TEAM TALK: BASSCAT 203 HYBRID!!! (2021)

[@5000BlueStudios]

Thumbs up to Rick Pierce! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@swimbaitninja4761]

Now it's your turn to get your champ off the shelf and continue your champion restore episodes!

[@andyhauser9327]

Thanks again for the chat Rick!

[@keithgyulveszi6735]

You TOTALLY REDEEMED YOURSELF! LOL. I could see in your eyes and hear in your voice that you get it now. It’s not just the BassCat boats we buy, it’s Rick Pierce and the whole BassCat family. Great people making great boats. As long as the Pierce family is running BassCat, we will be BassCat owners for life!

[@burneraccount9253]

The Mountain Home Champs were the real Champs!!!! Awesome video guys!

[@TeamMarineService]

100000000%

[@chanceehuiet]

I'll give you an example of what type of person Rick is. Buddy of mine bought a Cougar AE back in 2013. We ran into Rick at a tournament in 2019 and Rick immediately asked my buddy how his Cougar was treating him. Zero communication between boat purchase and that day. 6 years. He still new my buddies name and the boat he bought. That man is amazing. All his customers are family to him.

[@mediaspeedfilms1334]

Awesome video Team, so cool that you got Rick on the phone. Class act guy!

[@TeamMarineService]

Thanks buddy!

[@TeamMarineService]

What model of Basscat are you running? Go check out that 203 hybrid hull and give your local Basscat dealer a call today for more info on it! 👍🏻

[@o2man98]

I am running a Cougar FTD. Located in Manitowoc WI. Ran from Oconto to Sturgeon Bay this past weekend and it was a great ride.

[@BMWorner]

Andy, I knew once you spoke to Mr Pierce, you’d be BLOWN AWAY. They don’t make men like Rick very often, he has helped me in more ways than I’ve told him. After your video sir above, I’m a true fan, was anyways, but this video shows your a true boat guy, most don’t know the BCB Thing, it’s a True Eye Opener that’s for sure

[@Basscater81]

Rick really is a class act. Had more than one interaction with him and he’s just a humble, down to earth guy.

[@NCshooter1213]

Have a 98 champ 203 and I love it. Took my wife for a ride in a skeeter of equivalent length and power and she chose the champ saying it was the smoothest safest feeling ride she had felt in a bass boat. Love my champion 203.

[@timroyall6513]

Rick Pierce is an upright guy in my opinion. Bass Cat has always been the "Cadillac" of bass boats. If I had the money I would be in one. Of course I would want the Yamaha or Zuki on the back of it. Love the videos Andy!

[@trevorelliottfishing6262]

Andy I’m glad you’ve taken another look into Bass Cat! With the issue in the over and under video about communication I believe it’s clear about Bass Cats Values and customer first attitude! Great video. Really enjoyed it. Also there is a podcast that called the wow factor where they sat down with Mr Rick and went through on how BCB came about. Really worth a listen to if you have the time!

[@TeamMarineService]

Glad ya liked the video Trevor. After Rick reached out to us in the comment section on the OVER/UNDER video we thought now would be a great time to try to personally reach out to him and inquire about the 203 hybrid. We are more than grateful to him for taking the time out of his day to chat with us.

[@trevorelliottfishing6262]

@@TeamMarineService yes he a great man! When I toured the plant he spent a good hour leaning against my boat in the parking lot just telling stories. For a man of his importance to take time outta his busy schedule and just talk in the parking lot with me made me a customer for life. Especially when I wasn’t there to pick up a new boat. I was there to just tour where my 11 year old boat was made!

[@simondoran6979]

Great coverage of boat design & market history while covering an amazing development project. The Bass Cat Team's dedication to detail and providing the highest value to meet a customer's needs shines through on boat's like this. Have a great day!

[@mikeprice8995]

Awesome update on the 203 hybrid!

[@randybarton9713]

Thank You for that information. I'm old, 70ish is fast enough, and I don't want to get beat up!!

