Plastic Bass Buster boats

[dman]

Anyone have or tried one these type of boats?  (   http://busterboats.com/      )

How well do they run?  Can you move around decently in them (only trolling motors)  I'm considering one of these to fish some small lakes and electric only and was wondering if they worked well...I'm not into the idea of a canoe or anything and would like some degree of comfort and these "look" ok (but expensive for what they are)  Any opinion at all is welcome and appreciated,  thanks  

[FisherCouple]

Unfortunately I can't comment on how reliable they are....since I don't own one....but have been looking at small boats like this myself...and this definitely appears to be one with a lot of nice features and add-ons compared to some I've looked at.  I have also researched the Seaeagle Foldcat 375 (inflatable) pontoon boat....because of the ease of transporting it...and storage....(we have a travel trailer we pull to most of our fishing outings)...but I have to say....I'm glad you posted that link....cause it definitely has me thinking again....I hope someone does post a reply that owns one or has fished from it.

[ww2farmer]

I own the 8' Pelican version called the "Bass Raider". Have had it for about 4 years now, no problems at all.  I once lost a plug for it dragging it through the bushes to launch at a pond and it filled one of the pontoons up with water and I never knew it. They are stable as heck for small boat, more stable than a 12' Jon Boat IMHO. I now own a 17' Aluminum bass boat so the small one see less use, but I expect it to last a long time. I power it w/ a 30lb thrust Minn Kota TM, and use one of those "fishing buddys" for electronics. I never have had any one else in the boat, and at only 8' I would consider it a 1 man boat. I had enough room for 4-5 rods, a large tackle bag, a small cooler, the TM battery and myself with plenty of leg room. The 30lb thrust is plenty IMHO.

I used to fish the bigger lakes around here with it till I go the 17', and was never scared of it. It weighs about 100lbs empty and can be launched any where you can walk up to the edge of the water. I do not' like standing up in it, but thats just because I am big and clumsy. It is very stealthy, I can park right on top of bedding bass and not spook them. One of the best items I have ever bought.

[Popeye]

Good looking boats for someone who might be fishing small lakes/ponds alone and wants something that can be carried in the back of a truck. THANKS for the link to the site!!!

[jdw174]

I owned one for a time.  (Cabelas has several in their new Master Fishing Catalog)  The only thing I would suggest is that you make yourself a fixed rudder to clamp to the stern while fishing from the front using the TM.  It will help stabilize you in the wind.  Otherwise it will blow you around even in a light breeze.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Negs-

No room

they leak pretty bad after a while

Very heavy once there is water inside. Tough to drain

Pos-

fits in a truck bed (many of the sizes)

overall-

Find a used 12' jon!!!

Just my opinion.  There are a few guys here who LOVE theirs.

[Grey Wolf]

Too heavy (smallest one weighs 150 lbs.)

Too expensive(smallest one 918.00).

JMHO.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Too heavy (smallest one weighs 150 lbs.)

Too expensive(smallest one 918.00).

JMHO.

Wow  I didn't even look at the stats......

[dman]

Too heavy (smallest one weighs 150 lbs.)

Too expensive(smallest one 918.00).

JMHO.

Wow I didn't even look at the stats......

yea,  its rough but for what you get maybe not to bad...they are loaded with seats,  built in cooler, a live well (for what?!  i cant imaging fishing a tournament with one of these),  one of those even has a fish finder and trollong motor and trailer!  No doubt if i could find a used jon and trailer i would pick it up,  but i just thought with how small these are i could criuse around pretty good with just a trolling motor

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

You can find a jon, you just have to be determined and patient.

They're Lighter, much more room, modifiable very conducive to elec only,.....

[BuzzMan]

Dman,  I had 1 for 15 years it was the Deluxe Series with a casting deck.  I just sold it this past August when I bought my first big bass boat.  I wish I still had it!!!

I had a 36lb MinnKota and have at 1 time put a 5 hp braggs & straton, it had no problems hold that motor.  You couldn't run the 5hp wide opened but I used it to travel to different places on bigger lakes.  I also had the trailer they offer with the buster boats, good trailer!!  I did add a fish finder and the rudder the offer.  The rudder is a must with any smaller scamp type boat, it helps with the wind and steering the boat staright.

