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  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

OK- Ive pretty much borrowed a lot of ideas from nearly every post and modified my 10E into one fine vessel. One thing I am NOT so happy with is the boat dolly - for at 135$ is nearly a waste of my hard earned mullah. I find I can just back up my pick up truck and launch this sucker easily into the water on 2 4x4's Ive rigged into a ramp.

My problem is getting that sucker back into the truck with out killing myself - which the boat dolly doesnt help a bit with.

Mind you at 38 I still bench 250# easlily - YET reloading this boat out of the water into my truck is an awkward biatch and I just know Im gonna through my back out.

I am thinking about winching it up into the bed a bit then I could push it easily into the bed- any body have any tricks they use to get it in the truck bed easier?

Posted

This boat has built in wheels to roll it around which is great however not so great trying to load into the truck by yourself as the boat wants to roll out before you can position yourself to lift the rear of the boat to slide into truck. I made a simple hook from a piece of stainless rod to hold the boat so I could reposition without having the boat slide out. I tried ramping the boat into the truck....no good, plastic wheels slide around the ramps. Takes far more energy than just dead lifting the thing in to the truck. I have plans for a trailer on down the road.

What about a winch? If you do go the trailer route- can you drive one at 55mph on the high way?

  • 2 months later...
Posted

Hi. Thanks to all who contributed to this thread. It really helped me choose which way to go. I'm a newie on here but have been following this thread concerning the small pontoon boats, such as the Pelican 8. I was torn between a 10' Alumacraft 1036 jon boat and the Pelican 8 until Academy ran the Pelican 8 on closeout sale this week for $299.99. That price got me to start really researching these little boats so I went over to one of the older Academy's locally that only had outside storage for their boats and the only one that they had left was left out in the rain and freezing weather for what looked like years. I went to one of the newer locations hoping for better and they had inside storage with two brand new units. I picked the best one and loaded it up. I figured for just under $300, I couldn't go wrong when you condsider that Dick's has the same boat for $599. I stepped up on the seats, due to an occassional bad back, and installed a couple of Cabelas high back camo padded seats @ $59 each that only weighed in at 8 pounds per seat. I used the existing swivels that came with the plastic seats and it worked out great. I had already bought a 40 lb Minn Kota that was on sale last week for $149 @ Academy that I hope will push it along at respectable speeds. So far about the only thing I can see that may need to be modified is the flooring. You guys were right about the floor being kind of spongey and in need of support. I can hardly wait until I get the chance to get it out on its maiden voyage this week.

  • Like 1
Posted

wow, what a great deal Scotter ! The 40lb should be plenty - i use a 36lb motor and it moves great, hope you enjoy, now you just need the rudder

Posted

Good stuff. A rudder is a must, I believe I have posted about how I made mine on here, if not shoot me a PM and I will hook you up. I think I posted about my floor too.

Good Luck

Cliff

Posted

<br

Post up a video of that 3.3 with full throttle! :D

here ya go! this was the last time i ran the outboard on the boat. also, this is half power i think, only because for some reason, it wouldnt go to full power. im glad it didnt though because at half throttle it was bending the transom. because of this, im selling my boat. i need something that can at least handle a 3.3. also, i would like more room

http://www.youtube.com/user/AllForHimMyGOD09?blend=3&ob=5

Posted

What's everyone use as an alternative/emergency propulsion? I'm carying a canoe paddle but that's far from ideal. I'm thinking about adding oar locks and some collapsible oars.

I always have one of those telescoping paddles in the boat with me. I have never used it, but in the event I do have a problem it is there to get me back to the ramp.

Posted

I always have one of those telescoping paddles in the boat with me. I have never used it, but in the event I do have a problem it is there to get me back to the ramp.

