Any Pelican Bass Raider Owners Out There?

[Canam13]

On February 17, 2016 at 0:24 PM, Tommy X said:

Yes it's big enough for 2 but use discretion on what you bring with you. The floor fills up fast with stuff and I am alone 90% of the time. I'm going to put some time and effort into modifying the boat to keep stuff off the floor. The rod storage kind of sucks. I'm not crazy about resting my rods unsecured on top of the pontoons 2" inches from going over the side.

For a motor I have a 45 lb Endura Max by Minnkota. It's a great motor and never even comes close to killing the 24 group battery. I go out from 5 to 7 hrs. If I could do it again I would go for the 55 lb and a little bigger battery but It's not really an issue. I'm very happy with my set up

I use standard bass boat deck rod tie downs and they work really well. Can tie down 4-5 rods per Side if I want to. I also installed them in spots down the rail, so when the seats are in and transporting the boat. They hold down the seat in place at highway speeds.

 

[johnkn]

Looks good above.

How does everyone store your car keys, phone, wallet, etc. when in the boat? A small float bag tied to the boat?  Thanks

[S. Sass]

35 minutes ago, johnkn said:

Looks good above.

How does everyone store your car keys, phone, wallet, etc. when in the boat? A small float bag tied to the boat?  Thanks

Heck not me I have mine in my pockets. Well my phone I have in a ziplock but the rest is with me in my pockets. 

[Tommy X]

On 2/17/2016 at 10:52 AM, trick worms said:

20 hours ago, 68dave said:

I'm sure they want to match the competition to get the sale. No Academy's here in Maryland so they aren't considered competition. Keep us posted.

I'm sure there is some members from Md, Va, and Pa on here. We should plan a plastic boat "Fishing meet" this upcoming Spring for a day of fishing. It would be cool to meet & fish with some fellow members.

I'm interested in doing that. I am in NJ

 

18 hours ago, Canam13 said:

I use standard bass boat deck rod tie downs and they work really well. Can tie down 4-5 rods per Side if I want to. I also installed them in spots down the rail, so when the seats are in and transporting the boat. They hold down the seat in place at highway speeds.

 

Looks great! Available at Bass Pro , I guess?

[Grayman]

Just bought this BassTender 10'2. Had an 8' Pelican Bass Raider and after one trip my son said its too small for both of us. Considered a newer Predator but liked this older model Tender because of the space inside. Didn't like the pod felling of the Predator. I think its going to work out good. We are both not really big people so we should have plenty of room. Can't wait to try it out.

[Canam13]

21 hours ago, Tommy X said:

 

Looks great! Available at Bass Pro , I guess?

yah BPS or Amazon, can't remember where I found them.

 

I would also be interested in getting together for a day of fishing with the raiders, sounds like fun.

2 hours ago, Grayman said:

Just bought this BassTender 10'2. Had an 8' Pelican Bass Raider and after one trip my son said its too small for both of us. Considered a newer Predator but liked this older model Tender because of the space inside. Didn't like the pod felling of the Predator. I think its going to work out good. We are both not really big people so we should have plenty of room. Can't wait to try it out.

Looks nice, good luck with it and have fun!

[68dave]

I mentioned that fishing meet, lets plan something. Tommyx & Canam is interested. I'm also a member on a fiberglass camper forum, ATV forum and a Toyota 4x4 forum and we have planned meets for camping, ATV'ing our quads & 4x4'ing our trucks. It's a blast everytime. 

[Tommy X]

5 hours ago, 68dave said:

I mentioned that fishing meet, lets plan something. Tommyx & Canam is interested. I'm also a member on a fiberglass camper forum, ATV forum and a Toyota 4x4 forum and we have planned meets for camping, ATV'ing our quads & 4x4'ing our trucks. It's a blast everytime. 

Check out Lake Redman in York Pa. That's pretty central to us, 290 acres. Looks good to me. http://traveltips.usatoday.com/fishing-seasons-lake-redman-pennsylvania-29898.html

[68dave]

Sounds good to me! My wife and I hike there with our 2 dogs. Beautiful lake and park, and its right off of I-83 so its easy to find. I heard the fishing is good, I never fished there personally. Hopefully some more members chime in then we can agree on a day. I'm available any Sat or Sun. 

