I didn't see a lot of "sour grapes" directed at BassCat. Just a couple. However, I think there is much to be skeptical of about the value of the J.D. Power award. It is a money making enterprise that verges on being a scam. Like I said, BassCat makes a heck of a boat and I would consider them in the top few bass boats out there, but touting the J.D. Power award as a true measure of quality and satisfaction is disingenious at the least. If you take the time to research Power you will see the folly of this award.

This is gonna' be long! So we apologize, though you asked.

As for Marlin and others, J.D. Power and Associates is a really in depth study and the data in paper fills one 2 1/2" and one 3" ring binder, two (2) binders if printed. Then they give subscribers a separate software link that allows them to compare the cleat on boat A to the shifting on Boat B. It is really a neat study. You can virtually compare any item of concern with the satisfaction of a competitors. So we can see if we should look at doing something like a padded deck, which you won't be seeing on a BCB soon. Or the rod storage, or hole shot.

We did not take much stock in learning years ago from a study, we all think we know everything. Being no different, we were wrong... There is a tremendous amount of knowledge goes into the study.

There are around 400 studies sent out to all manufacturers consumers of those who register over 400 retail registrations by state. So not all of any companies consumers receive a study. And it takes a while for each consumer to fill one out, there is a token $1 in each envelope. Champion and some others were not listed as they had too few registrations for automatic inclusion in the study. Nitro was in the study, though the results were not released due to too few returns of their owners, below the minimum number.

As for the engines being the same on all boats. That is not true. Years ago we stayed with all engine brand control boxes, cables, harnesses and gauges. This gave our consumers more filtered equipment and service at any engine dealer on that equipment. Others used non stock and lesser expensive non factory propellers, cables, and after market control boxes, as well as lesser gauges. Thus satisfaction is an issue on the engine components or cockpit.

When shifting showed up as a problem in the survey, then we right away went and found the best cables we could get. Thus spending twice (2x) on the cables of our previous cable. Though shifting was much better and we were able to tie our cables in an knot and still shift. Whereas any bind on the aftermarket cables others used at the time would drag the cable and limit shifting. So we try to address the things that fall under the engine category and improve those.

There are many facets taken into consideration on the study,. from web site, to the retail sales experience, and of course the dealers and then their service. There are many more categories than we can mention here. There are categories and sub categories and individual topics as well. Each impacts the study to some degree.

As for engines that are all Mercury or Yamaha on other brands. They also work to move lesser expensive 2 stroke carb. and EFI engines when we focus on direct injection. This also improves customer satisfaction, and of course costs are significantly higher. This year we have already noticed that we had the highest 250 engine mix in the data. Though a 20' or 21' model of another brand may have a 225 on it often. The increased horsepower again leads to more costs, and more satisfaction. The same rings true for folks with an 18' boat and a 115 verses a 150 engine. They are happier with the 150 on that boat, and price does play a factor in that decision. Though if you marked that you wished you had purchased a larger engine, satisfaction is reduced. The same argument is really glaring in one of the box department store retailer brands. They cut the ponies to offer boats at a lesser price, and thus the customer satisfaction is reduced greatly. Then there is setup and more that come into play, as well as other factors. So engine satisfaction is varied for many reasons.

We get responses on all manufacturers as those contracting the study receive the comments on our brand. We are able to see what you did not like about your Skeeter, Ranger, Triton, Stratos or Nitro boat. Those are comments as well as the actual data are invaluable in evaluating why we would not like to have a certain boat design or component.

For example, one manufacturer touts no valve control for failures, though their customers might comment they preferred a better system on that brand. And small livewells may be an issue on more than one brand. We really see what is out there through the study. So fishing can be viewed from many directions and items. And yes we got a few responses that critiqued the front recess location. As well as some things we had already changed.

As for engine brands, the position of JD Power is that if you are not reaching the satisfaction necessary with an engine brand, then you should partner with a better engine company. So that is in their opinion within the limitations of the boat company. And before anyone gets slobbering over the engines, E-Tec won in 2 stroke direct injection, so Kuydo's to them! That includes some small 2 stroke DI engines that Mercury and Yamaha do not offer. They still offer dirty 2 stroke carb and EFI in smaller engines. When the bass satisfaction is looked at only, Yamaha also looked pretty good and Mercury was up there as well. So things are not as they always appear as the engines take in all segments, including pontoon, outboard cruiser, and more.

Ranger, Stratos and Bass Cat all have varied engines in the data. Whereas Skeeter, Nitro and Triton are all mostly exclusives in their packages. That impacts this also in many ways.

We did not know how to look at the JD Power and Associates information when we started either. We never saw the data overall and they are secure in that silence to contract holders only. So you won't get numbers out of any contractee. They have penalties for release of data.

We learned years ago that the information was real, and we now show preference to a product that scores well in a JDP study. If they say ScottTrade has the most satisfied consumers, then we feel they do. Though you will expect us to say that.

We also would like to recognize that Ranger while slipping a few points from 2008, did an excellent job on Customer Service. So they deserve and accolade here as well.

There are tons of data the study, and more to learn than one could share here. Though no one bought any awards and the competition is fierce. We are trying to retain the award another year already. Though others are trying hard to receive it. We won't let up, and they won't either.

We are human, and we all slip sometimes. And we also have those who do not agree with our position on a service or warranty item. Though we make those decisions from lots of time on our product and knowing what causes and creates various issues. Also the cost that is passed on to the end purchaser of new product through that. In the end we hope we make the right decision to treat people as we would want to be treated, and respectfully disagree with those we disagree with.

Thank you again for the positive comments out there, and to those Owners who have taken time to complete their studies and express their opinions.

Sincerely,

Rick Pierce
Bass Cat Boats

Thanks for the clarification............

I'll say this, name me one other boat builder where the Owner/President comes on a small fishing forum and talks to anglers. That in itself is enough said.

Keep up the good work Rick.

+1 for what TheBassKing said.

WOW - amazing what factual information can do for a bunch of speculative naysayers.

Thanks for the info Rick

I have been in a quandry for quite some time, as to the brand my next boat will be. I tend to keep boats for an extended period of time, or at least I have since I bought my first Ranger, in 1987 (I'm on my second Ranger now). The local Bass Cat dealer is a friend of mine, who has been doing everything he can to put me in a Cat, for the last 2 years. That said, I still have a love affair with Rangers, as I have always been enamored with their Styling, fishability, and Ride. When I actually get ready to buy, there is a chance that I will go to the Cat, because of the Dealer more than the boat, but you will never hear me say anything negative about a Cat, Ranger, or Skeeter (my first two boats were Skeeters).

I don't think the issue is with BassCat. I think it is understood that BassCat boats is one of the top bass boats on the market. They are one of my favorites. However, I think there is an issue with the honesty and validity of the J.D. Power award process. Before you accept that the J.D. Power is all than, you should do some research about the award. IF you spend enough time and are diligent enough, you will come away questioning the process and the validity. This is not just for BCB but for all companies that are given this award. Do the research and you will be enlightened.

Again, this is not bashing BCB. They make a good enough boat to stand on their own regardless of the J.D. Power award.

Definitions of naysayer ....

Someone with an aggressively negative attitude


One who consistently denies, criticizes, or doubts; a detractor