Well, I left the Bass Cat family for the time being. I got out of a 2009 Puma FTD and into a 2014 Pheonix 721 ProXP. I couldn’t resist it. I just got too good of a deal on the Pheonix. In saying that, I would like to say a couple of things in comparison of the two rigs. Previous to the Bass Cat I ran two different 20XD Bullets.
1) Overall, the quality build of the Bass Cat is hands down much better than the Pheonix.
a. Carpet – Much heavier and durable in the Cat.
b. Trailer – Better quality in the Bass Cat custom trailiers. (The gatorhide is bubbling up under the gas tank fill vent on the Pheonix)
c. Solid State Switches in the cat versus toggle style in the Pheonix. Plastic Dash Board in the Pheonix has a cheap feel to it versus the finished fiberglass in the Cat.
2) Rough water ride will have to go to the Pheonix. It’s quieter and smoother than the Puma was.
3) Speed is definitely better in the Bass Cat when comparing similar models of size and weight. In the Pheonix, I’m running 2-man full tournament load of about 75-76 mph with a 250 E-Tech and two 10’ power poles. Was hitting 78-80 with the Puma and a 250 Pro XS full tourney load, no power poles.
4) I hate location of the gas tank in the Pheonix (not to mention it’s extremely hard to fill without burping back all over the boat and trailer). I can’t look and see how much gas is in the tanks like I can with the Bass Cat. So the battery compartment layout, access to pumps, and fuel tank location goes to the Bass Cat also.
5) Fit and Finish is about the same but may slightly go to the Bass Cat.
Just dropping this to everyone thinking it may help someone make a decision in the future. Like I said, I would never have left the BC family had it not been for getting an extremely great deal on the newer Pheonix. I can promise you, after four or five years in the Pheonix, I will be looking for another Cat. Except this time, I will look for an Eyra.
Joey McCall