Bass Cat Margay

FlatsNBay · January 18, 2020, 12:05:40 PM

I just ordered my new Bass Cat Margay!

As many of you know, I've been looking for just the right boat that will be able to fit in my 19' 8" garage. They just don't make smaller bass boats anymore and even most of the aluminum style bass boats are still too big, even with a swing tongue. I was kind of pessimistic when the owner of Aqua Tech Marine in Palm Bay Florida asked me to come in and see him and that he may have a solution to my boat/small garage problem. I had been a customer at Aqua Tech Marine for many years as this was my local shop for service for my previous boat. Once at Aqua Tech, Rob, the owner, suggested the Bass Cat Margay. I told him that the total package of the Margay was still too big to fit in my garage. He said, "Let's call Bass Cat and see if they can make it work". A day or 2 later, I got a call back from Aqua Tech followed up with an email from Bass Cat that they will make adjustments to the boat, motor, jack plate and trailer to nail the size so that it will fit in my small garage! Wow! Now, that's customer service!

I didn't pull the trigger at first to order the boat as I like to research things to death in order to make an informed decision. As a comparison, I reached out to all of the other bass boat companies to see if they too were willing to make adjustments to their smaller 17' models that they made in order to fit in my garage and none even entertained the idea! What you see is what you get with all the other boat builders. I next researched Bass Cat Boats' reputation and reviews along with their Margay model. I found that Bass Cat has an amazing amount of loyalty and the customer service before, during and after the sale and was often considered the best customer service in the boat industry. Another thing that impressed me was that many of the options in other boats come standard for Bass cats.

And now, for a couple of cosmetic things that I wasn't crazy about (at first). For those that know me, I'm a pretty conservative guy and flashy is not my style. If you look at many Bass Cats, there is lot of stripes and flashy colors. The good thing that I learned is every Bass Cat comes colored and striped to the exact specifications of the customer. I could go as flashy as I want or in my case a more conservative color and striping.

The second thing that I wasn't crazy about is for the Margay model, the inside of the cap around the console is always white. There is no option to change the color because Bass Cat keeps the price down by keeping the color white. The white normally sticks out like a sore thumb but I was able to select a color scheme for the boat that tends to blend well with the white.

And finally, I wasn't crazy about the front deck because there is a portion of the deck sticks out back towards the passenger area of the boat in order for the rod box to be able to hold a 8' rod. It is understandable and that look grew on me as well.

I've really come to actually appreciate the look and finish of the Bass Cat as I looked and researched more and more of them.

After all of my research, I pulled the trigger and placed my order. Build time is 6 to 8 weeks. The color that I selected is silver mist with a white and sapphire blue stripe and accents. It should look pretty sweet. Here are the specs on the Margay. A few of the numbers have changed in order for me to fit it in my garage. I had to go with a Mercury Pro XS 115 with a smaller jack plate and adjustments to the trailer. I couldn't go with the 150. It just wouldn't fit. Top end is reportedly around mid 50 so that is plenty fast enough for me. I've gone 60 plus mph in boats before and don't feel the need to go that fast anymore.

SPECIFICATIONS
Length - 17'7

W/Swing Away Tongue - 20'4"

Beam - 90"

Approx Boat Weight - 1250lbs

Fuel Capacity - 26 gallons

Max H.P. Range - 70-150

Standard Features
Two (2) Hummingbird Helix 7 Sonar Units
Minn Kota Maxxum 70 - 42"
Perko Latches
Integrated SS Ladder in Deck
Windscreen
750 GPH Bilge Pump w/Auto
Aeration & Pump Out Feature - Pull Aerator Head Oper.
26 Gallons of Fuel
*May be 5% less with capacity value
Two Fold Down Seats
Quicksilver Matched Analog Gauge Package
Center Rod Storage w/Tackle access below
One Rod Bungee at Bow
Ice Chest Cooler
24oz Carpet
No Lighted Boxes
Black Pinstripe
3 blade propeller - Fury is an upgrade
Sea Star Steering - no tilt
8in Jack Plate (Slidemaster)
6X Steering Wheel
Interactive Digital Panel
Master Power Switch at Dash
Automatic Bilge
Matching Agauge Dress Rings color coded Alumn.
Trim Gauge
Four Cleats
Foam Filled Stringer System

Bass Cat Trailers
Single Axle
3" C Channel frame - US Steel
Three (3) cross members - US Steel
Pivot Tongue (3" Fr. Trailer Only)
IMCO Tie Downs
No Brakes
14" Aluminized Galvanized Wheels w/Spare
PPG Clear Coat (1)

I'll add more pics along with a review after the boat comes in. I can't wait!

