This week I took a ride in a new PT2 with a 200 Optimax. I had some issues that I would appreciate some input on from owners of newer Bass Cats. I have a 91
Sabre that is almost a member of the family and part of my problem is I like my boat. The new ones are not the same. I want to up-grade and what I was
looking for is a slightly longer boat for rough water, quieter motor, hydraulic steering and ample storage. (I haul a lot of stuff). Blazing speed is not
important, hole shot is. Here are a few things that I was not comfortable with:
(1) The Optimax was loud and I thought it would be much quieter.
(2) The bucket seat position was too far back and so I had to lean into the steering wheel. It had tilt steering but no in/out adjustment.
(3) On the hole shot, there was a slight vibration from the Optimax, said to be normal.
(4) I have a space in front of my console for a tackle box and I added a shelf to store my net below that. With the large boxes, do you put a whole tackle box in the storage compartment or just storage boxes and how do you organnize the boxes to keep order?
(5) I took my wife fishing the next morning and we met a tournament fisherman launching his boat (Jimmy Todd) and he was running a 06 ETEC and we were impressed with how quiet it was. (I have had a bad taste for Johnson/Erude every since the FICT disaster.) He said he had always run Mercury's before the ETEC, but really liked it.) Anyone liking the ETEC?
(6) I have twin Yamaha EFI's (2000) on my saltwater boat and they are quieter than the Optimax and have not had any major troubles. Does anyone run Yamaha 4 stokes on their bass boats? I know they are quiet and fuel efficient.
(7) I was not confortable with the Hot Foot. I thought I wanted one on my new boat, but the spring was stiff (adjustable I was told) and having to keep your foot on the throttle was a negative to me. I know I am so use to the right hand shift, throttle and tilt and trim. I usally move around at 35 to 45 MPH and the only time I run fast, is just to see if I can still do over 60 MPH, short burst. How necessary is having a Hot Foot?
(
Finally, this is just an impression: I felt like I was sitting on top of the boat instead of in the boat. I felt I was well over the wind shield, but
impressed that my hat stayed on. I feel like I am siting down into my boat and I like that.
I know this is nit picking, but I am trying to make a decision by the 15th to take advantage of the promotions and I am concerned and hesitant in making a decision. I have looked at one other brand of boat that has service near by. My closest Bass Cat dealer is 135 miles and the other one is over 200 miles, a concern during these high gas price days.
Thanks for any constructive advise.
Skipjack
(1) The Optimax was loud and I thought it would be much quieter.
(2) The bucket seat position was too far back and so I had to lean into the steering wheel. It had tilt steering but no in/out adjustment.
(3) On the hole shot, there was a slight vibration from the Optimax, said to be normal.
(4) I have a space in front of my console for a tackle box and I added a shelf to store my net below that. With the large boxes, do you put a whole tackle box in the storage compartment or just storage boxes and how do you organnize the boxes to keep order?
(5) I took my wife fishing the next morning and we met a tournament fisherman launching his boat (Jimmy Todd) and he was running a 06 ETEC and we were impressed with how quiet it was. (I have had a bad taste for Johnson/Erude every since the FICT disaster.) He said he had always run Mercury's before the ETEC, but really liked it.) Anyone liking the ETEC?
(6) I have twin Yamaha EFI's (2000) on my saltwater boat and they are quieter than the Optimax and have not had any major troubles. Does anyone run Yamaha 4 stokes on their bass boats? I know they are quiet and fuel efficient.
(7) I was not confortable with the Hot Foot. I thought I wanted one on my new boat, but the spring was stiff (adjustable I was told) and having to keep your foot on the throttle was a negative to me. I know I am so use to the right hand shift, throttle and tilt and trim. I usally move around at 35 to 45 MPH and the only time I run fast, is just to see if I can still do over 60 MPH, short burst. How necessary is having a Hot Foot?
(
Finally, this is just an impression: I felt like I was sitting on top of the boat instead of in the boat. I felt I was well over the wind shield, but
impressed that my hat stayed on. I feel like I am siting down into my boat and I like that.
I know this is nit picking, but I am trying to make a decision by the 15th to take advantage of the promotions and I am concerned and hesitant in making a decision. I have looked at one other brand of boat that has service near by. My closest Bass Cat dealer is 135 miles and the other one is over 200 miles, a concern during these high gas price days.
Thanks for any constructive advise.
Skipjack
).
