From Bass Cat to Phoenix

[limitlong]

Basscat always seems at least a decade behind in the styling department too. You look at a early 2000's basscat and it's easy to think it was an 80's model. Or even now, with the all the accents and stripes and stickers all over the place they kind of look like early 2000s nascar styling. I know they have great build quality, and the customer service is top notch. But if I'm dropping 100K on a boat, I would have a very hard time if I didn't think it was a great looking boat.

.......says a guy with a Nitro.

[TritonJT]

I just fished with two young guns in 721's. One had a 2021 that had 800 hrs on the engine. The other was a 2020 that had 1000 hrs. I've stated my observation before on here. Phoenix boats are not garage queens. Their owners are more active tournament fishermen than the others brands.

[Mcjenson]

.......says a guy with a Nitro.

Figured that was coming

Buying white River has its drawbacks, and the quality of building isn’t there with basscat. That said, cosmetically, imo, the nitro looks far better. I’ve seen a few good looking basscats, but it takes extremely careful color picking, and taking away some of the extra stripes, and peeling off about 3/4 of the factory installed stickers.

[KandKKustomz]

Basscat always seems at least a decade behind in the styling department too. You look at a early 2000's basscat and it's easy to think it was an 80's model. Or even now, with the all the accents and stripes and stickers all over the place they kind of look like early 2000s nascar styling. I know they have great build quality, and the customer service is top notch. But if I'm dropping 100K on a boat, I would have a very hard time if I didn't think it was a great looking boat.

100 % agree a new cat looks like a 90s boat to me as far as style . They do make a great trailer however this is an area phoenix is lacking. If phoenix started making trailers in-house and made every model with the new fiberglass bow and console panel like the phx there would be no argument who's got the best boat for the $$. You also can't argue w the cats speed but phoenix only bout 5 mph off. Everyone needs to buy what they like and what fits there budget. For me out of those 2 brands the phoenix still is the clear winner as I don't like the cats layout or style.

[Jeff Homan]

I came out of a Skeeter ZX225 into a 2019 BC Puma FTD. As far as ride, the Skeeter was good, but the Puma seems to be better in rough water. Handling and speed goes to the Puma, stable fishing platform goes to the Skeeter. I wish I had the new Puma with the new hull. More room in the skeeter rear compartment. Front deck was wider in the skeeter. I have never rode in a Phoenix but have friends that have them and like them. They may be the best over all combination of both.

[BDA79]

Thanks again for the feedback. I'm thinking the Phoenix is going to be the winner. Being able to go brand new for the same price as one with 100 hours just makes more sense. Cosmetically, I love the looks of the Cat, always have since about 2000. The rear storage of the Phoenix is going to be a big upgrade. Lots of people keep mentioning the trailers, what are the issues with them? The one I'm looking at has paint over gatorhide, shock package, and NOT the 18" wheel package. Those low profile tires got to be hard on things.

[mactlman]

Thanks again for the feedback. I'm thinking the Phoenix is going to be the winner. Being able to go brand new for the same price as one with 100 hours just makes more sense. Cosmetically, I love the looks of the Cat, always have since about 2000. The rear storage of the Phoenix is going to be a big upgrade. Lots of people keep mentioning the trailers, what are the issues with them? The one I'm looking at has paint over gatorhide, shock package, and NOT the 18" wheel package. Those low profile tires got to be hard on things.

trailers made by marine masters worst ones out there it seems?

[basscat tyler]

Figured that was coming

Buying white River has its drawbacks, and the quality of building isn’t there with basscat. That said, cosmetically, imo, the nitro looks far better. I’ve seen a few good looking basscats, but it takes extremely careful color picking, and taking away some of the extra stripes, and peeling off about 3/4 of the factory installed stickers.

There’s nothing wrong with Nitro. I think they look great and have some nice features in the ones I’ve crawled through. Id say the biggest drawback is their trailers. I personally like the looks of BassCat as well. There’s very few bass boats that I don’t really care for the looks of.

[LegendX]

Went from a 2015 Caracal to a 2017 921 Elite, kept the 921 the least amount of time of any boat I've ever owned. Back to a Cat. I am sure I'll try something different again, but it's hard to consider a boat outside the fold. I may have just had a unique 921 but I pride myself in how well I take care of my boats and I just couldn't keep ahead on the 921. Likely the color combo I picked but it seemed like I was always fixing some kind of scratch or rub without recollecting how I even did it.

