The search continues!

The Quest: Find the biggest bass boat that will fit "straight in" a garage that has 22'4" of straight back in space in it.

Today tested a brand new (2 hours on it for break in) Basscat Pantera Classic. It will def fit in the garage with a little room to spare. Beautiful boat...on plane quick with 2 of us and a full tank of gas. Wind was blowing 15 - 20 mph today and we had 2.5 - 3.5 foot rollers out on the main lake. Handled well but unfortunately it was rough (coming out of a 20' Champion aren't they all?) Nice boat but kinda lookin like i'm gonna have to go with a 20 footer to get the ride I want. My kidneys can't take that kind of a beating. I have to say in some defense of the boat, and the driver (he was very experienced)...there was no hotfoot on this boat yet as it wasn't completely rigged out yet, and he was going as fast as he safely could in the big water per my instructions. Driving 30 minutes in big water without a hotfoot is tough. But it still cracked my neck a couple of times as the passenger. (That's the queens seat...and if ya kill the queen...ya kill the deal!) When he stopped to let me drive it I told him just head to the ramp. Nice boat, but ain't gonna work for me. Next up the Phoenix 919. Not 20' but will fit and have heard it rides nice. If that don't work we're down to the 20' Basscats...Caracal, Eyra, Puma, and Cougar. Stay tuned.

I went from a BassCat Pantera II (same as the Pantera Classic just an older model) to a Cougar after experiencing some really rough water on Rayburn. Took two big waves over the bow. Difference was night and day (at least I thought it was). I'm on my second Cougar now. All three boats had hot foots. Check out the BassCat website. I'm not sure a Cougar will fit in a 22'4" garage though.

Not sure where you are at, but if you end up wanting a ride in a phoenix I have a 920 Id be happy to let you test out. Little bit longer than the 919 you're looking at but cant imagine the ride would be too terribly different.

According to the Bass Cat website, the only one that would fit in your garage is the Caracal.

An Eyra will fit. That’s your best bet for the biggest boat with that kinda space. I just went through this and I’m heading out today to do the deal on a 16 Eyra with a pro xs. I measured one I was looking at locally with a pro xs and trimmed down with toungue folded from tip of trolling motor to back of engine trimmed down was 22’ 2”. It was a 2014 model with an 8” hydraulic jack plate.

I would rather have a 20’ boat with a 250 so I went this route instead of the caracal. I didn’t want any other brand of boat either. I may be wrong but I looked at everything and you will not find a 20’ boat that will fit in that space other than a Cat unless you go with a 19 footer as far as newer boats go.

The Phoenix is the only boat I’ve read about that rides like Champion, I have not heard the ride difference between a 19’ & 20’ though.

I really appreciate the offer. I'm in Austin. I really need to ride in the boat i'm buying and the 920 will def not fit.

Eyra, Cougar, Caracal, and Puma will all fit. They're up after the 919 if it doesn't cut it. FYI, ALL of these will BARELY fit in the garage including the 919. Thanks Mayo for the reply (and all of you!!). I've actually taken a take measure with me to the Basscat dealership and measured all of the boats mentioned here. They will fit. Very, very tight, but they will fit. 919...Here we go!

If your garage has sheet rock in it, you can remove the 2x4s and sheet rock to gain another 4 inches. Just build a header to support what's left of the 2x4s. Probably just need to cut one 2x4 and that should give you around a 30 inch wide spot that has the extra 4 inches of depth.

I had a swing away trailer tongue (??) put on my trailer about 8 years ago at local trailer hitch shop and I could not be happier with all the xtra room.

You’re welcome. Let us know how it goes. I’ve been in a Phoniex 920 many times. I have a 03 Sabre I’m selling and moving into a 16 Eyra. There’s no way I would switch out of a Cat but that’s just me. I’d be more than happy to go out in either one with ya if you’d like. The Eyra I obviously have to adjust to. Let me know and keep us posted.

Seems like the old narrow Champion is the hull that everything is compared too.

I'm not sure , but I have sold 4 cougars to people that test rode the bird first and one Caracal to a 919 owner. I would recommend doing exactly like you are doing. Take every boat for a spin.

Exactly what I intend to do Andrew! FYI for those following...rules are:
1) 22'4" of space
2) Has to fit straight in
3) No garage modifications
4) no involving floor jacks
Phoenix 919... you're up! Anyone have an Eyra near Austin?

I just a Pantera now I'm worried. LOL

I hear people complain that bass boats aren't smooth in 2-3 foot rollers, they are too light and short too be "smooth" in rough water. A lot also claim certain boats are a dry ride in "big water". "Big water" to me is 20+ mph wind and 4+ foot rollers and there are NO bass boats that will be 100%dry in those conditions.

If you can find a bass boat that handles 3+ foot waves "smoothly" let me know, I will buy one that day.

I’m not saying that it’s the same smoothness as being on a calm day, but have you been in a Champion on a rough day? There’s something about the way they cut the water with the big deep V hull.


I think the dry part is impossible, the wind will blow the spray back at you no matter what brand you have.

Well from my experience, no matter what BS someone tries to tell you...if you have 4 foot rollers...you ain't "running" them. You're trying not to drown if you're smart. I've had a 202 Champ for 20 years and it does get me home safe every time out. I can run three footers at a decent speeed. That's basically under 40 mph usually. Trying to run anything more than that at much speed and you'll launch. (ask me how I know this!) But this thread is simply trying to find the best riding boat that will fit the parameters given. Let's keep it at that please. Thanks for the feedback guys. Still looking for a BAsscat Eyra ride in the Austin area. If anyone has one I'd be glad to pay for gas and lunch for a ride!