Need info on a boat

[KubotaM4900]

I have been looking for a small boat for some time now. I seen that Academy has a 10' Pelican with the seats. It appears to be a fairly wide boat. Has anyone had any experience with one of these? Or would a flat bottom be the best choice? These are said to be stable but Id like some input from someone who owns one. Plan on mainly using trolling motor. Catman this maybe your area of expertise.

 

[catman529]

Ha not quite my area of expertise but I have learned a bit in the past couple months. Those plastic pontoon types are supposed to be very stable but the only plastic boat I have floated in personally was a pedal powered boat. A 10 ft flat bottom typically has a 32" bottom so it's a lot more tippy. I have a 14' flat bottom with a 32 inch bottom and it works fine for me. I think Bowriter has a lot of experience with plastic boats... he might be able to help.

 

[relocatedduckman]

Are you going to be sitting down fishing.. or wanting to stand up and fish.. If your just going to sit down.. Fish small water(ponds).. Then the pelican will be alright for you.. But if you are wanting to fish a little bigger water.. Percy Priest, Old Hickory, Cumberland River, Cheatham lake, Normandy, Duck river, Stones river, Harpeth River, Elk river ect.. I'd go with a 14' boat. That way if the waves get up you have a little more protection.. And you can walk around the boat.. More space for you to store your stuff.. And.. How can you feel like a man in a 10' plastic boat.

 

[TNCharlie]

I have a boat of that type, but not a Pelican. Mine is from BassPro and I think is even called a BassTracker. I've had it for a few years and have gotten a lot of service from it.

Yes, it's stable. I think that it would be difficult to turn one over, but you definitely can fall out of one. Yes, that's the voice of experience speaking.

Positives: Shallow draft, easily propelled by a trolling motor, comfortable seats. Mine even has a live well. Nice for drifting calm water (see negatives). Great for one vehicle floats where you put in, run upstream with the motor, then float back to the put-in point. Great for small lakes where gas motors are not allowed.

Negatives: Not easily used with paddles. A bit heavy and awkward for one man to handle. I have a small boat trailer for mine, but I have seen people using little flat-bed trailers for them. I wouldn't recommend it for anything that could be called rapids because it is not very responsive to the paddle and will get sideways on you. Avoid excessively choppy water; the waves will splash over the sides.

So like anything else, it depends on your situation and needs.

 

[KubotaM4900]

Charlie thats exactly what I thought. I didnt think it looked like paddles would work very well. One of these probably will not be Buffalo river friendly. Think its hard to beat a flatbottom.