Pelican Bass Raider (mini pontoon) at Walmart

[wasabi_VA]

Walmart has a $400 mini pontoon that is 8' long. It sounds like what I need for a small pond that I can not get a trailer into. I can take this thing from my truck to the water and back. Wondering if this is a decent little boat or if maybe some of the other brands offer some significantly better features? I know Bass Pro has a couple different ones. I'm gonna put a small trolling motor on it.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8187896

[memo43]

I have seen a few of these in different waters aroud Quantico Va. of course you just have to watch out for bigger lakes an speeding boats, but other than that you mentioned that it was going to be for small ponds why not, although check out craiglist. Just might find a similar one or a cheap jon boat.

memo

[TommyBass]

I have the ten foot model of the boat you are talking about.  It has being nothing short of great for small pond fishing.  VERY sturdy for the size and has held up well.  Only thing to break on mine is the handle attached to the front to pull with, which was my fault because I tried to pull it out of the pond when it was full of water with my 4 wheeler.  They arnt the lightest thing around but two guys can carry it rather easily and 1 person could man handle it around for probably 50yds or so.  Definately reccomend.

[IDbasser]

I've been wanting to get me such a boat too for fishing small ponds.  Thanks for info guys.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Jon's offer much more versatility, room and stability for the same $$ IMO

[TommyBass]

Not trying to step on your toes LBH, but I dont think it would be quite the same. On my 10 foot version you can stand with two people on the side and not have a problem, of course this would need to be done carefully without much movement. Much harder in a 10 ft jon.  They are definately quieter if you drop something or are being stealthy in shallow pond waters. There is also the aspect of the plastic boats that you basically cannot sink them. The hull is air filled so even if you completely fill the inards youll float no problem. One downfall to the plastic is though that in really cool temps it could be more brittle and crack if you really hit something hard. I did get some water into my hull onetime (through the plug i forgot to close, not a crack) and the boat still did not sink, although you would have been wetter than you wanted to be. I believe they are also lighter then jons for packing by hand. Jons do possibly have more uses, although I have even used the plastic one for duck hunts on small "ramp-less" holes.   I beleieve mine is rated for a 5 hp motor also, but youd have to check the 8ft to see on it. Just my opinion though

[wasabi_VA]

I am surprised to see that a 10' aluminum jonboat only weighs about 80 pounds. I might have to give them a little more thought although the plastic pontoons offer some interesting aspects as well.

Weight is a primary consideration. They seem to have about the same beam (48"). A 10' jonboat is a little less weight than an 8' minitoon.

Trailering is not an option for the pond I need this for.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Not stepping on my toes, I had one for years.  I wouldn't get the 10' jon, I am speaking of the 12.  I can also tell your seal hasn't been broken yet (the seal where the top 1/2 meets the bottom 1/2) Ugh,..

Carpeted floor decks are very,very quiet and more comfortable than plastic

Much more room in a 12' jon

same price range

much longer life

option to redesign thru the yrs by changing the floor plan.

Motor capable

Etc.

Don't get me wrong, both are just as capable of getting the job done, it's just a personal preference.  These are the reasons why I've settled on the 12' jon for all small pond/lake and inshore needs.  Just my input  

[Turtle.]

I got a Pelican Bass Raider 8e about 3 years ago.Nice little boat,I,m very happy with it. Fits my needs perfectly.I mainly fish ponds and pits,some have no vehicle access,one is a half mile trek through the woods,another has very steep banks to launch from. So I keep it 100% portable and packable.Throw it on top of my blazer lock in the four wheel drive and get to places others only dream of putting a boat in at.I fish by myself about 80% of the time.So I feel there is plenty of room for me.Two people is cramped so you got to downsize your tackle and rods.Its very stable and I stand alot of the time.Plan on building a better console for fish finder\gps and adding a light.And some rod holders.Started this last winter and just didn't have the time to finish it :

[wasabi_VA]

Turtle,

THANKS for the input and especially the picture!

A place that sells many different types of these boats sent me a note and suggested these Pelicans had problems and he recommended certain other models. I have mostly heard good things online from anybody who actually owned one. have you heard any firsthand repprts from other Pelican owners who experienced problems like cracks in the hull?

