Pond Prowler II vs Pelican Bass Raider - Differences?

[TotalNoob]

Between late last night and the time I've had today, I've read through the first 21 pages of the "Any Pelican Bass Raider Owners Out There?" thread (21 of 113 pages!) - going back to 2010 when it started! What a phenomenal resource! 

 

I'm just going to ask my questions now because I'm very interested and need to make a decision. I want to be ready to fish out of this by the time early Spring arrives - not ready to put this all together by the time Spring arrives. 

 

Apparently I can't get a Pelican Bass Raider 10e. Dicks (per their website) does retail them, however they are not available at any Colorado location that I can find and that includes the "ship-to-store" option. That seems absurd to me and I'm not sure why. 

 

BPS has the Pond Prowler II available. It appears to be remarkably similar to the Pelican Bass Raider. Virtually same specs and design.

 

Aside from basic specs, I'm wondering if anyone who has owned both (or is at all familiar with both) can speak to any key differences between the two? Is there any information that someone who is strongly considering a Pond Prowler II purchase (rather that the more popular Pelican Bass Raider) would want to know? 

 

The Pelican Bass Raider thread has so much phenomenal info that I kind of feel like I already know it inside out (just from reading through the first 1/6th of this entire thread). That's a level of comfort I DON'T have in regards to the Pond Prowler unfortunately, which seems to be my only purchase option. 

 

Any info/suggestions/advice/resources would be greatly appreciated. 

 

One more thing, for those who have either the 10ft Bass Raider or 10ft Pond Prowler and a mid-size truck (S10, Tacoma, etc), how are you securing this in your bed? I measure 52" width in the bed with just 36" between wheel wells. This is definitely riding on top of the wheel wells - are there any tips or tricks for hauling these in mid-size beds? 

[OCdockskipper]

1 hour ago, TotalNoob said:

...One more thing, for those who have either the 10ft Bass Raider or 10ft Pond Prowler and a mid-size truck (S10, Tacoma, etc), how are you securing this in your bed? I measure 52" width in the bed with just 36" between wheel wells. This is definitely riding on top of the wheel wells - are there any tips or tricks for hauling these in mid-size beds? 

I have a 10 ft. original Pond Prowler, as far as outer dimensions, it is nearly identical to the Pond Prowler 2.  When I first got it, I had an S-10 truck and the bed was just a touch small to tow it in, even with the tailgate down.  I now have a Colorado and a year ago, I pulled it out of the lake to take on vacation.  It fit in the Colorado standard bed great (again with the tailgate down), no problem getting it between the wheel wells.  I have a cover for the boat, which I strapped to the tiedowns and then used a half dozen bungy cords to keep the boat up tight against the cab and over the cover for additional security.  It handled the 120 miles there and the 120 miles back with no problem.

[TotalNoob]

15 minutes ago, OCdockskipper said:

I have a 10 ft. original Pond Prowler, as far as outer dimensions, it is nearly identical to the Pond Prowler 2.  When I first got it, I had an S-10 truck and the bed was just a touch small to tow it in, even with the tailgate down.  I now have a Colorado and a year ago, I pulled it out of the lake to take on vacation.  It fit in the Colorado standard bed great (again with the tailgate down), no problem getting it between the wheel wells.  I have a cover for the boat, which I strapped to the tiedowns and then used a half dozen bungy cords to keep the boat up tight against the cab and over the cover for additional security.  It handled the 120 miles there and the 120 miles back with no problem.

I, too, have an S10. The Pond Prowler was a touch small in terms of width? The tailgate down is a given.. it's gonna stick out several feet. 

 

BPS' website is showing the original Pond Prowler (yours) as 48" wide and showing the Pond Prowler II as 49.5" wide. I get 52" when I measure the width of my bed. 

[OCdockskipper]

My S-10 was an early 2000 model, so the width between the wheel wells may have been less.  52" should be fine.

 

As far as the 2 feet of boat hanging out, it helps to put anything heavy in the front of the boat (battery, etc) and absolutely nothing in the portion hanging over.

[redmexican5081]

Take a measurement between the bumps the tailgate stops against.  On my truck, this is a smaller distance than the side to side across the bed itself.  I figured this out after building a rack that i thought i would be able to slide in and out without having to lift in over the gate.  I measured and cut everything to fit snugly.  My bed was ~52" as well and between the tailgate bumps its only ~48".  I felt like an idiot when i tried to push it in the first time and realized my mistake. 