921 ride was great. 921 layout was good. You'll miss the trolling motor pedal position of the Cat. I really liked the leg space of the Phoenix, especially considering my Eyra now.

Good luck!

[Classicxl]

If I were buying a new glass boat today it would be a Phoenix.

[78Staff]

I'm a Basscat fan, but some of the model's locker layouts are kinda odd to me... could be just getting used to it deal. But if buying new yeah Phoenix would be high on list, along with Basscat, maybe Blazer as well since they are a FL company.

Confession... my lottery boat would be a Jaguar with a 450R :).

[caddyjoe77]

only been in 90's PII model cat so i have no say in the switch but I will say that the ride of the PHX is incredible with a bravo. Things that might annoy you about the Phoenix if you make the switch? carpet is basically crap.

Trailer is annoying. the trailer itself is ok, but i dont like the way the boat sits in the bunks, i feel like they, especially the center ones, should be angled a little different. I have a 2018 so perhaps they are better now. Also, the swing tongue doesnt seem to be put together all that well.

could improve the trim but that doesnt honestly bother me.

Would love to ride in an STS model hull to compare.

[Mcjenson]

I'm a Basscat fan, but some of the model's locker layouts are kinda odd to me... could be just getting used to it deal. But if buying new yeah Phoenix would be high on list, along with Basscat, maybe Blazer as well since they are a FL company.

Confession... my lottery boat would be a Jaguar with a 450R :).

Im with you. Cookie cutter layouts are cookie cutter for a reason imo.

[MengRanger]

I was a free agent after owning Rangers for 25 years. I wanted to be a Bass Cat owner, but they just did not have the model that fit my needs / wants. Now that the Puma STS and Caracal STS are out, I would consider them again down the road. I went to 921 Elite and could not be happier about the responsiveness and ride. That was what finally made me leave Ranger - 521L ride.

[catdude28]

Im with you. Cookie cutter layouts are cookie cutter for a reason imo.

They are boring but work for a lot of people. I specifically wanted a centre rod storage, so chose my BCB Classic. I like the Phoenix boats, but they are rare where I am. At one point some years ago, I looked at Phoenix, but, after talking to a dealer who sold Phoenix and BCB, I decided to stay with Cat. That dealer had no skin in the game as he was thousands of miles away and knew that I would not be a customer of his.

[BDBR]

Long time Ranger owner, recently picked up a Phoenix 721 and couldn't be happier. The rough water ride is night and day difference. I really wanted to like BCB for their outstanding quality... but like others mentioned, I couldn't get over their weirdly shaped compartments and layouts.. also having consoles inset a few inches to allow room for longer rods to ay flat on the front deck was a must and BCB is one of the only manufactures who doesn't offer that (yet).

[lpugh]

I do like the layouts and performance of Pheonix boats, but bass cats have the most consistent dependability of any boat out there and that is huge. Consider how many good boats have come and gone in the last thirty years, champion for one and rangers are no better than nitro's now.
I do a lot of reconditioning of gelcoat and found basscat to be head and shoulders above all other manufacturers in terms of quality, Don't know yet how phoenix will turn out in this department,
Proven stable products for me, Basscat.

[Blue Steel]

I'm a Basscat fan, but some of the model's locker layouts are kinda odd to me... could be just getting used to it deal. But if buying new yeah Phoenix would be high on list, along with Basscat, maybe Blazer as well since they are a FL company.

Confession... my lottery boat would be a Jaguar with a 450R :).

Recently rode in a Jaquar with 400R and 500R. Unreal

[waknbass]

Cost. Similarly rigged the Cougar seems to average 15-17k more than the 721 (for a new boat or same price for a 100 hour Cat vs 0 hour 721) If the build quality is the same and ride quality is there, why spend the extra money.

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

Build quality definitely goes to the Cat.......Ride is subjective but both are probably close

[dukhntr]

I just fished with two young guns in 721's. One had a 2021 that had 800 hrs on the engine. The other was a 2020 that had 1000 hrs. I've stated my observation before on here. Phoenix boats are not garage queens. Their owners are more active tournament fishermen than the others brands.

Are you serious? Phoenix owners are more active? lol I'm sure all brands have folks that fish alot and folks that don't get out as much. Pretty sure it has zero to do with the brand of boat they buy...