[Bassnajr]

I have one....they are great for smaller ponds. They are not that light. The seats are not that comfortable, so I replaced them with padded seat I got also at Walmart. I fit me and my buddy, both over 200lbs. but less tackle. I would think an aluminium jon boat would be lighter and the same price. Maybe a bit more stable also. I do love it though!!

ajr

[tritz18]

I have a the bass pro shops model that is 10 feet long. Very sturdy boat, that can fit two, great for fishing small ponds. Comes with padded seats and is wired to front and back of boat so motor can go on either end. A  little more expensive than the one u are looking at.

[Turtle.]

Turtle,

THANKS for the input and especially the picture!

A place that sells many different types of these boats sent me a note and suggested these Pelicans had problems and he recommended certain other models. I have mostly heard good things online from anybody who actually owned one. have you heard any firsthand repprts from other Pelican owners who experienced problems like cracks in the hull?

wasabi_VA,

     

     Can't say i've ever heard anything bad about the hull. (RAM-X)pretty tuff stuff.What did they suggest the problems were?

I bought a coleman sconoe back in 98,It also has a RAM-X hull.Didn't know much about it (still don't) except that it has taken a beating over the years and held up great.

The main reason I ended up going with the pelican was the RAM-X hull.

Couple of hundred times up and down this launch ramp and you can hardly tell,like i said I couldnt be happier with it.

[JKay]

If you're fishing alone, I would also consider a kayak.  Easy to transport and a lot of fun being close to the water.  Most are not really built for standing, but I don't mind sitting.

My 12' jon hardly ever gets used anymore since I bought my kayak.  You can even get the kayak out in salt water.  Hook into a nice sized striper and enjoy the sleigh ride  Not something that I'd want to try in a jon!

[wasabi_VA]

I have a kayak. After using it all summer I found I preferred the canoe because I can take a bit more gear and not twist my back of shape reaching around to grab extra tackle/gear behind me. Now, after using the canoe more, I flipped it twice and lost some gear. In cold weather I wear more bulky clothes and that makes me feel even more clumsy in the canoe. With the water temps at 44 and falling, I can't risk going over. Plus I don't want to lose any more expensive gear. One of these little boats will be far more stable, give me room for all my crap and minnow bucket and cooler, etc. Now I will have all 4 (kayak, canoe, big 20' boat and tiny 'toon) to cover all my fishing scenarios!

[atrocity]

from my experience id go with a jon. both have their ups and downs. jon boat i think has more room, motor capable, takes boat wake much better than a pontoon boat. Only downside is once it gets heated up its impossible to sit on/ lift out of the water without gloves or anything.

[wasabi_VA]

thanks for all the advice guys. I decided to purchase one of the Bass Baby mini toons as discussed in my other thread. Can't wait to get it.

[Bassboss]

My friend owns one, he has a troll motor on it. It fits one fine! But two people!!?!?!? It's like he//! Their is not enough room to cast, put your legs, or anything! If I was you, I would invest in a good a nice canoe.

Check 'em out:

http://www.anglerguide.com/articles/510.html

http://www.riverridgecustomcanoes.com/main.html  

[wasabi_VA]

canoes suck, and thats the end of it

[Bean Counter]

I have the same boat and also have a 12 foot jon boat. I use both. It depends on where I am fishing. If I am by myself or fishing in a small pond, I will usually use the Pelican. With someone else or in bigger water I use the Jon.

The pelican does get very heavy with all my gear on it. I bought a small flatbed trailer from Northern tool to cary it on. I can unhook the trailer and roll it to the pond if there is no ramp, which there seldom is where I use it. At one pond, where I use the Pelican, I have to roll it over half a mile through the woods. That would be very hard to do with my jon boat.

If I was limited to only one boat I would definately get a Jon. It is much more versatile.

[aceman387]

i bought an 8 ft one like that from bass pro shop and thats all i use i use it on lakes , ponds , i love the thing just slide it in the back of my truck and im gone most of the time i take my wife or buddy with me we have enough room had no problems ,matter of fact i bought another used one from a customer that i leave chained to a tree at the club i belong to.

[chindogg]

I currently have a 12' jon boat w' trailer. I havent used it in awhile because when I fish solo I use a kayak and he jon boat is a pain with my six year old son. Would a pelican be easier? Could I put it on a roof rack by myself? Always wanted one as a kid. Thanks