Pelican Bass raider 10E

[TriStateBassin106]

Hey all,

 

I Plan to get into boat fishing next season and since i'm on a tight budget a buddy of mine recommended the Pelican bass raider, I just had a few questions about this little boat if anyone on here owns one. 

 

1. Is the boat stable? Will it not capsize if i'm trying to get in it?

 

2. How much weight can the boat hold? I'm currently 285lb is this boat safe for that weight? 

 

3. Can the boat hold a gas motor/fish finder electronics? Would like to fish some of my deeper lakes next summer and those would help me. 

 

 

Thanks and I look foward to the replies

[OCdockskipper]

They are stable, they are much wider than a canoe or kayak, so tipping isn't an issue.  Depending on the version you have, the gunnels can be fairly low to the water, but you would have to have most of your weight on a corner of the boat, leaning out, to get it low enough to let water come in.  Like any boat, they are more stable when you are sitting than if you choose to stand.

 

Check the specs on the model you are looking at, most of the 10 ft models can carry 550 lbs or so.  My 10 ft Pond Prowler has about 40 lbs of plywood in it (floor & casting deck), the battery, electric motor, 70 lbs or so of tackle and myself at 200lbs and I haven't had any weight issues.

 

Electronics are no issue, but I would shy away from a gas motor.  These boats are not made for big water and if you need a gas motor to get to & from where you want to go on the water, then I would suggest a different type of boat (such as a johnboat).  I fish a 100 acre lake & the Pond Prowler with a 46lb thrust electric motor gets me around quickly.

[Chowderhead]

51 minutes ago, pondhopperNJ said:

Pelican bass raider, I just had a few questions about this little boat if anyone on here owns one. 

 

OC has given some great guidance.

 

I have never had a tipping issue with mine. Weight limit should be fine, fish with my oldest son, all our gear, battery, etc and never a weight issue. Haven’t put a gas motor on mine or electronics, but many on here have.

 

When you have time, great tips and tricks to consider in the following thread. Here you go:

 

 

[Fishes in trees]

Every boat has a total weight number - be aware of that total weight number.  I used to own a 10' by 4' Water Buster.  It was heavy enough that it came on its own trailer.  You could launch it on gravel ramps, but concrete ramps were easier, and I grew to like the 50 to 200 acre conservation lakes anyway.  

 

Anyway , on my boat, that number was a hard number in that it handled great until you got close to the number, but get close or exceed that number and capsizing was a real possibility.  If you fish with 2 guys I don't recommend standing up.

[loonfan]

Just sold mine, 55lb thrust up front and Merc 2.5 on back. Loved it, stood up and fished quite a bit.

I bought a bigger boat but I'm sure I'll have sellers remorse at times. Have had that thing way back into places other boats wouldn't dare try.