Bass Cat Caracal

The Bass Cat Caracal boat is a top contender in the world of bass fishing vessels, combining sports performance with practical functionality. This boat stands out with its Soft Touch Series (STS) hull design, which enhances load carrying, especially with heavier four-stroke engines. Anglers will appreciate the nimble hull that offers a comfortable and stable ride even in rough water conditions, maximizing their fishing experience.

The Caracal is not just built for performance; it is also designed with the fisherman's needs in mind. It offers a stable, wide body with a 96-inch beam, providing ample space to move around. Packed with proven accessories and options for custom colors, this boat allows personal customization. Furthermore, the Bass Cat Caracal boats feature a durable fiberglass modified-vee build, a lifetime hull and transom warranty, ensuring both longevity and peace of mind for the owner.

When it comes to storage, the Caracal excels with well-thought-out solutions to keep equipment organized and easily accessible. Additionally, the attention to safety and comfort makes it an ideal choice for serious anglers. With a fuel capacity of 43 gallons, it promises extended trips without frequent refueling stops, adding to the convenience and efficiency of this high-performing fishing boat.

Key Takeaways

• Bass Cat Caracal offers a stable and spacious fishing platform.
• The STS hull design ensures a smooth and comfortable ride in rough waters.
• Features include high-capacity fuel storage and customizable options.

Overview of Bass Cat Caracal

The Bass Cat Caracal presents an impressive blend of innovation and performance. This 20-foot-class bass boat combines advanced hull design, efficient load-carrying capabilities, and a spacious deck layout that caters to serious anglers.

General Specifications

• Length Overall (LOA): 20' 2"
• Beam: 96 inches
• Draft: Not specified
• Fuel Capacity: Not specified

The boat features a wide body and a Soft Touch Series (STS) hull. This hull design offers a mix of stability and maneuverability, ideal for various freshwater conditions. The sizable beam of 96 inches provides ample room on deck, ensuring comfort and accessibility for anglers.

Design Philosophy

The Caracal's design prioritizes both aesthetics and functionality. The STS hull is a testament to this, providing a sleek appearance while enhancing performance on the water. The sculpted console is one of the standout features, offering a modern look and improved functionality.

The layout accommodates multiple graphs and provides easy access to crucial controls, making it efficient for tournament fishing. The bow panel can mount up to three graphs, ensuring that anglers have all the data they need at their fingertips.

Performance and Handling

Performance-wise, the Bass Cat Caracal is built to handle diverse aquatic environments. The nimble hull design ensures a comfortable ride, even in rough chop. During test conditions, the boat showcased impressive speeds, reaching up to 74.6 mph.

Its load-carrying capability makes it suitable for heavier four-stroke engines, which are becoming increasingly common. The boat maintains stability and speed without compromising on comfort, making it a reliable choice for both casual and competitive fishing.

Features of Bass Cat Caracal

The Bass Cat Caracal boat is designed with a blend of comfort and functionality. It provides a smooth ride with many fishing-specific features, making it suitable for both recreational and competitive anglers.

Comfort and Convenience

The Caracal STS model combines comfort with practicality. It comes with the Soft Touch Series hull, which ensures a smoother ride in rough waters. The tilt wheel feature allows for adjustable steering, making it more convenient for different boaters to handle.

Inside, the boat offers Reflex PE floor padding for added comfort while standing. Day-storage boxes keep essential items handy and organized. Lighted boxes make navigating storage areas easy, even in low light conditions. These features make long days on the water more enjoyable and stress-free.

Fishing Amenities

Fishing is at the core of the Caracal's design. It includes large livewells with a unique triangular design to better accommodate and protect fish. The boat's rod straps ensure that rods remain secure, even in choppy water conditions.

The deck has been enhanced to include spaces for multiple stacked graphs. This makes monitoring fish-finders and other electronics more efficient and easy. Overall, both the layout and the storage solutions like lighted boxes cater specifically to the needs of serious anglers.

Beyond these points, additional livewell features maintain fish health and convenience, underlining why the Caracal STS is a well-considered choice for fishing enthusiasts.

Electronics and Controls

The Bass Cat Caracal boat is equipped with advanced electronics and control systems to enhance navigation and overall handling. These features ensure a seamless experience for both novice and experienced boaters.