[@joeduck3531]

Great review on the new 203 Hybrid. I am not 11 hrs into my new BassCat Puma 203 Hybrid and can share this is truly a Mountain Home hull. I am precise owner of 2 Champion 203’s and 1 Champion 202. Thai new Hybrid is the real deal. I have switched from a 2018 BassCat Cougar FTD to the 203 and it’s the best ride. Yes top end speed when new Mercury 250 4 stroke is 71-72MPH as my Cougar was 79-81MPH. But..... point, hammer down, and let go of the wheel at 70 all good! If you are in the market for a new boat and have any questions PM me and I can help. I’d you are in central Texas I can take you for a test drive as I live in Austin, TX. Tightlines and peace to all

[@danlaur7973]

BassCat has always built quality boats & their service department is 2nd to none

[@TeamMarineService]

Agreed!

[@danramzinski2957]

The Basscat Champion will most likely be the best Champion ever built. When you consider the Basscat build quality with this smooth soft ride design, it should last forever

[@tommascari8298]

Thanks for doing this one. As a Champion owner it's nice to know that I have a few viable options when it's time to upgrade.

[@TeamMarineService]

No problem Tom, It is nice to see options these days!

[@ernanbarboza9761]

What do you think of the skeeter zx200 I'm thinking about getting one is it worth buying one

[@Tyfixisall]

So watching this and seeing the sign in the background I just have to ask. Do you guys know anything about why, when, where I may be able to get a Suzuki 250ss for my bass boat?? Holy crap are they hard to find in Alabama!

[@captnbass2]

Thank you for this video.... still in love with my 97 202 elite. But will definitely consider this as my future boat .

[@TeamMarineService]

Right on! We love that 202 as well!

[@mikebeezley8522]

Rick is awesome. I have a hawk that needed a new transom and he helped me and answered all my questions. When i buy it will be a basscat

[@TeamMarineService]

Awesome Mike!

[@bwspacity]

You put out more honest info than anyone. To the point with facts jack. Y’all rock buddy keep it solid

[@cityfiedredneck2691]

Come to one of the owners invitational's, its by far one of the best gatherings of "family" you will ever see. And you'll see why the Cat family is what it is. They say, you're only as good as your leadership........ Well Rick is definitely that. Im on my 2nd Cat and love my 2013 PIV. If I could afford a new one, I'd be ordering a 203 hybrid on the Puma cap. I love the deck layout on both the Cougar & Puma, just Partial to the Puma. Thank you Rick & the whole BassCat family. ✌

[@coreychafin2425]

No matter what brand of bass boat you favor Rick Pierce is one of the most knowledgeable people in the industry and he will shoot you the facts.

[@garywooten8612]

I just bought a 28 year old pantera it had been setting for 20 years I can tell you they make a great boat its solid as a new one wish I had bought one years ago they definitely make a great boat

[@Macdaddy8124U]

RICK IS THE MAN.......great video

[@richardjohnson6695]

My best riding and handling boat was a Stratos 201 and have yet to ride in anything that comes close. My 07 with 225 HO Etec only did 74 but was exceptionally smooth and easy to drive. I am looking at the Cat 203 because it blends both the build quality of Cat with something with exceptional ride.

[@jimmycline4778]

I dated a girl from Mountain Home where they build Bass Cat! My first new boat was a 16ft Bass cat with a Evinrude 115! I was 19 with a brand new boat back then! I moved outta Arkansas back in 94 to Phoenix Arizona!

[@DatGuy960]

I've had my boat for 34 years and have had 0 issues and only minor maintenance. Most of my fishing took place on the GL, tough water to be on, and before I bought it I fished out of a Champion and a Stratos...if I had the choice again I'd pick the one I have but the Champion rode the best in rough water and still water. My old boat isn't made anymore so maybe the 203 would be a choice.

[@waylonlevins]

Yeah, a BassCat Puma/Cougar will run near 80 miles an hour with a 250. In perfect conditions. But so will a 203 Hybrid with a 300. (the 250hp tournament cap is a dumb rule IMO) And when the chop gets up to 2 or 3 foot, no matter what the motor the 203 is the faster boat. I absolutely love BassCat, uber high quality boats and fast. But with the exception of the Lynx, they will land hard and beat your kidneys out in rough water. As soon as I get my money together, I’m getting a 203 hybrid!

[@crankinbass5758]

Live 5 mins from the Mt. Home plant. It’s a lumber mill now or something like that. Wish I had a time machine to see that back then.

