Any Pelican Bass Raider Owners Out There?

[jaaron01]

I put down 3/4 marine plywood in the floor with outdoor carpet over that. Added some weight, but I have mine on a trailer and launch it like a normal boat. Also added nicer seats and added a pole to the front seat.

As for the wind blowing you around, yes these little boats are easly effected by the wind. But did you have any trouble navigating the water? I've seen guys out with no rudder on, and they can't hardly steer in a straight line. With my rudder I have no issues with the wind, and she goes were i point her. What size rudder are you using?

As for standing, I stand in mine and cast sometimes and the plywood floor does make it feel more stable, but I'm short anyways so I have a low center of gravity.

[zachb34]

I put down 3/4 marine plywood in the floor with outdoor carpet over that. Added some weight, but I have mine on a trailer and launch it like a normal boat. Also added nicer seats and added a pole to the front seat.

As for the wind blowing you around, yes these little boats are easly effected by the wind. But did you have any trouble navigating the water? I've seen guys out with no rudder on, and they can't hardly steer in a straight line. With my rudder I have no issues with the wind, and she goes were i point her. What size rudder are you using?

As for standing, I stand in mine and cast sometimes and the plywood floor does make it feel more stable, but I'm short anyways so I have a low center of gravity.

How do you store your rods? I have the same boat and that thing that comes across the side really messes thing up.

[_Coelacanth_]

I put down 3/4 marine plywood in the floor with outdoor carpet over that. Added some weight, but I have mine on a trailer and launch it like a normal boat. Also added nicer seats and added a pole to the front seat.

As for the wind blowing you around, yes these little boats are easly effected by the wind. But did you have any trouble navigating the water? I've seen guys out with no rudder on, and they can't hardly steer in a straight line. With my rudder I have no issues with the wind, and she goes were i point her. What size rudder are you using?

As for standing, I stand in mine and cast sometimes and the plywood floor does make it feel more stable, but I'm short anyways so I have a low center of gravity.

No, I didn't have any trouble with navigating. The boat stayed where I pointed it. It was just a noticeable overall drift in the wind. As for what kind of rudder it was...I took an old drywall hawk and drilled the rivets out of the handle. I then made the frame for it out of PVC and painted it to match the boat. The rudder itself worked, because I didn't have any trouble with spin. Like I said, it was just overall drift.

I think I'm going to give the plywood floor a try and see how it goes. I'm not too worried about the weight because I launched mine by backing my truck down to the water at the boat ramp. Once my back wheels were in the water, she slid right out. I had a rope tied to one of the handles and walked it over to the dock. To load back up, I just reversed the process and used the rope to pull it by the tailgate and then picked up the front end onto the bed.

[Jim McC]

How do you store your rods? I have the same boat and that thing that comes across the side really messes thing up.

I mounted 4 pieces of 1.25" PVC with zip ties in a milk crate, and the rods stand upright in those. In the carton, you can store your anchor, rope, etc

[OhioBassRaider68]

I've seen guys out with no rudder on, and they can't hardly steer in a straight line. With my rudder I have no issues with the wind, and she goes were i point her.

PLEASE give me some tips on the rudder .. i would like to add one to the back of my bass raider 10E .. can you give me information on where to get one or how to make one. THANKS

[jaaron01]

I searched Craigslist for and Old Trolling motor, with a metal shaft. Found one close by for $20.00 bucks. Cut the Powerhead, and top of the unit off,so that all I had left was the bracket and the metal shaft. Flattened one in of the shaft in my vise, about 12 inches of it. Attached a piece of sheet metal about 8 x 11 with bolts. Now I always leave the Bracket attached to the boat, and only remove the shaft from the unit. Also has a built in tilt, as most trolling motors do, so when the weeds get real thick, I can lift it up and slide thru, then hit the button and she tilts back down.

You can see my contraption if you look at the rear of my boat. Might give you and idea. Don't have to worry about it falling off, and will hold fast in a turn, unlike those that just hang on.

[jaaron01]

Seen these the other day while surfing the net, and they kinda caught my attention. Anyone have any thoughts on these little guys?

http://www.smalloutb...2cycle25hp.html

[tnriverluver]

Don't know about that particular outboard but many years ago bought a Sears 3.5 made similar to that one for a 12ft jon I had. Worked fine and was extremly lightweight. The biggest drawback was it was very loud being air cooled. They were made by Eska and came in several different power levels. I was looking at some on Ebay recently and saw several Chineese motors like the above. Tempted to try one on my Basshunter for the price. I need a 2 hp and Honda is currently the only major brand making one. Too much $$$ for no more than I would use it. The ones one Ebay are shipped free and much lower price. I know nothing about them however so as the saying goes, buyer beware.

