New boat order (September 2021) build/wait time Puma STS

[Hookdem]

Hello folks,

I placed my boat order in September 2021 for the new Puma STS.  I was told 5-6 months build time.  Now first let me say I understand the lead time to build these amazing boats, particularly in these times.  I visited the Bass Cat factory in August 2021, and it was at that time my boat search was over!  Meeting Rick Pierce, Jackson, and the staff sold it for me.  It was also at this visit I was first told it would be 5-6 months.  This puts the boat delivery sometime in late Spring 2022.  Even if it is June 2022 I have no problem with that.

However, I now hear rumors of part delays and material shortages from suppliers.  During my visit in August, I asked about any pinch points or supplier delays,.  I was told there were none that would hold up production.  There is not much BCB can do about part manufacturer delays.  Particularly if they do not wish to compromise the high level of craftsmanship and quality of their product.  But if this build process extends to, say 11 months, then my season is over with no boat.  Plus, will my boat then be a 2023 model?

Let’s start a dialogue on this.  Please weigh in with your thoughts and any facts you may have.

Greatly appreciated ladies and gentlemen!

[JKelley]

Well,  it is a problem. Supply chain for resin, parts, electronics, Motors, built in Battery chargers, etc……are a problem and will continue thru 2022. I am holding off on placing my new Puma order until all this settles down so I can get everything I want and not be disappointed because I could not get or have to wait a long time to get everything I want on my New Puma.
I have a friend who fishes MLF and other circuits and he was told to consider keeping his electronics on his 521 Ranger because they can’t guarantee he will get them for his new boat when the 2022 tournament season starts, he also said he was at Ranger for a meeting and they had 31 boats sitting there waiting on Gas tanks!

This building  boom in housing, Auto, and across all industries with lack of supply, raw materials, and inventory will be followed by huge surplus and a downturn in the economy, then we will have NO problems getting whatever we want, businesses will be pleading for customers with everyone having  huge supply of product, the competition will be fierce and competing for our business. Businesses are very concerned what is coming next after the supply chain catches up and demand for product drops off…. it’s coming!  The time is coming when Car dealers have cars & trucks for sale again with incentives to move them as they pile up on lots with slow demand, this will be the case across all businesses, it’s going to hit hard and it’s going to be ugly.

THE QUESTION IS WHEN? Either very late 2022 or 1sr Qtr 2023…….

[Hookdem]

JKelley:

Well,  it is a problem. Supply chain for resin, parts, electronics, Motors, built in Battery chargers, etc……are a problem and will continue thru 2022. I am holding off on placing my new Puma order until all this settles down so I can get everything I want and not be disappointed because I could not get or have to wait a long time to get everything I want on my New Puma.
I have a friend who fishes MLF and other circuits and he was told to consider keeping his electronics on his 521 Ranger because they can’t guarantee he will get them for his new boat when the 2022 tournament season starts, he also said he was at Ranger for a meeting and they had 31 boats sitting there waiting on Gas tanks!

This building  boom in housing, Auto, and across all industries with lack of supply, raw materials, and inventory will be followed by huge surplus and a downturn in the economy, then we will have NO problems getting whatever we want, businesses will be pleading for customers with everyone having  huge supply of product, the competition will be fierce and competing for our business. Businesses are very concerned what is coming next after the supply chain catches up and demand for product drops off…. it’s coming!  The time is coming when Car dealers have cars & trucks for sale again with incentives to move them as they pile up on lots with slow demand, this will be the case across all businesses, it’s going to hit hard and it’s going to be ugly.

THE QUESTION IS WHEN? Either very late 2022 or 1sr Qtr 2023…….

First, thank you for your thoughts.  I’m remaining optimistic but  I agree with everything you said.  My concern is I may get a boat with resin that is of poor quality.  But I’m not about to wait another year.  That’s crazy!  I do not have a boat.    From what I understand there are shortages, but not all of those parts you mentioned are in short supply at the same time.  But “outsourcing”  fiberglass and/or resin is a HUGE concern.  I will voice my concern to my regional Rep and Bass Cat when the time comes.

 

Thanks again and good stuff.

[jpeloquin34]

Post a picture of your color combinations of the new Puma your ordered please.  Would love to see it.

[Hookdem]

jpeloquin34:

Post a picture of your color combinations of the new Puma your ordered please.  Would love to see it.

