I have been looking at the small "Bass tenders" (now called something else). What is the general opinion of these boats? I read that they can get water in the hull. Are they worth the effort and expense?

I have the pelican bass raider, and LOVE it! I've had it for about 4-5 years, and it's held up well to my abuse.

If you've ever watched a video of how a kayak is made, that's how my boat is made. I think it's called roto-molded. Basically they take a predetermined amount of mix and melt it in a mold till it becomes one piece. There is no top or bottom and their is no floatation cushion to absorb water or wear.

My little rig is called a twin troller x10. It drafts as shallow as a kayak, has over 70 lbs of thrust, the maneuverability of a zero turn mower and the stability of a 48 inch wide bottom in a 10 foot boat.

I have a Pelican predator and I have been happy with the boat. It will fit in the back of my small Nissan pickup but it was a hassle to move it around by myself. I found a small trailer for it which makes life much more simple. It can water between the hull but it has a drain to get it out. It's a very stable boat and I have been very happy with it. I use it for fishing coves and bridge pilings. I use a 5hp outboard and a 30 lb thrust trolling motor to move it around. Many times I leave the outboard at home and simply use the trolling motor. The only complaint I have is moving it by yourself can be a chore which is the reason I got a trailer. Two people can carry it with no problem.

Reggie

I have THEE best of these there is... The Bass Hunter. Look it up, accept no copies!

*those twin trollers KD is talkin about are awesome, but they cost 3x as much...

Fun boats, well worth the hassle. I built a small dolly for mine, so even alone its easy to handle.

I also have a Pelican Bass Raider like liveoutloud and absolutely love it. It`s fitted with a 40lb thrust troll motor with a HB 798ci side imaging & an Elite-5 DSI and use it for mostly for Creeks ,Coves,Bridge pillings, as Grainraiser suggested, and some big water if the weather conditions permitt.Got it @ Acadamy in Mesquite for $299.00 and it is a very stable little boat.

One just sold today on the swap sale board. Boat, trailer and 2.5hp motor. I think it was listed for $1700. I've found similar deals on Craigslist. I didn't pay retail for mine and agree they are a little high if bought at retail.

Oh and another one to keep an eye out for on the used market is the bass tender 11.3. This one has a raised front deck like a sun dolphin pro 120 but no wood deck lids. They aren't made any longer and are hard to find. Search for "11.3" to find them. For some reason I've found many of them on the Ok City C/L page.

Yeah that 11.3 is the cats meow. I passed on one for $400 and have been kicking myself over it. The only thing about that boat is it requires a trailer. They are hard to find but are very good boats.


Reggie

I LOVE my little load-n-go boats. Check them out at the links below and you can take one out any time to Demo. Just send me a message. Safe, Stable, Easy to load/unload and store. NO Trailer needed. I could go on and on. I have fished from and tested every craft mentioned above and clearly each has admirers. These won me offer and are GREAT little Boats!

yes sir Dan, got a Bass HunterEX...I got swamped in it once when the wind got up...but it never sank...I just got wet...it will get you places you never dreamed possible...first year I had it, I caught more fish from it than my other two combined.

Saw this faster, interesting lightweight alternative.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z289JCqhZ7Q

I would add seat backs of my own design for comfort.

Porta

I'm biased because I do the marketing for the Twin Troller X10 but the truth is there is no other boat like it in the world.

When fishing I have complete control of my trolling motors with my feet. Wind is not an issue in this boat.

Expensive for a 10 ft. boat? Yes, with good reason, and worth every penny.

If you have no ramp remote launching points, portaging, thin water sections and rapids to deal with like me, then this boat tender design won't work very well compared to an inflatable. Weight, draft, bulky volume, inability to conform around rocks, etc. would be some issues. For example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7d9mgjUlskw

I like to have real time access to clear the motor prop because even "weedless" props/grills/cutters don't always work- like with fine stringy pond scum. Not being able to clear a tangled prop in high wind or waves would be bad.

Sorry, just my humble experience.

Porta

Virtually unsinkable, works in white water, no trailer needed, no ramp needed, bass seats...hmmm...sounds familiar.