The Bass Cat Bay Cat 2011 vs Bass Cat Cougar FTD 2005 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Bass Cat Bay Cat 2011 measures 21,6 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 19,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bass Cat Cougar FTD 2005 at 2,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bass Cat Cougar FTD 2005 tips the scales at 1 605 lbs — 1 584 lbs less than the Bass Cat Bay Cat 2011 at 21 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 285 hp, the Bass Cat Cougar FTD 2005 has a 110-hp advantage over the Bass Cat Bay Cat 2011's 175-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bass Cat Bay Cat 2011 carries 72 gallons versus 52 gallons in the Bass Cat Cougar FTD 2005. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bass Cat Bay Cat 2011 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Bass Cat Cougar FTD 2005 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bass Cat Bay Cat 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bass Cat Bay Cat 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 21,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bass Cat Cougar FTD 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.