Ive been thinking of getting a small pontoon boat to get myself off the banks and onto some more crappie.
Ive been looking at a Pelican Bass Raider at Academy.
price is about $549, and it fits in the back of a truck.
seems like a low maintenance option for a first time boat owner.

Im concerned on the stability, and capacity of this boat.
the sticker says weight limit is 600lbs.
i weigh about 310, and my buddie around 250, plus battery and tackle, we're gonna be pushing 600. Ive seen promo video of a bass hunter boat (which says weight capacity of 550) hold 4 adults, and 2 adults with the boat full of water, so im guessing it will hold alil more than the sticker says.
video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZxIcyOtOOc&feature=related

Does anyone own one, or something similar, that can give me some input ?

Thanks

You may want to post this question over on the tube section of the forum There are a few people over there using them.

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/forums/26/1/Tube_Fishing

^^ I sure will.

Thanks

When you start going close to the weight limit, the boat gets more unstable. In my younger years, we fished the same way, but found out that we could do much more if we had a boat each. I built a rack that would hold both boats in the back of my truck.

We were able to handle a little more chop on the water than when we tried fishing in the same boat. You looking at twice as much money, but it is much safer. Especially, if you are crowding the weight limit. Just your sizes abnout exceed the weight limit, and when you start trying to get a ice chest in the summer, equipment, etc, the boat will be squirrelly on a perfect day.

With anything, when you are exceeding limits before get the battery, trolling motor, rods, reels, tackle boxes, it is pushing a guys luck.

I love fishing from these boats, especially Crappie fishing, whern you can get into the coves that you are going to be working. We had many good years of fishing in these boats, but again, we bought 1 each. I believe ours was Bass Buggy's...

I was in the same boat as you and went with the Pelican Predator instead of a pontoon. The boat is more stable and has more room to move around. Not only do I fish for crappies shallow in the spring time but I also can use it to fish bridges during the summer and spring. I also have a big boat but I use the small one just as much. Look around and see if you can find a Pelican Predator, Basstender or Basshound. Either can handle two people with no problem.

Reggie

This is the direction I would go. But this deal won't last long. Should cover you limits. keith


http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt...eek_Boat#UNREAD

I'd be all over that if I weren't unemployed. That is a heck of a deal right there.