X2 with the telescoping paddle

Posted

Can't remember if this has been covered in this thread and I am not going to go back and read it all. :D How many of you stand in your Pelican while fishing? How many of you think it sucks having to bend over a bit to steer? What have you done to fix this problem? I made an extension handle for my motor a couple years ago, but it just wasn't very good, and a pain to remove if I needed to (when two people are fishing). Well I designed a new one this week. I haven't tried it yet but it is the perfect height, much less material was used to make it, and only requires removing one bolt to take it off. Here is a pic, let me know what you think.

handle.jpg

It is made from a single piece of 1/2 inch electrical conduit. A few precision :D bends a little rubber tape and a bit of welding. I will let you know how it works out when I get on the water with it.

Thanks

Cliff

Posted

I posted yesterday in a new topic about customizing a pelican '12 gator. But this thread seems pretty great, I do have one question, i have a FJ cruiser, and was looking to take my 12' gator and put it on top since i dont have a trailer....has anyone had any problems with that?

Posted

I bet it would be fine. As long as you can man handle that thing up there and strap it down good, I bet it works.

Posted

I hope so! I will find out tmw, I do a lot of solo fishing, so I was always told the kayak/canoe was the way to go, but I love the space I will have in this thing, plus the comfy seats. I know i should spring for a trailer, but the attachment is so expensive

Posted

Can't remember if this has been covered in this thread and I am not going to go back and read it all. :D How many of you stand in your Pelican while fishing? How many of you think it sucks having to bend over a bit to steer? What have you done to fix this problem? I made an extension handle for my motor a couple years ago, but it just wasn't very good, and a pain to remove if I needed to (when two people are fishing). Well I designed a new one this week. I haven't tried it yet but it is the perfect height, much less material was used to make it, and only requires removing one bolt to take it off. Here is a pic, let me know what you think.

handle.jpg

It is made from a single piece of 1/2 inch electrical conduit. A few precision :D bends a little rubber tape and a bit of welding. I will let you know how it works out when I get on the water with it.

Thanks

Cliff

This handle works perfect! If y'all are looking for a cheap easy way to make an extension handle for your TM, this is it.

Cliff

Posted

I hope so! I will find out tmw, I do a lot of solo fishing, so I was always told the kayak/canoe was the way to go, but I love the space I will have in this thing, plus the comfy seats. I know i should spring for a trailer, but the attachment is so expensive

I ordered a hitch & wire harness here: http://www.etrailer.com/?gclid=CM-n0eOwgawCFW0CQAodu3hfKA and installed it myself (easy). Cost a fraction of what a local place wanted to install one.

Posted

Whats the deal with winter storage for these guys? Can the plastic crack if its below freezing? Also, I've been keeping my 12 ft gator on top of my car for now, and iv noticed that one of my roof racks makes it kinda of press upward in the middle of the boat, so its almost like a bubble, that wont break the hull will it? Also, rainwise, should I cover the top to protect the wires? Thanks! New to this stuff

I

Posted

Whats the deal with winter storage for these guys? Can the plastic crack if its below freezing? Also, I've been keeping my 12 ft gator on top of my car for now, and iv noticed that one of my roof racks makes it kinda of press upward in the middle of the boat, so its almost like a bubble, that wont break the hull will it? Also, rainwise, should I cover the top to protect the wires? Thanks! New to this stuff

I

About the wires, mine have been submerged for hours when it rains and I am at work. I used shrink tubing, electrical tape, liquid electrical tape, then some rubber tape over all the connections. Haven't had any issues. Can't coment on winter storage as I am in Texas. :D

  • 3 weeks later...
Posted

Just got a sweet deal on a Bass Raider 10E!!!!! I wanted one of these for a while for the waters I can't take my G3 on.... I will post pics of her soon, love all the ideas you guys have posted!!

Posted

Couple questions about the little BASS BEAST! Does anyone have carpet on the floor of thier bass raider? If so where did you get it, what is the best options and dimensions? Also trolling motor options??? Was thinking about a Minn Kota Endura C2 30-lb. Thrust but like the 40 lb.... does 10lbs make that much different in such a small vessell? Also is a battery box a good thing to use or just a waste of money?

Posted

I have a 36lb thrust and it moves the boat nicely, I am sure a 30 will work just fine.

You might want to check your DNR website, in IL you have to have your battery in a battery box.

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