Navigation and Instrumentation

The Bass Cat Caracal includes a sophisticated bow panel designed to support multiple graph installations. This panel can flush-mount two stacked graphs, and with additional brackets, it can support three. Typically, these graphs are 12-inch units giving detailed underwater views and navigation data.

Precise control is facilitated by hydraulic steering, ensuring responsive handling at all speeds. The dash features electronic panels equipped with vital instruments, allowing for real-time monitoring of engine performance and fuel efficiency.

This boat often comes with a Mercury 250 Pro XS FourStroke engine, offering reliable power and performance. The engine data is conveniently displayed, making it easy to track speed, RPM, and other crucial metrics.

On-Board Systems

The Caracal's master power system is designed to integrate seamlessly with its electronics. This setup includes a dedicated master power switch and a secondary backup, labeled Master Power (2). These switches ensure all electronic systems can be controlled from a central point, enhancing safety and convenience.

A key feature of the Caracal is the Minn Kota Fortrex 80 trolling motor. Known for its durability and power, this motor provides excellent maneuverability in various water conditions. It’s integrated with the boat’s electronic systems for easy operation from the bow panel.

For added convenience, the boat is also fitted with an array of electrical accessories, including digital gauges, switches, and breakers. These components support the seamless operation of additional equipment like live wells, lighting, and audio systems, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable boating experience.

Storage Solutions

The Bass Cat Caracal boat offers versatile and efficient storage solutions, ensuring that all your gear is both secure and easily accessible. With specialized compartments and thoughtful design, this boat maximizes space and convenience.

Secure and Accessible

The Centerline Storage Boxes provide ample space for storing essential items. These boxes are designed to be both easily reachable and secure, making access quick while keeping contents safe.

The Rod-Storage Box is perfect for anglers, providing dedicated space to securely store fishing rods. It helps prevent damage and tangling.

The boat also features a Dry Locker, which is crucial for keeping your valuables dry and safe from water exposure. Items like electronics, clothing, and personal effects stay protected.

Dual Rod Straps make it easy to secure rods when moving locations. These straps ensure that the rods stay in place and don't shift during transit.

Specialized Compartments

The Caracal boats come with tailored Plano Tackle Trays compartments. These trays keep tackle organized and within easy reach.

A unique Net Scabbard or Landing Net Scabbard is included for storing your landing nets efficiently, saving space and ensuring readiness.

Hatch and Latch Designs are crafted for durability and ease of use. These hatches provide quick access and are built to withstand rigorous use.

All these solutions are engineered to enhance the fishing experience by making gear management seamless and efficient.

Boating Safety and Comfort

The Bass Cat Caracal boat offers a perfect balance of safety and comfort, making it an ideal choice for boaters.

Comfort Features

The boat's Soft Touch Series (STS) hull provides a smooth ride, even in rough water conditions. This design significantly reduces the impact of choppy waters, ensuring a comfortable experience for passengers. The trolling-motor pedal pocket helps keep the deck clutter-free, providing more space and ease of movement.

The seating arrangements are ergonomically designed, offering excellent support during long days on the water. High-quality materials and cushioning make the seats both durable and comfortable. Additionally, the measuring board is conveniently placed, allowing anglers to quickly measure their catch without disrupting their fishing activities.

Safety Features

Safety is a priority on the Bass Cat Caracal. The boat has a generous livewell capacity, keeping caught fish in optimal condition while ensuring the vessel's stability. The seat/weight capacity is carefully balanced to maintain safety without sacrificing performance.

Mooring flip cleats are included for secure docking, lessening the chance of accidents while mooring. The boat's design also features robust railings and a non-slip deck surface, reducing the risk of falls. Furthermore, all electrical components are properly insulated, and flotation devices are easily accessible.

Performance and Specifications

The Bass Cat Caracal boasts impressive performance, featuring robust engine options and adaptable dimensions that accommodate various fishing and boating needs.

Engine and Propulsion

The Bass Cat Caracal offers several engine choices, including the Mercury 250 Pro XS and the Mercury 250XS. These powerful engines provide the necessary thrust to reach speeds close to 75 mph, with potential to hit 80 mph in ideal conditions. The Mercury 250 Pro XS FourStroke in particular excels in reliability and fuel efficiency.