[@TeamMarineService]

Thats awesome, wish we could turn back the clock too!

[@austincolt3306]

Turn it back for multiple reasons lol. This world today is a mess

[@cheyennejankowski79]

Basscat made a post and shared this video on there Facebook Page.

[@jeepslivin]

Also I need an opinion. First all composite champ was I believe 2003. Past mt home life I think. Are the wood based champs gonna hold up over the next 25yrs??? My next champ will be my last champ. Do I go used champ or find a slightly used new champ or champ wannabe . Just askin

[@johnboerger7029]

I’ve got an 05 206. What’s your opinion on that model? I absolutely love the boat but I’d like to hear your thoughts on it

[@wardo7772]

drinkin the champ juice. makes me think of when people said the old coffee grinder 300 was better then modern stuff. Hulls have advanced a long way since those 203s were made. Classy boats when they were around. Oh,I was referring to the mitchell 300 for those that might be wondering. Peace bro!

[@robertjacobsfishing]

In South Africa we have a 16ft boat called the Ruffnek Raker X16 that has the same legendary status here that a Champion has in your neck of the woods. We literally have guys selling 19ft boats and one by one going back to this little hull. I am the proud owner of such a boat with and old 1996 Evinrude 90HP V4 and love the boat to bits. Same story you get in it and you drive it. You can take you hands off the steering wheel at full speed (on the 90 HP that is)

[@TeamMarineService]

Hell yeah Robert! Shoot us over some pictures at [e-mail]

[@stevemolina8801]

I have owned 2 Champions and loved them I am on my 2nd PII and if I had the room and the money my new boat would have been a BCB 203 Hybrid. I had the pleasure of meeting Rick, My buddy and I started the Bass Cat owners tournament on the California Delta. Well, on the morning of the first day I am out fishing and my phone goes off and the guy on the other end says " I dont know if I am going to make it to the weigh end I am having trouble with flights" I was a bit confused and asked Who is this and the voice says Rick Pierce and I'm having trouble getting there. To say I was surprised is an understatement! Rick did make the weigh in and the dinner, for about 70 people as we had 35 boats show up the first year. You tell me how many company presidents will fly about 3000 miles and give up a weekend for a bunch of small time fisherman..Rick is a Class Act! Feel The Rush!

[@joshbarton9930]

Awesome video. Been waiting on a good video about these boats. Thank you for getting the information out to us.

[@kellymiller3136]

Would love the 203 hybrid with a Suzuki motor. Any chance of that can happen?

[@tylerspurgeon1972]

What’s the difference between this hull and the new charger hull that’s suppose to be a champion hull?

[@brians.4488]

Champion boats were and likley still are the SAFEST boats to drive at WOT period. Champion made a great promotional video on the 80s you can find on u tube.

[@TeamMarineService]

We'd agree with ya Brian. We've seen those videos too, good stuff

[@swimbaitninja4761]

You're the Man Andy!!!

[@TeamMarineService]

👍🏻👍🏻 Thanks Gene!

[@hle3740]

I owned several John Storie Champions from the 1980's. Then moved to Bass Cat, Allison and Bullet. Rick and the Bas sCat team are the real deal.

[@ryangan7618]

My dad bought a bass cat brand new I got the walk threw the factory start to finish very well built boat

[@jakehorton1410]

Gr8 vid and lot of info sounds like the deal 4 real. Seen a older smaller champ in bk drive thru great condition. Wish i could figure out my boat its fell off big time 72.4 to 59.8 new prop back up to 64.5.

[@daniellaurent2662]

Bass cat makes a solid boat for sure. I love the Lynx model. In my opinion the best ride bass cat makes and I’ve been in all of the other models bass cat makes. I recently been in the new puma 203 and I didn’t hardly see a difference in the ride compared to the regular model puma except it is a little slower. But that is just my opinion. Still a great ride and fishes well

[@TeamMarineService]

Great info Daniel!

[@brennanbanks2779]

I wanna see an over under on an Avid!! Would like to see the 19 but im sure you'll wanna do the 20 to keep it the same. Ive got one ordered.