[OhioBassRaider68]

Just purchased this Bass Raider 10E not long ago .. there was a few things i wanted to do to it and just got them completed. I installed a 1/4" Luan plywood deck and covered it with nice outdoor carpet ( $8.99 for plywood .. $13.50 for carpet ) i also installed and wired up a bow light and anchor light for night fishing ... i have a on-off-on switch in the back next to battery box which allows you to just have anchor light on or both anchor & bow light on.

... i have the BassProShops 55# thrust Prowler trolling motor on the front and a size 27 deep cycle battery in the back, i am taking it out this Sunday for the first time .. i am curious how it does with tm on the bow .. i've heard some say it works just fine and some say the back wants to twist around .. i'll be fishing with 2-people in the boat and i know there will be more weight in the back so i'm thinking it should do just fine

.. a couple questions

1. anyone have a good idea or plans for a dolly that i can make for this boat?
   
2. do you ever use an anchor with this boat and if so what type?
   
3. also .. any ideas for rod holders ?
   

Thanks much and good fishing !

[OhioBassRaider68]

another picture of the deck i made ... this weighs next to nothing !! it really makes the bottom of the boat feel better to stand on and it was less than $30 including tax ( it took me about 45-minutes to complete ) i used stainless steel staples to staple carpet to the luan plywood

[jaaron01]

another picture of the deck i made ... this weighs next to nothing !! it really makes the bottom of the boat feel better to stand on and it was less than $30 including tax ( it took me about 45-minutes to complete ) i used stainless steel staples to staple carpet to the luan plywood

What are you using for your Oar's, a clip of some kind? Were did you get them?

[Bean Counter]

What I was thinking was leaving the trolling motor the way it is(it is a good working but small TM) and seeing if it would work as a rudder, plus I'd have a spare TM if the main one quits.

Thanks

Eric

I had a 12 ft jon boat with the trolling motor and pedisal seat in the front. There was so much weight in the front that the back was almost out of the water and it wouldn't track properly. I put an old broken trolling motor on the back for a rudder and it tracked just fine. I'm sure it would help with your boat also.

[OhioBassRaider68]

What are you using for your Oar's, a clip of some kind? Were did you get them?

These are flashlight holders (clips) .. work great to hold the oars, you can find them at hardware store or online http://www.gulfcoastrovers.com/flash-light-clip/ <----- that is one example

[OhioBassRaider68]

Was able to get my Bass Raider out last week for the first time ... WOW i love this boat ! i have the 10ft model and it was plenty roomy for 2 people along with 4 rods/reels and 2 tackle bags. I LOVE to carpeted deck i added and i stood up most of the time as i was casting crankbaits and top water baits .. caught this nice one on a crankbait in 8' of water just out from the lily pads you see in picture.

This small lake is 44acres and my Bass Raider worked perfectly .. i ran the 55# BPS Prowler trolling motor ( mostly on 1 & 2 settings ) for probably 3-4 hrs and hardly used any battery

LOVE my new Bass Raider 10E and can't wait to get back out on the water this weekend !

- Good Fishing

[mudturtlle]

Has anyone bought 1 of these yet?

MotorGuide® Bulldog Foot-Control Transom-Mount Trolling Motor - 54-lb. Thrust

I have the bulldog foot control trolling motor.It works perfect on the front of the boat.The cable for the foot control probably wouldn't be long enough for the back of the boat.This is the best money I have spent on the boat.You can move the boat while casting and not having to keep moving the trolling motor with your hand.

[zachb34]

anyone have tips for building a boat dolly I have the 11.3 basstender? It weighs 260 pounds and I cant get it out of my lake which has a steep hill that I have to go over to get out any help would be great.

[Pond fisher]

260 lbs.?

[zachb34]

It's a heavy boat but it has a livewell and storage compartments built into it

[dominicd]

I made a "dolly" by using a 2x6. I cut the 2x6 to the width of my boat and attached to 8 inch air filled fixed position casters with carriage bolts. I used 2 U bolts at each end to attach a ratchet strap. I just strap it to one end of the boat and lift and carry it at the other end. Cost about $40 total.

[zachb34]

Does anyone know how much fuel an outboard would use on this my boat is rated for up to 15 h.p and I was thinking about a 9.9

[Cruzza]

I finally got to take my 10e out for its maiden voyage today!

I didn't catch anything, but I had a great time and am overall very impressed with this little boat.

The only complaints I have are minor.