I always stood up on the casting deack when I fished, very stable boat.  The cooler is good and the livewell works great.

I bought my boat 1 year used in 1992 and when I sold it it looked the same as it did in 92, the plastic doen't fade.  The seats are great, the wife never complained about them.

I would have guys come up to me when I was out fishinf just to look at it because I was standing and they couldn't very well in their scamps.  Big boats would be shocked when I pulled up in place where a normal scamp would need 3-4 batteies to get there when I had the 5hp on it.

Go for it, you will not be sorry.  Any question let me know!!

[dman]

Dman, I had 1 for 15 years it was the Deluxe Series with a casting deck. I just sold it this past August when I bought my first big bass boat. I wish I still had it!!!

I had a 36lb MinnKota and have at 1 time put a 5 hp braggs & straton, it had no problems hold that motor. You couldn't run the 5hp wide opened but I used it to travel to different places on bigger lakes. I also had the trailer they offer with the buster boats, good trailer!! I did add a fish finder and the rudder the offer. The rudder is a must with any smaller scamp type boat, it helps with the wind and steering the boat staright.

I always stood up on the casting deack when I fished, very stable boat. The cooler is good and the livewell works great.

I bought my boat 1 year used in 1992 and when I sold it it looked the same as it did in 92, the plastic doen't fade. The seats are great, the wife never complained about them.

I would have guys come up to me when I was out fishinf just to look at it because I was standing and they couldn't very well in their scamps. Big boats would be shocked when I pulled up in place where a normal scamp would need 3-4 batteies to get there when I had the 5hp on it.

Go for it, you will not be sorry. Any question let me know!!

hey Buzzman,  thanks for the info.....I was wondering how it would handle standing on that little platform....Basically i just want something until i get a big boat...Couple years away since im gonna fish as a rider in a bass club for a while first and learn how to operate a boat correctly...But i wanted something for my own time on the small lakes close by....Something relativley cheap..i would need a trailer to since i dont have a pick up....They are durable?  cant puncture easily?  are there any compartments for tackle?  easy to go and launch by yourself?

[ww2farmer]

I launch my 8' by myself, like I said it's 90lbs, not heavy at all. It is EXTREAMLY durable and tuff. I had a 12' Jon when I was a kid, I would NEVER go back to one after owning one of these.

[cart7t]

$5000 for the 12 1/2 footer with NO trailer!!  Geezo Peezo, that seems a little on the steep side considering there's no OB motor included in that price.  For that kind of skin you could buy a new Aluminum John and completely convert it with an OB.  

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I launch my 8' by myself, like I said it's 90lbs, not heavy at all. It is EXTREAMLY durable and tuff. I had a 12' Jon when I was a kid, I would NEVER go back to one after owning one of these.

ww- You're the first person I ever met with that opinion.  Maybe these boats are different from the Pelicans and the ones at Bass Pro??

[dman]

$5000 for the 12 1/2 footer with NO trailer!! Geezo Peezo, that seems a little on the steep side considering there's no OB motor included in that price. For that kind of skin you could buy a new Aluminum John and completely convert it with an OB.

yea, i wouldnt get that but i'd probably spend close to 2 grand getting the trailer with one of the smaller ones..I figure that price isnt too bad because by the time I got a jon and trailer all the supplies i would need to deck it out somewhat,  the tools i would need to do that,  the know how to use the tools correctly and the patience and time to fix all the screw ups that are inevitable.  i'm not very handy with that kind of stuff and maybe i'd learn but i think one of these is the more practical for my needs.  It might cost a little more up front but wouldnt it be worth it if i didnt have the confidence in fixing up a jon?  I really appreciate everyones input on this!

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

If you aren't good at repair,....

Think about it, you are buying a plastic boat versus a metal one.  These are built with a sandwich construction.  Once you break that seal (doesn't take very long) you will spend countless hours trying to figure a fix , from silicone to duct tape.  (I'm talking about where they join the top deck to the hull) We never found a fix for it.  

I don't want to sound terribly negative or discouraging but (in my personal opinion), you can get ALOT more boat with a jon, ESPECIALLY in that price range.

Good luck with whichever you decide on!!

[dman]

If you aren't good at repair,....