[@TeamMarineService]

We called down there 8 or so times now and nobody will return our calls!!!

[@kurtrindgen4708]

Check out the Ken Smith interviews with Rick Pierce too. Guys knows so much about everything that goes into a boat design. In particular propping and performance factors. Have talked to several BCB owners - not pro, not regional sticks- common working people who had personally met Rick during their purchase experience.

[@brucebroadwater8198]

Great information, definitely the boat I’d buy if I could afford new. In the mean time, sold my ‘98 171 and bought a 2011 Stratos Champion Elite 202 225hp Optimax. My research told me this was a Champion with Stratos stickers. Great ride. I would like to hear “the story” behind the Stratos/Champion product as you have told the Basscat story. What are your thoughts on the Stratos Champ? Can you point me in direction of resources for more info. Thanks again for your KZbin Channel work.

[@thehybridguy8201]

Great boats made by a great company !

[@TeamMarineService]

We agree!

[@bnasty8653]

I watched Ken Smith’s review on this boat and he says it rides just like a Champion, gave it a good score too

[@jaysonsetzer2287]

I've seen all his reviews too and he says it rides like a Champ. But he also test-drives a Charger 210 elite which is supposed to be an exact copy of the Champion 210. He does say if he had to pick one boat to ride across lake Erie it would be the charger. He said it felt the most like a Champ. I believe he's going to end up in a basscat lynx though

[@bnasty8653]

@@jaysonsetzer2287 yeah that Lynx got the highest score from him

[@jaysonsetzer2287]

@@bnasty8653 I think the lynx is the boat he'll buy

[@bnasty8653]

@@jaysonsetzer2287 me too or the Phoenix

[@scottfrost8956]

Question: I hate to use the word “theft” but did Rick have to pay for copying that hull or how did that work out? It kinda sounded like he just copied it and if that’s the case why didn’t other manufacturers do the same? Lastly, I really wish I could post a picture of my champion here. I’m not saying this because it’s mine but I’m saying this because it’s without a doubt one of the cleanest and most attractive looking Champions on this planet. Love you’re stuff Andy and now, I’m gonna have to go take a look at this 203 by BC.

[@TeamMarineService]

Rick made his personal changes to the original 203 hull to bring it into the modern era where "heavier everything" exists! Boats, batteries, motors, electronics....he stated that the original 203 hull was not designed for today's outboard. Send us the pics at [e-mail]! 👍🏻 Thanks Scott

[@jeepslivin]

Ok. Your getting a huge following with this boat series. One of my coanglers called me all excited he found you. Lol. So here's the the kickin chicken. Do a real world test of the champ wannabes. charger vs bass kitty vs Ron bubugandy blazer 625. Your Hip enough now to warrant some test boats. I'm still leaning to Ron since they are so sexy fast and bang for the buck one hell of a boat . Feel like Credit card Charge is overpriced. On the fence about the kitty. Test time to plane, draft, draft while getting on plane, fit and finish. Aw hell you know the drill. Whistle on my brother

[@ShaneJMcNair]

You're a 203 Diehard, you need to give the boat a fair shake by an on the water test, just as the Gambler... Thanks for sharing 🍺 🎣

[@kirkreusch8415]

Love the passion Andy!!

[@matthewheld8577]

When are you gonna have Brandon Card on with his Vexus and ask him how he got it rigged with a Suzuki? He got a special deal or is vexus gonna consider it a factory option?

[@mikeh9744]

I was twitching in my chair just as you hoped we would be. Haha!

[@EPstroker]

You are correct the TN made champ hulls were monkey'd with and aren't the same as the AR made hulls. Imo, when ranger bought them they made changes to the running surface and didn't make them any better. I've heard ranger had AS from the Stratos camp change a bunch of things on them.

[@donniefoster7713]

I think you should go buy that 203 and enjoy the champion ride again

[@bassinlaborer6604]

Can you please do an over/under on falcon.

