Bass Cat vs Phoenix... Please convince me here

[Slayer412]

I've owned 2 Skeeter Bass Boats and I've had that dream for a few years now to step up to a Bass Cat.

I made a 3-day trip down to Guntersville a few weeks ago, and it seemed like 80% of the boats were all Phoenix. There were a few Tritons, a Stratos and a Skeeter.

We also met up with a buddy who had a Phoenix and just swore by their hull design and the ride quality. His boat was also pretty refined and had a fair amount of well thought out features. I fished out of it for a few hours and didn't have any complaints.

What's the deal here? Why is the popularity so extreme with those (Phoenix) boats? From the research I've gathered, they have about a 3-month turnaround time whereas some of the Bass Cats are taking 6-9 months or longer. They are also priced slightly lower for comparable models, especially in the used department (depreciation seems significantly higher).

From somebody with experience in both, how does the ride, build quality, fishability, and speed compare?

Yes, I understand there are a ton of factors into what suites me and the water I fish on. I am just looking for overall opinions here and I guess I'd like to be convinced into why I should get a Bass Cat over comparable Pheonix.

[llsdjv]

I have a couple Bass Cats and have ridden in several Phoenix boats. I love how a Phoenix rides more so then the Bass Cats I've had. They are a big sponsor with contingencies in mlf which probably makes them a little more popular

I will say it comes down to quality though. I hate the plastic dash of a Phoenix, the carpet is not even close to same quality and the seats look very used after a few years.

I got burned a few years ago by a lemon Triton and after that I wanted to buy the highest quality boat I could with greatest customer service. Hence I ended up with Bass Cat

[llsdjv]

As for speed I have not been outrun in a tournament in my Eyra

[bassfisher444]

As for speed I have not been outrun in a tournament in my Eyra

Is their any other normal production boat that can outrun an Eyra with a 250 on it? I know if I was fishing in the big tournaments that's what I would have.

[dbs1]

As for speed I have not been outrun in a tournament in my Eyra

Wait a second…wasn’t that you I blew by a few weeks ago in my 2010 Triton 21hp with a 300? Are you sure?

[krindgen]

I'm a Phoenix owner, would give maybe more than a slight edge to BCB. Innovation, use of technology, time in the business and quality all go to BCB.

[Leo Carrillo]

I had a Phx 920 and a BassCat Lynx. The bassCat's fit and finish is hands down better. That being said I never could get use to the odd shaped storage lockers of the basscat. I'm now currently in a Ranger 520r...and loving it!

[catdude28]

You might want to pay some consideration to the trailers also. High quality BCB trailer built in house, Marine Master trailer built off site for Phoenix. I used to read about complaints with the MM trailers, but don't know if the quality has improved on them at all.

[WjColdWater]

You might want to pay some consideration to the trailers also. High quality BCB trailer built in house, Marine Master trailer built off site for Phoenix. I used to read about complaints with the MM trailers, but don't know if the quality has improved on them at all.

Great point BCB trailers are very well built. I’ve not heard great things regarding Phoenix trailers. They do build a very nice boat can’t comment on comparisons I’m a Ranger to BCB guy. More than happy with my 21 Caracal.

[uwbadger]

Great point BCB trailers are very well built. I’ve not heard great things regarding Phoenix trailers. They do build a very nice boat can’t comment on comparisons I’m a Ranger to BCB guy. More than happy with my 21 Caracal.

20 years owning another larger brand and never once received a follow up call from service like I did today to make sure my trailer issue was resolved with a new part...

[TNReb]

Phoenix is made in TN, so they’re pretty popular around this area.

I have fished out of a Phoenix a bunch. They’re nice boats, but they don’t have the quality of a BassCat. As someone already mentioned, the plastic dash and carpet aren’t very good. I don’t like the latches. Fish flop out of the live wells easily.

[Elwood]

I would say to ride and before you decide. Crawl all over each one. I am 99% sure which brand you will pick. I did this and currently running my 3rd Cat.

[Cajunhunter67]

Depending on the model of each,
Nothing beats experience in both. You need to ride, drive, and fish out of the models your interested in buying.

Phoenix sells more boats, much of that is due to pricing. Build times are quicker with the Phoenix, but Basscat is slowly catching up and build times are improving.

In the end, it’s about quality. It doesn’t come cheap. IMO Basscat has surpassed Ranger in this area.
Like the saying goes, You get what you pay for. There are Phoenix owners in our clubs. Their boats seem to age quicker. They know it too, as I get many compliments on my PII from them.

