Puma or Cougar FTD??????????

[basscatbat]

Everything else being about equal, the storage under the seats would sway me. Both are great.

[Ok Bigbass]

I do realize you are asking for a comparison but…..I have the 2008 Puma and had a 2006 Puma. I can not compare it too the FTD but can say the ride in 2008 is twice as good as the 06. I know that is hard to believe because the ride in the 2006 was awesome already. I love my Puma for the storage when fishing a draw trail and when my wife brings everything except the DVD player along for a day on the lake. That is just my opinion because I am sure the FTD is just as awesome I just like all storage and the fact the net is stored out of the way and on the 08 there is a cull board in the front net compartment. I know that is a small detail for some but a major deal for me with all the tournaments I do.

[Mike Whitten]

Doug, I went back and forth, but Im running an FTD for 08. Hope to pick it up on Friday, the 25th. I settled on the FTD after seeing Chris Browns boat this fall, and looking at the storage. I liked the additional underseat storage, and the new livewells. The front deck layout also suits Gary Harlan and my style a little better when fishing team tournaments. I always keep my net out and ready to go when fishing, and I use a retractable Stowaway net, so it will fit in one of the big front boxes, thus the net storage is a neutral deal for me. As for ride versus 07 Puma, Ill comment on that once I get breakeven and seat time under me in the new boat. Ive not yet ridden or driven an 08 hull. I will admit to putting a stereo in a boat for the first time. Got the premium version, with the new seat headrest speakers. Plannin on taking Mr. Buffett, Chesney, and Keith for some long boat rides. Those hour runs between Bay Springs and Pickwick will be a little more fun this spring, I hope!!! Mike Whitten/Germantown, TN

[Doug Drummonds]

I am having a tough time making a decision between the Puma and FTD. I have been running a Puma, but the FTD has me intrigued. Cant make up my mind! Also cant decide on electronics. Trying decide between Humminbird 997 SI and a Humminbird 957, and if I go that route should I put the SI up front or in the console? Or should I go Lowrance and go with an 28c and a 38c and which one to put in the console and which in the bow… I have always ran lowrance graphs, but I am liking the idea of the birds! Decisions decisions……

[dbasketman]

Theyre both great looking boats, but if i were running a 250 class hull i think i would have to stick with the Puma, it is the flagship of the line, and i like the layout like it is,,,,plus i think the underseat fuel tank helps the ride a bit. They share a hull, and it does ride better than the last generation, so it really comes down to personal preferences of layout. Good luck, i think im gonna stick with my P4s ! D.

[Doug Drummonds]

Im gonna have to come down to the river and let you take me for a ride in that p4 one of these days!!!

[basschaser]

It is a tough decision but the beauty in it is there is no bad decision here, you cant go wrong either way. I had 06 and 07 Pumas and when they pulled that boat up at the dealer meeting I just knew I had to have one. Well I am still as excited and happy about the boat as I was that day. To compare the two it really does come down to layout. Phil and I was on the Red River at the Great American Function and both boats ran the same speeds. So there might be a little difference in speed but it is darn close depending on the loads. With that said, I have everything in my rear storage of the FTD that I had in the Puma I just have to arrange it differently and the FTD rear storage is FULL where the Puma had more room. I will say that I carry stuff under the seat that I didnt have in the Puma because I didnt have a good place to put them…ropes, dock bumpers, etc. So for me the rear storage being smaller isnt as big of a deal as I initially thought…the passenger side rear and underseat storage are empty for my partner. The front storage is a lot bigger since you loose the net scabbard in the center of the two compartments. The ONLY downside to the boat is the net being on the floor like the old days, but it is worth it for the storage it robs from the storage. I like the little step pads on the front, the bouy strap, the raised hotfoot area, the more rolled corners and the lift that the FTD boat has. But it is all personal preference. I wouldnt hesitate at all to make the switch to the Hbird sidefinder. I wish we were closer together so I could take you out in my boat so you could see how the boat rides and how the Hbird works. I would put the 997 Hbird ram mounted on the console (if you fish team stuff because it makes it easier for your partner to see it) and put a 917 on the bow. The 9 series 2d graph is every bit as good as the Lowrances are in my opinion. Let me know if you have specific questions but I know there are a couple of others who have had both but not many have had them very long. Judd Lasiter basschaser1@verizon.net

[Doug Drummonds]

I think I have about decided to go Puma again. I still cant decide on the graphs though. I am thinking I want to go with the birds this time for sure. I was thinking of a 997 on a ram mount at the console like you said. But I cant decide what to put up front?? Is the 917 a SI unit or just a regular color graph? Is it gps ? I was thinking of a 997 ram mounted at console, and a 957 regular color/gps at the bow, or the 797 SI with the navinics bundle and gps at the bow. But that 797 doesnt have the recv/switch does it?? I am thinking I dont need the SI up front in the bow, to just put that 997 on a ram mount at the console and be able to swivel it to where I can see it from up front. Is there a plate or an option versus having a hole in the console if I decide to put the 997 on a ram mount at the console?????

[Ok Bigbass]

Wow, that must be a bad deal to have to choose between one cadillac and another. You have to admit it is funny to think that you are trying to decide between a blue cadillac and a red cadillac just because one has a little different interior . When the guys in the other brands have to decide weather they want a dry ride and no fishing room or a wet rough ride with a lot of room to fish and we got both dry ride and fishing platfomrs already…LOL Mike Whitten I too got my 08 Puma with the speakers in the seats and then I added sattelitte radio under the dash so I can listen to the ball games while sitting . I took Toby and Clint Black out for a ride last Saturday though Chesney and Buffet did not show up it was still an awesoem ride…..

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