Talk to me about each 

#1: BassCat Pantera IV or Skeeter ZX200

#2: Mercury Verado or Optimax, Yamaha V Max Series 2, or Evinrude H.O.

Both are good boats, the factory backing/service of the BassCat is unsurpassed.

The Optimax has the best fuel mileage. The Verado is too heavy for good performance on bass boats. The rest are just OK.

The only thing that I dont like about the Pantera is the livewells.  I don't care for the lid design.  They seem small and I don't like the triangle shape.   Other than that the Basscat is a fantastic ride. 

Optimax for the engine.  Yammies are great I just don't like the looks of the Vmax cover.  sorry to be petty about it but if you are going to pay that much better get what you love not what you think is ok..

Good Luck

Oops Sorry

I was thinking of the Puma design.  DEFINATELY the Pantera then.

Im pretty sure the Pantera IV is the heaviest of all the panteras made which means good ride quality in rougher water. The skeeter is probably faster but isnt built as nice nor does it probably ride quite as nice. If you're buying new then get a basscat, the service is the best in the biz. An optmax would make the pantera even sweeter.

Skeeter for looks and Optimax for performance IMO!

I like the BC ride better than Sket and I have been running a trouble free Opti for a long time.

Skeeter is owned by Yamaha so they only come with Yamaha outboards from the factory.  I would take the Bass Cat and an Etec or Opti.

Skeeter, and hang the OPTI on the rear. The Yamaha will be fine, I'm just partial to a Phantom Black engine.

I'm calling shotgun when the boat arrives.

I have a Yammi HPDI and absolutely love it.  Great engine!

That said, I understand the Evinrude is better at oil consumption and has a tad more power than the Mercs and Yammi's.  I also understand they come already broken in, with the first service interval at 3 years.  Not a bad deal.

Having been on the Big Pond in 40 MPH winds I would suggest the BC & Opti.

Kelley

BassCat Pantera IV with Optimax

Catt, if you are purchasing a Mercury motor, please ask if the gaskets have been upgraded.

Seems Mercury has a work order out to its service reps to replace two or three gaskets which are too small for what they are designed to do.

Mercury has not informed their motor owners of this and the repairs are done when you bring your engine in for maintenance.

This happened to my friend this summer when we had to take his Bass Cat back to Pops Marine in Williamsburg when we had an engine problem on the Chickahominy River.

Happy New Year! 

Never ridden in a Bass Cat but I have ridden in the Skeeter with an HPDI and the ride and handling are outstanding.