2008 Price Increases…Question For BCB

[Bass Cat Boats]

It really cant be done simply like that because the options chagned. For example the Puma and Cougar FTD are now the same price with the newer designed Cougar FTD. They also have new seats with fiberglass backs, E – Ladders are standard on most models, as are windscreens on most. So it is not just a price increase because of package changes. We took isolated all of the models within their own Package identifications. Those being Puma, Cougar FTD and Pantera IV in the Premium Group; Cougar Advantage Elite, Pantera II and Sabre FTD “Marty Stone” in the Advantage Group and the Pantera Classic and Sabre in the Vision Group. Previously one model might cross over two or three groups. Of Course the Bay Cat and Phelix are in a different segment. Also all three (3) engine manufacturers changed their increases, programs and discounts. They are not even a simile to each others programs or pricing. And two are dramatically different than last years programs. One has a totally different price structure, and another has announced a second increase in price at mid year, which is substantial. We think it is best to select the model and equipment you are interested in and have the dealer estimate that for you. That would be the best way for you to learn what you are asking. As it may be totally different on different rigs and combinations. BCB

[Bass Cat Boats]

Thanks BCB,I am perfectly happy with my 07 FTD but was just interested from a personal interest standpoint.Considering I paid less than $10K for my first Hydra Sport only a year or so ago (LOL) I just like to keep up with the trends in the industry.

[Bass Cat Boats]

This is a rough estimate of those boat prices. 1971 $2,500 Deluxe Tournament 1974 $4,2001976 $5,500 XL II1978 $7,800 1600 Vee1983 $12,500 1600 Vee (#2)1984 $17,500 TO 18,000 Pantera Pro 1988 $23,000 TO 25,000 Pantera II & Sabre1996 $30,000 TO 34,000 Jaguar2000 $35,000 Jaguar2003 $32,000 to 40,500 Cougar FTD2005 $38,500 to 50,000 Puma2008 $43,500 to 60,000 Puma & Cougar FTDNOTE: 2008 Sabre Vision with 150 EFI $24,000 to 27,500 reasonably equipped. Or about the same as an XR-4 cost on the Sabre in 1988.So it really is a matter of the equipment we want, not the costs that are rising. The costs are rising, though the demand is rising along with that.We want more equipment, larger trolling motors, bigger boats, direct injection engines, hydraulic plates, Hambys, 250s instead of 150 engines, GPS Units, bigger LCRs, side scans, tandems, more on trailers, the list goes on… All of this adds to the cost that we did not have in those earlier days.Things have progressed a lot!BCB

[Bass Cat Boats]

Thanks!Wonderful info and yes, a lot of the cost increase is equipment and choices.Who would have thought in those early years that a 7″ screen color GPS/ Sonar combo would be just another “normal” piece of equipment?OOPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Who even knew what GPS was? LOL

[Bass Cat Boats]

GPS? We remember getting lots of interesting comments from those first Loran mapping locating units we put on BASS tour boats before GPS. Those were fold down fiberglass and steel antennas which were as big as your fire extinguisher and 8 long. BCB

[billius]

I remember those loran units. Never had one on a bassboat, but did have them on a couple of boats I used on Lake Michigan for salmon fishing. One of the lorans had a dash unit not quite as big as a small television!!

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