharing your experience with me. Take care!
dbasketman I meeting him in Lousiville, KY…I dont know if were talking about the same boat or not but I feel confident about these boats. Im starting to feel less concerned about the loading/unloading issue now.
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