The Bass Cat Cougar FTD 2010 vs Bass Cat Pantera IV 2007 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Bass Cat Cougar FTD 2010 at 20,3 ft versus Bass Cat Pantera IV 2007 at 19,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bass Cat Cougar FTD 2010 tips the scales at 1 765 lbs — 1 621 lbs more than the Bass Cat Pantera IV 2007 at 144 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 300 hp, the Bass Cat Cougar FTD 2010 has a 100-hp advantage over the Bass Cat Pantera IV 2007's 200-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 2010 carries 52 gallons versus 33 gallons in the Bass Cat Pantera IV 2007. 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 2010 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Bass Cat Pantera IV 2007 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 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bass Cat Cougar FTD 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 20,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bass Cat Pantera IV 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.