Any Pelican Bass Raider Owners Out There?

[@reelChris]

How uncomfortable would the older 8' model be for 2 people to fish out of on calm water?  There's one up for sale nearby.

[dman]

15 hours ago, @reelChris said:

How uncomfortable would the older 8' model be for 2 people to fish out of on calm water?  There's one up for sale nearby.

If you were to be taking it easy and fishing for sunfish or something - maybe, but not 2 guys actively Bass fishing, certainly not comfortably.  I have the 8 footer and never brought anyone else out on it and couldn't imagine doing so, lol.  you would have a great time by yourself though

[Tuna]

Hi guys. I have a Sportsman 8.5 and have done many mods similar to what has been posted on this 120+ page subject. I have just one situation to ask about. I fish many small lakes in IA. The majority have concrete boat ramps and no other launching options. I would like some advice and/or photos of a dolly meeting these criteria:

• Lightweight and able to transport 200 pound loaded boat on dolly up to 150' away.
• Not too heavy at the bow to haul by a small man.
• Easily launched from concrete ramps without getting feet wet (I have slipped twice, not good!)
• Easily loaded without scraping up the plastic pontoons and without getting feet wet.
• Ability to break down so it can be transported in a 73" pickup bed.

I'm usually pretty good at figuring things out but don't want to burn up a bunch of materials if someone else has found an answer. I'll take some photos of what I've done including a rod, paddle and stake out pole holder. I have not seen the design anywhere and it works great! Thanks.

On 3/20/2019 at 3:44 PM, Ratherbfishing said:

I paddle mine all the time-but just to supplement the trolling motor (when I'm in a hurry to get off the lake before the park gates close).  But to rely JUST on paddles?  It'll get you someplace but certainly not in a hurry.  

I opted for an adjustable length, 3 pc. floating SUP paddle. I can stand or sit and still reach the water. Great for dislodging or retrieving lures also. 

https://www.amazon.com/BPS-3-Piece-Alloy-SUP-Paddle/dp/B07DR8ZV4K/ref=asc_df_B07DR8ZV4K/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312134194492&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9640096062417104577&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9018574&hvtargid=pla-644161414222&th=1&psc=1

[schplurg]

I saw a boat like this at the lake a few days ago. Although they are supposedly almost impossible to tip it looked very uncomfortable in all but the stillest of waters. Those two people were bouncing around like bobbleheads just sitting at the dock. It was windy and rough that day.

 

They seemed cool to me until I actually saw one on the water. I'd rather have a yak or a small aluminum boat, especially considering the weight of these things. However, on a still pond fishing solo it still looks pretty doable. But two people moving around in it? Not so sure.

[Hi-Powered Red Neck]

On 7/9/2019 at 4:30 PM, @reelChris said:

How uncomfortable would the older 8' model be for 2 people to fish out of on calm water?  There's one up for sale nearby.

I have a 10E theres no way I'd try to fish 2 people out of it. I'm not saying it can't be done. I'm simply saying I wouldn't do it. In my humble opinion both the 8' and 10' are one man boats. 200lbs and under the 8 footer is for you. Over 200lbs go with the 10 footer. Just my opinion don't freak out about it.

[Dirt]

I’ve fished with others in mine multiple times (10e model). It’s not bad, seats back to back you each have a small square to stand on. Not ideal but always been a fun time

[Chowderhead]

35 minutes ago, Dirt said:

I’ve fished with others in mine multiple times (10e model). It’s not bad, seats back to back you each have a small square to stand on. Not ideal but always been a fun time

Same here, have a 10e and fish with two people often. At times can be a little tight, but still easily doable and safe/stable.

[OCdockskipper]

 

On 7/17/2019 at 5:01 PM, schplurg said:

I saw a boat like this at the lake a few days ago. Although they are supposedly almost impossible to tip it looked very uncomfortable in all but the stillest of waters. Those two people were bouncing around like bobbleheads just sitting at the dock. It was windy and rough that day.

