Great Bass Boat Search Revisited - The New Bass Cat Puma STS

Although we completed The Great Bass Boat Search of 2021, last last year with over 100 hours spent in 15 different boats, 40 videos, there is a new boat around introduced this year that I had to go review. The new Bass Cat STS, Cat's newest wide deck design was introduced last year and I finally had a chance to spend a day in it, and here is part 1 of that review. As a reminder last year we looked at a Ranger 521C, a Ranger 520L, a Bass Cat Puma Hybrid, a Charger 210, a Caymas CX21, a Bullet 21 SDC, Phoenix921 ProXP, , a Vexus VX20, a Blazer 650 Pro Tour, a Phoenix 21 PHX, a Skeeter 21 FXR, a Falcon F215, a Bass Cat Lynx, a Ballistic 204 and an Allison XB 21, now we look at Bass Cat's newest offering.
#beforeyoubuyabassboatwatchthis #greatbassboatsearch #basscatpumasts
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See also Shopping for a New Bass boat, Bass boat shopping, Shopping for a new bass boat 2020, which bass boat is right for me, what to know before you buy a bass boat, thinking about buying a new bass boat, buying your first bass boat, buying a new bass boat, best bass boat for the money, what to look for in a bass boat, bass boat walk through, what to look for in a new bass boat, bass boat comparisons, bass boat champion, Ranger walk through, buying a new bass boat tips and tricks, consumer digest bass boat, best value bass boat, best bass boat 2020, best bass boat 2021, top 5 bass boats.
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[@wearcotton]

If money wasn’t in the equation that would be my next boat. Fantastic looking rig

[@KenSmithFishing]

$1 billion jackpot this Friday, if you win will you buy me one, I'll make the same deal with you if I win?

[@sandyjones1239]

Hey Ken I bought this boat from Mark a month ago and love the way the boat is set up and runs out. I did install the other console and windshields for comfort as well as mine. Ross never installed the Puma STS sticker but I will contact them to see if it was sent to them. We have already put 10 hrs more on the boat

[@DHW448]

Thanks for the update Ken. Great looking boat.

[@KenSmithFishing]

You bet

[@steveparker7240]

That's a good setup, I've got three 12's and a 9 on my Lynx, I will probably go with four 9's next time. And probably three 12V lithiums for the TM. You have a little redundancy that way in case a single component goes belly up. Nice boat.

[@KenSmithFishing]

redundancy is a good thing in a boat

[@fisherperkins2955]

Ken. Regarding mercury motors and using lithium cranking batteries, there are two different types of lithium batteries. Lithium ion, and lithium iron phosphate batteries. The problem using lithium Ion batteries to crank with is how those batteries perform. The lithium ion batteries can damage Mercury’s electronic computer system because of the way the power is distributed. Those batteries send their power out in a almost unregulated way. Lithium iron phosphate batteries on the other hand have much more stable and have a built in bms (battery management system) which regulates the power being sent to your motor for cranking which in turn will not damage your motor or void your factory warranty which is confirmed by mercury. The lithium iron batteries preform just as well as lithium ion batteries. On our 2022 puma sts, we are running all nextgen lithium iron batteries being 2 36v trolling motor batteries and 2 12v cranking batteries. Have not had a single issue with our batteries.

[@trevorelliottfishing6262]

I have a Puma STS I absolutely love it. I did a single 15 at the console and a 12 and 15 on the bow. I have my pedal in the forward position and they sit low low with now aftermarket mounts. I also have REFLEX in my cockpit and it’s the bees knees. I absolutely love my boat a there very little I would change about it.

[@KenSmithFishing]

like the set up Trevor

[@makeithappen8473]

I've been waiting on you to review this one.

[@KenSmithFishing]

was fun

[@jaggededgeoutdoors3334]

This is 100% my dream rig. Hopefully one day.

[@KenSmithFishing]

roger that!

[@mikeharris130]

I saw a Puma STS with the slam latches at the Knoxville Expo in February of this year (2022). I was not a fan. My 2022 Cougar has the traditional compression latches, which I prefer. I have Garmin electronics and Force TM. I chose a single NextGen 36V/40A TM battery, works great for me. With my last conversation with my Mercury mechanic, no Lithiums for cranking as yet.