[@gustavomaciel8340]

What year is a mountain hull. What model is it a 193,198,202,206,210

[@waylonlevins]

Mountain Home, Arkansas. It was the hometown of the original John Storie Champion factory, also where the town Basscat are made. What I understand the hull is a circa 1999 203 splash. Later Champion was bought out and moved to Tennessee to the Stratos Manufacturing line where they made boats like that 210 elite, Designed by Stinson. They were really good boats but not the absolute beasts that were manufactured in Arkansas. If you’ve never ridden in a Mountain Home 203, it is the absolute best rough water, best turning, easy driving bass boat ever made. Yeah a Bascat will do 80 mph in perfect conditions, but a Champion without run it down once the chop gets over 3 foot.

[@kevinmcdonald8059]

New Suzuki 250 do you use ecstar oil or do you use amsoil Maine oil

[@TeamMarineService]

Ecstar.

[@clydeglenn]

I just ordered a Cougar 203 Hybrid

[@waylonlevins]

Yes!

[@TeamMarineService]

👍

[@CMDAVISs]

So charger claims to be champion of today , they look alike ... but is the bass cat or the charger closer to a champion. either way champion was champion for the whole boat not just the hull. I would do anything to see champion come back man ... maybe ill buy the hybrid one day when its not so expensive but for now ill stay in my champ and probly never sell it.

[@TeamMarineService]

Well both Charger and Basscat say that they both lay claims to who is more authentic. Hoping in the future to host a podcast and have Rick Pierce and Kelly Power to both tell their sides of the debate. Thoughts on that?

[@SSS51706]

I like the basscat lineup, but no dealers around me sell them now. Hopefully that changes soon.

[@anthonyray773]

Have you had a chance to drive the 203 hybrid yet?

[@CMDAVISs]

I asked for this and I got it 👍 awsome

[@areddfishing7473]

this is the boat i dream of owning!

[@bassinlaborer6604]

Never mind, just seen you did.

[@TeamMarineService]

;)

[@yeehee6584]

Yesss finally 🙌👏

[@TeamMarineService]

Thumbs up buddy!

[@LaneY5220]

Lunchtime!

[@TeamMarineService]

👍👍

[@dariusking2927]

What you are talking about is a Skeeter push the hot foot a go 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@mazuroutdoors3684]

Make a vlog with andy taking one out with a dealer!

[@Tom-fu4cv]

That blurred background has to go!! Otherwise, love the vids!!

[@nickwilliams5595]

Avid boats!? Over under XB20 Avid Boats

[@nickwilliams5595]

I just now found this new aluminum bass boat

[@TeamMarineService]

We've been calling them for 3 months now with no return calls!

[@austincolt3306]

Why does the charger 210 elite look identical to a champion and the bass cat only resembles it then. Sorry but I’d say the charger is the true champion between the two.

[@TeamMarineService]

That would be a great debate between Mr. Kelly Power with Charger and Mr. Rick Pierce at Basscat! Only they can answer that question

[@slowscout]

Bass cat and charger could be the new team talk. That would be awesome having the 3 of you together. Great video Andy you da man.👍

[@lancemabry6707]

Sorry I have a hard time believing that a Champion hull runs 80 mph. No way in hell. Owned 3 of them, just my opinion.. But BassCat makes a great boat so I have heard just impossible to get a 203 hull to go 80mph... We gonna get a price from Rock soon? Lemme know what u think about the speed with a Champion hull

[@Michaelpruis]

I don't think it runs 80... and I don't think it was designed to run 80, it was designed to run in the 70s with little input from the driver and to get you where you wanna go, even in the big stuff..... having said that, I still want the Eyra 🤣

[@TeamMarineService]

Rick said himself that the 203 hull Basscats only run in the low 70's and the Basscat guys with the Cat hulls were doing 80. Rick stated that is was a little difficult getting those guys to in the 203 hull because they didn't want to give up the speed.

[@TeamMarineService]

Spot on Michael

[@lancemabry6707]

@@TeamMarineService oh I got ya. Misunderstood my bad. Was set on a Falcon but maybe time to look at The BassCat Hybrid!

[@lesjames3221]

So you are saying my 2006 Nitro NX 750 is a piece of shit....🤓🤘🤙

[@rickvann3489]

John Story...who is that...? Lol... just get a Charger

[@justinlane9740]

Basscat is the cats ass. So the Legend boats weren’t a champion? I was under the impression they were.

[@kalsaumesatungiamata9066]

Aluminum lasts forever.