The boat's hull design features the Soft Touch Series (STS), enhancing rough-water handling and stability. Additionally, the Slidemaster Jackplate allows for precise engine height adjustments, which maximizes performance based on varying water conditions and load demands.

Dimensions and Capacities

The Bass Cat Caracal measures 20 feet and 2 inches in length, making it one of the more spacious options among 20’ bass boats. It features a beam width of 96 inches. These dimensions contribute to a stable and comfortable ride.

Built with vinyl ester resin, the hull is both durable and lightweight, contributing to a dry weight of approximately 2,150 pounds. This weight ensures the boat is agile yet sturdy enough for various fishing conditions. The draft is about 0.40 meters, making it suitable for navigating rivers, canals, and coastal areas. Furthermore, fuel efficiency is noteworthy, with some configurations providing up to 4.4 mpg at 31 mph.

Pricing and Options

The Bass Cat Caracal boat offers a range of pricing to fit different budgets. Starting prices for the Caracal model begin at around $54,900 and can reach up to $110,755 for fully equipped versions.

Specifications for the 2024 model feature a 20'2" length and a 96" wide-body design. This provides a stable and spacious fishing platform. The boat's hull is part of the Soft Touch Series (STS), which ensures smooth handling.

Here's a quick price breakdown:

• Starting Price: $54,900
• Average Price: $89,999
• Maximum Price: $110,755

Options for customization are abundant. Buyers can choose from various high-tech fishing tools and accessories. Popular choices include advanced GPS systems, premium sound systems, and custom paint jobs.

For those who prioritize security, the boat can include features like lockable storage compartments to protect valuable gear. This helps ensure both the safety of equipment and a stress-free fishing experience.

Lastly, the variety of related models includes the Puma STS, Cougar FTD, and Jaguar. These models offer similar features and price ranges, providing alternatives for different preferences and needs.

Overall, the Bass Cat Caracal boat's pricing and options allow for flexibility in both budget and customization, ensuring a tailored fit for any angler.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bass Cat Caracal is a high-performance bass boat known for its innovative design, impressive speed, and spacious layout. Here are answers to some common questions about the Bass Cat Caracal.

What are the standard features of the Bass Cat Caracal?

The Bass Cat Caracal comes with a wide array of standard features. It has a Soft Touch Series (STS) hull that provides smooth handling in rough waters. The boat includes a redesigned deck, a wide body for stability, ample storage compartments, and flush-mount options for multiple graphs.

What is the top speed and performance of the Bass Cat Caracal boat?

The top speed recorded for the Bass Cat Caracal is 74.6 mph, which is impressive for a bass boat. At an efficient cruising speed of 31 mph and 3,500 rpm, the boat delivers 4.4 miles per gallon. It handles rough waters well and offers a comfortable ride due to its nimble hull design.

How does the Bass Cat Caracal compare to other bass boats on the market?

When compared to other 20-foot bass boats, the Bass Cat Caracal stands out due to its wide-body design and innovative STS hull. These features provide better load carrying and superior handling. The Caracal's redesign ensures it meets and often exceeds performance expectations in its class.

What are the dimensions and weight specifications for the Bass Cat Caracal?

The Bass Cat Caracal measures 20 feet 2 inches in length and has a width of 96 inches. This wide stance provides stability and ample space on the deck. The specific weight of the boat can vary depending on additional features and the propulsion system used.

Are there any recent reviews on the Bass Cat Caracal boat from industry experts?

Industry experts have favorable reviews for the Bass Cat Caracal. Boating Mag highlights its improved performance in rough water, and YouTube walkthroughs emphasize the boat's detailed layout and efficient speed. These reviews underline the Caracal's reputation for quality and performance.

What should one consider when looking for a used Bass Cat Caracal boat?

When considering a used Bass Cat Caracal, check the condition of the hull and the engine hours. Look for any signs of wear or previous repairs. Ensure that all electronic components are functioning properly and inspect the storage compartments for any damage. Additionally, consider the boat's maintenance history for better insight into its long-term reliability.