[@KenSmithFishing]

I think they've changed their minds on lithium's, looking into it

[@MJ_Bass]

I have a 125 AH Ionic lithium for my main battery and electronics battery. Never had any issues. I know mercury bought relion, so guessing they'll get "approved" eventually. I'm a big fan of smaller dual units vs one big one at the console. Have two garmin 943xsv for the price of one 12" graph. I split my side imaging to the left and right units and get plenty of screen area. My boat came factory with helix graphs, can't stand them. For what they cost they should be embarrassed that a few hundred waypoints will slow them down. Humminbird is good for lakemaster and 360 and that's it IMO. Active captain waypoint management from garmin is way better than humminbird. I'd recommend you trying out the garmin trolling motor on your next boat Ken. I've had ultrex's for years, and while they work good, the garmin is far quieter and more efficient. Better spotlock too.

[@KenSmithFishing]

MJ your eyes are better than mine. I think I may switch to Garmin, seems all good reports on them

[@MJ_Bass]

@@KenSmithFishing I really feel like two nines at the console, especially splitting SI across the units, really isn’t harder to see vs 12s at the bow. That said, if I were to order a new boat I’d consider just one 12 at the console, or maybe a 16, just for ease of wiring and power demands.

[@georgeadcock2347]

Really nice setup...

[@KenSmithFishing]

I think so too!

[@PMantle]

Would like to know more details about the 12 volt setup, particularly what product(s) used to bridge the two batteries and how the leads are attached when the two are in parallel.

[@KenSmithFishing]

Paul I'll ask

[@kolbyjones2199]

That 300 has got to have her moving

[@KenSmithFishing]

Yeah I didn't let all the horses run free that day

[@rickvann3489]

I quote Mercury states that a lithium battery must have a heat sensing circuitry along with the cold and over charge sensors which most high end lithium batteries have. Circuit board on top of battery.

[@KenSmithFishing]

Rick is that recent memo they have put out

[@rickvann3489]

@@KenSmithFishing it's been out. The battery must have protect mode to prevent back charging. This is what I was told. Guys are running them

[@Lilrhino81]

Great walk around Ken! where can I get that Parking brake lever setup to add to my current trailer! Would be a more convenient then lugging around my chock blocks I currently use.

[@KenSmithFishing]

AJ I bet you can add that, check and see if BCB's sells the system to add

[@Lilrhino81]

I Did just that Ken,,,,tho it’s only available on new orders,,,,tho I’m currently workin on a DIY option

[@Lilrhino81]

I ended up building/copying the design and added it to my trailer.

[@Lilrhino81]

kzbin.info6OdFJou3nSU?feature=share

[@denaliking6426]

you're going to be pissed off when you literally trip on those hinges above the floor, why would they have the hinges above the floor - that's definitely a design flaw

[@BrianCooperFishing]

I've never owned a bass cat and am not very familiar with them so I have a question. What is the purpose of the big whit plastic bushing there in front of the center storage lid there stepping up from floor to front deck? Just curious.

[@KenSmithFishing]

Brian, I think that is a place to put your seat if you buy a tall (vs layflat) cover...but I'll find out for sure

[@BrianCooperFishing]

@@KenSmithFishing That's what I thought it might be but wasn't sure. I actually have the same ranger you had and they have an extra hole in the floor of the cockpit to put your butt seat for that same reason. Thanks.

[@thebasswicker6294]

I love BassCat but hate the front space and T motor area set up

[@KenSmithFishing]

this one is spacey...

[@cantcatchafish]

Is the BBT gimbal mount for the Helix the "regular" height or the "shorty"?

[@KenSmithFishing]

Josh it looked normal to me

[@chanceehuiet]

Correction. Charger didn't, Champion did and Charger Incorporated it when started using that hull

[@KenSmithFishing]

got it, thanks Chance

[@mikethetoolman8776]

that parking brake should fit any trailer with the same tongue and brake set up?? retro fit to many of them?

[@KenSmithFishing]

Mike not sure what you are asking?

[@mikethetoolman8776]

can that new basscat parking brake be added to any brand of the trailer? looks like most brands set up at the tounque

[@tannerherrington8914]

is this gonna be your new boat Ken?

[@KenSmithFishing]

if I can ever get a motor

[@tannerherrington8914]

@@KenSmithFishing 300R?

[@calebpayne7205]

Got one forsale loaded to the gills 117 thousand its number 22

[@KenSmithFishing]

roger that

[@deatralocklear17]

I’ve tried to like these boats but the layout has an old appearance. With the hand rails on the side to the hideous drainage in the center of the floor.