Looking at buying a classic

[acfcat2]

What do the owners of classic think of the boat i do not see any for sale. Or having any problems.

[Rich12]

It just as good a quality as any Bass Cat.  Just buy it.

[rcopela]

Love mine, fishes great with big front deck, jumps out of the hole and runs up to 74 mph in cool weather, no complaints…

[jalexander]

Asking Classic owners if they like their boats is a bit like asking if I think my kids are cute, but here’s my take. For starters, I love mine.  My 2022 Classic is my first bass boat. I’m 42, been boating a long time – mostly ski boats and a Crestliner for a while. I’m going to break this down into a couple key topics, in no particular order.

Driving – I had a pretty big driving learning curve, still learning as I get more seat time, but I’ll take for granted you know how to drive a bass boat. I didn’t. One note about speed on mine – chine walk above 64MPH.  I need more seat time and I think I’m getting better, but I’m still getting into walk above 64. I have a manual jack plate so I don’t know how jacking the motor could affect it, but perhaps my motor is a little too far down. I’d like to try a thread up on the plate to see, but for now 64 has been fast enough.

Fishability – I fish with my 13 year old son. I’m 6’1”, he’s a decent sized kid, I feel like we have plenty of room. I really like how the storage is laid out. I use the center box for gear, life jackets, stool, etc. rods are in the big locker on the port side, tackle in the two forward starboard boxes. Mine came with a Helix 10 at the helm, and a Helix 7 at the bow, I personally added a Helix 10 at the bow with Mega Live. When you add electronics to a Classic, keep in mind you have to start from scratch, as the Vision line is rigged pretty bare bones from the factory. I pulled dedicated marine 10ga for all the bow stuff, added a bus to the back compartment, it turned out fine, just needed to plan and a little tight on the wire pulls being a smaller boat.

Ride – Boat is a dry ride, and about as smooth on rough water as my 23’ wake boat. Maybe that’s an exaggeration, but coming from an 18’ Crestliner, there is no comparison. Boat rides great.

Trailer Lights – here’s my big complaint. There is an exposed tail light connection somewhere on my trailer. If I launch with the headlights of the truck on, I’m going to melt wire and blow fuses. It’s happened twice, and it’s a pain. As I sit, I need to go hunt a short and fix it – again. They didn’t use heat shrinkable butt connections on mine, and I think that’s what’s causing the short. I’m pretty sure they’ll warranty it – dealer will re-wire the trailer – I just haven’t done that yet.

Hope that helps, glad to discuss it further if you have more questions.

Good luck!

[jalexander]

 

[jalexander]

There’s also this. Short 20’ 2 car garage, not oversized in any way. About as small a 2 car garage as you’ll find. Getting it in there was important to me. Not unique to a classic necessarily, but something I was looking for.

 

[Chuck Bumpilori]

Pretty nice Classic as well as a PII on the BCB buy, sell, trade page, F.Y.I.

[PMantle]

I was torn between Classic and PII when I bought my last boat. In the end, the livewell system was the deciding factor. I really do not like the system used in the Classic/Margay/Bobcat.

[rcopela]

If you haven’t checked out the Learn to drive video on front page, it’s the best instruction I’ve seen on driving at Cat, your right does take seat time..

[jalexander]

Totally agree, the driving video is really good.  As I said, I don’t have experience driving other hulls, but I’m curious if any of the larger boats are easier to stabilize at high speed than the Classic.

[catdude28]

jalexander:

Totally agree, the driving video is really good.  As I said, I don’t have experience driving other hulls, but I’m curious if any of the larger boats are easier to stabilize at high speed than the Classic.

I have had the 20 footers, and then the 19 footers, with my current boat a 2019 Classic. You have to learn to drive any Cat at high speeds.

[tmeuc]

Had mine for 6 months, bought brand new. Love the classic, the layout fishes big, plenty of room, hit 72 mph, runs high 60’s comfortably. Lots of storage, front and back. I’m a big fan of the hydraulic jack plate, worth the money and has helped top speed walk, running rough water, shallow water, and getting it up and down the driveway and in the garage

One thing I would change if I was ordering again, put the console graph on a mount instead of flush mounting in the dash. I hate having to look over the steering wheel, bend forward to change views, etc. I’d spend the extra bucks, maybe get a 12”, and put it on a mount above the wheel.

[CaptKK]

Love my Classic!  I too was a little disappointed in the live well setup, but over time it has not been an issue.  It forces me to flush out my bilge when I flush the live wells which is a good thing.

I added tilt steering wheel to allow clear access to console graph.

And yes the Classic will fit in my garage, which was a biggy for me.

Starting in 2022 I think the Classic took a downgrade in carpet over the PII.  I might be wrong about that but something to consider if you’re looking a both models.

[Author]

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