Plastic bass boat opinions

[hammer84]

I'm looking to buy a small plastic bass boat for my 6 year old son and I to use on pond/small lakes.

I like the Pelican Rhino

http://www.directboats.com/20perh10fibo.html

and the Bass Hound

http://www.directboats.com/basstender102.html

One is a pontoon type the other more traditional boat like.

Which would be more stable ?? Can you stand and pitch in either ??

Never have been on either type so thanks for your thoughts. Any other suggestions. thanks

--Myke

[Tokyo Tony]

I don't have personal experience with either, but they both look pretty stable.  The second one is wider, but the two are probably about as stable as the other because the first is a pontoon.  You should be able to stand and pitch in either, but I could be wrong.

If I had to choose one, I'd choose the second.  It looks nicer and more comfortable.  I'm sure someone who has personal experience with these will respond...

[skunked_again]

the first boat i bought was like the first one you posted. it worked great but theres not much standing up in one. id buy the one that could handle the most weight.

[KevO]

I have a 12' pelican jon boat, and it is pretty stable.  I always stand up when fishing and have never had any problems.  Other than getting blown around on windy days.  

I would however recommend getting an aluminum boat,  they will last a lot longer.  I don't think I had my boat more than 2 months and the inside wall had cracked.  It still floats fine because the outside is still in-tact, but it makes me a little nervous fishing around rocks and or running over some submerged cover by accident.

But the price was right and it has served me well for the last couple years, now that I am graduated from college and have a real job its time to upgrade.

[Korea_Bassin]

Something else you may want to consider is a porta-bote.  I don't have any personal experience with one, but I'm currently considering getting one to replace my Sea Eagle 9.  The porta-botes come in 8, 10, 12, and 14 ft. models and the price isn't that much more than what you are already looking at, depending on the size you get.

www.portabote.com

[=Matt 5.0=]

I'm a member of the plastic boat brigade. Got a 1987 Coleman Crawdad that's more than suitable for two of us to stand in. Just something else to consider. It's 11'6" so it's a tad bit longer. A little tough on windy days, but nothing the drift anchor won't handle.

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=J12M010&categoryid=66003

Also, I went out on a trip with my brother in law this past summer. He's got one of those Pelicans, and it was kinda cramped...I'm 6' fwiw.

[fooman]

Matt 5.0

I have one of those crawdads also...been through a few bass boats over the years but have always put the crawdad to good use...

[samurai361]

I want this one.  I know BPS was selling a version of it for a lot less than the directboats site, and I've seen a couple of these, and they are pretty good stable setups.  That plastic will flex underway, but I've seen aluminum jons that did it too.  No biggie.  The cool thing is all you need is your safety gear, tackle, a T/M and a battery, and you're good to go and ready to launch.  It's too big to launch from a pickup truck bed, so you'd need a trailer, but a small boat fills up FAST.  

http://www.directboats.com/20wa11fibo.html

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

It just makes more sense to by the Alum one.  You get a lot more for your money and can still launch it alone very easily.

If I HAD to go plastic, I would go with the crawdad.

(matt5.0's crawdad cost him $20 , otherwise, he would be riding in tin )

[hammer84]

thanks for the replies.

What am I looking for in an aluminium boat.  

Can I still get one to fit in a truck or will I need a trailer.  Is there certain width I need for stability.  Again I have no experience in a boat that did not have sails so this is all new to me.

[fooman]

You can get a 10' aluminum which should fit in the back of your truck and probably only weigh around 80#

I've seen some sitting at the local BP that didn't cost to much but I dont know how well they are built.

Look at the Tracker website under jon /utility boats

[Scarecrow]

I'm looking to buy a small plastic bass boat for my 6 year old son and I to use on pond/small lakes.

I like the Pelican Rhino

and the Bass Hound

One is a pontoon type the other more traditional boat like.

Which would be more stable ?? Can you stand and pitch in either ??