[TotalNoob]

19 minutes ago, redmexican5081 said:

Take a measurement between the bumps the tailgate stops against.  On my truck, this is a smaller distance than the side to side across the bed itself.  I figured this out after building a rack that i thought i would be able to slide in and out without having to lift in over the gate.  I measured and cut everything to fit snugly.  My bed was ~52" as well and between the tailgate bumps its only ~48".  I felt like an idiot when i tried to push it in the first time and realized my mistake. 

Good call - I measured that area and it is narrower. Went from about 52 1/4" on the side to side to about 50 3/4" at the narrowest on the back by the tailgate (between those bumps).

 

That's a slim margin (but should be doable) if BPS' stated specs of 49 1/2" wide on the Pond Prowler II are correct. 

[TotalNoob]

Wanted to bump this as I'm likely purchasing the Pond Prowler II this week. 

 

Would definitely be interested in any additional info if anyone has any to share. No tips or suggestions or advice too small or insignificant!

 

Was curious as well if anyone knows if the PP 2 goes on sale during the Feb Fishing Classis at BPS? Called up there and guy said he has seen them on sale but couldn't remember when that was. 

 

On 1/4/2019 at 4:00 PM, OCdockskipper said:

My S-10 was an early 2000 model, so the width between the wheel wells may have been less.  52" should be fine.

 

As far as the 2 feet of boat hanging out, it helps to put anything heavy in the front of the boat (battery, etc) and absolutely nothing in the portion hanging over.

How did you like your Pond Prowler, aside from the loading and unloading? 

 

Any pros and cons you'd be willing to share?

[OCdockskipper]

2 hours ago, TotalNoob said:

...How did you like your Pond Prowler, aside from the loading and unloading?...

It has been a great little boat, given me over 4 years of service with no issues.  I run a bow mount 42lb thrust on the front with a rudder on the rear for better control.  I did a lot of modifications (bigfoot power switch for the TM, depthfinder, on board battery charger, bilge pump, carpeted floorboards & battery cover, upgraded seat, etc), but it was well worth it.  I can haul all my gear and 8 rods without being cramped (if I fish by myself).

 

A couple of things I noticed different between the original Prowler & the PP2:  First, the PP2 rides higher in the water.  This would be a plus in areas where you may get waves or rougher water, but is a negative as far as landing fish.  I like being low to the water, I can lip any fish without leaving my seat.  Second, the side rails on the PP2 have some obstructions on them that appear to create issues with storing rods on them.  I know they have rod holders, but the locations of those are right where you would be casting, so they are useless.  You may need to make some little modification to give yourself areas to lay down a pair of rods per side.  Lastly, the PP2 did a better job with the locations of tie down cleats & handles (front & back).  Those will definitely be handy when you are loading & unloading the boat.

 

 

[TotalNoob]

18 hours ago, OCdockskipper said:

It has been a great little boat, given me over 4 years of service with no issues.  I run a bow mount 42lb thrust on the front with a rudder on the rear for better control.  I did a lot of modifications (bigfoot power switch for the TM, depthfinder, on board battery charger, bilge pump, carpeted floorboards & battery cover, upgraded seat, etc), but it was well worth it.  I can haul all my gear and 8 rods without being cramped (if I fish by myself).

 

A couple of things I noticed different between the original Prowler & the PP2:  First, the PP2 rides higher in the water.  This would be a plus in areas where you may get waves or rougher water, but is a negative as far as landing fish.  I like being low to the water, I can lip any fish without leaving my seat.  Second, the side rails on the PP2 have some obstructions on them that appear to create issues with storing rods on them.  I know they have rod holders, but the locations of those are right where you would be casting, so they are useless.  You may need to make some little modification to give yourself areas to lay down a pair of rods per side.  Lastly, the PP2 did a better job with the locations of tie down cleats & handles (front & back).  Those will definitely be handy when you are loading & unloading the boat.

 

 

That's a fantastic setup there - is that Bigfoot switch as big of a help as I imagine it being (more hands-free fishing?)

 

Yep you're right, looks like the PP2 has a raised area on each side where rods would otherwise easily lay down. That doesn't make a lick of sense. 

[OCdockskipper]

On 1/7/2019 at 7:06 PM, TotalNoob said:

...is that Bigfoot switch as big of a help as I imagine it being (more hands-free fishing?)...

Yes it is.  A full footcontrol unit would be cramped, the Bigfoot doesn't take up much room.  I have noticed over time that often when I hook up, I instnctively spin the throttle to reverse and mash the Bigfoot.  It allows me to back out of an area hands free while fighting a fish.  It is as close to a must have that a mod can be.