Suffern Outdoor Sport Show

[schodackbassman]

With all the snow on the ground I couldn't work outside so decided to make 2 hour trek south to the Sport show. It's a pretty good and quite large show. Didn't buy to much. Picked up some more Stick Jackets for just $5 each.

Big draw for me was CR Marine has putting on display Bass Cat's two new models for 2018. I got a chance to look at and crawl around on Bass Cat's two new models the Lynx which is top of the line premium boat with a price tag to go with it. Also really checked out the New Classic. Huge deck, lots but unconventional storage. This is BCB's new version of an entry level boat. Hull and deck are first class. Some of the other features are not what I'm used to but that was by design. They worked hard to keep price down. Still, pretty fast with a 200 going low to mid 70's. Boat is designed to run with a 150 like the old days. Buck and a half will push it into mid to upper 60's depending on load. The new Classic is extremely fishable boat with many options for mounting trolling motor pedal, lot's of room for up to 12' electronics at bow and console, excellent carpet, and exceptional bilge access. Big console will provide protection in bad weather. Bass Cat designed room on each side for rod tips outside of the console (s) to protect rod tips. Both boats feature newly designed front under deck storage. The Lynx is so freaking big, you'll never run out of room. The Classic, requires a different approach as far as organization but I think once you get used to it it will work well. I'm a little concerned with room for rod storage in main middle locker. The room for rod tips seemed narrow to me but maybe not. Without having a dozen rods or so on hand to play with It's hard to know. The trailer has a 3" C channel opposed to normal 4". Fenders were not as strong as normal fenders, has trailer tires instead of radials, and you have limited color choices for top cap and cabin area. It's comes white and that's it. Still, a lot of folks are going to like this design. I'm guessing in a year or two, there will be more upgrade options which will make it even more attractive though more expensive. I've heard that in the near future, this model will be used for MLF Fishing show.

Factory rep there who took the time to listen to how I have my boat set up to run and gave me some expert advice. Looking forward to putting set up info to work when spring finally gets here. I'd post pictures but can't any more. They are on Facebook if you have access.

[rgang4]

I like how the boat is laid out. Center storage for rods makes lots of sense. I checked it out well on their website. Great idea building a boat that performs with a 150. Overall they did a great job! But an all white cabin?? What would that look like after a day of pike or drum fishing on Champlain? Some white makes a nice color contrast but that much white, I dunno.
Good post Brian!

[schodackbassman]

Because it's all smooth gel coat in the cabin and so is the console, I think it would be easy to clean with a quick wipe down. will be easy to spot though..... The one at the show had a 150 Merc ProXS. Some folks who order new are putting 4 stroke Mercs, Yamaha's other then the SHO. Suzuki is making an entrance to bass boat market stepping in while Yamaha struggles. The 250 SHO is sold out for 2018. There are several Elite Pros (3 or 4 Bass Cats) running Suzuki's this year. BCB has a pretty big presence in Japan's pro bass circuit so not a surprised they are working with Suzuki.

I can probably text you pictures Roy or email. I think I have your email address. They picked nice colors for the boat at the show, Nice blue and white color scheme. Tandem trailer too but no steps/pole at front of boat like mine. That's an option and the one at the show as mentioned was pretty basic. Only has 3 options. Has decent electronics, tilt steering, one other option I forget. It's reported it handle rough water very well like other BCB's.

[schodackbassman]

Got back Tuesday from our trip to Myrtle Beach and Greenville where the Bassmasters Classic was held this year. Bass Cat was doing test rides on Hartwell at a launch about 40 minutes from town. My wife and I took a ride out on a beautiful morning. I took test rides in the Caracal Bass Cats first wide deck boat that came out a few years ago and in the new Classic. The Caracal is a top of the line premium boat at 19' 6" or 9". The one I rode in had a 225 Merc Pro X that wasn't broken in yet so no long high speed runs. You sit down deep in this boat which is very comfortable. The boat was extremely nimble for a boat this size and fast. Driver only went fast for maybe a minute but it got up and flew in a hurry pushing me back into the seat. Did some extremely sharp turns at 30-40 mph and it never missed a beat. Took boat chop extremely well and dry of course. It was what I expected from a BCB premium model. Note both boats were empty of tackle and no shallow anchors. There was a second Caracal to ride in sporting a 225 new model Evinrude. Reports from others who rode in that boat was that it was extremely fast and the low end and mid range on the 'rude was very impressive. I don't trust Evinrude for a moment with their history so I'd never buy one but I know many love them.

The new Classic's performance knocked my socks off. Mine had a 200 Merc Pro XS, limited electronics, no tackle, Fortex 80 TM, and no shallow anchors. Merc was spinning a 23 or 24P prop, may have been a Tempest. This think flies and by that I mean most of the boat gets out of the water to increase speed. Still was steady as could be. It turned on a dime and got up to 70 from a dead start in no time. I really expected the larger/wider boat to be less response then my old version of the Classic. IT WAS NOT! This boat is perfect for south Champlain and can handle big water at lower speeds as does mine if you know how to drive it. This thing was just a blast to buzz around in. The young man driving and others on the dock organizing the rides (BCB staffers all young) all told me when things were slow and they had time, everyone was taking turns taking the Classic out for rides because it such a blast to drive. Keep in mind they had access to the new Lynx too but everyone was climbing into the Classic. I probably should have taken a ride in the Lynx too just for the experience but I didn't want to take up a ride from others there seriously considering buying the boat. But I don't see my self spending 85-90K on a bass boat so I passed. It was damn nice to get on the water if only for a half hour or so. The Classic on display at the Classic Expo had a lot of extra's that makes the boat very attractive. Hull matched glass fenders, nicer electronics, etc. The better fenders didn't flex like the ones on the entry level trailer. I'd have to give this boat serious consideration if I ever decided to sell mine. It's a great fishing platform. Oh BTW, I got into that center rod locker to check it out again. There are 11 rod tubes plus room for 5-7 more rods in the center locker in addition to any you might want to put in the port locker.

If anyone is serious about buying a new BCB, you may want to check out dealer inventories if you don't want to wait. The Lynx is sold out for 2018 based on present orders. Other boats are taking 20 weeks from date of order for custom builds. BCB and from what I hear, most of the better boat companies are having a banner year so far and last year was very good. Yamaha's SHO is also sold out for 2018 and has been since January. How the hell you sell out in less then a month is beyond me. Though I think it has a lot to do with how they commit to boat companies (Skeeter/G3, other boat companies involved with Yamaha) has a lot to do with it. But BCB can't get them and were leaning in Susuki's direction anyway. There were a lot of Susuki's on BCB and other boat companies at the Classic. The economy is popping and folks are spending I guess.