The Caracal STS made nearly 75 mph at 6,100 rpm, with a short run in choppy water. This package is easily capable of 80 with better conditions. She’s powerful but fuel-stingy, giving us 4.4 mpg at 31 mph at 3,500 rpm. Plenty of wakeboard rollers in rough water proved that the Caracal is solid, tight and like a nimble cat—always landed on her feet.
An entire new deck layout for 2024 is loaded with great features and engineering touches. The large bow panel permits flush mounting of two stacked graphs; three can be mounted with additional brackets. A foredeck dash panel holds a main power switch and digital voltmeter. So you can land them right, there’s a landing net scabbard and measuring board built into the deck, easy to access and quick to deploy. Hatch and latch designs keep gear beneath dry and secure. The recessed trolling-motor pedal pocket allows fore or aft adjustment of the pedal. Retractable, built-in rod straps on each gunwale complement a four-rod passenger rack. A rod-storage box on the port side and a dry locker to starboard flank a pair of large centerline storage boxes. A center step up to the foredeck hides a cooler.
The new sculpted console accepts a flush-mounted 12-inch graph. Ours was talking to the motor, displaying engine data as well as navigation and sonar displays. A tilt wheel and hydraulic steering with an optional Bob’s Machine Shop hydraulic jack plate tames the Mercury 250XS. A two-tier center step between the seats houses a glove box in the upper portion and a cooler underneath. Billet grab bars are located port and starboard within easy reach for pilot and navigator.
Triangular livewells are deep for safe fish transport and to keep water from sloshing. Small triangular day-storage boxes are located just behind the livewells, with larger dry-storage compartments on each side. Easy access to pumps, screens and rigging is under twin hatches at the transom.
Bass Cat has a reputation for being first and best in innovation, and this latest STS version of the Caracal proves it.
How We Tested
- Engine: Mercury 250 Pro XS FourStroke
- Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Fury 14″ x 24″ 3-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 1.75:1
- Fuel Load: 52 gal.
- Crew Weight: 500 lb.
High Points
- STS (Soft Touch Series) hull improves load carrying, handling and wave-slicing capabilities.
- Reflex PE floor padding is soft on the feet.
- Bow panel holds dual graphs without using external mounting brackets.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $109,570 (as tested) |
| LOA: | 20’2″ |
| Beam: | 8’1/2″ |
| Draft: | 1’6″ |
| Dry Weight: | 1,890 lb. |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 4/785 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 52 gal. |
| Livewell Capacity: | NA |
Speed, Efficiency, Operation
