Favorite basscat with the trolling motor down

[NY29T]

Looking for a under 21 ft boat that is really stable with the trolling motor down and good with Big water. New versions of cats please!

[IlBassAddict]

Look at the newer wide body boats.
Lynx 20'8"
https://basscat.com/boats/page/16/lynx#info-modal
Caracal 19'8"
https://basscat.com/boats/page/1/caracal#info-modal

[Bass Cat Boats]

You asked about new versions, though we would consider a Puma FTD model.

[pitcher]

I have owned 2 Cougar Ftd's and 1 Puma.
Bought a Caracal 18 months ago and with the
trolling motor down Caracal hands down.

[billius]

I've had two CougarFTD's, a Baycat and now a Caracal. All of them were fine with the trolling motor down, with the exception of the Baycat.

[printman71]

Puma FTD is my choice

[BassCat'99]

Sorry, but what is meant "with trolling motor down" ?

[printman71]

Sorry, but what is meant "with trolling motor down" ?

When the boat becomes a fishing platform (trolling motor down), instead of a running (Point A to Point B) platform.

[BassCat'99]

thanks, not the sharpest this morning. Mine would be my classic but sure would like to try a caracal.

[blakesfav]

I can attest that the Eyra is the best “troller down” boat I’ve owned. In particular, the thing slides off stumps like it’s got grease on it. If you fish just open water and no tight cover, this may not be important to you. But I know of no other boat that frees itself from stumps better than the Eyra.

To add to that, it’s a phenomenal rough water hull also.

[NY29T]

If the puma FTd could move the trolling motor pedal back that might be a consideration . But that is not an option

[Cajunhunter67]

Being you want a later model boat with an adjustable TM pedal, your selection will be out of the two mentioned above.
Lynx and Caracal.
Only other model with an adjustable TM pedal is the Eyra, which is by far the most responsive to the TM down out of all the 20 footers.
However if side to side stability is what your really wanting out your rig, stick with the two mentioned above!!
If possible, try and find owners in your area. You need to drive and work the TM on each. You wont regret moving to a BCB!

[Bassman25]

The caracal takes my vote, then again, I own a 2019 model caracal and I love it.

[jpeiserich]

I've run several different BCs. The last two have been Eyras. The one before was a Puma FTD. I've never measure, but I think the Puma's TM was already set back a bit further than the "back" setting of the Eyra. I'll agree with blakesfav - the Eyra is better is close quarters. In open water, I don't know that I saw much difference, but the Puma would hold in the wind a bit better (pre-Ultrex for me).

One other item that is really nice for rough water is the surprisingly low plane speed I can maintain ~18 mph in the new Eyra. I was messing around two weekends ago working through some barge waves and it was really handy.

[Finlander]

My personal experience in a 98 Jag

was extremely stable. That 98 hull

is today very similar to or the same as the PUMA & Cougar. My buddy was pushing 300 plus, I was a stout 210 at the time and we both fished off the front right or left deck which scarcely moved. Most boats would lean over due to the off set weight but that old Jag did not seem to notice our weight at all.

Trolling motor down is an important consideration because I put very little hours on the gas motor but can slap ware out a Trolling motor.

[FastCat04]

I'm biased, but the Eyra has incredible trolling motor down (or up) maneuverability, plus as mentioned above with the ability to move the pedal back 6" it's got tons of flexibility & adjustability for almost any application.

[Jeff Homan]

Love my Puma FTD

[Louie]

In a 17 puma now, and had a 16 caracal and 15 sabre ftd. I like the puma alot as I skip alot of docks and I get in and around them a bit more nimble than the caracal. But the caracal did most everything well and it was alot more stable at the bow. The sabre was small enough for me to really get in and around docks. But in rough water, Id get some water over the bow.

[Phil Addison]

I've had a Cougar FTD, Puma FTD, and now an Eyra. They are all the same to me.

[iron banks]

I've had a Cougar FTD, Puma FTD, and now an Eyra. They are all the same to me.

This would be the correct answer. Even my Jag is not that much different. The forward position and BCB hulls just hold position so well.