 

[deltarat92]

I’ve heard a ton of rumors and crossed my fingers it wouldn’t happen to me and my boat order. Ordered my 2022 Sabre sp may 10 of this year and the boat should be here next week. Almost 5 month build time which is what they had told me would be max build time . I’ve heard motors are there biggest worry but think the 175 is odd ball enough it didn’t affect me much.. if I were you id bite the bullet stick with basscat and hang in there lol it would be worth the wait

[Plugg2000]

I also ordered a new Bass Cat Puma STS on June 24th , it has already been communicated to me it is  5 weeks behind schedule with an anticipated arrival of mid December. It was originally projected to be delivered mid October.  I never thought about bad Covid Resin…  😨🤕

[glen11]

I would tend to believe that production would wait to get the correct products for a build rather than use less quality of a product. They could do that anytime to make a boat cheaper! BassCat reputation is on the line and I don’t think they are willing to destroy that. Waiting is a bummer though.

 

[Hookdem]

Plugg2000:

I also ordered a new Bass Cat Puma STS on June 24th , it has already been communicated to me it is  5 weeks behind schedule with an anticipated arrival of mid December. It was originally projected to be delivered mid October.  I never thought about bad Covid Resin…  😨🤕

Plugg – Thanks for your reply.  That’s still not a bad delay.  Congrats!

[Hookdem]

deltarat92:

I’ve heard a ton of rumors and crossed my fingers it wouldn’t happen to me and my boat order. Ordered my 2022 Sabre sp may 10 of this year and the boat should be here next week. Almost 5 month build time which is what they had told me would be max build time . I’ve heard motors are there biggest worry but think the 175 is odd ball enough it didn’t affect me much.. if I were you id bite the bullet stick with basscat and hang in there lol it would be worth the wait

Deltar – Thanks for your reply.  There’s no biting the bullet on my end.  I’m more than happy to wait and never crossed my mind to go to another manufacturer.  I was just seeing what others’ experience was to get a better picture of the issues.  Thank you!

[Hookdem]

My August 2021 factory tour was informative. Rick Pierce has a great 2016 YouTube video that not only shows his transparency in the build process but also the level of detail in the manufacturing process. Bass Cat truly is a superior product. His passion demonstrates a level of commitment that will ensure Bass Cat remains a leader in this highly competitive industry. With the many challenges in today’s market, I’m confident Bass Cat’s focus on quality will remain a priority during the build process. This is the main reason Bass Cat has clearly separated itself from the competition.

I’m glad I’m part of this family

[JKelley]

I am in the chemical business, I sell Additives to the paint & coatings market. Surface tension modifiers, flow & leveling agent, defoamers & air release additives, etc. Epoxy resin is up 3 times the cost….if you can get it, PM Acetate is on allocation. We have ships full of product from Germany we can’t get unloaded, then their is a shortage of containers to put it on, shortage of trucks to deliver it and shortage of truck drivers. It is taking us 16-20 weeks to get product to our warehouses that before was 8 weeks, and it’s now 3 times the cost, it’s insane! But it will correct when things normalize, not going to be pretty. It will go from feast to famine……..or as I say….high demand and then NO demand…….I will keep using my 2015 Puma until I can order a new one without all the stress and inflated pricing. I have a cool color scheme of purple, silver and Red for my New Puma all drawn up, will order as soon as things normalize and products are readily available.

 

[Bass Cat Boats]

This has increased the cost and availability of Vinyl Ester resin. We continue to use Vinyl Ester and we have a short window of tension on product availability, which required a second source VE resin product at an appx. 200% (2x) higher cost. We are researching a third option should the epoxy situation not improve.

The epoxy shortage has been ongoing since the year pre-CoVid, only worsening since CoVid, and we will no longer sell anyone a HumminBird replacement transducer due availability. They can not get enough epoxy for production and stopped producing down 2D Sonar pucks.  There are options and they are limited.

Ball fiberglass was in short supply Pre-CoVid also and the Chinese market (Jushi primarily) was oversold. It is cheaper than Owens Corning and we prefer OC quality. The burner stoppage in the Texas deep freeze did further shorten glass and shut down some operations. We acquired glass where we could and used the off brand on small parts. Thus continuing to build hulls and decks in Owens Corning glass and changed some processes to stretch inventory. It’s is imperative that we retain or improve structural integrity with these changes.

As for build times and the factory position, we will have a dealer announcement in November on the situation regarding sales and production.

Epoxy resin is up 3 times the cost….if you can get it

[Plugg2000]

BCB will the new puma come with those cool new fonts/graphics you have posted for the Eyra?

[Author]

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