Smallie_Stalker · January 18, 2020, 12:25:04 PM

Congratulations Flats!

That's some impressive customer service. May she ever be covered in fish slime. Looking forward to the pictures.

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Donald Garner · January 18, 2020, 01:14:43 PM

Flats congrats on the new ride

Of course we're going to need to see lots of pictures once you get it home

Lipripper · January 18, 2020, 01:23:36 PM

Flats sounds like you got a great boat and will be looking for them

when you get her and may you catch lots of fish from her.

Wizard · January 18, 2020, 02:49:41 PM

I drove the boat when it was released to the dealers. Like all Cats, it is solid, well made and rides well. With a 150 on the back, it is a rocket ship. It is about the same length and weight as the Ranger 354 which was also fast and agile. I know Rick Pierce and he is a good man who goes the distance to keep his boat owners happy. I haven't chatted with Rick since last summer. Send him an email in thanks (he appreciates it) and tell him the Wizard is still above ground.

Wizard

Capt. BassinLou · January 18, 2020, 06:01:27 PM

Congratulations Flats!! So happy for you. Can't wait to see it.

SteveTX · January 19, 2020, 09:23:27 AM

Very nice congratulations. Will be great to see pictures.

apenland01 · January 19, 2020, 11:09:33 AM

Sounds like a great boat for you, nice job!

Oldfart9999 · January 19, 2020, 06:03:57 PM

Well, you know the drill about pics, I won't bore you with the shtick. Congrats on the boat!!!
Rodney

Princeton_Man · January 19, 2020, 06:24:59 PM

Congratulations!

Now the wait begins...

Captsteve · January 19, 2020, 10:51:07 PM

Congratulations

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FD · January 20, 2020, 04:49:15 AM

An 8' locker in a 17 ft boat is an amazing trick. I actually like the look. And a 115 on a 1250 lb boat, that thing should scoot.

Congrats brother, can't wait to see it.

Post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacia est

FishaHallic · January 20, 2020, 04:36:28 PM

Watched a few videos, boat looks sweet but I bet that will be a long 6-8 weeks while your waiting.

Are you going with power poles?

FlatsNBay · January 21, 2020, 08:26:12 PM

Thanks everyone. Yes, I'm eventually going with twin power poles. I have to find the best deal and proper size so that I won't have to lower them to get in and out of the garage. I'm going to enjoy going without them in the meantime.

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Polaris425 · January 22, 2020, 07:45:26 AM

bass cat makes a great boat.... I loved both of mine.

FlatsNBay · March 18, 2020, 03:29:28 PM

She came in!

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Captsteve · March 18, 2020, 04:03:19 PM

Congratulations, sweet looking.

Any day fishing, is a good day.

apenland01 · March 18, 2020, 04:55:34 PM

Congrats!

Capt. BassinLou · March 18, 2020, 08:31:34 PM

Boat looks great Flats!! Congratulations!! So happy for you.

Florida Bass Fishing Reports , Dobyns Rods , Lockett Lures

Smallie_Stalker · March 18, 2020, 08:32:50 PM

Beautiful Flats! Congrats.

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Deadeye · March 19, 2020, 10:31:57 AM

Looks great! Enjoy.

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FlatsNBay · March 29, 2020, 03:37:06 PM

A couple of add ons. I put a tool holder up on the bow. I used some extra heavy double sided tape that is rated for up to 15 lbs. so we'll see if it holds. I'm trying not to drill holes! I also installed a Ninja Grass Blade on the trolling motor and also a lock for the Hummingbird on the bow.

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BarryFL · March 29, 2020, 05:09:40 PM

I want to see that thing in person, soon!

~Barry~

Capt. BassinLou · March 29, 2020, 06:02:42 PM

Nice additions.

Flat's have you been able to open up the throttle a bit for a minute or two? How fast did you get it to?

FlatsNBay · March 29, 2020, 08:24:41 PM

Yes I did briefly. I'm only getting about 40. I'm going to lower the motor a half inch to see what it will do. I've seen a bunch of reports that it should do upper 40s easily. I'll play around with it and see.

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