The Bass Cat Cougar FTD 2006 vs Bass Cat Sabre FTD 2011 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 Sabre FTD 2011 measures 18,1 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 16,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bass Cat Cougar FTD 2006 at 2,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bass Cat Cougar FTD 2006 tips the scales at 1 605 lbs — 390 lbs more than the Bass Cat Sabre FTD 2011 at 1 215 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 2006 has a 170-hp advantage over the Bass Cat Sabre FTD 2011's 115-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 Cougar FTD 2006 carries 52 gallons versus 33 gallons in the Bass Cat Sabre FTD 2011. 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 Cougar FTD 2006 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Bass Cat Sabre FTD 2011 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bass Cat Cougar FTD 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bass Cat Cougar FTD 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bass Cat Sabre FTD 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.