Obi_Wan Posted March 13, 2018 Posted March 13, 2018 Looks like I'm about to get a 2000 Bass Cat Pantera Classic with a Mercury 150 Optimax. I'd be interested in hearing any and all comments on this boat. Stability, ease of driving, etc... Thanks. edit: now know its a 2000 model boat. Quote
Super User fishnkamp Posted March 13, 2018 Super User Posted March 13, 2018 That is a very good riding boat. There were issues with the early OptiMax engines blowing up, but if your dad has been using it that worry is eliminated. It seemed they either exploded like a handgrenade early in life or not at all. The Panterra lineup ( they used the same hull and had several floor plans) has always been well loved. In fact several times they changed the floorplan to make it fresh and were told by their customers we want the original lineup and they listened. They currently make the Pantera II and the Pantera Classic. Enjoy the new ride. 1 Quote
Obi_Wan Posted March 13, 2018 Author Posted March 13, 2018 fishnkamp, Thanks for the comments. He bought the boat 2-3 years ago with only 60 hrs on the motor. Not sure how many he has put on it since. It is currently in the shop because it struggles to run after starting. It takes several times to get it going, but when it does, it runs fine. I don't have the money to do any major fixes, so if the motor goes bad I'll have a 19' paperweight. Quote
Super User fishnkamp Posted March 13, 2018 Super User Posted March 13, 2018 I am willing to bet I know the problem. The older fuel lines do not hold up to the ethanol fuels we suffer with today. The inside of the lines break down into a powder that clogs stuff up. The answer is to replace the fuel lines from the tank all the way to the motor. Then there is a fuel "box" on the side of the motor. It includes the fuel filter as well as a float and needle valve similar to a carburetor has. This keeps the tank in there full. It also includes at least one electric fuel lift pump. All of these can get disturbed with the junk. It requires taking it apart, cleaning everything out, replacing the filter etc. My local bass boat dealer was doing it so often his mechanic kept a set of supplies ready to go. Once the issue is taken care of I would suggest running a product called Star Tron with every drop of fuel you add. I have a 2010 boat that I have used Star Tron since I purchased it new. Quote
Obi_Wan Posted March 17, 2018 Author Posted March 17, 2018 Found out the problem. My dad bought the boat used. Original owner said a mouse built a nest in the exhaust. It was cleaned and considered "all clear" as the motor ran fine. Well, after the mechanic said "I've checked everything", I started discussing some of the issues I've read on here and other places. He finally tore it down some more and found more mouse nest. Must have been clean enough to let it run for a while. Its now being torn down like it was bing overhauled and being cleaned thoroughly. Quote
Obi_Wan Posted March 17, 2018 Author Posted March 17, 2018 Here's my only issue with the boat. No storage on the back deck. my son will be my constant coangler and this model year boat has no storage in the back. Any ideas if you can cut into the deck and add storage? (and make it look like it was supposed to be there.) Quote
dblades Posted March 19, 2018 Posted March 19, 2018 Don't both you and your son use the same baits? Do you make him furnish his own tackle bag? My co anglers seem to have enough space under the console and seat. Tackle bags sometimes get strapped to the rear seat post. Quote
Obi_Wan Posted March 19, 2018 Author Posted March 19, 2018 5 hours ago, dblades said: Don't both you and your son use the same baits? Do you make him furnish his own tackle bag? My co anglers seem to have enough space under the console and seat. Tackle bags sometimes get strapped to the rear seat post. 1. Not necessarily. He may use something different. 2. I will buy his bag, but it will be his to manage. I will also get him some baits to start with. I see no problem letting him buy some of his own stuff and be responsible for it. I'd rather he uses gifted money for that than for video games. I was responsible for my own tackle. 3. I fish as a co angler now and i find room under the console and in the seat too. Doesn't mean its ideal. I never said the boat is a total loss because it doesn't have back deck storage. Its a problem for me, but not a deal breaker. Quote
Super User WRB Posted March 19, 2018 Super User Posted March 19, 2018 If your lower unit is off and someone is cleaning everything, have the exhaust horns changed to improve performance for little cost to add 25 hp. Also listen to advice and change out the fuel lines. The Pantera Classic is a fast hull but underpowered with stock 150 Opti 2.5L engine that can put out 200 hp. Having fished as both a front and back seater from 19' Pantera there is ample room and it's a very stable and safe fishing platform,enjoy your boat. Tom 1 Quote
Obi_Wan Posted March 20, 2018 Author Posted March 20, 2018 Is the fuel line change something I can do, or would you recommend a mechanic do it? I'm excited about the boat. I'll get some pics up as soon as I get them. Quote
Super User WRB Posted March 21, 2018 Super User Posted March 21, 2018 Contact Bass Cat and ask their tech folks about your boat and history or concerns with changing the fuel line due to ethanol fuel degradation. I haven't worked on a Bass Cat Pantera fuel line so can't give you first hand advice. Tom Quote
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