Caracel Questions

Hi, I'm new to the Bass Cat community and not yet a Cat owner. My last purchase was a new 2004 Triton 20 TRX. I have decided on a Caracal because it will fit into my garage. With that said have a few questions and comments and would appreciate any feedback the community can offer.

Fuel tanks: I fish small lakes, and thus fuel capacity is not a big concern. I find it strange that Cats have dual fuel tanks that you need to switch manually. Therefore, I would then get an under-the-seat tank to keep it simple. Is that a good choice? Thoughts comments?
The front ladder seems sturdy, but I haven't seen a video of someone using it. I want front onboarding because of how it will fit in my garage. It seems like it would be awkward to enter the boat because the trolling motor is in the way. Thoughts?
I don't see the need for a power jack plate; change my mind! What else should I know about the Caracel that is not on the Bass Cat website?

This topic has 7 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 2 years, 1 month ago by Will Hesch.

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March 20, 2023 at 4:57 pm #709837

Limbhanger51
Participant

Split fuel tanks in my mind would be preferred as it gives you under seat storage and is much preferred from a resale standpoint. The other advantage is if you have 2 tanks and have a fuel issue you can switch to the other and still be able to run.

Front ladder works well, no issues boarding unless you put 3 graphs up front and then it might be pretty tight getting on.

Hydraulic Jackplate is not necessary but does aid in getting on plane in shallow water or for tweaking speed and or handling in various conditions.

March 20, 2023 at 9:38 pm #709849

schodackbassman
Participant

I have a 2020 Caracal, 225 Merc four stroke, 24P Fury 3 blade, manual JP, two 26 gallon tanks in the rear, 80 lb Ultrex, duel 8′ blades, three 31 series flooded batteries, and all of my tackle is in the front deck compartments where I can get at it. . I like the duel tanks not only for the capacity though I rarely use it, but it also helps with balancing the boat when fishing alone which I do 70-80% of the time. I keep the port tank pretty full and the starboard around 1/3 to 1/2. If you are fishing smaller lakes and fishing more than running, you are only going to use 7-10 gallons an outing unless you running full out all the time which most don’t. You will love the wide decks! There is lots of storage. It is a deep boat so the step up to front deck is a little steeper than you will be used to but it also provides for a higher seat which makes getting up and down from at the console much easier. For a large boat, it’s pretty damn nimble and of course Bass Cat dry ride. As for entry onto front deck, if you are installing more than one graph, the BCB dancing pole/step system may not work for you. I bought boat used and it did not have any the pole/steps. I went with the Trick Steps which puts you into the side at the front of the boat away from graphs/TM. I’ve had both type steps, for this 66 year old I like the Trick Step better. I use them as much off the water as I do at the ramp. After I got mine, a few friends got them for their Puma’s.

March 21, 2023 at 4:30 pm #709862

1fishman
Participant

2018 Caracal” Owner, I just sold my Caracal 2018, few things about the split tanks” I would agree if your fishing alone, if does help you balance the weight evenly while driving” Basscat still hasn’t removed themself from the the valve switching tank” in the rear” You also always need to remember when you switch it on the dash it is only to the fuel gauge”.. NOT the tanks, you will forget” As for the entry ladder I was very sturdy and very helpful for boarding” from the trailer.

The Caracal, is a great riding and performance boat” for smaller lakes, I traded mine in, as it didn’t hold enough fuel for the bigger lakes here in the West” where I fish or when you want to fish 3-4 days straight. As for the Net slot” don’t waste your time using it” snags stuck wrapped in your rods.

Overcoming the Fuel Tank Switch” I had a auto fuel pump installed removing the manual switch, with this I had a toggle switch installed on the dash to control where I’m pulling fuel from.. No stopping while your on plane” or forgetting to switch the dial.

It’s worth the $$$, I will do this on my New STS as soon as it arrives. I’ve had 5 Cat’s my 6th one is on order” and even my 2023 Puma STS, has the switch to separate in the rear”

March 21, 2023 at 4:59 pm #709866

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

The automotive fuel switches are not marine approved and have lower PSI ratings than outboards perform at. Pollack does make a high pressure marine fuel switch, though the retail cost is roughly $750 for that switch.

This explains why we haven’t “removed” ourselves from the manual fuel tank switch.

March 21, 2023 at 5:05 pm #709872

Will Hesch
Participant

Joe, as a new owner of a ’22 Caracal (9th boat) whose last boat was a 2004 20′ Triton X boat (which I loved but sold to get a Porsche in 2014) we might have similar viewpoints.

As has been mentioned above, the Caracal floor is deeper than the Triton and the ride is drier and smoother but watch out coming off plane, the boat allows considerable backwash onto the rear deck if you stop suddenly, never happened with my Triton.

The front deck is shorter than the Triton and starboard side rod tips will sit together and tangle if not careful. (I came up with a solution for that, see the photos below)

I’ve never used the front step to get in the boat but our boathouse is 16′ wide (26′ deep) so I can access it from either side using a small aluminum ladder.

I opted for the gas tank under the seat with the spare 10 gallon in the port-side battery compartment, that comes stock. My recommendation if you don’t need a lot of range is to fill the port side tank and run with it keeping the large 33 gallon under-seat tank for the spare with maybe 5-10 gallons in it, plenty for most smaller lakes. You’ll still have to switch tanks manually but the switch/valve is accessible from above deck, it’s in the splash-well.

Be careful stepping down from the front deck, there are 2 badly placed cup holders right below the cooler/step that can catch your heel as you step down from the front deck.

The Caracal is a compact almost-20 footer and stable. It tows easily (I have a 2021 Ram high-roof van with a 6 cylinder). The seats are very comfortable and I love the 6 sided (tilting) steering wheel, it is a pleasure to drive. Absolutely no need for a jack-plate!

I know this is more information than you probably wanted but these are my likes and dis-likes of this boat as objectively as I could give them.

March 22, 2023 at 4:45 pm #709888

ssurles269
Participant

Agree with the post above. I have the split tanks, but wish I had the under seat tank. I think it would help holeshot and the backwash. No info to support that, but mine just feels like to much weight back there when tanks are full and live well full.

Get the Hydro jack plate. Jacking it up high to help holeshot is great.

Front step is ok. I wish the second step was wider. I will be purchasing tricksters this summer, mainly because I added 360 and will be adding second graph. Being able to sept to the side is a benefit. Without 360 (on how I mounted it) the steps are adequate.

Caracal is a great boat.

March 22, 2023 at 5:27 pm #709892

Will Hesch
Participant

Surles, I made another product which makes the port/front/bow step better. I moved the GPS puck from the middle of the step, to where the cup holder was, see below. Don’t know if this would help you or not.
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