Never have been on either type so thanks for your thoughts. Any other suggestions. thanks

--Myke

I was in the same situation last year and purchased the Bass Raider (lower model of the Rhino). I have used it with my 8 year old as well as buddies with great success. I mainly use it on my subdivision lake (about 10 acres) here in Platte City. It is very stable even with 2 adults. Obviously you couldn't use either boat on LOZ, but for small lakes the Raider does well. I will say...you are kind of limited on space so whatever boat you decide on you should go with nothing shorter than 10'.

If your in Platte City and want to check out my set up, let me know.

Dave

[vaparrothead]

Hammer:  I own the Bass Hunter Stalker and really like it.  Can't stand up to fish but it fits perfectly in the back of my Town & Country.  If you get something wider (like 50").  You'll either need a truck or a trailer to transport.  Just something to think about.

[Kansas Angler]

I have seen numerous people fish out of boats very similar if not exactly like the ones in your post, they look pretty stable, i would prefer a jon boat though, because they are easier to accessorize, faster, and alot more options.

[low_pro]

I've witnessed both in action.  Both are stable.  The pontoon has slightly more storage but the bass hound is more stable and has a livewell.   I have abused my 12' Pelican Jon and it's still running strong.  I have a 6hp outboard and a 30lb trolling motor.  Both push rather well.  They are fine on a small lake or canal but gets pushed around easy on a windy day (but so does aluminum). Good luck.

[DAH]

I have a Bass Hunter Stalker II. When I bought it I call the company and talked to one of the guys before I bought it. He said they did have on their site to guy standing on one side of the boat, up on the side from my understanding and it was not tipping. Pic was removed because the lawyer says its not a good thing.

Now my question is has anybody got a bow mounted troller to mount on one of these?

[kreed]

I've fished out of ones like the first one you posted and they are very stable to me. If you get an aluminum jon make sure it is not the narrowest or it may be kinda scary for carrying your son in. I don't mind them but I would be worried to death to take my son in one that is not over 30" wide. I was looking at the plastic boats and really had my heart set on a pro 120 but couldn't part with that much money. I found one on craigslist with a 15 hp motor for $1500 two states away but the guy was holding for two days for someone else. Just my luck

I carry my son and daughter (just turned 4 and 7 yrs old) in my tri-hull  fiberglass boat. For stability you can't beat tri-hulls IMO, except maybe  pontoons.

That brings up another question, have you checked on craigslist? May find much more of a boat than what you think you can afford.

[Splat]

Have you considered a inflatable? You can get one with floors and a motor mount for about that price. and they are extremely stable to stand up in.

google for seaeagle inflatable

Check out the SE9 package at the bottom. They can be deflated and easily transported in your pickup and set up ion about 20 minutes if you use a power inflater.

Bill

[abelfisher]

http://www.cabelas.com/spodw-1/0031062.shtml

I owned one of these for a couple of years (bought used) and then upgraded.  It was a fine little boat.  I had a 4 HP Nissan on it.  It pushed it about 8 mph or so.  It had livewell, storage compartments, lights, battery for Tm, plug in charger, ... a mini Bass boat.  You might be able to find a used one.  You could pitch off the front or back deck.  Great for a small lake or pond.

Oh, and it has a tri hull so very stable!

[mobster]

I have a 1994 Coleman Crawdad and it is very stable.  Mine looks just like Matt5.0 except it is green.  Very stable, only problem is getting blown around on windy days.  

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

For all you folks getting blown around.....buy a Drift sock!!!!  (worth every penny and then some!!)

[huskertko]

I just bought the BPS this spring and have had it out a few times already.  I have to say the only problem I have with it is the wind, but I am going to take LBH's advice and buy a small drift sock.  I have the 9 foot boat and have only been out by myself, but as far as standing and fishing, I have no problems.  I am 6 foot, 225, and was standing throwing a C-rig yesterday in 15mph winds with no problem.  I also have an anchor that helps keep me in position if i need it.

[Wilson]

I would just look around in the paper, backroads, cottage areas, and online classifieds and try and find a nice aluminum jon less worrys about whats under you and way lighter and usually one person can load unload.