[68dave]

I just went to my local Dick's Sporting store where i recently purchased my Pelican for $699 with a pic on my phone of Academy's $599 advertised price of the same Pelican 10e. They refunded me the price difference. I'm a happy camper!

[johnkn]

Does the Dicks by you have any more?  I'm in Laplata 20646 and seems that I will need to drive at least to No. Va.  I called my local store 3 weeks ago and they indicated they have no way to predict when boats will arrive in their store. Thanks

[68dave]

Just now, johnkn said:

Does the Dicks by you have any more?  I'm in Laplata 20646 and seems that I will need to drive at least to No. Va.  I called my local store 3 weeks ago and they indicated they have no way to predict when boats will arrive in their store. Thanks

John they have one that just arrived sitting on the shelf. Dick's in Bel Air off of rt. 24, not far from I-95

I saw it there on the shelf this afternoon. They also had a Sundolphin sitting up on the shelf next to the Pelican 10e. Take a pic of Academy's ad and take it with you for a $100 savings like i did today. You should join the fishing meet were planning.

[Tommy X]

Nice weather on the east coast so I finished up some mods. Lowrance  Elite 4 Chirp mounted on a Yakattack cellblok, carpeted floor, New Mossy Oak seat by Tempress Seating. Yakattack and the Tempress seat are made in the USA

[Canam13]

29 minutes ago, Tommy X said:

Nice weather on the east coast so I finished up some mods. Lowrance  Elite 4 Chirp mounted on a Yakattack cellblok, carpeted floor, New Mossy Oak seat by Tempress Seating. Yakattack and the Tempress seat are made in the USA

Man, really looks great!

That Cellblock is a nice idea, very clean no wires. I think I'm mounting my new Helix5 SI-  FF to a small ram mount and using the front right rod holder for a removable mounting system, since I fish from the front most of the time.

The floor is my next upgrade, Yours looks really good. Have any measurements I can start with? What thickness board did you use? Did it make the boat noticeably heavier, I load mine to the back of my truck so weight is always a concern.

[Tommy X]

Man, really looks great!

That Cellblock is a nice idea, very clean no wires. I think I'm mounting my new Helix5 SI-  FF to a small ram mount and using the front right rod holder for a removable mounting system, since I fish from the front most of the time.

The floor is my next upgrade, Yours looks really good. Have any measurements I can start with? What thickness board did you use? Did it make the boat noticeably heavier, I load mine to the back of my truck so weight is always a concern.

I used 1/2 ply total length is 103" X 20 1/2"  and I cut the length in half so it's easy to take in an out. No its not much heavier. I use my truck bed too. I just bought a new Ram 4x4 which is 5 1/2 " higher then my old 98' Ram 2x4. That will make getting it in the back that much harder. I am by myself 95% of the time. I starting to think about keeping the 98' as my fishing truck. Its still runs great, it just looks like hell and has no AC. There's a lot to say about having a truck you don't give 2 hoots about scratching, getting hit by rock and gravel, or washing. My wife says the insurance is cheap, so why not keep it? Right?

[Canam13]

6 minutes ago, Tommy X said:

Man, really looks great!

That Cellblock is a nice idea, very clean no wires. I think I'm mounting my new Helix5 SI-  FF to a small ram mount and using the front right rod holder for a removable mounting system, since I fish from the front most of the time.

The floor is my next upgrade, Yours looks really good. Have any measurements I can start with? What thickness board did you use? Did it make the boat noticeably heavier, I load mine to the back of my truck so weight is always a concern.

I used 1/2 ply total length is 103" X 20 1/2"  and I cut the length in half so it's easy to take in an out. No its not much heavier. I use my truck bed too. I just bought a new Ram 4x4 which is 5 1/2 " higher then my old 98' Ram 2x4. That will make getting it in the back that much harder. I am by myself 95% of the time. I starting to think about keeping the 98' as my fishing truck. Its still runs great, it just looks like hell and has no AC. There's a lot to say about having a truck you don't give 2 hoots about scratching, getting hit by rock and gravel, or washing. My wife says the insurance is cheap, so why not keep it? Right?

Yah it is nice to have a beater, especially if its a spare and you know some good spots off the beaten path to put the raider in. I ran across some small lakes that had steep access paths, so I carry two 2"x6"x10' boards with the tailgate hangers on them and slide the raider in and out on them....Much Easier!

