curious to get some thoughts from those of you with experience, on going with a pedal kayak vs. a Pelican Bass Raider

I have a Tundra - so portage isnt too much of an option

I was just about to pull the trigger on buying a 12ft yak, but then saw the Bass Raider and am rethinking it seriously

all input is appreciated

To the forum. The bass raider can be fun and easy to handle alone if you have a trailer. Without a trailer, it will be tough to load/unload in the bed of a truck. If you buy a bass raider, be sure you have a title in hand from the seller because registering without one will be extremely difficult. If it comes with a trailer, be sure it has a title also. Registering homemade trailers these days are next to impossible too.

I have owned both and to me a kayak is just easier. Easy to throw in the bed of a truck, no registration hassles, etc.

Lugging around a trolling motor battery and a trolling motor can be other factors.

I think the Bass Raider would end up being a lot more expensive. You're not going to paddle the Bass Raider very far so a motor is pretty much a must. Then you're lugging a motor and battery back and forth to and from the truck as CCTX mentioned. And your fishing trips will last only as long as your battery will. A quality lithium battery that would power a 30-45 lb thrust trolling motor will run you north of $500. And as mentioned you need a trailer too.

Most kayaks even peddle kayaks have better paddability than the BR which avoids the battery/motor scenario. I've had a TM on a kayak before and it's a pain in the arse. Only way I would do it again is to go with something like the Bixpy motor that is super light but those are around $1500 with taxes, adapters and freight.

i've seen several pics (and a youtube video) where one of these will fit in the back of a pick up truck - so not sure why i'd need a trailer

i'd have more space for gear - less chance of flipping over....i can launch from the same spots as a yak.

i think the raider weighs more unloaded, so that'd be an issue

as for cost, the Pelican is 750...a Minn Kota Max Endura 50lb thrust trolling motor is $300 and then another $200 ish for battery and charger.

that's around $1200 - and i'm seeing 12ft pedal yaks fully rigged for $2200

does anybody have experience with both?

I have owned both. The Bass Raider is very difficult to load into a pickup bed by yourself unless you are willing to back your pickup into the lake and submerge the rear axle and exhaust which I was not willing to do. It is even more difficult than loading a 12’ aluminum Jon boat. I owned a Bass Raider and a Hobie ProAngler 12 at the same time and stored them on the same cart. It got to the point that I would not take out the Bass Raider unless my son was coming along to help. If you are going to trailer it, then the Bass Raider is super easy to load and unload.

One more thing to consider is when the lakes flood, they start closing down the boat ramps which makes it really difficult to use a Bass Raider. A kayak on a two wheeled cart can be loaded and unloaded from just about anywhere except a cliff. A couple of months ago when Lake Grapevine was flooded, I launched a Hobie ProAngler 12 from a half submerged parking lot. In past years, I have walked a kayak on a cart down a Mountain Bike path and launched it when they had the “whole” lake closed off. You can’t keep a determined kayaker off the water.

great information -thank you!!!!

Having also owned both I agree with what has been said above... Hauling (and registering) a Bass Raider type boat is a pain. They are relatively heavy and awkward to man-handle.

My Pond Prowler was 25 years ago.. long before fishing kayaks took off. It was a good little boat and I would happily own another one if I had lake property where I could leave on site. They are fun and comfortable.

Aside from the hauling aspect, think storage... many fishing kayaks have really good storage for their size while Bass Raider type boats have none.

Cost aside, If I was to choose to trailer and register, I would get a Twin Troller. They are slick little boats!

https://www.freedomelectricmarine.c...SEXaWJrJTwpqQKXz3JbMBc-VC8BoCE-UQAvD_BwE

Good luck with your decision.

thanks - i got some good advice from the guys at Mariner Sails in Dallas - put a deposit down on an Old Town 106MK - picking it up in September!