It wasn't very breezy out today, but it did seem that I got pushed around very easy, even with the rudder I made. I expect that this is just one of the trade-offs for having a lightweight, plastic boat. Not too big of a deal. I'll adjust my fishing accordingly and try to work with the drift and not against it.

Although the 10e seems vey stable and I never worried about capsizing, when I would stand, I would get the sensation that the boat was going to "skate" out from under me to the side very quickly. I was trying hard each time to keep my weight centered, but it was still a little sketchy.

I'm not sure if it was just me, and i need to get used to being on the water again (haven't fished out of a boat in a looong time, but always felt that I had a decent pair of sea-legs) or if it was just another characteristic of this type of boat.

I was curious if anyone has made a carpeted, plywood floor for their Bass Raider, and if this might help with this issue.

HI, I use a gray workout mat. 1/2 inch thick foam. Its light weight, dont slip, Quiets all the noise u make in the bottom of the boat, waterproof and hooks do not snag in it like carpet. when i figure out how to post pix here i will. it tells me my 2 megapixel pix r to big but you can go to my FB and see it.

[Pondkiller]

First, thank you to every guy that has posted to this site. I think I've read/re-read several points that you have brought up - I get teary eye'd just thinking about it. Also, i give 100% of the credit to all of you for your ideas that i used when I put the mods into action. I've been working on this on and off for 6 months, but finally got it in action once the cold hit (think Minnesota). To date I've added (due to this blog) the following:

• paddle and retractable net holders on outsite left & right (all holes filled with waterproof loctite); found the holders at Gander Mountain and used for kayaks;
  
• Rod holders on the back (scotty's)
  
• Sonar holder (off front via PVC)
  
• GPS off front (had spare set from prior fishing boat...thought why not)
  
• Ram gimble holder/mid right for Nav (humminbird..pull from crestliner)
  
• All power connections are now the quick remove type
  
• Added light mounts front and back for night fishing
  
• Added the anchor pulley system and then added big eyelet and cleat to floor to keep rope out of way
  
• New floor added with outdoor carpet 1/4 inch water proof plywood.
  
• 2 beer holders
  
• Eyelets to strap down the bungees (love the idea) and use the outside edge to secure
  
• Battery tray (had to split) and placed battery in quick remove/quick charge case
  
• Let the boy add the name to both sides
  
• added extension to trolling motor
  
• 
  Have yet to add bigfoot trolling motor pedal and rod holders on both sides of my chair.
  Again, all ideas were yours and I must say this is the only blog I have ever read and likely will ever read again.
  Not sure about your girlfriends/wives - pretty sure the wife thinks i'm nuts. Please give feedback or share ideas on things i could improve.
  

[Pondkiller]

First, thank you to every guy that has posted to this site. I think I've read/re-read several points that you have brought up - I get teary eye'd just thinking about it. Also, i give 100% of the credit to all of you for your ideas that i used when I put the mods into action. I've been working on this on and off for 6 months, but finally got it in action once the cold hit (think Minnesota). To date I've added (due to this blog) the following:

• paddle and retractable net holders on outsite left & right (all holes filled with waterproof loctite); found the holders at Gander Mountain and used for kayaks;
  
• Rod holders on the back (scotty's)
  
• Sonar holder (off front via PVC)
  
• GPS off front (had spare set from prior fishing boat...thought why not)
  
• Ram gimble holder/mid right for Nav (humminbird..pull from crestliner)
  
• All power connections are now the quick remove type
  
• Added light mounts front and back for night fishing
  
• Added the anchor pulley system and then added big eyelet and cleat to floor to keep rope out of way
  
• New floor added with outdoor carpet 1/4 inch water proof plywood.
  
• 2 beer holders
  
• Eyelets to strap down the bungees (love the idea) and use the outside edge to secure
  
• Battery tray (had to split) and placed battery in quick remove/quick charge case
  
• Let the boy add the name to both sides
  
• added extension to trolling motor
  
• Have yet to add bigfoot trolling motor pedal and rod holders on both sides of my chair.
  Again, all ideas were yours and I must say this is the only blog I have ever read and likely will ever read again.
  Not sure about your girlfriends/wives - pretty sure the wife thinks i'm nuts. Please give feedback or share ideas on things i could improve.
  

Was wondering if the pictures are simply to small. Tried to live by the 150k limit. Again thanks for the ideas.

[dwaynesworld]

Pondkiller, your boat looks great. Looks like very nice setup. But imo pics are to small

[Pondkiller]

Was wondering if the pictures are simply to small. Tried to live by the 150k limit. Again thanks for the ideas.

Here are new pix. Expect a few posts due to file size limit.