Think about it, you are buying a plastic boat versus a metal one. These are built with a sandwich construction. Once you break that seal (doesn't take very long) you will spend countless hours trying to figure a fix , from silicone to duct tape. (I'm talking about where they join the top deck to the hull) We never found a fix for it.

I don't want to sound terribly negative or discouraging but (in my personal opinion), you can get ALOT more boat with a jon, ESPECIALLY in that price range.

Good info LBH,  good to know this,  thanks for all your input.

[BuzzMan]

Dman,,Durable, I hit a few stumps when I had the 5hp on it, just left a few scracth marks, NO puncture or crack to the hull.  

Storage,,If you get the casting deck, you will have under storage below it.  I put my anchor, ropes, plug retreiver &  boat papers there.  If you got the live well & cooler when not in use they are deep for storage.

Launch,,Every easy, I did it by myself all the time.  When lakes are to low for big boats you will be fishing!!  My wife is very big 120lb and she unlaod & load by herself when her and my daughter went out.

Jon boats,,Differenece between the 2.  You will not feel like you are riding in a beer can.  If you put your foot down hard in a jon boat it feels like it may go thru the bottom.  In the Bust you can jump up and down and barly rock the boat.  I just fely more satble in it then a jon boat!!  NO RIVIOTS that will leak!!  You can not sink the "buster brand" boat, try it!!

Seal,,I had my boat 15 years used it 3-4 times a week 8 months a year, hit logs, bumped trees, scrapped rocks & docks and no seal broke on my boat.  Look it were the boat is put together, the only way it comes apart is if you do it!!

Things I miss about the Buster since I got my big boat....Wife will not pull big boat.  I lost 2-3 lakes in my area that I can't get a big boat in.  No Gas needed!!  No maintence!!  Easy of getting a quick trip out fishing.

You are doing the right thing about going non-boater, I did that for 4 years before I got my big boat.  Learn from your boaters on how they no threirs boats.  

[KU_Bassmaster.]

If you aren't good at repair,....

Think about it, you are buying a plastic boat versus a metal one. These are built with a sandwich construction. Once you break that seal (doesn't take very long) you will spend countless hours trying to figure a fix , from silicone to duct tape. (I'm talking about where they join the top deck to the hull) We never found a fix for it.

I don't want to sound terribly negative or discouraging but (in my personal opinion), you can get ALOT more boat with a jon, ESPECIALLY in that price range.

Good luck with whichever you decide on!!

OK Devil's Advocate here ;D ;D ;D

I have a 10 ft

Bought 13 years ago (I think).  Last year was the first time I have ever had a leak.  And it's not at the seam.  It's at the handle area.  So the only water that ever gets in is rain water.  I just have to flip it over and let it drain for about 10 minutes before I go fishing.  It's on my list to fix this spring.  My boat has always been stored outside in the elements and for the first 10 years was thrown in and out of the bed of a truck.  So it's not like I have babied it.

Stability ......

This where I HATE small jons.  I have had 2.  A 14 ft that I decked and 12 ft we just kept at a pond we had permission to fish.  I originally decked the 14 ft like a mini bass boat.  WAAAYYYYYYY too tippy.  Cut down the decks and made them into floor boards instead.  It was better but you still really had to watch yourself.  Stability is the one thing I absolutely will not sacrifice.  Sold it and went back to "old faithful".  The 12 ft had no mods and we just sit on the benches to fish.  Extremely uncomfortable and really not very fishable at all.  

The only jon I will ever consider buying again is one of those 16 ft Tracker Grizzly Boats (don't even know if that is considered a jon?) or something similar.  And that's not really a cheap alternative.  By the time that thing would be decked out the way I want it you are looking at probably close to $5,000

So beauty is all in the eye of the beholder.  As far as small storable boats go, I can't think of a boat I would rather have or suits my needs better.  And I am sure the jon people feel the same way about theirs

[Pond Hopper]

If you aren't good at repair,....

Think about it, you are buying a plastic boat versus a metal one.  These are built with a sandwich construction.  Once you break that seal (doesn't take very long) you will spend countless hours trying to figure a fix , from silicone to duct tape.  (I'm talking about where they join the top deck to the hull) We never found a fix for it.  

