Cougar or Caracal

[A.J.]

Two boats on my short list I can’t decide between the Caracal or a Cougar. I fish team tournaments and take a couple trips a year to fish on big water. What’s your thoughts / opinions between the two.

[Cajunhunter67]

Here are a couple of threads on the subject. One is a Puma or Caracal. Keep in mind its the same hull as the Cougar. Different deck layout.
http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=940353
http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=941447

Cant go wrong with either boat. Good luck on your choice!
Its always best if you can find local owners or a dealer and drive plus fish out each one.

[JayLaw]

If storage is not an option (or price difference) Id go with the Cougar. If they are equally priced and buying used, id test drive both and see which one you like better. Either one will fit all your needs. I just like not being limited to 71-73mph.

[billius]

As others have said, if you can go for a ride in each model, it may help you make your decision. I have had two Cougars, now have a Caracal. I do like both rigs a lot! I went with a Caracal, just to get a wider platform. I'm surely no spring chicken anymore and maintaining my balance isn't as easy as it once was. The wider deck of the Caracal gives me a lot more room while using the butt seat up front. I do understand the viewpoint Jason has. The Cougar is a faster rig for certain.

[Bassman25]

I went with the Caracal because I wanted a wide boat for fishing team tourneys and for taking my kiddos. The deck layout just fit the bill for me. Speed is not a concern of mine as I am coming out of of a Ranger RT198P, max speed was 55. So If the new boat can go 65-68 all the time, I am super excited. also, I wanted the wide platform for taking my kids fishing, they can rock the boat all they want and when it gets rough, they are also safe. I can run myself and two kids up there and have plenty of room for my wife to layout on the back without the kids bothering her. Its a win win for me. I really wanted the Eyra but price and width of the deck were a problem for me.

[BR400]

I have had a Cougar and now a Caracal. I like the width of the Caracal........and the storage layout. Both are great boats.

[Kittycat2012]

If speed isn’t a concern go Caracal. This is coming from a guy on his 9th puma FTD. The Caracal fishes just as good, more storage, to me drafts just as well. Troller is also just as responsive. The cougar probably will handle a little better. I was at Rayburn last fall in a Caracal and it got rough.... the Caracal handled it very well. It would be the boat for me if I could get past my ego (speed) You can’t go wrong with either

[Bill2e]

I have a Puma PTD - Great Boat, love the layout & storage.

That being said, I'd consider the Caracal with belly tanks for better hole shot.

[A.J.]

Thanks for the responses guys. The Caracal is wider but it looks like the deck is a lot shorter then the cougar any issues with that?

[Scottw]

Anyone ever hydrotech a sho up to 300 hp on a caracal?curious what that fat,short cat would run.

[CaryLab]

Anyone ever hydrotech a sho up to 300 hp on a caracal?curious what that fat,short cat would run.

I’m wondering the same thing because that might be my next boat

[Cajunhunter67]

Thanks for the responses guys. The Caracal is wider but it looks like the deck is a lot shorter then the cougar any issues with that?

Here is some dimensions of all the BCB models. This will give you a comparison of front deck area.
https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/bass...al-t37833.html

[lamoon78]

Thanks for the responses guys. The Caracal is wider but it looks like the deck is a lot shorter then the cougar any issues with that?

You won’t notice the difference I came out of a Phoenix 920 to a Caracal a foot shorter both wide deck boats the Caracal fishes bigger than it looks.

[A.J.]

Thanks for the information.

[A.J.]

On the Cougar do the back boxes go under the floor up against the livewells? The lids look small wondering if box is quite a bit bigger the the lids.

[billius]

On the Cougar do the back boxes go under the floor up against the livewells? The lids look small wondering if box is quite a bit bigger the the lids.

The boxes are larger than the lids by quite a bit actually.

[A.J.]

Sounds good. Running the measurements and comparing to my Skeeter I’m leaning more to the Cougar for what I am looking for.

[mactlman]

wonder if basscat could make a caracal that can run a 250hp? fixes all the issues of being a slower boat!

[Bass Cat Boats]

Now your starting a rumor...

It wouldn’t be a Caracal if they did.

[champ188]

wonder if basscat could make a caracal that can run a 250hp? fixes all the issues of being a slower boat!

Then we will be going down the same road as 6 years ago wanting the P4 to be rated for 225hp, hence the Caracal was the answer to that question............