A good friend of mine recently ordered a Phoenix, before it’s arrival, a used Eyra came up for sale and he cancelled on the Phoenix and ate the deposit to get the Eyra. Overall the new Basscat was priced substantially more then a comparable Phoenix. Thus the original reason for ordering the Phoenix. A Basscat is what he wanted, the used model was what he wanted and fit his budget.

In the end , it’s your money. Regardless of purchase, glass boats are not cheap.
Get what makes you happy in the long term.

Don

[krindgen]

Look hard at the layouts - I didn't and regret it. I don't like the huge center front deck compartment and the full front deck. There's no place to sit down with compartment open while retying.

[Bass_boat_boy]

I don't have any experience with a Phoenix but I have to say y newer cougar is the nicest boat I have been in. The quality is just that much better. I'm in Ontario so there's not many bass cats. This is ranger land and coming from a ranger there no comparison.

[Louie]

I've had a sabre ftd, caracal, puma, and eyra. Some of those boats made the trip to 1000 islands. I've fished from a few phoenix's and owned one as an investment boat earlier this year. The construction processes and materials are not very comparable imo. Phoenix can probably build a boat alot faster than bcb, and they are currently back logged but at one point were building in the 3.5 mo time frame. Go ride in a few of each and really get down and look inside the compartments, carpet quality and other things it adds up quick... Bcb is a better built boat. I will say the little bird I owned for the money was not a bad ride and I did enjoy a few aspects of it. But my favorite boats by far were my 17 puma ftd, and my 21 Eyra.

[Bassfriend]

Buy what YOU want. If you need to come here for advise then I think you need to wait until You decide. Both are fine boats but Im sure if you really think about it then down deep inside you know which one You want.

[Slayer412]

Buy what YOU want. If you need to come here for advise then I think you need to wait until You decide. Both are fine boats but Im sure if you really think about it then down deep inside you know which one You want.

I "want" something that will do fine on Erie and Saint Claire, but also something easy to get around in some of our smaller inland lakes here. I don't want to worry about stringers breaking or caps separating. Plus we'll do 3-4 trips a year down to the Chic or Guntersville which obviously has some distant runs to make. I also "want" the highest quality overall build I can get, something I can fish out of confidently for 10-15 years and pass down to my son. Depreciation is also important too which I've seen a pretty clear difference with used prices when it comes to Bass Cat vs Phoenix.

All of this info just cements in what I've previous thought about Bass Cat. I was honestly just kind of blown away to see what seemed like 10 times the amount of Phoenix boats compared to everything else combined.

[jpd_hack]

I "want" something that will do fine on Erie and Saint Claire, but also something easy to get around in some of our smaller inland lakes here. I don't want to worry about stringers breaking or caps separating. Plus we'll do 3-4 trips a year down to the Chic or Guntersville which obviously has some distant runs to make. I also "want" the highest quality overall build I can get, something I can fish out of confidently for 10-15 years and pass down to my son. Depreciation is also important too which I've seen a pretty clear difference with used prices when it comes to Bass Cat vs Phoenix.

All of this info just cements in what I've previous thought about Bass Cat. I was honestly just kind of blown away to see what seemed like 10 times the amount of Phoenix boats compared to everything else combined.

As far as build quality in rough water, I'm running a 1991 Pantera II and have taken it out on Lake Michigan several times this year. I've grown more confidence in this boat each time I go out and even made a short run in a small craft advisory. I don't have much experience in larger bass boats for reference but have been quite pleased with the ride quality. The previous owner lived on Toledo Bend so I assume this boat has seen plenty of rough days and there is no sign of issues with the hull.

[Hollada]

I "want" something that will do fine on Erie and Saint Claire, but also something easy to get around in some of our smaller inland lakes here. I don't want to worry about stringers breaking or caps separating. Plus we'll do 3-4 trips a year down to the Chic or Guntersville which obviously has some distant runs to make. I also "want" the highest quality overall build I can get, something I can fish out of confidently for 10-15 years and pass down to my son. Depreciation is also important too which I've seen a pretty clear difference with used prices when it comes to Bass Cat vs Phoenix.

All of this info just cements in what I've previous thought about Bass Cat. I was honestly just kind of blown away to see what seemed like 10 times the amount of Phoenix boats compared to everything else combined.

Not sure when you’re buying, but you’re welcome to join me on LSC this spring. My Caracal does great on Clair. My tourney partner has a 921 PHX. It’s a better ride, but also a longer boat so that helps. I know 5 people with PHX’s. 3 are happy and 2 wish they’d gone a different route due to lots of little QC issues.