Thanks for the measurements of the floor, maybe next month I can do that project. I'll post some pics after I give the raider a wash and prep her for the season.

Keep those pics coming everyone, great to see everyone's ideas and mods on their boats.

[Paintball]

21 hours ago, Tommy X said:

Nice weather on the east coast so I finished up some mods. Lowrance  Elite 4 Chirp mounted on a Yakattack cellblok, carpeted floor, New Mossy Oak seat by Tempress Seating. Yakattack and the Tempress seat are made in the USA

Tommy X,

Nice set up.  Is that the 18 or 24" Transducer Mount?

Canam 13,

Like the rod storage set up.  Will do the same with mine. 

Thanks for all the great info and ideas everyone.

[Tommy X]

11 hours ago, Paintball said:

Tommy X,

Nice set up.  Is that the 18 or 24" Transducer Mount?

It came with the 18" piece which is nowhere near long enough. I grabbed about 3'  of 1/2 alum round at work and put the 90 in it. After I mounted the cellblock to the boat I put it all together then cut the bar to size. it came to 28" total including the bend. I had to buy more  black wire loom to cover the alum rod and to give it a finished look. 

 

[Paintball]

Tommy X,

Finish fooled me.  Good job on the set up and thanks for the info. 

[lt21football]

Going to begin work on my casting deck soon.  Couple questions for everyone and hopefully someone can give me some ideas.  Did anyone make a casting deck (for the front) that works when two people are fishing?  Also, has anyone explored the idea of making a deck that that extends the whole front of the boat width wise?  Meaning the deck extends over the pontoons on each side?  I think this is feasible and would provide more room for standing, but don't know where to anchor and how to go about it.  Thanks guys.

[johnkn]

Could you locate 2 large 'pins' under the platform that would drop into the front rod holders?

As you know, the further outside the boat's centerline you distribute your weight the less stable the boat becomes. 

Here you go, though I'm not really sure of its value.  Not a 10e but pretty close

 

 

 

 

 

 

[lt21football]

On Thursday, March 03, 2016 at 9:05 PM, johnkn said:

Could you locate 2 large 'pins' under the platform that would drop into the front rod holders?

As you know, the further outside the boat's centerline you distribute your weight the less stable the boat becomes.

Here you go, though I'm not really sure of its value.  Not a 10e but pretty close

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like that design a lot! Well done.  Care to share dimensions and what exactly you used?  Thanks!

Just saw the "Its not a 10e" comment.  Nevermind! Looks great none the less.

[BigSlab29]

My dad and I are buying a pelican 8 on Sunday. Mainly to use for crappie fishing farm ponds and small strip cuts and lakes. I'm excited as this is my first boat. I've been reading some great tips on this thread. I think even though I'm a heavyweight guy that this boost is gonna be good enough for now for my dad and I. Is a 32lb thrust gonna push it good? Should I mount in the front with a rudder in the back?

[Canam13]

9 minutes ago, BigSlab29 said:

My dad and I are buying a pelican 8 on Sunday. Mainly to use for crappie fishing farm ponds and small strip cuts and lakes. I'm excited as this is my first boat. I've been reading some great tips on this thread. I think even though I'm a heavyweight guy that this boost is gonna be good enough for now for my dad and I. Is a 32lb thrust gonna push it good? Should I mount in the front with a rudder in the back?

A 32 will move it along and you be able to cover smaller lakes no problem. Bigger  lakes you would want to move up to a 45-55lb thrust. My TM is mounted up front with a rudder in the back. I find that's the best setup for me alone or with a partner. 

Good luck with the boat, enjoy!

[johnkn]

On ‎2‎/‎19‎/‎2016 at 7:16 PM, 68dave said:

 

42 minutes ago, BigSlab29 said:

My dad and I are buying a pelican 8 on Sunday. Mainly to use for crappie fishing farm ponds and small strip cuts and lakes. I'm excited as this is my first boat. I've been reading some great tips on this thread. I think even though I'm a heavyweight guy that this boost is gonna be good enough for now for my dad and I. Is a 32lb thrust gonna push it good? Should I mount in the front with a rudder in the back?

2 ~big guys = 10 foot boat.    good luck.