Eyra or Puma

[jp71291]

Coming out of a Ranger so the biggest issue is probably going to be the deck size. Unfortunately at this point I think the STS may be out of the questions so it's a matter of Puma FTD vs Eyra.
I am in NJ so a bunch of fishing in/around docks, shallow water. I take a yearly trip to Champlain which is the biggest water I would encounter, my 518 w/200 did just fine out there 95% of the time.
I am not a super fan of the skinny deck of the FTD or the Eyra but my thought was the Eyra would be a bit more nimble and quicker.
I want a 20' boat this time around. Maybe I will start with an older Eyra to try. No Cat dealer near me so hard to see all the models, I have only seen a Cougar and Puma FTD and both were mid 2000s.

The Puma FTD is no longer made. Only the Cougar FTD, Eyra, Lynx, Puma STS, and Jaguar. Of course there is the Caracal but speaking of 20 + footers.

[krindgen]

Liked the "sleek" look of the Eyra first time I saw one in the water. It was John Crews' boat at the Delaware River.

[Grapela]

The 518 ranger has a pretty wide deck for it's size. My margay has more deck space up front at the bow than an eyra so that will be something you will have to get used to. I think the water you fish on is important but just as important is your style of fishing,if your front deck is going to look like Bryan thrifts then you are probably going to hate the eyra deck size. I will say this there is something to the way you sit in these boats that I never thought would matter but it does. I know these are the babies of the bunch but it illustrates my point, in my margay you really sit low in the boat like let your right elbow rest on the gunnel low and on my buddy's sabre ftd I feel like I am riding way up high on top of the boat and I am only 5,11 so not tall by any stretch. I say this because his boat is so much easier to get up and down from the seat when driving compared to mine but I feel way more connected to my boat while driving. I guess I say all this cause they really are different boats in their line up compared to say ranger where everything is literally the same but longer or shorter. You need to crawl all over these boats and think about what is most important to you out of the boat and what is most comfortable to you. In my opinion if you can slide into a slightly used caracal that might just be the best of all options given what you are coming from. Good luck.

[nojretlas]

The 518 ranger has a pretty wide deck for it's size. My margay has more deck space up front at the bow than an eyra so that will be something you will have to get used to. I think the water you fish on is important but just as important is your style of fishing,if your front deck is going to look like Bryan thrifts then you are probably going to hate the eyra deck size. I will say this there is something to the way you sit in these boats that I never thought would matter but it does. I know these are the babies of the bunch but it illustrates my point, in my margay you really sit low in the boat like let your right elbow rest on the gunnel low and on my buddy's sabre ftd I feel like I am riding way up high on top of the boat and I am only 5,11 so not tall by any stretch. I say this because his boat is so much easier to get up and down from the seat when driving compared to mine but I feel way more connected to my boat while driving. I guess I say all this cause they really are different boats in their line up compared to say ranger where everything is literally the same but longer or shorter. You need to crawl all over these boats and think about what is most important to you out of the boat and what is most comfortable to you. In my opinion if you can slide into a slightly used caracal that might just be the best of all options given what you are coming from. Good luck.

Caracal keeps entering my mind.
Thanks sir....

[Atrain89]

Caracal keeps entering my mind.
Thanks sir....

How far from Thayers in Norwich, CT are you? Might be worth the trip over there to see Richie. He has a Caracal, Eyra and Puma STS in stock there. I believe he even has a few used Basscats in stock as well.

[nojretlas]

How far from Thayers in Norwich, CT are you? Might be worth the trip over there to see Richie. He has a Caracal, Eyra and Puma STS in stock there. I believe he even has a few used Basscats in stock as well.

Bout 4 hours...I'll make a weekend out of it with my wife

[JBIGUNS]

I have a hard time believing the Puma STS is only 3-4 mph slower than an Eyra. Seems too good to be true. Curious what Basscat says…

[Mcjenson]

I have a hard time believing the Puma STS is only 3-4 mph slower than an Eyra. Seems too good to be true. Curious what Basscat says…

Same here. I just can't understand looking at the sizes of those boats, why the puma wouldn't be significantly slower.

[BASStex1988]

I have a hard time believing the Puma STS is only 3-4 mph slower than an Eyra. Seems too good to be true. Curious what Basscat says…

I have a friend that had his sts with a 250 hit 80. Not an everyday thing but the sts is a fast boat for the size. The deal with the eyra is it’s governed in the hull if that is ever pulled out of it. There won’t be a bass boat with a 250 that can touch it.

[Mcjenson]

I have a friend that had his sts with a 250 hit 80. Not an everyday thing but the sts is a fast boat for the size. The deal with the eyra is it’s governed in the hull if that is ever pulled out of it. There won’t be a bass boat with a 250 that can touch it.

That's pretty crazy, I always thought it topped out around 74 or so.

Did your friend have the boat completely empty, minimal fuel kinda deal?

[BASStex1988]

That's pretty crazy, I always thought it topped out around 74 or so.

Did your friend have the boat completely empty, minimal fuel kinda deal?

he was solo but with one full and one quarter. And a fishing load. It was not a speed specific deal. I was very impressed with it. Most sts boats are running 75-77. Some 78 depends on the driver and condition. That’s part of the reason I ordered a sts is there isn’t much speed drop between it and a eyra. But I will definitely be getting another eyra if they ever let it run as fast as it can. The eyra is my favorite boat of all time. It’s just a awesome performance boat with my favorite layout.

[Kittycat2012]

I have a hard time believing the Puma STS is only 3-4 mph slower than an Eyra. Seems too good to be true. Curious what Basscat says…

I have a hot eyra imo and had a hard time running down Addison’s Sts on Rayburn. I’m really impressed with how fast the sts is …. She will move for a big girl.

[bassfisher444]

I have a friend that had his sts with a 250 hit 80. Not an everyday thing but the sts is a fast boat for the size. The deal with the eyra is it’s governed in the hull if that is ever pulled out of it. There won’t be a bass boat with a 250 that can touch it.

Governed in the hull? How does that work?

[06 SB]

Governed in the hull? How does that work?

It is not a governor like on motors. It is a lip at the rear of the hull that keeps the nose down and a bit more of the hull in contact with the water. It can limit top end speeds. I do not know if the Eyra has one but the Sabre does.

[bassfisher444]

It is not a governor like on motors. It is a lip at the rear of the hull that keeps the nose down and a bit more of the hull in contact with the water. It can limit top end speeds. I do not know if the Eyra has one but the Sabre does.

Can it be taken out?

[nojretlas]

Can it be taken out?

Grinder would probably do it!

[Bass Cat Boats]

There is a lot of speculation on the governor in the Eyra hull. It is much more complicated than the given hook as a description. No, you can not just grind it out and to try would be a mistake. It is limited to right where Elwood has his operating. Getting more is possible, though driver control suffers in this hull form.

[nojretlas]

. It is limited to right where Elwood has his operating..... can you explain this statement

[angle iron]

. It is limited to right where Elwood has his operating..... can you explain this statement

I think he is saying Elwood has pushed his Eyra/300R to the limit after much trial and tweaking. (Many different props) He’s just short of 90 last I heard.

[mactlman]

. It is limited to right where Elwood has his operating..... can you explain this statement

basscat is saving you from yourself!!!