Couger vs. Eyra

[Mercat]

I’m getting ready to order a new boat and trying to decide between a Couger and an Eyra. I have owned several Basscats. P3’s, P4’s, Pumas and Cougers but never an Eyra. I know the Eyra is a little narrower than the cougar and a little better performing. I’m just looking for any input you guys might have that have ran both of these boats. Pros and cons anyone??  Thanks for any input you can give me on helping me make my decision.

[MIKE LUCAS]

I have had several pumas, cougars and am currently in an Eyra.

Price wise the Eyra is a good value (cheaper than a Cougar or a Puma) and it has nice lines and design work.  it fishes good and even if your fishing team tournaments there is adequate room up front.  If you fish a lot of docks and timber the boat is good to get you into tight places and around trouble.  It handles rough water well and is a good boat overall.  It is not a whole lot faster than a cougar or a Puma though surprisingly.  It takes a lot more wheel time to drive it well at high speeds but its a good performing boat if you know how to drive it.  I like the storage and layout a lot.

I prefer a Cougar however.  More room for two fishermen.  Stable at higher speeds..  the boat will almost drive itself into the mid 70s.  Boat will cost you a little more.  needs a little longer garage to store it in than the Eyra..  

I would love for BCB to build a cougar hull  with the deck, lids and layout of an Eyra.

They are both good rigs.  Price and preference will determine your purchase.  Both hulls and layouts have served fishermen well in all of the top circuits.  Steve Kennedy fishes out of an Eyra.  Rick Pierce also fishes an Eyra in the Opens.  Crews moved out of an Eyra and into a Lynx.  Several guys running Pumas and Cougars in MLF and Bassmaster.

[Mercat]

I was thinking the Eyra would probably be a little more squirrelly at high speeds. Not that big of a deal to me. I’m more concerned about how it rides in cross chop and room in the boat. I don’t like to feel jammed up when Im in my boat. BUT I do like speed. I will be running the new Merc pro xs 250 4 stroke on either both. looking forward to trying out this motor. What motor are you running on your Eyra? Im surprized and a little disappointed to hear that its not that much faster. Thanks for your input. I really appreciate it!!!

[MIKE LUCAS]

I personally think the cougar is a better riding boat but some will disagree.  The Eyra is a good ride though and will keep you dry.  If you strip it down and get your prop worked on you might get a couple miles faster out of it but guys like Phil Addison get 80 plus MPH out of their pumas when propped right and set up correctly in the colder months anyway.  I have a 2017 Eyra.. hydraulic plate and a 2 stroke Pro XS with a 25 pitch Fury.  If you get the new 4 stroke you will get a 24 pitch Fury with it.  Lots of guys are having great luck with the new motor..  lots of midrange power and torque.  The Eyra is not a bad riding boat whatsoever, its just a different animal.  I would try to test ride both models before you buy.  If you can hold out until the dealer meeting and attend they will have all the new models on the water for you to demo.  Im guessing there will also be demo boats on the water at Beaver Lake for the BCB Owners tournament in April.

[PumaDave]

Can’t speak to the Cougar but did have a Puma with belly tank before my Eyra’s.  I’m on my second Eyra,   Like Mike said the Puma/Cougar hull was easier to drive up to mid 70’s.  Eyra requires attention from 70 up especially at WOT!  To me the Eyra handles big water (Ontario / Champlain) better as it’s more nimble handling.  You sit lower in the Eyra than other BCB models.  I personally like sitting lower though a larger graph 12″ or larger graphs blocks some forward view especially when loading on trailer.  The Eyra cockpit is quite a bit tighter than my Puma and has a larger floor cooler than the cougar.   My knees aren’t what they used to be so the larger step cooler of the Eyra and Puma are more convent for me.

I really like the front deck layout of the Eyra over any other BCB model.  The coffin lids fit my fishing needs better for storage.  I find the Eyra a little more responsive on the TM especially around docks.

I will second what Mike stated earlier.  I would love to see the Cougar and even a Lynx hull with the Coffin lid front deck!

 

 

[Chuck Bumpilori]

Myself, I’ve had them all and currently in a 2017 Eyra. No complaints on any of them but for a honest opinion, I do like the deck lay out of the Puma FTD better that any of the ones I’ve owned.

[Mercat]

Thanks for the input. I will be taking an Eyra for a test ride next week before i make my decision.

[Cajunhunter67]

If you can get to Knoxville, TN, K-Pink is giving rides in this rig March 15-17th. Should be one hell of an experience.

[Chuck Bumpilori]

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