Heimslice Posted February 17, 2020 Posted February 17, 2020 Wanted to get any advice on these options here: First , i fish on not motorized lakes 80% of time that don't allow vehicle launches... I have a 5.5 'truck bed but the boat is for myself and my 9 year old son ...I am 240 lbs he is 60lbs, not sure he could carry it with me out of the truck bed.. Sun dolphin pro 102 or 120 , i like the options on these but very limited info on these online and someone poor customer service records from KL industries reported... Pelican bass raider 10e Bass Hunter ....any size Uncle Bucks pond prowler 2 any info or suggestions are much appreciated.... just read that KL industries (sundolphin) went out of business , closed its factories in muskegeon .... Quote
Hartwood71 Posted February 18, 2020 Posted February 18, 2020 I generally use a plastic bass boat or john boat with a trolling motor. It’s an old bass-tracker from the 1980’s. It’s actually amazing to see how little the designs have changed since then. I believe all the boats you listed, for fit in a truck bed (width). Bottom line is, i love it with a little trolling motor. I have a four door f-150 with a 5.5’ bed. I transport the boat with the gate down and ratchet straps locking it in. Very stable. Quote
Heimslice Posted February 18, 2020 Author Posted February 18, 2020 Thanks ....I’m leaning towards the pond prowler. ($700) .... do you recommend having two batteries on board? Quote
crankbait2009 Posted February 18, 2020 Posted February 18, 2020 I'll weigh in on this. Although I do not have one of these boats, I do have experience fishing from one. My friend in Kentucky owns the Sundolphin Sportsman boat. He uses one battery which he places at the back of the boat. That battery powers the trolling motor located at the front. We have never had the battery die on us. But it primarily runs the TM. If and when he decides to install a Fish Finder, I have no doubt that there wouldn't be sufficient power to run that as well. This boat is large enough for both of us, 6 rods, and our tackle bags. Although it looks like an oversized bathtub, it certainly performs very well. We stand up, and sit down to fish and have never had any issues. It's very stable. He has some modifications shown on his youtube channel of said boat, if you'd like to check them out. He'll be adding more videos on this boat throughout this coming season. His username on youtube is MiniBoatin'. Although he has the boat on a trailer, he used to have a Nissan pick up, and hauled it around on there till the trailer came in the picture. So it CAN be done. https://directboats.com/sporminbasbo.html?utm_source=googlepepla&utm_medium=adwords&id=60306043005&gclid=Cj0KCQiAs67yBRC7ARIsAF49CdXfjO9kl4KP90BhCDb1iT_SL0stw1CBZCnf6YPnm8LCuX-2Z-ccSiAaAlV7EALw_wcB Quote
Heimslice Posted February 18, 2020 Author Posted February 18, 2020 Wow! Thanks so much for that ! After reading a lot of reviews ...some of complained about water between the layers and the foam In between soaking up water making them hard to drain .... Quote
Super User Fishes in trees Posted February 18, 2020 Super User Posted February 18, 2020 I used to have one and I liked fishing out of it - just out grew it. I had a 10' Buster Boats Trophy (pretty sure that they aren't made any longer). I ran a Minn Kota 55 lb thrust 12 volt trolling motor with 3 batteries wired parallel. Never ran out of power and I fished a lake where I frequently had to make 15 - 20 minute runs to the far end of the lake & back. Bought a 3 bank charger and while I didn't have it mounted in the boat, I did have it on a rack in my garage where it was fairly easy to attach the leads to the batteries. ( I found some extra long eared wing nuts that were super easy to use when I was tired and my fingers were fumbling. To address the concern that water can get inside the pontoons - yes, that can happen. Happened quite a bit when I first got my boat, then I figured out that the plugs shipped with the boat were poor quality and when I got new plugs that fit that issue was lessened quite a bit. I had my boat on a trailer so I was limited to lakes with ramps - not really an issue in Missouri because there are lots of Conservation department lakes and they all have ramps - some ramps being more convenient than others. I would really recommend getting a little trailer for your boat. Good luck - those little boats are fun to fish out of and after a short learning curve they are very stable. Quote
Heimslice Posted February 18, 2020 Author Posted February 18, 2020 All great advice ! Just waiting for the ice to melt here in Michigan .... Quote
choppertime Posted February 18, 2020 Posted February 18, 2020 OP you need to go to the any pelican bass raider owners out there thread...there's like 120+ pages about the little boats! I've had 1 since 2013 and love it..just my g/f and me go out in it....I've been on full power boat lakes with it without issues, but the wakes from those 250 motors can make your cheeks pucker a lil when they get ya rockin an rollin! Quote
Chowderhead Posted February 18, 2020 Posted February 18, 2020 Here you go: Lots of good info in the main thread - I’m sure you will find what you are looking for. Good luck! Quote
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