STS is Bass Cat speak for “soft touch system,” which refers to the boat’s penchant for soft landings and easy handling in the rough stuff. It’s the easiest boat to coax to 80-plus mph, and in our tests, we touched 79.3 mph with a full complement of gear, half-full livewells, an engine not yet broken in, full fuel, sticky and slick -water, and muggy conditions. Best cruise with the 300 Pro XS was at 4,000 rpm and just under 39 mph, where we recorded 9.2 gph and 4.2 mpg, giving a healthy 227-mile range leaving 10 percent in reserve.
This Bass Cat’s appeal is not just performance and economy. It’s a thoughtfully designed and executed fishing platform that will delight experienced and weekend anglers alike. First, the fit-and-finish is second to none. Bass Cat gelcoaters have the experience and talent to pull off complicated and attractive gelcoat schemes. All Bass Cats are built of the toughest woven roving, laminated between a chopped skin, and feature top coats with premium-quality resins that optimize tensile strength and flex. The process protects boats from print-through and adds impact resistance.
An 18-layer-thick special transom bonds with the stringer box grid. The hull is foamed in, then layered with fiberglass to keep it intact and water-free. There’s no wood to rot, which helps to ensure a long life span.
On the foredeck, it’s now standard to stack LCD graphs in a convenient and accessible location to the starboard of the trolling motor. A recessed foot-control pocket is adjustable for placement fore and aft. Bass Cat’s new exclusive “slam” latches on all compartment lids latch at two points with a solid touch, but open with a single tap and pull to the latch lever. New hatch seals are guttered to drain water overboard and keep contents dry.
The driver’s console houses dual graphs flanking the Mercury multifunction gauges for a compact and safe cluster that doesn’t block the pilot’s view. SeaStar Pro hydraulic steering is standard, as is a molded platform for a foot throttle. A newly designed transom reroutes discharge ports for bilge and livewell drains to avoid water splashing back on Power-Poles and accommodate a three-step boarding ladder.
High Points
- Rigging below the deck is easily accessible through removable hatches.
- Speeds up to 80 mph couple with confident handling.
- Innovative features abound and show off Bass Cat’s attention to detail and dedication to function.
How We Tested
- Engine: Mercury 300 Pro XS FourStroke 300 hp
- Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Fury 14″ x 24″ 3-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 25 gal. Crew Weight: 450 lb.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $107,835 (as tested) |
|---|---|
| LOA: | 20’7″ |
| Beam: | 8’0″ |
| Draft: | NA |
| Dry Weight: | 2,100 lb. |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 5/1,700 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 60 gal. (twin 30 gal.) |
Bass Cat Boats – Midway, Arkansas; 870-481-5135; basscat.com