 

They seemed cool to me until I actually saw one on the water. I'd rather have a yak or a small aluminum boat, especially considering the weight of these things. However, on a still pond fishing solo it still looks pretty doable. But two people moving around in it? Not so sure.

There is a huge difference with 2 people in them as opposed to 1 (especially 200lb adults).

 

I have a 10 ft prowler with a front deck.  I usually remove the front butt-seat & stand to fish with zero issues with stability.  I put the chair about midway of the boat to sit in when landing fish or working on gear.  I am able to take 8 rods and 4 bags of gear and still have room to be comfortable.  It is much more like a mini bass boat than a kayak ever will be.

 

I fish a small 100 acre lake that has many canal like coves, so while the wind will blow, it never creates rollers.  These boats aren't designed to be out in big water, that isn't in their DNA.

[waverider969]

Anyone know how thick is most of the plastic on this type of boat? Can I use very short screws to attach light stuff (cup holders) to the top of the rails with out puncturing all the way through?

[dlh2]

 You can't use short screws WITHOUT going all the way thru the plastic because It's only about an 1/8 of an inch thick.  But, for mounting light duty stuff just use short screws about a 1/2" long and use 3M marine sealant/adhesive on the screw and flange of whatever you are mounting.  You will be fine.   

[BigMoneyGrip]

5 hours ago, waverider969 said:

Anyone know how thick is most of the plastic on this type of boat? Can I use very short screws to attach light stuff (cup holders) to the top of the rails with out puncturing all the way through?

How about the command strips?

[LonnieP]

5 hours ago, waverider969 said:

Anyone know how thick is most of the plastic on this type of boat? Can I use very short screws to attach light stuff (cup holders) to the top of the rails with out puncturing all the way through?

Yes. You can use screws as long as they’re above the water line and put a little marine silicone around the screw head. I’ve screwed down my casting deck, fish finder,Scotty transducer arm,cell phone mount and a couple other things with no problems 

[dlh2]

I have both an old Bass Raider 10E and a new Sundolphin Sportsman.  I have always run the motors on the back of the boats but I want to try a 30# on the front of the Sundolphin.  Is it absolutely necessary to use a circuit breaker when doing this?

[OCdockskipper]

No it isn't necessary, but you are risking damaging the motor or wiring if you don't.  All an in-line circuit breaker is is essentially the weak link in the chain, so if something happens, it pops first, stopping any damage or fire.

 

On the Pond Prowlers, the wiring to the front of the boat is pre-run at the factory and includes a small breaker in the connection side to the battery.  Is this not the case for bass Raiders or Sundolphins?  If not, most any marine hardware or BPS should have the breaker you want.

[dlh2]

Thanks for the quick reply.  I'll pick up an in-line circuit breaker just to be on the safe side because as far as I can tell neither boat has one in the pre-run wiring.

[Matt Fisherman]

 

[Bclark215]

Howdy, I just purchased an 8 foot sun dolphin sportsman at a bass pro in Tx. I already had a 2.5 hp mercury outboard and a little (unknown thrust) manual deploy foot control trolling motor. I plan to build a deck and put both motors on the boat. I have lots of questions/ideas, but will try to limit it to the most pressing for now. 

 

1. When I bought my boat at bass pro, they claimed they would handle the registration. I paid around $50 and filled out a form 143. Me and the cashier were both unsure on what the actual procedure was, but best I can tell, bass pro will send the pwd 143 form to tpwd, after which I can go get a title from the towd office? If anyone knows more on this process, please let me know. I'm more concerned about when this will happen, than if, as I was wanting to fish in the next couple days.

 

2. Has anyone stored their boat on its side, and if so did you experience any issues with warping? I need to be able to take up as little space as possible, and don't have the luxury if being able to instal a lift of any sorts. I was thinking of making a cart to hold the boat on its side and allow it to be rolled up against a wall. 

 

I have been through a good portion of this thread, but can't honestly say I've been through all 121 pages YET... so if these are repeat questions or have already been covered, i do apologize. Thanks. 