I don't want to sound terribly negative or discouraging but (in my personal opinion), you can get ALOT more boat with a jon, ESPECIALLY in that price range.

Good luck with whichever you decide on!!

OK Devil's Advocate here ;D ;D ;D

I have a 10 ft

Bought 13 years ago (I think).  Last year was the first time I have ever had a leak.  And it's not at the seam.  It's at the handle area.  So the only water that ever gets in is rain water.  I just have to flip it over and let it drain for about 10 minutes before I go fishing.  It's on my list to fix this spring.  My boat has always been stored outside in the elements and for the first 10 years was thrown in and out of the bed of a truck.  So it's not like I have babied it.

Stability ......

This where I HATE small jons.  I have had 2.  A 14 ft that I decked and 12 ft we just kept at a pond we had permission to fish.  I originally decked the 14 ft like a mini bass boat.  WAAAYYYYYYY too tippy.  Cut down the decks and made them into floor boards instead.  It was better but you still really had to watch yourself.  Stability is the one thing I absolutely will not sacrifice.  Sold it and went back to "old faithful".  The 12 ft had no mods and we just sit on the benches to fish.  Extremely uncomfortable and really not very fishable at all.  

The only jon I will ever consider buying again is one of those 16 ft Tracker Grizzly Boats (don't even know if that is considered a jon?) or something similar.  And that's not really a cheap alternative.  By the time that thing would be decked out the way I want it you are looking at probably close to $5,000

So beauty is all in the eye of the beholder.  As far as small storable boats go, I can't think of a boat I would rather have or suits my needs better.  And I am sure the jon people feel the same way about theirs

Completely agree, I have only had mine a few years and bought it used but it is about as tough as I can imagine plastic being.  It is also very stable, as I can stand up and take a leak off the side and not worry about tipping the boat.  They are also very easy to rig up and not take up too much space.  I also like the fact that I can load and unload it on my own, although I am considering getting a small trailer for it.

[harshman]

If your' gonna spend this kind of money look into a Bass Hound 10.2 I think cabela's even carries them now. I bought one use and will never go back to a jon boat these boats are awesome. Stable , durible, they handle really well in the wind and tons of built in features.

then I found a cheap flat bed trailer ilo of a specific boat trailer that costs twice as much and I can use it for more than just the boat. Trailer launches like a normal boat trailer.

Harshman

[dman]

well,  as i think about it launching shouldnt be a problem.... i have a Ford Explorer so i would need the trailer, making launching easy...i dont have a pick up to just throw it into....Is that little casting deck really stable?  Fishing alone - all that weight up front like that?  that would be impressive....A jon certainly has more room but like mentioned not that comfortable.....If i got 10-15 years out of one of these things id' be thrilled and think it was money well spent!  We may all be fishing off these in the near future the way Gas prices are going these days  :'(

[BuzzMan]

The casting deck is 1 inch treated wood with 1 2by4 across with bottom covered in carpet. It set on the lip where the chairs are fitted on. You can't break it unless you burn it. With the battery in the back of the boat and tackle with me standing weighting 185lb at the time(170 now I lost weight ;D) it is every stable. I bought the boat from me friend that weight 210+ and he stood on it. I also jumped up and down on it when I lost a fish or got ticked about something.

Nice boat Harshmen, I looked at those before I got my Buster. I couldn't flip or pitch out of the Pelican's. The Buster has lower side, the casting deck brings you up 6-8 inches so it make flipping easier.

[Turtle.]

Count me in to the plastic boat posse.

8ft. pelican bass raider

I've had mine three years and no problems at all.

100% portable I throw it on top of my blazer(4x4)everything else in the back.I launch anywhere.some pits I fish can be alittle extreme to get into(that's where the 4x4 comes in).Built a console for front of it,to mount depth finder ang gps.Plug console into boat and plug trolling motor into console.Right now its in the basement Getting some mods done(rod holders,new seats reworking console and floor board).Thats right basement,coming in at 4'x8'and 90lbs.Its easy for me to handle alone.I just lean it against the wall out of the way.I fish alone most of the time,and its a great one man craft.My daughter comes with me from time to time its a little cramped,but I scale down what I bring and it works just fine.May not be for everybody but it works for me.