Hi Gary
I've seen hundreds of bait boats on my lakes (even if I don't use them) and the Microcat definitely seems to be the best.... but also the dearest.
Their basic baitboat is smaller and stouter has a single hull and hoppers on the sides. The microcat is, as it's name suggests a catamaran. Twin hull and hopper in the middle. I believe both use the water jet propulsion system.
Lots of extrasq, solar panels and echosounders...... but are these really necessary either as it can push the cost of a boat way over a grand.
Other boats I've seen, are the Viper boats. Nicely made, look good and are a cat type construction too. They have, though, proved less than 100% reliable to the guys from A&J running the trips to me. Water ingress, motors ko! etc.
The Euro cat was another I saw. Very big and too noisy for my liking......
Battery life seems ot be a major factor and if you are going out a long way several times a day they soon give up the ghost.
They are all electronic gizmos in the end that we use on water.... electronics doesn't like water. The handsets are prone to getting wet in the rain, and boats very often leak.
There are other smaller garage industry boats around, but you might as well make one yourself...
Whatever one thinks they do put more fish on the bank.... to the less experienced anglers. Not everyone can spod of cast over 120 yards, and in weedy lakes it makes bait presentation much easier if you can't cast accurately.
Takes the skill out of angling..... but in the world of instant carp angling.....Just add water....
cheers
Gareth