[OCdockskipper]

For question #2, I believe more of the strength of the boat is front to back as opposed to side to side, so it may be better to store it vertically as opposed to on its side.  I know that sounds counter intuitive, I am just basing it on how I see the boat flex when it is out of the water.  I have turned it on its side as well as lifted it up lengthwise and it just feels more stable when vertical.

 

Now that i think about it, rather than trusting what I believe, it might be worth a call to the manufacturer.  I could be way off & I would hate to cause damage to your new boat when the manufacturer recommends something else.

[Bclark215]

1 hour ago, John Walter Sewell said:

When I bought mine at Academy in TX I didn’t pay them anything for registration.

 They sent the paperwork off and I had to wait for documents to come in the mail to get my title and registration at TPWD. 

Academy gave me a printed temp registration that was good for 15 days. I stuck it in a gallon freezer bag and taped it to the side of the boat. 

It all checked out when the game warden stopped me for a safely check the day I bought it. ?

 

I store mine on its side so I can fit it in a 10x10 storage unit. It’s been like this for a year and I don’t notice any issues from storing it on its side. 

Hmm,  I might have to call bass pro and make a quick trip to the tpwd office. I asked what documentation I needed to keep for myself/what further action I needed to take and  was told "All I know is that you're supposed to pay $59 and fill out this form that I give it to the lady in the back" and of course the "lady in the back" was gone that day and couldn't clarify. I guess part of this falls on me for not knowing the registation process beforehand. 

 

As for the storage issue, I'll definitely call the manufacturer and see what they say, but it's encouraging to hear that it's been stored in a similar way without issue.

[fishcat]

I store my Pelican 8e vertically with a strap against the back wall in my garage. Then I can drop it into my Ranger pickup. Have not had a problem in 7 years.

[Tuna]

First of all I'm 65 years old and I commonly camp "in a van down by the river." Launching a Sportsman 8 is not too bad using an extended dolly, but how do you get it recovered and loaded without a trailer on a boat (slippery) ramp by yourself? Posted this a couple months ago and wondered if anyone had an idea I haven't thought of. I do not want a trailer to store. Thanks.

 

BTW, I too store mine vertically resting on 4" polyfoam. 

[fishcat]

1 hour ago, Tuna said:

First of all I'm 65 years old and I commonly camp "in a van down by the river." Launching a Sportsman 8 is not too bad using an extended dolly, but how do you get it recovered and loaded without a trailer on a boat (slippery) ramp by yourself? Posted this a couple months ago and wondered if anyone had an idea I haven't thought of. I do not want a trailer to store. Thanks.

 

BTW, I too store mine vertically resting on 4" polyfoam. 

If you can launch the boat on a grassy or sandy area, pull it up to level ground with your truck using a tow strap. Then lift one end onto the tailgate and quickly attach a rope and hook to secure it there. Finally, go to the rear of the boat and push it up into the bed. Sounds complicated but it's really not. 

[Tuna]

Thanks, I have the dolly to make launches and recoveries at kayak type launch areas. I am looking for solutions for concrete boat ramps that have moss or vegetation attached below the waterline.

[WRB]

I haven't taken the time to read this very long old 121 page thread.

My late brother had one of these boats and made up a double sling harness with pulleys to lift the boat to his garage ceiling and lower down onto his pick up bed. He could do this alone easily. Bob also added retractable wheels to the transum that he used to launch the boat with. The wheels lifted up out of the water when in the water and worked good for him. I think West Marine has them.

He could lift the bow by hand and roll the boat into or out of the water, lift the bow onto the pick up tail gate, then push the boat into the bed by him self.

He liked his plastic boat, I didn't think it was safe.

Tom

[OCdockskipper]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

...He liked his plastic boat, I didn't think it was safe.

Tom

It really depends on the body of water you are on.  My Pond Prowler on Lake Forest is very safe & handy to get back into narrow areas.  Same boat on Lake Mead is a deathtrap, you will capsize when the first set of rollers from the afternoon wind come rolling in, even if you hide out in a cove.

 

Small lakes where the wind does not create rollers and most of the lake is no wake zones are its wheelhouse.  Using it outside of that is just using the wrong tool for the job.